Esha Gupta champions the cause of education – adopts two villages in Uttar Pradesh!

Taking her passion for human welfare to the next level, Esha Gupta has now decided to adopt two villages in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijor district to promote education.

The talented actress has been consistently working towards upgrading the lives of the less privileged. After having announced the creation of an academy that will look into the requirement of Indian footballers struggling with monetary concerns, Gupta has now taken the onus of two villages in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh.

Esha confirms, “There will be logistical issues, but I will personally look into it. Everyone has the right to education. There are many children in small towns who want to study and make a meaningful career, but don’t have the required amenities. If I can help them, I will feel privileged.”

The project, which marks Esha’s collaboration with Delhi- based NGO, will see her provide financial support to schools for the provision of basic amenities. Her team has helped her zero in on the villages that require her attention. 

Esha adds, “There are three schools across two villages that we are supporting. Either they are far away from the primary residential area, or simply lack basic facilities. In both cases, they needed to be upgraded.” 

If sources are to be believed, Esha will provide funds for the appointment of teachers in the villages. “The NGO will shortlist qualified teachers, who will be deputed to the locations. While Gupta will also enable the schools in purchasing projectors, the NGO will also raise money to build better toilets and open a local library where the children can study. The project will kick- off this month. Esha will travel to Bijnor soon to look into the nitty gritties,” a source informs.

Harshvardhan Kapoor leaves no stone unturned for Abhinav Bindra's biopic

Harshvardhan Kapoor is going all out to headline Abhinav Bindra's biopic and one would expect nothing less from the actor who delivered a stellar debut with Mirzya.  It is learnt that the highly anticipated biopic is a coming-of-age story that will showcase Bindra’s growth and transition from childhood to adulthood, as he trains to be a professional shooter. In order to ace the role, Harshvardhan will be required to lose and gain weight to look younger and older respectively. Making the actor appear believable and authentic as he ages in the film will also invlove the use of prosthetics and VFX. Reveals a source, “Harshvardhan needs to gain and lose weight to not only appear authentic but also to be able to make the necessary impact with the film by showing Bindra’s transition, as he ages in the movie. The actor will be essaying Bindra’s character as a young child and as India's first ever Olympic champion who earned a gold medal in Beijing in 2008 and finished at the fourth place in Rio De Janeiro in the year 2016.” It is clear that just at 26 years of age, Harshvardhan is well on his way to becoming synonymous with performance-oriented roles considering his movie choices and hard-core preparation.

World Autism Day at Oberoi Mallin association with SOPAN Trust

Oberoi Mall, a landmark shopping destination in Mumbai celebrated World Autism Awareness Day in association with SOPAN Trust on April 1, 2018.  SOPAN, an NGO which provides services to children with autism and developmental disabilities, put up a stall at the Oberoi Mall foyer. Several interactive activities to make the general public participate in this event were undertaken. The activities undertaken at the SOPAN stall were interactive games, Interviews; Tattoo printing, Nail art, distribution of pamphlets, exhibition of items made by the students of SOPAN and showing films on autism.

The Event was attended by enthusiastic crowd of 150 people from SOPAN and many more from the general public who visited Oberoi Mall on that day.The general public was drawn to the stall because of the beautiful display of items and the interactive games and activities. The feedback given by the public was very heartwarming. One of the writings in the feedback diary:

“Felt really good seeing an organization working so hard with full dedication in regard to such a cause”

Mr. Anupam T, Vice President, Oberoi Mall, said, The event was jointly organized with SOPAN who is providing services to children with autism and other developmental disabilities for the past 15 years. We are happy to associate with them to help build awareness and support these kids”.

Taapsee Pannu roped in as the brand ambassador of Nivea India

Taapsee Pannu, who’s become the new favourite face for brands, is on an endorsement spree. The actress, who’s been on an up rise since PINK, has had no looking back. Her immense popularity amongst the audience especially the youth is what makes her a favourite currently for several brands. Already a face for as many as six brands, in a new turn of events, Nivea India announced Taapsee Pannu as their brand new ambassador and face for the body wash category and shower gel category. The brand believes that the Naam Shabana actress is the perfect ambassador to promote Nivea Creme Care due to her youth icon status and therefore deemed her a perfect fit. When asked of her new endorsement deal, the actress, who is currently shooting for Anurag Kashyap’s Manmarziyaan, quipped, “It’s such an amazing feeling to be roped in by a brand for which you have been a consumer since years. The quality, reach and range of their products is so wide that it’s an honour to be chosen as their brand ambassador."

When Anupam Kher met Danny Boyle in New York!

Indian star Anupam Kher  recently met acclaimed director Danny Boyle of  Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, and Steve Jobs fame recently while the former was shooting in New York for NBC’s next. The seasoned actor has been part of notable Hollywood films and TV shows like Bend It Like Beckham, Speedy Singhs, Silver Linings Playbook, 24, Sense8, A Family Man, The Big Sick, The Indian Detective and Lust, Caution among others and having recently met Robert De Niro , also happened to casually catch up with acclaimed director Danny Boyle. The two share a warm equation and in fact the award winning filmmaker even held a session at Anupam Kher's acting school during his trip to India . Riding high with the distinction of having earned his second nomination at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, after the Oscar-winning, Silver Linings Playbook, Kher is undoubtedly one of the most sought after Indian actors in Hollywood .  While details of the meeting between the two remain unknown, we hope to see them working together soon.