Mukesh Chhabra’s star-studded birthday bash

Mukesh Chhabra celebrated his 38th birthday by hosting a star-studded birthday bash at a plush restaurant on 26th May, 2018. 

Among the stars that dropped in to wish the birthday boy included superstar Salman Khan with Sohail Khan, Anil Kapoor, Kabir Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Sidharth Malhotra,  Sunil Grover, Dino Morea and Chunky Pandey among others. 

While Salman made his presence felt and interacted with the crowd merrily, Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao set the dance floor on fire. Anil Kapoor turned up and interacted with his Race 3 co-stars Bobby Deol and Saqib Saleem. Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, Nitesh Tiwari, Ekta Kapoor and Krishika Lulla and cricketer Hardik Pandya were also spotted. 

Mukesh informs, “I loved it! It was a great night. Everybody showed up and I feel so grateful.”

Senior Citizens come together to watch 102 Not Out

Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor starrer 102 Not Out has received exemplary responses from the audiences.

This ageless comedy has won the hearts of millions of people who watched the film and this response has encouraged the housing societies to take senior citizens to watch the film across India.

This took place first in Ahmedabad and over the weekend this took place in Mumbai and Delhi as well. Mumbai Chaitanya towers society took their senior citizen members as well. People who own old age homes were also taken to watch this light-hearted comedy.

The senior citizens said that they loved the film as it was a slice of life story.

MEGASTAR AKSHAY KUMAR & NATIONAL CHANGE-MAKERS TACKLE PERIOD TABOOS AT THE NIINE MOVEMENT’S “MENSTRUAL AWARENESS CONCLAVE”

The Niine Movement, an ambitious five-year plan aimed at raising awareness on the importance of menstrual hygiene and tackling the taboos associated with menstruation, officially launched at the inaugural Menstrual Awareness Conclave in Delhi, India to mark International Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28th May 2018. The Menstrual Awareness Conclave is supported by India’s Pad Man, Akshay Kumar and Shabana Azmi, who graced the event as its Chief Guest. The event took place at Hotel ITC Maurya, which includes several activists, who participated on a discussion made on the same.

Despite menstruation being an experience lived by as many as 355 million girls and women in India, approximately only 18% of them currently use sanitary napkins with approximately 82%  of women often reverting to unhygienic and unsafe alternatives such as old cloths, rags, hay and even ash. The reasons behind this staggering statistic include decades of archaic attitudes and stigma surrounding menstruation, the lack of choice and accessibility for safe and affordable sanitary products and the limited awareness of the importance of proper menstrual hygiene management; even amongst the 18%, some are still unaware of maintaining proper genital hygiene and the correct usage of the product, often overusing sanitary napkins.

As a result of the unwillingness to discuss menstruation, there is a subsequent culture of silence and shame which has left women and girls with no choice but to partake in unsafe menstrual practices, frequently resulting in urinary and reproductive tract infections, stress, and anxiety. In some cases, this has even resulted in girls and women becoming victims of gender-based violence, including harassment, physical assault, and/or rape; this vulnerability is exacerbated by limited access to WASH facilities, desire to hide evidence of menstruation, and lack of sanitation in homes.

The Menstrual Awareness Conclave was graced by film personalities, academics, policymakers, government officials, activists, medical experts, business stalwarts, NGOs, and thought-leaders, to discuss the impact that stigma and taboos have had on menstruation, which have held girls and women back for centuries from achieving their potential and living a life of respect and dignity. The event aims to provide an essential platform focusing on collaboration, innovation and cooperation to assess, plan and put into action sustainable solutions to tackling menstrual issues across India, with the support of leading change-makers.

Amongst the high profile attendees,Indian actor Akshay Kumar, who’s most recent award-winning film Pad Man, tackled the issue of menstrual taboo. He recently began his support of the Niine Movement with the launch of the nationwide campaign #18to82 to bridge the gap between the minority that are able to adopt hygienic practices and the large majority who are not able to make an informed choice in these matters.

Speaking about his support of the Menstrual Awareness Conclave, Akshay Kumar said: “The Niine Menstrual Awareness Conclave is a crucial assembly of minds, influencers and menstrual awareness champions - convening under one roof with the common goal of tackling the urgent issues, taboos and stigmas associated with menstrual health and hygiene. We, as a collective society, can only implement change once we initiate discussion, and the conclave on International Menstrual Hygiene Day is a fitting platform for us to truly empower a nation of women. Together we can ensure that every woman and girl has the right to manage her period safely and with dignity.”

