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DEEPIKA HAASAN Turns Villain in a Sexy for Dhoom 4? Avatar Super

DEEPIKA HAASAN Turns Villain in a Sexy for Dhoom 4? Avatar Super

February, 2021

SALMAN RANA GETS A DAGGUBATI WHOPPING SLAYS! 230 CRS

SHRUTI DEEPIKA HAASAN turns villain in a sexy for Dhoom 4? avatar Super

GLOBALpower ICON JONAS

Volume 70 # February 2021 / ISSN NUMBER 0971-7277

February, 2021

SALMAN RANA GETS A DAGGUBATI WHOPPING SLAYS! 230 CRS

SHRUTI DEEPIKA HAASAN turns villain in a sexy for Dhoom 4? avatar Super

GLOBALpower ICON PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS

PHOTOGRAPH: ANDREW ECCLES

Editor’s Choice 30 58 Priyanka Chopra Jonas is 04 a true global icon OTT has come 72 to stay

12 40 4654

Masala fix Fashion & lifestyle is hungry -Natasha Fashion and style 50 for more 08 Dalal get married, 24 secrets of the stars, Rana Daggubati -Virat decoded 54 talks about new Kohli become parents, ventures to be Exclusives Featuring stars who the villain in Dhoom 4 Exclusive Cover Story: 58 use social media for and more grist from the 30 Priyanka Chopra Jonas a good cause rumour mill looks back on 2020 as Remembering she looks forward to 62 Anand Preview global domination Shreya Chaudhary is caught Your say 14 buoyed by the success of 40 in a bohemian Readers send in Bandish Bandits photoplay 68 their rants Mallika Dua wants more is in a Shatrughan Sinha’s 20 meaty roles 46 happy space 70 wacky witticisms 10 Letter from the Editor The marvellous Mrs Jonas Recently, an old photo of the 17 year old Priyanka Chopra Jonas appeared on the internet. She looked like a young gazelle, smiling shyly in front of the camera. She looked like a million bucks even then. Looking at the photo, one feels one’s watching someone standing on the cusp of greatness. She’s like a coiled spring, waiting to unleash her potential to the world. Even she wouldn’t have dreamt of the dizzy heights she would climb to, that she’s still gaining. The White Tiger recently got released on OTT. She doesn’t have a central role in it. But the makers were so impressed by her talent that they tweaked her character around. Making it a different entity from what it was in the source material, Aravind Adiga’s novel of the same name. Her Pinky is in effect the conscience keeper of the . Its moral compass. You want to get to know more about her. And you feel her absence when she’s no longer there in the film. Cut to her role in Bajirao . The film is called . There’s no place for Kashibai in the film. She was the first wife of the peshwa. A mere footnote in history, in myth. But Priyanka’s performance brought the hurt, the betrayal felt by Kashibai to the forefront. It made her angst relatable. She was a woman wronged and the audience sympathised with that. Ranveer Kapoor and Deepika Padukone may have won the applause but she won the sympathy. She made the masses remember Kashibai. It was no mean feat indeed. I consider her role in Barfi! as one of her finest efforts till day. Playing Jhilmil, who is autistic, would have been extremely difficult, as the actress had no parallel to draw upon. In 2012, she was the reigning queen of the marquee and yet chose to do a role which went against the grain. She didn’t have much dialogue and relied on her eyes, her expressions, to get her point across. She gave the film a gravitas. You got lost in the romance between Jhilmil and Barfi as it was something you had never seen before. The film wasn’t focussed on her but she still made it her own. Currently, she’s doing what no Indian actor has done before — getting star billing in commercial Hollywood . It’s not that Indian actors haven’t shone in the international arena. Names like , or Saeed Jaffrey, to name a few, have made proud before. But they were mostly known in the circles. Priyanka has gone beyond that and has staked claim to being a truly international star. Movies and series are being written with her in mind. She’s a part of the cult classic Matrix franchise now. You don’t need a better proof of her Hollywood street cred. Priyanka’s on the cover of our current issue. Turn the pages to know more about the desi material girl and feast on her latest images...

