Malaika Arora to be a judge on India’s Best Dancer, Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa to host the dance reality show
Sony Entertainment Television is gearing up for the New Year and is preparing to launch India’s toughest dance reality show – India’s Best Dancer. The show will see Malaika Arora, Geeta Kapur, and Terrence Lewis coming together to judge the show. If the recent news is to be believed, versatile comedian Bharti Singh and her husband Harsh Limbachiya have been roped in to host the show.
The show kick starts its auditions across cities in Jan and is slated to air in Feb. A source close to the show revealed, “Post the success of Super Dancer – homegrown kids dance reality format by the channel, India’s Best Dancer will give a platform to talent above the age of 15. While the auditions will start in Jan, the channel intends to garner the best of talent from across the country.”
While the judges panel includes great artists, the show will be hosted by the queen of comedy Bharti Singh who will be accompanied by none other than her husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa. The audience can look forward to a lot of laughter and light moments, as they spread laughter on the stage amidst the intense competition of all talented dancers.
Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson starrer Hitman’s Bodyguard sequel gets release date
Ryan Reynolds is on a roll. The actor recently released his Netflix movie 6 Underground directed by Michael Bay. After worldwide promotions of the film, the actor is set for yet another action flick. Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson are returning in the sequel of Hitman’s Bodyguard which released in 2017.
Titled The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Lionsgate and Millennium on Thursday announced that the upcoming sequel will release on August 28, 2020. Along with Ryan and Samuel, Salma Hayek, and Richard E. Grant will reprise their roles. The new cast includes Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman, and Frank Grillo. The film will be directed by Patrick Hughes and script to be penned by Tom O’Connor.
The official synopsis of Hitman’s Bodyguard, “The world’s top protection agent [Ryan Reynolds] is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world’s most notorious hitmen [Samuel L. Jackson]. The relentless bodyguard and manipulative assassin have been on the opposite end of the bullet for years and are thrown together for a wildly outrageous 24 hours. During their raucous and hilarious adventure from England to The Hague, they encounter high-speed car chases, outlandish boat escapades and a merciless Eastern European dictator [Gary Oldman] who is out for blood. Salma Hayek joins the mayhem as Jackson’s equally notorious wife.”
BREAKING! Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor to star in Luv Ranjan’s untitled next, to release on March 26, 2021
It’s happening. Before Luv Ranjan’s collaboration with Ranbir Kapoor and Ajay Devgn goes on floor, the Sanju actor has already signed his next film with Luv. The actor will be starring alongside Shraddha Kapoor in an upcoming film. Without revealing any plot details or the genre, the announcement was made on Friday morning that Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor will be coming together for the first time on the big screen. The project will be produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg. It is slated to release on March 26, 2021.
Meanwhile, Ranbir Kapoor will be next starring Ayan Mukerji’s highly anticipated sci-fi drama Brahmastra alongside Alia Bhatt. The film is supposed to release during summer 2020. Another big project Ranbir is a part of is YRF’s period action drama – Shamshera which will also release in 2020. He has another project with Luv Ranjan and reuniting with Raajneeti actor Ajay Devgn but no announcement has been made on its release date.
On the other hand, Shraddha Kapoor has two big films as now in 2020 – Street Dancer 3D with Varun Dhawan and Remo D’souza and Baaghi 3 with Tiger Shroff.
Zoya Akhtar opens up about Gully Boy not making the Oscars 2020 cut
A couple of months ago, it was announced that India will be sending Gully Boy for Oscars 2020 in the Best Foreign Film category. But, the film didn’t make the cut in the top 10 for the next round of voting. Zoya Akhtar says that it was upsetting when it didn’t make the cut. She said that it was disappointing but they can’t do anything. She said that you move on to your next film.