The Menstrual Awareness Conclave also featured two high-level panels engaging prominent and expert panellists. The first panel is Chaired and Moderated by Poonam Muttreja, the Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India (PFI), which has been at the forefront of policy advocacy and research on gender, population, health and development issues in India. With taboos surrounding menstruation preventing women and girls from achieving empowerment, respect and dignity for centuries, the first panel will delve deep into the socially constructed origin of the menstrual stigma and the physical impact this can have on girls and women, in particular reproductive and urinary tract infections. If neglected, these infections can have long term consequences including increased vulnerability to other infections and in extreme cases can leave women vulnerable to infertility.

Poonam Muttreja, speaks to eminent panellists focusing on the importance of menstrual hygiene management awareness and practice and the work already being conducted on ground to tackle the issues and address the barriers. Some of the panelists include film actor and women’s rights activist Shabana Azmi, Avinash Kumar, Director Programme and Policy, WaterAid India, an NGO which aims to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services, Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Representative, UN Women India MCO and Dr. Jaideep Malhotra, President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).

According to UNESCO, 20% of girls drop out of school upon reaching puberty the second, most common cause of absenteeism after household work. The second panel will focus on the safety and security of girls after they reach puberty in the school environment, an important concern for girls and their families that needs to be addressed in building a healthy ecosystem in which girls and women feel empowered to make healthy choices with respect to menstruation.

The Niine Movement and Niine Menstrual Awareness Conclave is conceived by social entrepreneur Amar Tulsiyan. Speaking about the launch, founder Amar Tulsiyan said: “Menstrual hygiene awareness is an issue that is severely under-represented in this country, as demonstrated by the amount of women who still do not use proper menstrual hygiene products to manage their periods. Even amongst the 18%, they lack awareness of the importance of using clean sanitary napkins and not to reuse the product, which is why as part of our theory of change, we need to Enrol existing menstrual hygiene product users and those who don’t in a supportive, taboo free environment to create an open forum for discussion and deliberation. With Niine’s Menstrual Awareness Conclave, I am hopeful that we can inspire and motivate everyone to support the cause as I believe that we can all make a difference and break the taboo around menstruation by talking, educating and collaborating. That’s what the Niine Movement is all about. ”

MUMBAI'S CITIZENS PLEDGE TO BE FREE FROM SINGLE USE PLASTIC AND PAINT CARTER ROAD PROMEANDE COLOURFUL FOR #BEATPLASTICPOLLUTION CAUSE

As part of Bhamla Foundation's #BeatPlasticPolution project, activist-philanthropist Asif Bhamla, teaming up with Chal Rang De, brings new colour and thought process into the lives of the common man who walks the Carter Road Promenade to get fit. Bhamla Foundation, powered by the youth brigade, is now painting the promenade with thought provoking words to curb plastic pollution. Spotted at the do were Pooja Bhatt, Gracy Singh, Shaan, Asif Bhamla, Sharad Ughade,Meraj Husain, Saher Bhamla, Sanya Bhamla, Sohail Khan among others.

“The idea is to have an  attractive and colourful walk area and at the same time, put the thought across, " avers Asif Bhamla.

Looking at the cheerful volunteers, this looks like a colourful message that will surely work to beat plastic and save Mother Earth!

Yours to be part of the Carter Road Beautification and  Pledge to Discard Single Use Plastic and contribute to #BeatPlasticPollution. Turn Eco Champ today!

DUS KA DUM RETURNS ON SONY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION (SET)

When the most loved actor from the Indian film industry, Salman Khan, asked “Kitne Pratishat Bharatiya…” on Sony Entertainment Television (SET) in his inimitable style and charisma, he got the entire nation hooked on to Dus Ka Dum. That was in 2008. The show, that saw the debut of a superstar on Indian television, is all set to come back after 9 years with the very same superstar. It will give an opportunity to millions of aam aadmi of the nation to test their power of observation. Dus Ka Dum, promises to be sau pratishat (100%) enthralling and interactive. 

Staying true to the insight Ye Khel Hai Anumaan ka, Salman ka aur Poore Hindustan ka, Dus Ka Dum packs a punch with its riveting format, new madats (assists) through the three rounds and a lot more interactivity. Even before its launch, Dus Ka Dum has registered a whopping 1.5 million people taking part in its survey on the SonyLIV app, giving people an opportunity to audition for the show and stand a chance to play the game as a participant on television. 

