Legendary Lata Mangeshkar presents versatile singer-composer-performer Reewa Rathod

Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Amruta Fadnavis, Juhi Chawla, Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, Usha Mangeshkar & many others at Reewa’s concert and single launch

“Today, I am presenting to you a very talented artiste. Her name is Reewa Rathod. She plays the piano beautifully, sings in multiple languages, also, she composes music as well. She has all the right talent for music. I hope that you all will like her and also compliment to her zeal. Reewa, I give you my blessing and I hope you are successful.” Words from the legendary Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar presenting Reewa, daughter of the ace classical musical duo - Roop Kumar Rathod and Sunali Rathod, reverberated her voice in an audio-visual at Deenanath Mangeshkar Natyagraha.

After the legendary lyricist Gulzar penned the lyrics to her first single, Maula (One Above), Reewa is back with her new music video and single. Saanwal, a Saraiki traditional folk song is craftily blended with verses in Spanish, the music for which is produced by Tabla Maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain and Michael Mennart. The chief guests of the exclusive musical evening, Padma Shri Hridaynath Mangeshkar and the First Lady of Maharashtra Amruta Fadnavis, launched the music video and the single in presence of Juhi Chawla, musical geniuses Usha Mangeshkar, Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, Jatin Pandit, Shravan Rathod, Ismail Darbar, Adinath Mangeshkar, Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and many other dignitaries.

With Dhrupad exponent Late Pandit Chaturbhuj Rathod as her grandfather, Roop Kumar Rathod - Sunali Rathod as parents, and singer Vinod Rathod and music director Shravan Rathod (of Nadeem-Shravan) as uncles, music flows through the Rathod family veins!

Said Hridaynath Mangeshkar who is her Guru, “I have taught Sunali and I have heard Roop, but Reewa has embedded the qualities of the two so beautifully. And she sings with grace and divinity. I am proud of her.”

In the current concert presented by Lata Mangeshkar, Reewa presented a bouquet of songs. Her music launch featured performances including Piano recitals, Thumri, Tappa, Marathi Bhavgeet, Carnatic, old film classics, English Pop, Punjabi music among others. That is not all, the budding pianist-vocalist-composer Reewa also enchanted the audience with her own compositions.

Proud parents Roop Kumar Rathod and Sunali Rathod averred “We feel blessed knowing that our little angel Reewa is being presented by the living legend Lata didi, music produced by Ustad Zakir Hussain and Michael Mennart and her work being launched by Baba (Hridaynath Mangeshkar), Waheeda ji and the First Lady of Maharashtra, Amruta Fadnavis."

Said Reewa, “It is indeed a blessing to be launched by legends. I feel truly ecstatic.”

Zee Entertainment organizes Manikarnika’s special screening for the President of India

Media & Entertainment powerhouse, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., has organized a special screening of its upcoming magnum opus, Manikarnika—The Queen of Jhansi, for the Hon’ble President of India, Shri. Ram Nath Kovind, and members of the cast and crew of the film, among others. Led by the Global Content Company’s Movies Business – ZEE Studios, the screening will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre tomorrow, January 18.

Speaking on this occasion, Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, “Right since its inception, ZEE has always been at the forefront of showcasing our rich legacy, culture, traditions and most above, our nation’s history. It has been our earnest endeavor to present our glorious history to the nation and the world at large. Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi is our yet another strong step in this direction. We are extremely honoured, glad & proud, that the Hon’ble President of India will be watching this film before its theatrical release. I congratulate team ZEE Studios for getting this opportunity and I wish them all the success.”

The trailer and songs of this new banner from ZEE Studios have already received an overwhelming response from the audiences. Ahead of its release, the film gets its first honour, as the President of India is all set to watch the film.

Shariq Patel, CEO, Zee Studios added, “It is an honour and a matter of pride for us that the First Citizen of India will be watching our work, before its theatrical release. We are extremely excited to present this labour of love to the Hon’ble President of India.” 

Kangana Ranaut who plays the title role of Rani Lakshmi Bai and directed the film said, “Rani Lakshmi Bai is a national hero. Our entire team is really looking forward to present Manikarnika, a story about Rani Lashmi Bai’s strength and bravery for an Independent India, to the most important entity of the Republic of India, our Hon’ble President”.

A ferocious warrior, a beloved queen, and a loving mother—Rani Laxmi Bai is a historical icon who was an epitome of courage, and sacrificed her life for her motherland, her beloved Jhansi. Zee Studios’ magnum opus Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi will bring alive the extraordinary story of valour and sacrifice for our motherland on the celluloid on January 25, 2019.