For years, a lot of lobbying is done by filmmakers when it comes to their movies and Academy Awards. The filmmaker, who held multiple screenings in Los Angeles for Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt starrer, said that they went through the entire process. She said the one doesn’t know how the system works there. Zoya further said that the system keeps evolving and people aren’t fully aware. She added that the film was seen by 10, 000 American critics and it has opened new doors for not just for her but for the industry as well.
Meanwhile, Zoya Akhtar is looking forward to the release of Ghost Stories on January 1, 2020.
Kartik Aaryan opens up to Kareena Kapoor Khan about his Pyaar Ka Punchnama films being called misogynistic
Taking the radio waves and the internet by rage with her return as an RJ, Kareena Kapoor Khan welcomed the nation’s newest heartthrob – Kartik Aryan for a rib-tickling tete-a-tete. And who better than the Pyaar Ka Punchnama-famed actor to give us an exciting sneak-peak into the burning questions about new age dating!
In hopes that the dashing actor would reveal some exciting hush-hush stories after being a part of the blockbuster Pyaar ka Punchnama films, Kareena and Kartik talk about his takeaways and the epic monologue. In the webisode, Kartik reveals, “Pyaar Ka Punchnama was actually the opposite of this. We were trying to understand what do women actually want. In fact, I knew more about what they wanted before I did the film than after! The kind of characters and roles we were playing, actually made us forget. Even after 2 super hit monologues in both films, I am still searching for the answer for this.”
Adding further on Pyaar ka Punchnama and the criticism that it received, Kartik went on to say, “There was no hatred or criticism that came to me directly. In fact, I received quite a lot of love and appreciation for the films. Even from girls, they took it with a pinch of salt.”
Bantering about how his fan-following has hit the roof, especially among young girls and much more, Kartik Aryan’s sit down with Kareena was interesting.
Deepika Padukone invests $3 million in e-taxi start up Blu Smart; also brings women drivers on board!
Actress Deepika Padukone is on a roll and has been expanding her horizons besides acting in films. Earlier this year, it came to light that she has turned producer with ’83, starring hubby Ranveer Singh as cricket legend Kapil Dev and herself as his wife Romy. She opened up about her depression and thereby brought the burning topic into mainstream. Then in 2014, she and her father Prakash Padukone started KA Enterprises, and they invested in Drums Food and space technology start-up Bellatrix Aerospace, apart from co-owning private apparel label All About You with Myntra. And now she has taken giant strides into the taxi business.
Earlier this year, it came to light that the superstar actress has invested $3 million in Blu Smart, the newest cab service in India, which consists of only electric vehicles (EVs). Last week, Punit Goyal, co-founder of Blu Smart, confirmed that this month itself, they are expecting another $5 million from Deepika Padukone-led investors.
In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Punit Goyal explains how Deepika came on board, “Deepika loves the vision of our company. She is aware that our cars are safer to travel – the safety standards are very high. We own the cars and we get the drivers on board. Drivers do not need to bring a car on board. Also, she realized that the cars are all electric vehicles. While we are building a great mobility platform, we are also doing something about the environment. The cars are zero emission. Moreover, there’s no surge pricing and also there’s no ride cancellation. So when you book a ride, you get a ride. You can cancel the ride but the driver can’t. Due to all these reasons, she Deepika felt motivated to invest.”
Has there been any input from Deepika Padukone’s side? Punit Goyal nods and elaborates, “Depeika scaled the brand and emphasized on the need for women empowerment. She also got on board some women drivers so that they can gain employment. That was her idea.”
Besides Punit Goyal, Blu Smart was founded by Puneet Singh Jaggi and Anmol Singh Jaggi. It’s already functioning in Delhi-NCR. And a small number of their cabs can be seen plying on Mumbai streets. “The Mumbai launch has already happened, but on a pilot basis. We have launched with 26 cars and now we are increasing the fleet to 200 cars by February/March 2020. We already have 320 cars in Delhi, which will be enhanced by 1000 cars by January next year”, says Punit.