The format is simple and appealing giving participants ample time to interact with their beloved star as well as revel in their victories. The first round will see two participants compete through 5 Ka Punch which is a knockout round. The player who answers at least 3 questions correctly out of 5, moves to the next round while the other contestant gets knocked out. Each question in this round is worth Rs. 20,000/- and the contestants will get 15 seconds to lock the estimated percentage on their respective screens. The madat (assist) available in this round will be Strategic Timeout where the contestant can consult with their families to arrive at an answer. Even the eliminated contestant doesn’t go empty handed! The second round is called 10 Guna Dum where the participant stands a chance to multiply the earnings from round one to Do Guna, Chaar Guna, Cheh Guna, Aath Guna or Dus Guna. The contestant has to set an estimate window on the ‘India Meter’ instead of an absolute percentage number. The madats (assists) available in this round are – Andaza Apna Apna, where the contestant can take help from studio audience and Dumdaar Daayra, where the obsolete bracket on the India Meter will be disclosed making it a lot easier for the participant.  While the contestant must play all the five questions, a minimum of three right answers in this round leads the contestant to the last and final round which is aptly titled Super Sawaal. This is the most edgy and nail-biting stage in the game! The correct answer gives the contestant 10 times the amount earned in the second round. But the wrong answer will leave the contestant with only 10% of the amount won in the second round. However, the contestant can choose to quit the show if in a dilemma and claim the money won in the second round. 

Sony Entertainment Television (SET) revolutionized the way content was consumed by introducing the second screen engagement during Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) – which was the biggest in the world. 30 million users registered for KBC Play-Along and around 3.5 million concurrent users played-along for every KBC episode, setting a global benchmark. Taking the success and the scale of the 2nd screen initiative a step further, Dus Ka Dum aims to become the most interactive television show in the world. Through the SonyLIV app, the engagement with the audience will happen in three phases viz. ‘Survey’ leading to ‘Audition’ and ‘Play Along’ once the show launches. It is a first in the history of world television that viewers’ insights received will form the backbone for the content in the form of probable questions in the show. Also, users get to keep availing exciting prizes with the Play Along on the SonyLIV app once the show goes on-air. 

Produced by Big Synergy, this new season of Dus Ka Dum boasts of an all new format re-designed and developed by the in-house creative team of Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Sony Pictures Television, UK.  With its TV + Digital approach, the show promises to deepen engagement with the viewers.  

Comments: 

NP Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India: 

“Dus Ka Dum is a format re-envisioned by our in-house creative team and Sony Pictures Television, UK. The advent of second screen, pioneered by Sony Entertainment Television during Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) last year, has revolutionized the way content is consumed. This time around, the number of respondents (about 1.5 million) to the Dus Ka Dum survey on our SonyLIV app, has been an eye opener. This data not just highlights the popularity of the show but also highlights an evolved consumption pattern amongst the audience. Along with an interesting format, Play Along will provide an opportunity to people at home to be part of Dus Ka Dum game play.  Furthermore, I am delighted to welcome Salman Khan back on Sony Entertainment Television.” 

Danish Khan, EVP and Business Head at Sony EntertainmentTelevision (SET) 

“Dus Ka Dum is an extremely relevant and interesting show format for a heterogeneous country like India. It celebrates the power of observation, life experiences and informal education; therefore, it is a game for almost everyone in India. It is truly a game of the common woman and man - it doesn’t bound the contestants by any filters like their educational, social or economic background. Anyone who has experienced life with an open mind stands a chance to be a winner here. To add to that, Salman Khan, whose appeal is beyond boundaries, is perhaps the most suited to bring this game alive. His easy charm and ability to connect with common man and woman makes for a riveting television experience.” 

Salman Khan, celebrated actor and host, DUS KA DUM 

“The show marked my debut on television and will always stay close to my heart. I am happy to return with this show after 9 long years! I feel a lot richer with the experiences shared by the participants on the show and the everlasting love of my fans.” 

Siddhartha Basu, Consultant, Big Synergy 

It is always a pleasure to be associated with the channel, Danish Khan and his team. The BIG Synergy team worked closely with them as well as the licensors, Sony Pictures Television, to rejuvenate Dus ka Dum with format freshness, questions about being Indian that other surveys seldom ask, and a terrific line up of contestants from across the length and breadth of the country, all the while staying true to the essence and appeal of the original version. The X factor of the show is of course Salman Khan, showcasing his trademark swag and spontaneous style, his earthy sense of humour, his warm connect with the common man, and his instinctive, unorthodox approach to entertainment. His enjoyment of the game is truly infectious. It’s a fun-filled show which makes you think and re-think about common things. The registration response was overwhelming and we do hope the nation once again enjoys the much-loved show and star in this brand new outing.”

Shama Sikandar & Sahil Khan Flagged off Mud Skull ‘s 4 by 4 Off Roding Rally

A luxurious car event “Off Roading” was organized by Mud Skull 4 by 4 in Mumbai. There was a car rally which includes almost 100 SUVs cars from Bandra sea link to Nariman Point on 27th may, 2018. The event was flag off by TV actress Shama Sikandar and Sahil Khan. All the participants were keen, energetic and dynamic at the event.

In these days youths are increasingly enthusiastic about adventure sports, Bollywood is also associated with such adventures sports. In the same way, TV industry actress Shama Sikandar is ready to convert her depressed life into a happening one and wants to do something new in the future. Shama Sikandar and Sahil Khan is associated with adventures sport Off Roading’s series of events which collects together the adventure with car racing and SUV cars.

