Richa had to seek help of psychologists to overcome the emotional trauma post the shoot of Love Sonia

Richa Chadha's role in Love Sonia has already gotten her two awards before the film has even released across the world, one in London Indian Film Festival and one at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The actress is one of the few people in the industry capable of such a feat where her work is speaking for her. The Fukrey actress plays the role of a sex worker and the Madam of a brothel in Love Sonia. She, along with actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Anupam Kher, Freida Pinto, Mrunal Thakur and Rajkumar Rao bring us the reality of the Sex Trafficking world which is directed by Tabrez Noorani.

Richa who was hesitant to the do the role when offered it because she was worried if the story would do justice to the portrayal of something so sensitive. She believed the director, Tabrez when he showed her the decade of research he's been doing for the film. When the actress started shooting for the film she met many sexworkers, a lot of young girls who were rescued from the flesh trade and listened to incidents that one could never fathom were even possible. After 2.5 months of shooting in different locations, depicting brutality and real stories on screen, once done with filming, Richa headed to for therapy sessions with a psychologist to help her detach from the role. An effect on one's mental state changes each day with scenarios that are presented in front of you and we completed understand why Richa needed help removing herself from her character because for 2.5 months she was part of it all.

Speaking about the process, Richa said, “The story of the film was gruelling and emotionally exhausting. To imagine as actors for us to go through this through the process of enacting living the life of these girls momentarily scars us, I can only imagine what would the girls in real life must be going through. For me it wasn’t an easy process. To immerse into the role, live through those emotions, learn those realities and accept them to essay the role of Madhuri took its toll on me. We are lucky as educated people to have access to information and to facilities and I had to seek help of professionals who are psychologists and find therapeutic ways to get myself out of the character to resume my normal life. This character was more than just a role it was a life we had to lead and also pull out of it emotionally once we were through it”.

For an actor like Richa, she could remove herself gradually but for millions of girls, this is the story of their lives. Love Sonia is a crucial film to change the discourse around India's sex trafficking issue.

“Don’t go anywhere in Bandra if you want to keep your love life private!” Says Karan Johar

Karan Johar is wittier and bolder than before in the second season of his popular radio show Calling Karan on Ishq 104.8 FM. Interestingly on the latest episode of the show, the handsome hunk Harshvardhan Kapoor had an important love advice to seek from the love guru. The 'Paltan' actor is puzzled about the fact that being a celebrity symbol how can one keep their love life private? 

Ironic as it sounds but it is too difficult to play hide and seek from the shutterbugs once you are a celebrity. But the master of all, Kjo has the best advice to give to Harshvardhan. He says, “Don’t go anywhere in Bandra as there is paparazzi everywhere. Don’t come out of Olive, don’t come out of The Korner House, don’t come out of a gymnasium, don’t come out of an airport, don’t come out of Bastian in Linking Road. And if you cover these six rules, you will have kept your love life Private.” 

The radio show has surely become the talk of the town as Karan spice ups the conversations with panache. Do you also need some expert advice? Tune in to Calling Karan 2 from  Monday-Friday at 10 am and 8pm only on  Ishq 104.8 FM.

Yami Gautam wraps up shooting for Aditya Dhar's Uri.

Yami has been busy shooting for Uri while promoting her other upcoming film, Batti Gul Meter Chaalu. The film is Aditya Dhar's directorial debut and is based on the attacks that took place in 2016 in Kashmir. The film had a major chunk that was shot in Serbia and the rest of the film was completed in Mumbai.

When asked Yami on wrapping up and shooting for the film, she said " Uri is such a special film for me because of the story. It has been a hectic and intense shoot but I absolutely loved every part of it. The film enabled me to try out something new with my look and mentally prepare for a role I was quite kicked about. I cannot wait for people to see what Aditya Dhar has done with his directorial debut and with co-actors like Vicky Kaushal, it was super fun."

Bollywood actors who would be great teachers

Teachers help shape our lives. The older we get, the more we learn and through it all we always come across individuals who teach us a lifelong lesson, an unforgettable thing we take with us right till the end. Bollywood too has numerous actors who have inspired generations of youngsters. On the occasion of Teacher’s Day, let’s take a look at Bollywood actors who would be great teachers

1.      Amitabh Bachchan -

Big B is at the top of the list and rightfully so. A vast treasury of knowledge, Bachchan Senior has inspired people not just by his story, but also by the work ethic he sticks to. At the age of 74, he has proven to all young guns that he can give them a run for their money by shooting for different projects simultaneously and being committed to his passion towards cinema.

2.      Pankaj Tripathi - 

A well read man of Hindi literature, Pankaj has often vowed audiences with his on screen performances and we are sure he would gather numerous crowds should he take to teaching, with his natural acting instincts. 

3.      Ratna Pathak Shah -

TV’s beloved Maya Sarabhai, Ratna has vowed us with her fantastic performances over the years. A veteran theatre and Bollywood actress, she has amassed quite a following due to her straight forward way of thinking and talking. She also happens to be someone who does not tolerate nonsense, thereby making her the perfect teacher a person can learn from. 

4.      Tabu -

Drishyam saw Tabu deliver one of her best performances and rightfully so. The actress has always taken a unique approach to her profession, which has always been appreciated and applauded by both industry insiders and the audiences. For someone who has worked across several genres and delivered hits after hits, the timeless beauty sure has talent in abundance to be shared with the world. 

5.      Irrfan Khan -

The Karwan actor has always been appreciated for his diverse roles. After delivering films like Madaari, Pan Singh Tomar on one side and Piku and Blackmail on the other, Irrfan has proven time and again that talent is something you are born with, making him quite the inspiration for fans to look up to. 

Gujarat Ki Manmarziyaan

The team of Eros International and Colour Yellow Productions' highly-anticipated Manmarziyaan visited Ahmedabad for the movie promotion recently. 

While in Ahmedabad, the movie cast including Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal was accompanied by renowned Gujarati actor Malhar Thakkar (Chhelo Divas & Su Thayu fame). Based in Ahmedabad, Malhar took them to the  famous temple in the city. 

In between all the interviews and media interactions, the Manmarziyaan team took a little time off and made a quick visit to sample the delicious Gujarati spread, Govardhan Thali. 

Before signing off, Malhar also happily posed with Abhishek, Taapsee and Vicky.