For more on tinseltown’s news and updates find me on @jiteshpillaai

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BON VOYAGE! Childhood sweethearts Natasha Dalal and Varun Dhawan walks out of finally embarked on the next stage of their relationship after Yoddha pg 08 yeears of courtship. They had planned an exotic wedding in Deepika Padukone and Vietnam last year but COVID-19 played spoilsport. So they decided to go for a small wedding ceremony instead. The cast couple got married at a private ceremony in Alibaug, with together in Fighter? pg 10 only immediate family and close family friends in attendance. PHOTOGRAPH: YOGEN SHAH MASALA FIX

SALMAN KHAN SELLS RADHE: YOUR MOST WANTED BHAI FOR RS 230 CRORES ACCORDING TO A REPORT ON AN ONLINE PORTAL, HAS SOLD THE SATELLITE, THEATRICAL, DIGITAL AND MUSIC RIGHTS OF RADHE: YOUR MOST WANTED BHAI TO FOR RS 230 CRORES. A SOURCE SAID, “IT’S A REASONABLE DEAL THAT HAS LED TO A TABLE PROFIT FOR SALMAN. ZEE, TOO, DOESN’T HAVE MUCH RISK INVOLVED GIVEN THAT SALMAN’S FILMS COMMAND A GREAT RETURN VALUE IN TERMS OF DIGITAL AND SATELLITE VIEWING SIDE BY SIDE MUSIC STREAMING ON VARIOUS PLATFORMS.” MEANWHILE, WE HEAR THAT RADHE WILL GET A THEATRICAL RELEASE AFTER ALL DURING EID. THAT’S GOOD NEWS FOR THEATRE OWNERS WHO’RE LOOKING AT A BIG RELEASE TO BAIL THEM OUT OF DIRE STRAITS.

Anushka Sharma and are loved ANUSHKA by millions worldwide and any news regarding them flares up like wildfire on the internet. SHARMA AND The year 2020 had a pall of gloom hanging VIRAT KOHLI on it. The news that Virushka were expecting their first child came as a ray of sunshine that WELCOME A lifted our mood a bit. Virat even took paternity BABY GIRL leave away from the crucial Australian test series to be with Anushka during the delivery. The couple wanted a bit of privacy when the moment came and requested the press to show restraint. They became proud parents VARUN DHAWAN to a baby girl on January 11. An ecstatic Virat AND NATASHA DALAL broke the news on social media. He wrote, “We are thrilled to share with you that we have TIE THE KNOT been blessed with a baby girl this afternoon. It’s been almost two years since We thank you all for your love, prayers and the first wave of rumours around good wishes. Anushka and the baby are both Varun Dhawan and Natasha healthy and we are feeling beyond blessed Dalal’s wedding started. Last to start this new chapter of our lives. We year, the rumour was that they’d hope that you can respect our privacy at this get married in October 2020 but time. Love, Virat.” We congratulate Virat and the pandemic played spoilsport. Anushka for the same. Though the wedding got postponed, speculations didn’t die out as pictures of Natasha celebrating SHAHID KAPOOR Karwachauth with Varun’s WALKS OUT OF mother surfaced on the internet. DHARMA’S YODDHA Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal finally tied the knot on January 24 in Shahid Kapoor had just wrapped up working for Jersey and was all set to start work on his a private ceremony at Alibaug. They next titled Yoddha, which is helmed by and backed by . both look gorgeous together. While However, according to latest reports, he has walked out of the project due to creative Varun wore a differences. Shahid Kapoor reportedly was not happy with the script. According to sources, creation, Natasha was draped in his inputs and his attitude was taken as arrogant behaviour by the team. “Shahid and the her own label. Right from the decor to team were having a lot of creative differences over the script. Many feel that Shahid has the intimate celebrations, it all looked become extremely brash and arrogant after the success of . He is currently very absolutely splendid. There was a picky about what he wants to do. Plus, he had not signed on the dotted line, which is also no-phone policy at the ceremony. Varun why KJo could not make the official announcement about the same. It’s almost certain that broke the news through his he’s no longer doing the film. Now it needs to be seen if Karan and Shashank get back to account by sharing a photo of the convincing him and adhere to his demands,” said a source to an online portal. Yoddha was ceremony. Its caption read -- Life long love going to see opposite Shahid Kapoor. We hear that Shahid will now focus on just became official -- and just like that sent his web series directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. The series will be a trilogy and his fans into throes of celebbration. will also star Vijay Sethupathi. It will be shot in Mumbai and Goa.