In order to book a Blu Smart cab, one needs to download their app. Punit Goyal explains, “The booking from the app can only be done in Delhi. In Mumbai, commuters can’t book through the app as yet. The app can be accessed in Mumbai by February. As of now, our cabs are available on Uber app in the Maximum City.”
The Blu Smart is expected to be 30% cheaper than the other aggregator services. Moreover, it is currently doing 1300 electric rides per day in Dec 2019 and aims to reach the milestone of 1,00,000+ electric rides by 1st week of January 2020.
Anti CAA protests to HAMPER Dabangg 3’s opening collections big time
One of the biggest films of the year, Dabangg 3, is all set to release tomorrow. It’s the Christmas week and is a time when films mostly do very well. And this week, the much loved festival falls on Wednesday. So apart from weekend, Dabangg 3, in an ideal scenario, was expected to also earn considerably well on December 25, and on Christmas Eve too. Nothing could have gone wrong is what it seemed to the team of the film and also fans and trade at large.
But alas, the film is facing extreme problems from many sides. To begin with, the songs failed to entice viewers and didn’t really become chartbusters. Till last week, a huge Rs. 30 crore opening was also on the cards. But as of now, the advance seems average [Rs. 5-6 cr.], for a film of this scale. What have added to the woes of the makers are the law and order problems around the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) with protests happening throughout the country at present.
Due to the passage of the CAA bill in Lok Sabha, violent clashes have broken all over. Section 144 has been imposed in several places across India. In such a scenario, going for a film would be the last thing on most people’s minds. This is confirmed by the advance sales, which is dismal by event film standards. “Even a film like Saaho had much better advance a day before. We are hoping the advance picks up or at least viewers opt for current booking tomorrow,” says one multiplex official.
One can’t even hope for Dabangg 3 to pick up a bit late. It can’t afford to do so due to the release of Good Newwz next Friday, on December 28. Starring Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani, it’s a film that has generated far more excitement in A and B centres. Even its songs have got a little better feedback than Dabangg 3 songs. A trade source explains, “The Salman Khan starrer would continue to collect even after the release of Good Newwz. But it needs to do huge business in Week 1 as it’ll lose a chunk of screens in some centres. This is if the word of mouth is positive. If reports are bad, then it’ll prove disastrous. It’ll be a repeat of what happened to Zero, last year’s Christmas release.”
Dabangg 3 stars Salman Khan and the success of this flick is of paramount importance. “Salman Khan is the biggest star of the decade but his last few films like Tubelight, Race 3 and Bharat have underperformed. If Dabangg 3 also performs below expectations, it’ll even affect his next film, the 2020 Eid release Radhe, which is also in the same zone. And more than that, it’ll great affect his credibility at the ticket window,” asserts the source and signs off.
Salman Khan’s release strategy for Dabangg 3 hits a roadblock with Karan Johar and Akshay Kumar
Usually the month of December sees may be two to three big ticket Bollywood releases hitting screens. However, contrary to this, December 2019 sees one big ticket release each week all four weeks of December. While the audience are surely enjoying this plethora of choice, distributors and exhibitors seem to find themselves under tremendous pressure. In fact, the maximum cause of discomfort for exhibitors and distributors is the last two weekends of December that see the Salman Khan starrer Dabangg 3 and the Akshay Kumar starrer Good Newwz hitting screens. Why the pressure you may ask, well we have the answer. As per Salman Khan’s release strategy, the makers of Dabangg 3 have clearly notified exhibitors and cinema owners that they will receive prints of the film on the condition that the movie will be locked for two weeks minimum. With this exhibition strategy for Dabangg 3 the exhibitors have been put in a catch 22 situation especially since the Karan Johar produced Akshay Kumar starrer Good Newwz releases the following week.
