After it’s incredible success worldwide, Rajkumar Hirani now heads to the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne to screen Sanju for Australian students

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is a celebration of Indian cinema in the land down under. This year it is happening from 10th - 22nd August 2018, under the unifying theme of inclusion.

This year, the festival is delighted and proud to present Rajkumar Hirani as one of the key guests who will celebrate Indian Cinema along with the diaspora at IFFM. The director has been riding on a huge success wave after their film Sanju has gone on to becoming the highest grosser of 2018 and the festival and the director have come together to champion this year's theme. Inclusion is a very integral part of both their cinematic  careers. Rajkumar Hirani who has made films like Munna Bhai MBBS, PK, 3 idiots, all the films that have spoken about inclusion in their own right.

Of the unique theme, Raju said, “I’m looking forward to the festival this year especially since the festival is championing the theme of inclusion in cinema. Also happy that the IFFM jury has nominated our film Sanju in various categories. Look forward to being in Melbourne ” Sanju has been nominated for best film, director, actor and supporting performance at the IFFM Awards.

Rajkumar Hirani will also be screening the film Sanju university students from LaTrobe. Australia's 3rd best university where a huge mix of kids from all races and countries study. He will introduce the film, talk about Sanjay Dutt and show them a very different sort of biopic. For many this will be their first bollywood film ever. On talking about the screening he said, "It’s always an enriching experience when people of different diaspora watch our films. I look forward to the special screening of Sanju for the students at La Trobe. It would be an interesting experience to see the reactions of those who are almost alien to Hindi films and the life of Sanjay Dutt."

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne promises to offer cinematic marvels celebrating the theme of Inclusion with an array of screenings, competitions, panel discussions and other activities planned for the Australian audience.

‘Vada Pav’ Party on the set of Indian Idol 10

Monsoon is here and who doesn’t want to settle down with a hot cuppa and some hot tasty food? With monsoon in full swing, Indian Idol 10 is staying true to its tag #MasumMusicKa. The 10th season of Indian Idol started with a bang on Sony Entertainment Television on 7th July and the first two episodes have been well received by the audiences. The terrific trio Vishal Dadlani, Neha Kakkar and Anu Malik are a super blend bringing out their expertise and enjoying their time on they show to the fullest. 

But, with Indian Idol 10, the three judges don’t have time to rest as they are busy selecting the best talent who will be the next face of the  biggest singing platform. With unstoppable rains, the judges on set were craving Mumbai’s best street food. Every local Mumbaikar loves the beloved, ‘Wada Pav’ and our judges are no different. 

Soon, the aroma of Vada Pav and strong cutting chai took over the entire set! Neha who is a big fan of this famous street food couldn’t control and ended up eating two vada pav’s. Vishal and Anuji were seen pulling her leg and reminding her about her diet while she was busy soothing her craving. Eventually, Anu and Vishal too had their share of extra vada pavs. 

A source on the set reveals, ‘It was indeed a fun to see these judges eating Vada Pav, who are otherwise very conscious about eating oily food. Neha was the first who decided to go on a Vada Pav break and  later Vishal and Anuji joined her along with the crew.It was a perfect weather on the set with piping hot chai and some mouthwatering Vada Pavs.”

Taapsee Pannu takes inspiration from this Hollywood actress for Badla

While the media is currently going gaga over the adorable selfie of Taapsee and Big B from Scotland as they have begun shooting for Badla, we just heard something amazing regarding Taapsee’s look in the film. The Pink actress who plays a successful entrepreneur in the film will be power dressing like never before. While Bollywood is slowly catching up to strong powerful working women who dress for their role, Hollywood slays each powerful look. The most well known has to be Kerry Washington from her show, Scandal. The actress not only plays a powerful business owner but one who advices the president of the United States of America.

Taapsee and the Badla team kept Kerry Washington in mind while planning outfits for the actress from pencil skirts, crisp shirts & stilettos to pant suits that are pinstriped with clean cuts and dresses that make heads turn. While we have seen Kerry rock her look we cannot wait to see Taapsee strut her power in Badla. " It’s a character I have never done before so wanted to have an interesting look put together. She is a sharp and intimidating woman who dresses up in an extremely prim n proper way. Kerry Washington’s look was a perfect reference point for us and if I can achieve something even close to hers I think we will be good", said the Naam Shabana actress.

Taapsee will be seen in Soorma alongside Diljit Dosanjh in a Hockey Biopic about Sandeep Singh, it will hit cinemas on 13th July 2018.

Daddy: Mahesh and Pooja Bhatt Share Emotional Story of Getting Out Of Alcohol Addiction

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and his daughter Pooja Bhatt were recently witnessed in Delhi for the screening of their play Daddy, which was inspired from Mahesh Bhatt’s super hit film ‘Daddy’. The event took place in Shri Ram Centre, Mandi House.

Daddy’s core theme was born out of Bhatt’s personal battle with alcoholism. At one time, Bhatt got heavily into drinking, which affected his personal life irreversibly until he realized his folly and decided to kick the habit for good. Daddy was the debut film of Pooja Bhatt and was written by his father Mahesh Bhatt.

Daddy, a sensitive story of role reversals is a unique fairy tale of a princess and her dad and how her courage broke an evil spell to make happily-ever-after possible for them. And for the same Bhatt added, “I was a successful filmmaker, once, when I returned home from the party, the daughter Shaheen turned her face from me. This incident totally changed my life. I quit drinking and wrote Daddy. It has been three decades since and I have not consumed alcohol,” said filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt while interacting with the audience.

The same film staged as a play and it stayed completely faithful to the original film. Presented by Mahesh Bhatt himself, the lead actor of the play is Mahesh Bhatt's longtime prodigy, Imran Zahid and directed by Dinesh Gautam.

Nandita Das to speak at the prestigious ‘Les Napoleons’ in France

Nandita Das’s film, Manto, is a liberal voice in these divided, turbulent times, hence it comes as no surprise that the filmmaker has been invited to a special edition on ‘Truth’ by ‘’Les Napoleons’’ in Arles, France between 18th-21st July.

An innovative communication network, "Les Napoleons" gathers players of the communications industries, culture, architecture and other fields to discuss and debate crucial issues.

Given that Manto wrote about the truths that no one dared to talk about, the film continues to remain relevant to our times and who better than filmmaker Nandita Das to discuss the subject at such a prestigious platform to initiate a dialogue and participation on the importance and relevance of truth in art and cinema.

The actor-director is participating in two sessions. The first, alongside Isabelle Hudon, Canada's Ambassador to France will shed some light on the role of women in society and the second being a closing key note address on ‘Art & Truth.’

Nandita Das says, "I am most delighted to be invited to a very special edition on "Truth" by "Les Napoleons" in Arles, France. As a speaker in two sessions, I am glad I have gotten the opportunity to discuss subjects that are very close to my heart – Art & Truth and Role of women in society and cinema. Manto, my next directorial venture has helped me delve into these subjects even more. For me, cinema has always been a means to understand and share thoughts and ideas that are of interest. And the complex relationship between truth and art is something worth exploring. Manto saw his stories as a mirror to the society. He never gave up being truthful despite six court cases and much opposition from even friends and family. It is a huge honour for me to be able to participate in this event. I am also looking forward to hearing the other eminent speakers.”