Character designer Preetisheel Singh's new office showcases fantasy with eye-catching murals

Once upon a time, Mumbai used to be famous for poster art and murals. Even today, we look at Mario Mirinda's paintings at Cafe Mondegar in Colaba and gaze in delight. In recent times, the Mahatama Gandhi mural at Churchgate Station is also looked upon with awe. But from the last few years, not many have explored this art... at least, not in the suburbs.

But that's just changed this week, with National Award-winning makeup, hair and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh and her partner-husband Mark D'souza at their company Da Makeup Lab, having set up their new office in Versova with a huge floral mask mural on its two-storied building wall. It's the biggest mural on the building, with a face emerging from a large, vivid and burlesque flower. 

Mark D'souza, business head of Da Makeup Lab explains, "At our company, what we do is transform an actor into a character. The murals depicts that. Here, the art is the flower, and the face is what emerges from this art." 

The ruling queen of prosthetics, Preetisheel Singh, who has designed the looks for Bollywood's topline actors in films like Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, Andhadhun, Mom, Mulk, 102 Not Out, Thackeray and many others, is about to begin 'Preetisheel's School of Character Design' at this place soon. "We intend to let the calm of our surroundings in Versova inspire the imagination of our students when we roll with the school in September,” says Mark.

Made by Delhi artist Amrai Dua, the murals are quite a sight for passerbys. So catchy are they, that they can give any eclectic Hollywood studio a run for its money. Apart from the humungous floral mask mural on the front, the second mural is of a fantasy-based devilish creature. The third has three masks, all emoting differently. A portion of the wall has a mural of Preetisheel doing what she knows best, transforming someone with a brush in her hand. 

“Prosthetic is quite new to Bollywood. But we have got rave reviews for our work in the last few years. So our aim is to let filmmakers know that drastic transformation of characters are also possible in India. And the artworks are trying to convey that. One of the murals -- the creature -- is our way of telling people we can do world-class fantasy-based transformations, so the industry should start thinking about it,” says Mark.

Jassi Gill wraps his shoot for Panga

Actor and singer Jassi Gill has finished his shoot schedule for Ashwini Iyer Tiwari's upcoming film Panga. The versatile actor gave a heartfelt message on the video.

The actor, who started shooting for the film almost a year back, stars in the lead opposite actress Kangana Ranaut. He has worked hard to fit for the role and learnt kabaddi from state level players.

On the last day of the sets, Jassi says, "Today is the last day when Ashwiny ma'am had to tolerate me. Thank you so much ma'am. Had a great time working with you and I am going to miss everyone."

While Ashwini Iyer, the director of Panga, pens down an emotional quote, ‘’Our sunshine wrapped #panga today. The rays of his beautiful energy on set and off set will continue for long. Thank-you for being the ‘Spreading Joy’ human on set.Jassie Gill you are a bright hope in reel and real sense. Thank-you for being a part of Panga and owning your character straight from the heart. ,"

Now that they have wrapped up and hearing this heartful message we are excited to see Jassi in the lead.

Cosmos-Maya’s ViR: The Robot Boy and Alexa – The new Artificially Intelligent best friends

With the new Amazon Echo Show, young viewers can now watch their favorite ViR: The Robot Boy episodes using nothing but their voice.

Cosmos-Maya has been a frontrunner in shaping industry trends. It’s recent skill for Amazon Alexa is indicative of its 360-degree-presence approach. Young viewers can use brand new ViR: The Robot Boy skill for Alexa to watch episodes of the show on Amazon’s range of Echo devices with a screen. The interactive skill makes it fun for users by integrating a simple quiz with each episode. Just say “Alexa, Open Vir the Robot Boy” to start enjoying.

ViR: The Robot Boy, an eponymous sci-fi show chronicling the exploits of the Artificially Intelligent humanoid, is one of the most successful Indian shows and has been on air for the past 6 years on Disney’s Hungama TV. The show has garnered more than 4 billion views on Cosmos-Maya’s YouTube platform, WowKidz and is also available for viewing on Netflix and Zee5. It has been syndicated to more than 50 countries worldwide.

Speaking on the development, Anish Mehta, CEO Cosmos-Maya said, “We are thrilled to launch the Alexa skill. Cosmos-Maya’s ethos of providing best in class entertainment to audiences seamlessly, matches that of Amazon Echo. Alexa and ViR will be the young users’ new best friends. They will interact with the users, entertain them and keep them engaged with enthralling narratives and storytelling.”

Dilip R.S., Country Manager for Alexa Skills, Amazon India said, “Many customers have shared that their kids love engaging with Alexa. ViR: The Robot Boy is one of the most successful Indian shows and we are happy to have its presence on the Echo Show.”

Sonu Sood to be seen in Kannada's magnum opus 'Kurukshetra'

Sonu Sood has proved his mettle as an actor not just in Bollywood but also south industry. Having been part of various blockbusters down south, the versatile actor will be next seen in his next, Kurukshetra, touted as most expensive Kannada film!

The fitness freak who remains one of the most sought after actors in different language industries is eagerly awaiting the release of his forthcoming Kannada film, Kurukshetra.

Directed by Naganna, the movie is based on the poem Gadhayuddha by poet Ranna, is said to be the most expensive Kannada film ever made and will release in five different languages. He will be playing the pivotal role of Arjun in the movie. He will also be sharing the screen space with top Kannada stars including Darshan and late actor Ambareesh. The big-budget action film will featuring grand war sequences which are also shot in 3D by the leading action director.

Sonu, who recently attended the mega music release of the film, says, “Kurukshetra is very special. It’s one of the biggest films that I have done. I am playing Arjun in the film which will be dubbed in other languages as well. So I’m sure when people will see the film, they will be spellbound by the kind of grandeur and the way the director has shot it.”

Arko Pravo Mukherjee talks on how royalty rights for artists in India need to be put in place

After presenting soulful melodies like, “Nazm Nazm” (Bareilly ki Barfi), “Tere Sang Yaara”(Rustom), and “Teri Mitti” (Kesari), prolific singer/composer/lyricist - Arko Pravo Mukherjee made his podcast debut in a recent episode of 9XM SoundcastE, an IVM Podcasts show. Hosted by Eva Bhatt, the episode went into the depths of the singer’s musical journey and his experiences. Amidst discussing the current scenario of the music industry in India, Arko mentions his disappointment towards the infrastructure of collecting royalties in India. He explained this further saying, “We don’t have the infrastructure of collecting royalties in India, that is the problem, because for a composer, say where I am now in India, suppose I’m Arko in Germany, same position, same age, same number songs, I would be making a huge amount of money in royalties which Indian composers don’t make and that is why they think that maybe we have to do more shows. Though, performing artists and composing music have nothing to do with each other.”