MASALA FIX

HRITHIK ROSHAN AND AND VIJAY SETHUPATHI DEEPIKA PADUKONE TO TO SHOOT FOR ’S STAR TOGETHER NEXT IN APRIL WE WERE THE FIRST TO REVEAL THAT IN FIGHTER KATRINA KAIF HAS BEEN SIGNED ON AS THE HEROINE FOR SRIRAM RAGHAVAN’S NEXT WHICH STARS VIJAY SETHUPATHI. THE FILM WILL MARK THE DEBUT OF THE SOUTH SUPERSTAR. KATRINA KAIF AND VIJAY SETHUPATHI WILL START SHOOTING FOR THE FILM IN APRIL. KATRINA WANTED TO EXPLORE A NEW CHARACTER AND HENCE SHE GAVE HER INSTANT NOD TO THE FILM. THE DIRECTOR HAS PUT HIS ARUN KHETRAPAL BIOPIC TITLED EKKIS ON HOLD AS OF NOW AND WILL CONCENTRATE ON THIS FIRST.

Are Vijay Sethupathi and Director made everyone’s having an ego tussle? wish come true (even Deepika Padukone’s) According to sources, Tamil superstar Vijay when he cast two of the most talented Sethupathi was all set to make his debut DEEPIKA and the hottest looking stars -- Hrithik in Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha. But Roshan and Deepika Padukone, together looks like things have gone sour between PADUKONE ALL SET for his upcoming film Fighter. Ever since the him and Aamir. It’s rumoured that Aamir TO PLAY VILLAIN announcement was made on January 10, Khan was disappointed when he learnt IN DHOOM 4? there’s been a buzz in the industry. According that Vijay had put on some extra kilos. to the reports, the makers are planning to He needed a certain body type for the make this film with a Rs 250 crores budget. role in Laal Singh Chaddha but the South YRF plans to launch some of their Now that makes it one of the costliest films superstar didn’t keep his physique in biggest films in the coming years, But if in Hindi cinema. After the success of War, check and that irked Aamir Khan. Soon there is one film that has always been people certainly have high expectations from there were reports that Aamir Khan had the talk of the town, it’s the Dhoom Anand. And looks like he won’t disappoint. walked out of the Hindi remake of Vikram franchise. The film which is known Hrithik and Siddharth have worked together Vedha. The reason reportedly was that for its stylish chase sequences and in Bang Bang and War, this is their third film he didn’t want to reprise a role played exotic locations has always surprised together. If sources are to be believed, Hrithik by Sethupathi in the original. Well, we us, when it comes to casting the will even have a cameo in Siddharth Anand’s hope things work out between the two antagonist. It started off with John Pathan which stars and supremely talented actors. And we get to Abraham in the first instalment,Hrithik Deepika Padukone. see them together onscreen soon. Roshan in the second and Aamir Khan in the third. Now, we hear that YRF has decided to up the ante by introducing and a female villain. Yes, you heard that cast together in Thank God right. We hear that Deepika Padukone Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet have been cast is in talks to star in Dhoom 4. She will in Thank God by director Indra Kumar. The three actors took to play the antagonist this time. Deepika their Twitter accounts and shared the excitement to announce Padukone is keen for this one but has their new film. Ajay Devgn tweeted saying, “Happy to announce to get her dates sorted before she signs my next film, #ThankGod - a slice of life comedy starring @ on the dotted line. Meanwhile, Deepika SidMalhotra, @Rakulpreet & me. Directed by @Indra_kumar_9, has teamed up with YRF for Pathan the film is set to go on floors from 21st January 2021. Stay which reunites her with Shah Rukh tuned!’ Rakul too shared a similar tweet and Sidharth Malhotra Khan. She also has ’s began his tweet expressing his feeling by saying that he was next co-starring ‘stoked’ to share screen space for the first time with Ajay Devgn. and . Let’s see how the Indra Kumar brand of comedy works for the trio.