Mud Skull's Off Roding events started by Sam Khan,  Subodh Singh and Ashish Sharma In the next phase of Off Roading event, there will be a big rally on July 7, 2018, at  Karjat. Participants will enjoy the adventure of two events.

On the occasion, Shama Sikandar said that life is all about living to the fullest no matter what has happened in the past. As there is saying "you only live once”. She further said that life gives us daily challenges, so let's face it. She is really excited to be a part of Mud skull 4*4 off Roading adventurous event. As nothing is impossible in this world, he just has to put his mind in it and maintain the positive attitude. On positive thoughts towards the life she said once you replace negative thoughts with the positive ones, you will start getting positive results.

Akash Singh Rajput gets candid

Actor Akash Singh Rajput is thrilled to be part of Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Porus. The actor, who plays the role of Hephaestion in the show, says that he developed a love for history about school, which is why he loves being part of Porus as well. “To be honest, I use to sleep during my history classes in school because as a child you don't find any interest in history and I was only thinking about the future. I got interested in history after my schooling. We Indians have a super history like no other country. Slowly, I started reading up of civilizations and dynasties. It is very important to know about your history before you create your future,” he says.

Talking about his character, he says that his friendship with Alexander was what made him unique. “Hepahestion was a Macedonian nobleman and a general in the army, 1st in command after Alexander the Great. He had been brought up with Alexander from childhood and shared all his secrets. He was the only trusted and loyal friend of Alexander. Their friendship lasted throughout their lives and was compared to Achilles and Patroclus.(troy) He helped Alexander in commanding the cavalry and helping him encountering many tasks during Alexander's winning war. He was with him all his life and was known for his loyalty and loving friendship with Alexander. After Hephaestion death, Alexander celebrated his funeral for eight months and announced him as Divine Hero. Alexander died after eight months of his death,” he says.

Coincidentally, Akash shares a great bond with actor Rohit Purohit too, who plays the role of Alexander in the show. “Rohit Purohit is my big brother. A fabulous actor, brave heart and my Alexander for life. He has been working in this industry for long and has a lot of experience with him. It is really a pleasure working with him and watching him live in front of me. As a newcomer, you get to learn a lot from experienced actors like him, both on and off screen. He is very supportive and is constantly teaching me. To help develop our bond on screen, we often try to meet off-screen too, to get to know each other. He treats me like a younger brother and reminds me of my elder brother,” he says.

However, the actor adds that it’s challenging to play a historical character. “It's always difficult to play a historic character. I started learning horse riding, sword fighting and tried to develop many behavioral skills like that of the Romans.

The actor says that the production house, Swastik Productions have provided many facilities to make this an easy ride for the actors. “Swastik Productions has helped me a lot in providing classes and giving me support in Umbergaon, where we shoot and stay. Life in Umbergaon is wonderful and completely different from Mumbai. It’s away from the traffic and sound pollution. Here it’s very peaceful. Swastik Productions takes good care of all the actors. They take care of all the food, shelter and transport and provide us good facilities for daily living. You are quite relaxed as all your basic needs are fulfilled. I love Swastik Productions and this is my second project with them, after Karamphal Data Shani. I will try to work with them again and again.”

Akash is not one to shy away from challenges. He comes from a political background and had to fight his way to become an actor. “I have done my schooling from Scindia School Gwalior where Salmaan Khan and Anurag Kashyap have studied. I went on to do my graduation after that in Christ University Bangalore, the best in India for BBM (Bachelors in Business Management). After that I joined politics as a youth president and helped my dad in politics. My dad is a MLA from Sagar (M.P) and has been in politics since past 25 years, that means my whole life. Politics flows in my DNA,” he says, adding, “However, I always wanted to become an artist. After doing my post graduation (MBA), I started my struggle to achieve my dream. I had to fight my own battle to convince my dad to let me try my luck in acting. As many people in my family were opposed to acting and worried about my life in Mumbai. Finally, I had a serious talk with my dad and convinced him to send me Mumbai for one year...and the rest is history.”

Talking about the work that he has done so far, he says, “I started getting roles in episodics. I got work in Bazigar on Life Ok. I did a movie with Anupam Kher sir which is yet to release. I did a short film with 'Prakash Jha Sir called Nalsa. It was a dream come true for me when I got a movie 'Toilet Ek Prem Katha' in which I essayed the role of a reporter with Akshay Kumar sir. Then I got a chance to work with Swastik Productions as Raja Manu in Karamphal Data Shani. They liked me and signed me for Porus as Hepaestion. I am also doing a Web Series for Amazon Prime called 'Mirzapur' with excel entertainment, which will be released in September 2018.”