• Kondraal Paavam is the official remake of the Karnataka-state award winning acclaimed film Aa Karaala Raatri (2018). The movie has been brought to Tamil by its original maker Dayal Padmanabhan, so a promise of a consistent remake is already in the offing. 

• Filmmaker Dayal Padmanabhan has worked in the Kannada film industry for nearly 2 decades and Kondraal Paavam is his debut into Kollywood. However since the director is a Tamil, nativity doesn’t come across as an issue with the remake.

Amitabh bachchan and Abhishek bachchan

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s love for his son and family is well-known. He often shares words of appreciation and pride for his son on Twitter, which has also happened recently. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan has written a series of tweets congratulating Abhishek’s team Jaipur Pink Panthers, from the Pro Kabaddi League.

Amitabh Bachchan’s tweets:-

He also praised the team and mentioned has been working silently on the team being criticized. He wrote in his tweet, “CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS. JAIPUR PINK PANTHERS CHAMPIONS. Abhishek, you are a CHAMPION. YOU PLAY SILENTLY, with dedication and resolve, amidst biased criticism .. AND THEN YOU WIN .. !!! So so proud of you,” he wrote in a tweet. Abhishek replied, “We missed you, Pa. Thank you from the entire team.”

T 4499 – CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS .. !!!!
JAIPUR PINK PANTHERS CHAMPIONS

Abhishek you are a CHAMPION !!
YOU PLAY SILENTLY, with dedication and resolve, amidst biast criticism ..
AND THEN YOU WIN .. !!!
So so proud of you .. pic.twitter.com/ezgA0fR7Pm

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 17, 2022

On December 6, Ram Gopal Varma aka RGV posted a video on Twitter in which he could be seen kissing actress Ashu Reddy’s feet.

Ram Gopal Varma licks actress Ashu Reddy’s toes

The actor on her experience of being a part of Drishyam’s sequel, which released today, on growing as an actor, and roles being written for all ages

The sequel to 2015’s Drishyam, the Abhishek Pathak-directed Drishyam 2 is all set for a theatrical release on November 18. Starring Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran, Tabu and Akshaye Khanna in pivotal roles, the sequel, just like the first one, is a remake of the Malayalam films of the same name. Saran, who is enjoying playing real-life mother to two-year-old Radha, reprises the role of Nandini Salgaonkar in the crime thriller. She tells us more about her role and how motherhood has added to her experience as an actor. Edited excerpts:

It’s been seven years since the first instalment of Drishyam. How did it feel getting back to playing Nandini again? 

It wasn’t easy. So much has happened in our lives. Seven years have passed in reality and in the film as well. My character has been living with something which she cannot talk about. It’s a very complex character. What I normally do when I play complex characters such as these is that I write a little story around what probably happened between this film and the previous film. I wrote a few scenes; revisited the first film and somewhere between all this, I became Nandini again.

When I was doing the first film, I felt my character was way more mature than what I was. It was a huge responsibility but I went with my instincts. The story and the dialogues were so well-written that all one had to do was react. There was a line in the first film that really helped me, where she says that when all of this was happening, I don’t know where I got the strength to do it. It was really that for me. Nandini is all heart. She is innocent and simple. There’s a situation where her husband tells her that he thinks from his brain, not his heart, which is not the case with her. So that makes her character very complex and I enjoy doing that.

You also became a mother to your daughter Radha along the way.

When you go through such experiences in real life, they change you as a person. You come out stronger. I think it’s great that roles are being written for actors of all ages and they don’t get written off for being married or becoming parents. I feel I am a better actor than I was ever before. I am more driven because when I leave Radha behind and go to work, I want to give my best and make sure it’s worth the time away from her.

Ajay Devgn and you share a good on-screen chemistry. You were also part of RRR (2022) where you played his wife. How’s it to work with him? 

He’s a fantastic actor to work with. He’s very quiet on sets and doesn’t talk much. I have heard stories of him being a prankster but not with me; not on this film.

You have done movies in six languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English, Malayalam and Kannada. Do you think working across many industries has added to your growth as an actor?