MASALA FIX SANDEEP OPPOSITE IN THE REDDY VANGA IMMORTAL ASHWATTHAMA ANNOUNCES The Immortal Ashwatthama is said to be a sci-fi superhero flick, infused with Hindu mythology ANIMAL WITH about Ashwatthama. While Vicky Kaushal plays the lead, we hear from our sources that the makers On New Year, Sandeep Reddy Vanga have finally zeroed in on their leading heroine. announced his next big film titled Animal. Reportedly, Sara Ali Khan has bagged the The Kabir Singh director teams up with prestigious role. The actress will be seen opposite Ranbir Kapoor, and Anil the actor for the first time and this will also be her Kapoor this time for a new intense . first sci-fi film. Sara Ali Khan who’s four films old The first look and the audio of Ranbir Kapoor has proved to be the perfect commercial heroine, got everyone excited. Now we hear that the who has talent and the required masala needed for project needs two leading heroines and films. The film is directed by Uri fame Aditya Dhar while Parineeti’s name has already been and produced by Ronnie Screwvala. Vicky Kaushal announced, the second heroine is said to be has been preparing hard for the role and has even fame . Our sources reveal bulked-up for the film. that Tripti Dimri has auditioned for the role and the makers are impressed with her and have decided to sign her on. “Some big and SHAHID KAPOOR TO PLAY popular names had auditioned for this role. STARRER Sara Ali Khan had also auditioned for the RANBIR KAPOOR’S FATHER movie but the makers were quite impressed JERSEY TO HAVE IN LUV RANJAN’S NEXT with Tripti’s work and audition tape. They A THEATRICAL While his younger brother has rocked thought she would bring a freshness to the at the movies for long, looks like producer character and a young RELEASE THIS Boney Kapoor is now all set to make his acting appeal,” says our source. It’ll be fun to watch DIWALI debut too. When Luv Ranjan and his team these actors work together for the first time. was writing the character of Ranbir Kapoor’s Traditonally, the best of the banners father for their next film, they had Boney have always competed to get their Kapoor in mind as reference. Soon Luv Ranjan films released during Diwali as the decided that Boney Kapoor would be the perfect period is said to be most auspicious. for the role and offered it to him. The producer But the ongoing pandemic has was in two minds and decided to ask his son sent all release plans haywire. The for advice. Arjun persuaded vaccination drive is currently on but his dad and said he should surely go ahead. that offers no guarantee that the The producer then gave his nod and will begin audience will return to the theatres shooting for the same in Delhi. The romcom any time soon. Producers are loathe stars Ranbir Kapoor and . The to taking risks. But looks like the film will be shot in Paris too once the team gets the makers of Jersey like playing on required permissions. the front foot and have planned a Diwali release for their film. The film’s star, Shahid Kapoor, announced PAID RS 20 the good news on social media. He CRORES FOR 10 DAYS WORK tweeted saying, ‘JERSEY releasing in KARTIK AARYAN WILL BE NEXT SEEN theatres this DIWALI 5th November IN ’S DHAMAKA IN A 2021. The triumph of the human NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE AVATAR. KARTIK spirit. A journey I am so very proud of. COMPLETED THE SHOOT FOR THIS FILM This ones for the TEAM ....’ Now that’s IN 10 DAYS, WHICH IS A RECORD OF surely an exciting piece of news for SORTS. BUT WHAT’S MORE, HE WAS viewers. Shahid Kapoor’s last release PAID A WHOPPING RS 20 CRORE FOR was Kabir Singh and since then his HIS ROLE IN THE FILM. NOW THAT’S fans have been waiting for his next. AN UNHEARD OF AMOUNT FOR A FILM Let’s hope the film sets new records WHICH WAS WRAPPED UP IN LESS at the box office, just like Kabir Singh. THAN TWO WEEKS. THE FILM ALSO STARS . movies on the block, set-talk, talent-buzz, hotties to watch out for