Commenting on the increasing pressure a trade source says, “Exhibitors have been told that they will be permitted to screen Dabangg 3 on the condition that screens will be locked in for a two week period. Now, the thing is no one wants to miss out on the profits that will be generated from a Salman Khan release around a festive season. But then there is also the fact that Akshay Kumar, who has been enjoying a stellar year so far, has a release in the following week, essentially meaning that Dabangg 3 will have just a one week uninterrupted run.” Continuing to detail the exhibitor’s plight our trade source continues, “Given Akshay’s recent releases and their success coupled with the fact that the audience have taken a liking to the trailer of Good Newwz, exhibitors are sure that the film will open on a high note. And herein lies the issue, since exhibitors want to cash in on both Dabangg 3 and Good Newwz, but are faced with a hard choice due to the lock in period.”
Interestingly though, while Salman Khan’s team at SKF have already begun talks with exhibitors, we hear that the latter are willing to commit to a one week uninterrupted run for Dabangg 3 with the second week being subject to performance. Explains our trade source, “Exhibitors have agreed to give Dabangg 3 an uninterrupted run in its first week, but are the second week will be subject to the box office performance of Dabangg 3 in week 1. No one wants to lose out on business that Good Newwz will draw in, and if they agree to the demand of SKF that would mean the Akshay Kumar starrer doesn’t get room.”
Concluding his explanation of the situation, our source says, “As of now, the decision seems to be tilting in favour of the exhibitors, who have decided to allocate screens to Dabangg 3 in its second week based on the film’s performance in the first. Now it remains to be seen whether Salman Khan and SKF close this deal or push for an uninterrupted run for two weeks.”
Dabangg 3: Will Salman Khan take credit for editing? Prabhu Dheva clarifies
By now everyone who works with Salman Khan knows he is in it the whole hog. Salman oversees every project he is cast in. He has a say in the casting, music, direction, editing and marketing. That’s the package deal which even Prabhu Dheva can’t escape.
Prabhu Dheva who directs Salman in two back-to-back projects Dabangg 3 and Radhe has happily “allowed” (not that Prabhu had any choice in the matter) Salman to sit on the editing of Dabangg 3.
A source very close to the development reveals, “Almost every shot of Dabangg 3 is edited by Salman. He should definitely take credit for editing.” With Salman cutting the film in the way he wants, we wonder the film’s official editor Ritesh Soni was doing.
Prabu Dheva doesn’t deny Salman’s interference…sorry participation. “Every major star likes to be fully involved with the process of making a film. It is no longer about going into the van once ‘Cut’ is called. The heroes like to see and know how the shots are put together,” says Prabhu Dheva.
Exclusive: Shilpa Shetty Kundra to groove to remix version of chartbuster track ‘Churake Dil Mera’ in Priyadarshan’s Hungama 2!
Who doesn’t remember the foot-tapping, chartbuster track ‘Chura Ke Dil Mera’, from Main Khiladi Tu Anadi (1994), picturised on Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty Kundra? The song was composed by Anu Malik and sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik. Now the 25-year-old song which is remembered even today will be recreated again by Priyadarshan on Shilpa Shetty – and the remix version has again been composed by Anu Malik again. The song will appear in Priyadarshan’s Hungama 2.
Says a trade source, “It’s a glamorous, fun, peppy dance track and the remix version has been sung by Anu’s daughter Anmol. While it’s a glamourous number, the situation that Shilpa will be seen in, is amazingly humorous. Her introduction in Hungama 2 will take place through ‘Churake Dil Mera Goriya Chali’ with some really cool innovative dance steps. Earlier this week, the song was recorded at YRF Studios. It was a moment of nostalgia for Anu as he had composed the music so many years before. So when Shilpa, clad in an orange leopard-print skirt and top, had danced so amazingly to ‘Churake Dil Mera’ from Main Khiladi Tu Anadi, who better than she herself to match her steps to her remix? It will be shot from January next year after Priyadarshan comes to Mumbai.”