Kabhi Sautan Kabhi Saheli moment on the set of Ladies Special

It is generally noted that actors have different bonding on-screen and off-screen. Ladies Special on Sony Entertainment Television has three female leads who share a very good camaraderie off-screen as well. Apart from the three ladies, Bijal Joshi and Jia Mustafa playing the role of Bindu and Kangana respectively are seen having one such very twisted bitter rivalry on screen but their social media narrates a different story! In Sony Entertainment’s most popular show Ladies Special, Kangana (Jia Mustafa) is in love with Bindu’s (Bijal Joshi) husband Amar (Ojas Rawal) and tries her best to not let the duo get close to each other. But, Bijal and Jia gel a lot with each other in real life. They are seen joking and trying to pull each other’s legs. Above that, their social media is full of their off-screen fun moments together.

Upon asking Bijal said “I came here knowing no one and I found a very good friend in Jia, surprisingly it did not even take much time. It was Jia with whom I had to spend a lot of time on screen because she was against my relationship with Ojas as she loved him. And we had to understand each other’s role to fit in the shoes of our characters and give our best whilst shooting. Hence a lot of interaction gave rise to this amazing friendship. The more we fight on-screen the more we gel off screen.” 

To the same question Jia said “It is fun working with Bijal. It all started with the on-screen drama. The on-screen relationship is so bitter that after the shoot gets over, we laugh over it. And soon did we start getting to know each other better. We sort of share a lot of similarities. But no one can believe this fact of our friendship after seeing us on the television.”

Shilpa Shetty Kundra turns into restaurateur

Shilpa Shetty Kundra is no stranger to the hospitality sector having been a co- owner of a popular nightspot in Mumbai until not too long ago. Now, the actor has plunged headlong into the food and beverage business — she has invested in Chronicle, the popular beach club in Goa. In keeping with Shetty’s love for fitness, it’s not surprising that she has expanded the menu to include healthy offerings. 

While Chronicle has largely been a popular hotspot since its inception in 2013, Shilpa says they have reimagined it as an all- day eatery. “It was more of a night club earlier. But now, we have transitioned it into a day club that opens its doors at 9 am. We are also focusing on the food offerings,” says the actor. 

The restaurant’s idyllic location on the beach makes it the perfect setting for yoga sessions, says Shilpa. “ We have already successfully launched yoga mornings. It comprises people practising yoga under the guidance of the available trainers, followed by healthy juices and nutritious breakfast.”  

However, Shilpa is quick to add that the club will also offer the best from the world of music. “ We have an exciting line- up of the world’s best DJs coming to perform here. I plan to expand the brand across the country.”

Sony Entertainment Television makes Makarsankranti memorable for the commuters of Western Railway

The local trains in Mumbai are known to give a unique glimpse into the lives of Mumbaikars. The most endearing part of the train is the ladies compartment which is as colorful and as boisterous as the women commuters. From Birthdays to Anniversaries to Bachelorettes and respective festivals get celebrated in these compartments. The ‘train friends’ form ‘train groups’ and eventually graduate to being an integral part of each other’s lives. As an ode to this bond of train friendship, Sony Entertainment Television recently launched the show – Ladies Special, that boasts of an engaging narrative that weaves three stories of hope, friendship, aspiration and womanhood, the show will redefine the audience’s outlook towards life. Keeping up the spirit of celebrations, the channel had a colorful surprise stored in for the commuters on the very first festival of 2019!

On the occasion of Makarsankranti, the channel engaged in social festivities across the Ladies coaches in 40 trains on Western Railway. The Ladies coaches were bedecked with kite-shaped creatives that highlighted festive wishes from the three characters – Meghna, Bindu and Prarthna.

Furthermore, the promoters handed out branded pocket calendars to all the commuters that have important dates marked out as per the panchang. The activity garnered support from the radio stations as well with the RJs keeping Mumbaikars well informed about the activity. LIVE call ins were also facilitated by the OB jocks who went on-ground and travelled with the commuters capturing their sentiments and excitement with this activity.

Social media was abuzz with passengers reacting to the activation by immediately tagging the show with their pictures on social media thanking SET for bringing some colour and joy into their lives. The characters of the show – Meghna Nikade, Bindu Desai and Prarthna Kashyap are winning the hearts of the audience with their journey that represents the reality of middle class life, their anxieties and aspirations in Urban India. With this activity across the Mumbai Local, Sony Entertainment Television reached out to more than 3 lakh women commuters on Western Railway.