LIVING HIS STORY DEVANSH DOSHI X FACTOR: IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

Devansh Doshi started out as an actor at the impressionable age of 10. As he grew up, he enjoyed the process of acting and decided to dedicate his life to honing his craft. A valedictorian, Devansh would daydream about acting while he studied marketing in college. He then went on to act in the ads of several big brands like Nokia, Domino’s, HP, Cadbury, Maggi, TVS etc. He has also been a part of several Disney shows like Vicky And Vetaal, Oye Jassi and more. His biggest claim to fame so far is Evening Shadows (2018), directed by Sridhar Rangayan which has won 24 awards across the globe. Devansh also owns the production house, Afterglow Films that has two originals currently running on . He claims to live by the motto, “Living for stories and stories for a living.”

Actors Shreya Chaudhary and Mallika Dua reveal their hopes and desires pg 14 FUTURE STOCK

ShreyaBANDIT Chaudhry lets down her guard in a tell-allBELLE interview with Vedanshi Pathak

hreya Chaudhry, who is in the news because of the success of her OTT series S Bandish Bandits, made her debut with Dear Maya (2017), where her co-stars were Madiha Imam and . The film had her playing a young girl who writes letters to a lonely old lady. Shreya has fond memories of the film and says she learnt much from Manisha Koirala. She is a diehard boxing enthusiast and is also into MMA training. That explains her well-toned body. And she loves driving big bikes. Like her character Tamanna Sharma from Bandish Bandits, she owns a Bullet and goes on long rides during her free time. She could certainly relate to that part of her character in the series. Shreya became an I THINK IT WAS actor because of her elder LIFE-CHANGING brother Karan, who is now settled in the US WHEN MY PARENTS and whom she loves to TOLD ME NOT TO DO death. Younger siblings often idolise the elder ENGINEERING JUST and such was the case BECAUSE I WAS with Shreya too. Her GOOD AT MATH, BUT brother had an outgoing personality and was TO PURSUE always winning elocution SOMETHING and debate competitions I COULD SEE MYSELF in school. The actress, who was something of an DOING FOR THE introvert back then, was REST OF MY LIFE DOWNLOAD YOUR FAVOURITE MAGAZINES FOR FREE!

Stay Indoors. Stay Safe.

February, 2020

SALMAN RANA GETS A DAGGUBATI WHOPPING SLAYS! 230 CRS

SHRUTI DEEPIKA HAASAN turns villain in a sexy for Dhoom 4? avatar Super

power GLOBAL ICON PRIYANKA CHOPRA

GLOBAL ICON PRIYANKA CHOPRA power

Super

for Dhoom 4? avatar

turns villain in a sexy

HAASAN DEEPIKA worldwidemedia.in

SHRUTI

230 CRS

SLAYS!