When I became part of the film industry almost 20 years ago, there was no thinking process or plan I was following. It was only about giving your best to what comes your way. At the time, I was only thinking about doing good films with good directors and I was getting really good directors to work with. It really didn’t matter what language it was. I learnt the language and I worked very hard at it. For somebody who would fail language in school, to be able to do that was an achievement. Now when I look back, I feel so happy I did movies in so many languages because it gave me a chance to connect with so many people from different parts of the country. I have an understanding of different industries now and I feel it is a huge advantage. I was guided by good work and good directors and I will continue doing that.

 Kantara movie box office collection: Kannada mega blockbuster reaches new milestone with MASSIVE worldwide record – Many people are waiting for Kantara’s OTT release after its phenomenal success at the box office. In fact, it has been in news for its premiere online for over two weeks now.

Ahead of their big day, Manjima Mohan and GautHam Karthik interacted with media and revealed about their marriage details, love story, Silambarasan TR blessing and more.

The wedding invitation

Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja with son Vayu Kapoor Ahuja.

Actor Sonam Kapoor shared the first glimpse of her newborn son, Vayu. She posted a montage featuring herself and husband Anand Ahuja with Vayu. It came with a monochrome photo where the new mom and dad smothered their little one with kisses on his chubby cheeks. Also read: Sonam Kapoor says she is breastfeeding Vayu ‘pretty easily’

Sonam recorded her family while Anand was driving. Their son Vayu Kapoor was seated in a baby cot in the backseat. It went on to feature a quick glance at Anand holding Vayu at a different location. It also featured Anil Kapoor and Anand walking next to each other at a scenic place with Vayu in a stroller. In the end, Sonam also appeared fulfilling her mommy duties.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja (@sonamkapoor)

Sharing the video, Sonam added Taylor Swift’s song Sweet Nothing to the post. For the caption, she wrote the song title and tagged her parents and Anand. Responding to the post, celebrities like Athiya Shetty, Sayani Gupta and Bhumi Pednekar dropped heart emojis. Anand commented, “Around the world with my whole world.” Alia who also embraced motherhood recently called them ‘so beautiful’ in the comment section.

Sonam and Anand had Vayu on August 20. Talking about pregnancy, the actor said she had a ‘quick birth’, and has been ‘breastfeeding easily’. She revealed she had a ‘natural delivery’ with as ‘little intervention’ as possible.

She wrote in a post, “My pre-natal journey was quite different. I was very sure I wanted to have as natural a journey as I could that would lead to a natural delivery with as little intervention as possible. For that I decided to take help of ‘gentle birth method’ with Dr Gowra Motha. She had written a lovely book called Gentle Birth Method that explains how to deal with the prenatal journey.”

Sonam will be next seen in Blind. It was shot before her pregnancy.

Shahid Kapoor with wife Mira Kapoor in his latest Instagram video.

Shahid Kapoor posted a video featuring his funny banter with wife Mira Rajput. Mira refused to answer him after the actor questioned her why she isn’t a fan of his ‘hairy legs.’ Mira looked annoyed while she was smiling at the same time. Also read: Shahid Kapoor shares pic of Mira Rajput, kids Misha and Zain playing on the beach

In the video, Shahid appeared with a rugged look. He asked Mira, “What’s your favourite thing about me, Mira?” She replied, “Me.” After he gave her a look, she changed her answer and said, “When you are finally wearing jeans.” Shahid teased her and questioned back, “Why you don’t like my legs?”

Mira who couldn’t stop laughing refused to answer. “Stop this now Shahid,” she told him. Sharing the video, Shahid tagged Mira and wrote in the caption, “It’s all about my laagzzz! Isn’t it @mira.kapoor.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor)

While Mira Rajput is yet to reply to Shahid Kapoor’s post, the video has grabbed the attention of their fans and friend. Actor Raashii Khanna commented, “Hahahahahha so cute!” “Always being the cutest one,” added a fan.

Shahid and Mira tied the knot in 2015. They are also parents to daughter Misha, who was born in 2016. The couple welcomed their son Zain in 2018. The couple keeps teasing each other with funny posts on social media.