In Hungama 2, Shilpa and Priyadarshan are working together for the first time. After signing Nikamma, her comeback film post marriage after 13 years, signed the director’s next Bollywood, which also marks Priyadarshan’s return to Bollywood after Rangrezz (2013) and is a sequel of Hungama (2003). The director has completed shooting for his multi-lingual, period action drama, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham. While Hungama 2 will not feature the earlier lead pair, Akshaye Khanna and Rimi Sen, it will repeat Paresh Rawal and Shakti Kapoor have South actress Pranitha Subhash and Meezan Jaaferi (Javed Jaaferi’s son) as the romantic pair. Shilpa is paired opposite Paresh Rawal in the movie.
While Hungama 2 is not a direct sequel to Hungama and has a different storyline, it is again a hilarious misunderstanding of sorts between the various characters and couples, including the younger Pranitha-Meezan and Shilpa Shetty-Paresh Rawal. Shilpa plays an independent career woman and wife and one will get to see her play a delightfully madcap character in a very pivotal role. The movie goes on floor from January 6, 2020 in Mumbai.
Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt earned huge in 2019, amongst the top 10 in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list
Forbes India has released its annual Celebrity 100 list which reveals the estimated earnings of the celebrities. Taking the top spot this year with Indian Cricket Team’s Captain Virat Kohli. After bagging the second place last year, Virat is back on the top and has had an unforgetful 2019 with estimated earnings about Rs. 253 crore with multiple brand endorsements and a prolific career.
Amongst the entertainment industry, Akshay Kumar grabs the top spot and overall second position in the celebrity earning list. He was the only Indian in the US list of Forbes – World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities of 2019. With multiple releases a year and endorsing 20 brands, Akshay Kumar has a worldwide gross collection of Rs. 278.78 crore. Following him is Salman Khan, who has had Bharat and Bigg Boss this year before Dabangg 3 release, takes the third spot with an estimated Rs. 229.25 crore earnings. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan takes fourth place with estimated earnings of Rs. 239.25 due to movies, TV, and endorsements. MS Dhoni, former Indian Captain, takes the fifth position on the list with Rs. 135.93 earnings.
Here’s the top 20 list:
- Virat Kohli – Rs. 253 crore
- Akshay Kumar -Rs. 293.25 crore
- Salman Khan – Rs. 229.25 crore
- Amitabh Bachchan – Rs. 239.25
- MS Dhoni – Rs. 135.93
- Shah Rukh Khan – Rs. 124.38 crore
- Ranveer Singh – Rs. 118.2 crore
- Alia Bhatt – Rs. 59.21 crore
- Sachin Tendulkar – Rs. 76.96
- Deepika Padukone – Rs 48 crore
- Rohit Sharma – Rs. 54. 29 crore
- Ajay Devgn – Rs. 94 crore
- Rajinikanth – Rs. 100 crore
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas – Rs. 23.4 crore
- Aamir Khan -Rs. 85 crore
- AR Rahman – Rs. 94.8 crore
- Pritam – Rs 97.78 crore
- Hrithik Roshan – Rs. 58.73 crore
- Amit Trivedi – Rs. 80.73 crore
- Vishal-Shekhar – Rs. 76.84 crore
David Dhawan on Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan recreating Govinda – Karisma Kapoor magic
Although the everlasting director David Dhawan has made 44 films in the past, none has made him as nervous as his underproduction film Coolie No 1 which is a remake of David’s own 1995 hit featuring Govinda and Karisma Kapoor.
Now David’s son Varun Dhawan and actress Sara Ali Khan are featured in the two roles. Comparing them is an exercise in futility for David. “Govinda and Karisma created magic on screen. No one can equal them. No one should even try. Varun and Sara are in a completely different zone, freed of the burden of trying to be like their predecessors.”
David feels comparisons to be unfair. “Agreed I am remaking my own film. So there will be comparisons. But what I’m saying is, the two pairs belong to different eras. It’s like comparing a Bentley with a Porsche. They are not comparable.”
There was some talk of Govinda and Karisma making a guest appearance in the new Coolie No.1. But that didn’t happen.