WHOPPING

DAGGUBATI

GETS A

RANA SALMAN February, 2020 acting skills and told her to give it a serious shot. As luck would have it, she bumped into , the director of Bandish Bandits, during an ad call and he called her for an audition for a music-based show that he was making for Amazon. She passed the audition with flying colours and the rest, as they say, is history.

hreya played the With Ritwik Bhowmik in role of a singer Bandish Bandits in Bandish Bandits and had THE BEST MEMORY I HAVE WITH NASEER SIR to undergo a lot Sof preparation to get the WAS WHEN RITWIK (BHOWMIK) AND character right. “Luckily I GOT TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH HIM AND DID AN Anand Tiwari and producer Amritpal Bindra ACTING WORKSHOP WITH HIM. THAT WAS A organised workshops ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY before the shoot. So be it training in music and inspired by him to take Born to a Maharashtrian Today she's an established performing with singer part in such competitions mother and Rajput father, name in the ad circuit. and coach Akshit Parikh herself. After being scared Shreya reveals that her She has even done an ad and choreographer Vijay initially, she found she family is her biggest with Ranbir Kapoor and Ganguly, interacting rather liked facing a sea support system and it other Bollywood biggies. with composers Shankar of people and putting her is they who watch her Her parents were taken Ehsaan Loy, visiting a points across to them. She work even before she aback at first when she music studio, listening opened up on stage and does. “They are also the announced her decision to a scratch for the first then there was no turning ones who give me wings to pursue modelling time, understanding the back. She was good to fly while keeping me and acting. “When they mere basics of what goes academically and taking grounded. I always ask my realised how much I into composing a song, part in extra-curricular family to watch my work truly wanted to pursue everything came in activities resulted in her before I do. As I’m aware it, they supported me handy.” being named the head girl that they’ll not hesitate completely. I think it was She got an opportunity of her school. “The seed to discuss the minus life changing when my to work with Naseeruddin for performing was sown points as well.” While parents told me not to do Shah in the show and early on in my life,” she she was growing up, her engineering just because I learnt a lot from the muses. She recalls having father would organise was good at math, but to veteran. “The best an unusual answer as movie nights on Friday pursue something I could memory I have with a child when someone and Saturday where see myself doing for the Naseer sir was when asked her what she would apart from the Bollywood rest of my life, or I would Ritwik (Bhowmik) and become when she grew staple, the family was be at a desk job unhappy I got to spend some up. She chuckles, “When treated to Iranian,Korean, with my choice.” time with him post the someone asked me what European, Hollywood After making her mark shoot and do an acting I wanted to be when I and South cinema as as a model, she was workshop with him. That grew up, they expected well. That introduced itching to be an actor and was a once-in-a-lifetime ‘doctor’ or ‘lawyer’ to be her to different kinds of the opportunity came opportunity and one of my answer but I used to cinemas at a young age. her way when my fondest memories.” tell them I wanted to be a She got an opportunity to signed her for a short film, Here’s wishing this mirror because I wanted work in an advertisement The Other Way. Imtiaz bindaas babe the very best everyone to look at me.” while still in college. was impressed by her for the future. n ADVERTORIAL

Golden girl PRATIBHA SINGH BAGHEL IS A SINGER, PERFORMER, ACTOR AND MORE...HERE’S A BRIEF PROFILE OF THE MULTI-TALENTED PERSONALITY, WHO IS COMING UP WITH SUFISCORE'S FIRST ALBUM BOLE NAINA, SILENCES SPEAK XXXXXXXXXX

HER LOVE FOR GHAZALS ALSO PUSHED HER TOWARDS BAGGING A ROLE IN THE EPIC MUSICAL MUGAL-E-AZAM. PRATIBHA JOINED THE TEAM BACK IN 2016 AND REMAINS AN INTEGRAL PART TO DATE