Shahid was last seen in filmmaker Gowtam Tinnanuri’s Jersey, opposite Mrunal Thakur. He currently has several projects lined up in the pipeline. He has Ali Abbas Zafar’s upcoming action film Bloody Daddy. He will be also soon making his OTT debut with Raj and DK’s upcoming web series Farzi along with Vijay Sethupathi.

Mira, on the other hand, is a social media influencer. She is now helping to raise funds for Alia Bhatt’s welfare initiative ‘Mi Wardrobe is Su Wardrobe (my wardrobe is your wardrobe).’ She is ‘lending’ her wardrobe to fans for charity. 

Image Credit: Google 
 Consummate dancer and National Award-winning Indian actress Shobana, who performs in Dubai on October 22, marches to her own tunes and beats.

She’s one of those rare talents who’s willing to speak about her craft openly, but also wonders aloud if her passion for ‘traditional’ (she finds the term ‘classical’ limiting) Indian dance will translate and resonate with today’s hip digitally-driven generation.

Also Read :Honey Rose Exteam Hot Sexy Photoshoot Pic’s

At the time of this interview, the 52-year-old performer was recovering from a bout of flu, but that didn’t stop her from being an adorable sport as she goaded us to ask questions that teased her brains and are unconventional. She even lets us in on an anecdote when she fell off the stage because one of the tall dancers in her group struck her accidentally.

“I fell off the stage and I couldn’t spring right back up either … The lightman darkened the stage and the poor girl was crying … But I have never had any wardrobe malfunctions,” said Shobana with a laugh. Always dignified and graceful, it was interesting to see Shobana in a zany mood. 

Apparently, she hates being asked why she doesn’t do more Malayalam films and whether the ‘Manichithrathazhu’ star likes acting more than dancing.

Shobana is one of Kerala’s most beloved actors and is a blazing talent on stage

Image Credit: Google 

“By the time these two questions come my way, I am already bugged … It’s not that I don’t want to do more Malayalam films, but it has to work in terms of my time and space in life … Whether I like dancing or acting is a question that confounds me,” said Shobana in an interview with Gulf News.

Shobana, who has acted in over 200 films and featured in dozens of blockbusters starring Mohanlal and Mammootty, is one of Kerala’s beloved stars and was honoured with the Padma Shri title for her contributions to cinema and dance.

So does her annoyance extend to being asked if she prefers Mohanlal over Mammootty – two legends from South Indian cinema who are often pitted against each other. If Shobana shone in her role as a disturbed woman in thriller ‘Manichitrathazhu’ with Mohanlal as her psychiatrist, then her turn in the romance ‘Mazhayethum Munpe’ with Mammootty was a scene-stealer.

Mammootty and Mohanlal

Image Credit: Google

“Oh, I am never annoyed by that question. Every time people ask me about these two doyens, I always answer because they have contributed so much to my life. We have done so many films together. We walked the same paths and we learned from these great actors … I have spent so much of my time with these maestros … Something has to work,” said Shobhana with all humility. She also lets us in on a Tamil proverb of how the thread binding a fragrant flower can also smell divine, similarly she blossomed in terms of acting watching these two powerhouse performers at work.

“So every time you asked me about these two legends, I’m only willing to share,” said Shobana.

Ahead of her performance ‘Shobana Live: Lotus Feet’ in Dubai’s The Theatre at Mall Of The Emirates on October 22, we spoke to the dynamic actress about her show, her process, and why she isn’t in any hurry to do multiple films …

A look at Shobana in a traditional dance pose

Image Credit: Google

What should we know about your show this weekend?

If you have an affinity for traditional dance and want to get back in touch with your roots, hear some great music, and hear stories that make you feel nostalgic, then this show is for you … It’s not a production per se but we have taken some of the entertaining elements in that genre. The mythological origin of traditional Indian dance was created to entertain. 5000 years ago, when there was nothing else in terms of entertainment, dance was our sole entertainment. But now we have everything else that comes under entertainment, but it still entertains … I won’t use the term classical dance for this show. I prefer to call it traditional dance because calling it classical means it’s for a certain niche audience. I don’t like to put human beings in a box. Labels like critics and laymen are just confounding because I find normal people a lot more sensitive to dance than those critics who are often unknowing grammatically … We are coming up with a highly accomplished team for ‘Lotus Feet’. We are showing how folk dance came about with this show and we are pushing the boundaries of traditional performances with the use of appealing songs. My favourite songs and my traditional pieces will be used. It’s going to be a lovely evening in Dubai because the UAE audience is discerning and are exposed to many forms of entertainment. You don’t even need to know about mythology, just enjoy the rhythm.

COVID-19 was a difficult time for everyone … How did that phase make you re-assess your life as an artist and life performer?

I don’t react much because of my age and so it wasn’t totally shocking … My student’s husband fell ill and they didn’t have any medicine, so I had to put on a Hazmat suit to get medicines and that’s something that many of us did … Youngsters who had just made it might have felt anxiety because everything stopped suddenly or those who have been performing for ten years might have banked on their next two years of shows might have felt a vacuum … But I am a little different. I was working and rehearsing every day. I was practicing dance alone for hours and I even lost 15 kilos during COVID-19. I didn’t lose any people in my family.

Shobana can light up the stage and the silver screen with her presence

Image Credit: Google

Many live performers are taking a self-imposed sabbatical in the midst of their tours and show to protect their mental health … Have you ever felt the need to do so?

Trust me, I am just happy to go and land on everybody’s head. It’s been such a nice ride and I have practised enough alone. I had enough of reflecting on things too. I am pretty much in shape and I want to put all those hours that I practiced during COVID-19 into action now.

 Your life has been a portrait of discipline and consistency… How difficult is it to remain committed to your craft and art?

 I have these dreams where I oversleep due to jetlag and land up late for my show. I have these flickering dreams of the audience waiting and watching me walk through them with a bag. Everybody else’s seated and it’s a normal thing for most artists. These days, it’s common for artists to turn up late but I find that hugely embarrassing and unprofessional. I prefer to wait for my audience to take their seats. I love to peek from backstage to see if everyone has taken a seat. I like to see their excited faces … For my shows in the US alone, people travel 300 miles after arranging a baby sitter for their children … I find it really cool. I enjoy a bit of voyeurism.

Shobana is one of India’s most dynamic classical dancers and was honoured with Padma Shri by the Indian government

Image Credit: Google

With the advent of digital streaming platforms, several actresses have made spectacular comebacks and begun new innings with compelling series … Have you thought about it?

I have seen all those innings, but my innings have been seamless. I have always put my time in a way that benefits me or somebody else. It’s not like I am not doing films anymore. Currently, I am doing a massive project but I can’t talk about it yet. It’s a massive production … I did a Malayalam film before COVID-19 called ‘ Varane Avashyamund’ in 2020. Plus there was a big backlog of shows that were canceled and re-scheduled. The truth is that I have other things to do with my life. I am not a machine and I just can’t go and just perform. I have people in my life that I need to look after too. I prefer to focus on one or two things at a time and prosper in that equation. Recently, I visited several places like Badrinath and Kedarnath, not as a pilgrim. I don’t want to be taken in those places in a buggy if my knees give out. Remember dancers lose their elasticity of joints a little earlier because of the trauma we put on them. Even ballerinas face that ‘ballerina syndrome’. And before all that happens, I wanted to go to these places. Whenever I find spare time, I explore places and spaces. Plus, my child goes to school and she has exams. As I am talking to you, the pipe in my home has burst.

You have your own dance school in Chennai … Is this your way of paying it forward?

The question should ideally be: ‘Why did I start it in the first place… It was never commercial when I decided to teach dance …Remember, nobody took up teaching traditional dance because it didn’t pay well and they did it part-time. But with this school, I have a generation of students who have taken up teaching dance as a full-time job. I have never tried to monetise it. But I have launched a comfortable business module that’s affordable. Bharatnatyam is an expensive art form with costumes, musicians, platforms, etc … It’s an old-fashioned institute in that sense. But I am happy that I did this.