AWARDS AND MORE song in the film Issaq more. Pratibha has often Pratibha Singh Baghel BOLLYWOOD (2013). The offers came mentioned that she finds managed to bag the Lata PLAYBACK pouring in after that the energy of the audience Mangeshkar Alankaran and she worked in films infectious and how Award in 2008 and also has like Humpty Sharma Ki amazing it feels watching the National Classical Vocal Dulhaniya (2014), Zid so many people cheer Award at a very young age. (2014), Luckhnowi Ishq for you. Over the years, However, she first rose to (2015), Bollywood Diaries Pratibha proved she was fame after an appearance in (2016), Shorgul (2016). Her not just talented but also the music reality show Sa recent tracks in films like versatile as she flawlessly Re Ga Ma Pa in 2009. One Manikarnika: The Queen pulled off singing in glimpse at the sheer talent of (2019), Saand Ki languages such as Tamil, that was on display and it 1 Aankh (2019), and the hit Gujarati, Marathi, and was evident that Pratibha web series Bandish Bandits Punjabi. While Pratibha has Singh Baghel was destined (2020) have made her a a strong love for singing for greatness. Hailing household name among in different genres and from a small town named Bollywood fans. In fact, languages, ghazal is the Rewa in , such was the impact of closest one to her heart. Pratibha managed to gain her voice in the Kangana popularity among music Ranaut starrer that she CALL OF THE STAGE lovers across the nation officially earned the title of Her love for ghazals thanks to her soulful and 2 “Voice of Manikarnika”. also pushed her towards magical voice. The young bagging a role in the epic star managed to make it to LIVEWIRE PERFORMER musical Mugal-E-Azam. the final of the competition Apart from singing for Pratibha joined the team and there was no looking films, Pratibha also is back in 2016 and remains back ever since. extremely passionate an integral part to date. about performing live for And if one extravagant BOLLYWOOD SOJOURN her fans. So far, the singer musical drama wasn’t Soon after her successful has performed in over 30 enough, she also played the run in the reality show, 3 countries across the world lead role in music maestros offers began rolling in 1. including the United Salim – Sulieman’s for the singing sensation. 2. Manikarnika Kingdom, Switzerland, adaptation of Umrao Jaan Pratibha made her debut UAE, Singapore, Germany Ada. The one of a kind 3. Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya with Jheeni re jheeni and Canada, and many experience was the first- ADVERTORIAL ever theatrical play with live singing and music on stage. In her interviews, she has stated that live singing on stage has zero margin of errors and one can’t have a retake. One mistake and you lose the interest of the audience.

PERSONAL GLIMPSES Pratibha’s relationship with music began at the tender age of three. The singer grew up idolizing the likes of , , and Hariharan while she looks up to Shreya Goshal and from the current lot of singers. Prathibha’s father who always had her back and 1 2 pushed her to pursue her passion as she eventually THE ALBUM BOLE NAINA IS PENNED made it into a full-fledged BY AND COMPOSED BY career. In fact, not just DEEPAK PANDIT her father but Pratibha’s entire family holds a deep recording techniques really the channel and record passion for music. While takes things up a notch. label that has gained it is only Pratibha and her Through Bole Naina, widespread popularity uncle who pursue music we will witness Pratibha’s in a span of few months, professionally, the rest of magic on-screen once has produced this album. 3 them are equally passionate again as apart from lending Sufiscore has collaborated 1. Gulzar about it. A nurturing and her soulful voice for the with the Budapest 2. Deepak Pandit motivating environment is track, the singer also plays Symphony Orchestra for 3. essential for the growth of the lead in the music Bole Naina, Silences speak an artiste and Pratibha is a video. While Pratibha has which is a first of it's kind fine example of the same. in the history of Indian given a glimpse of her for an Indian music album So far, she has worked music. The album has been acting prowess over the Sufiscore is committed to with established names penned by the legendary years through musicals, bringing South Asian music like , Gulzar and as you would we cannot wait to watch to music lovers all over the Sonu Nigam, Himesh expect it translates to what she has in store globe. Their huge repertoire Reshammiya and has poetry at its finest. The this time around. The includes music maestros impressed them with her master percussionist and video has been directed as well as upcoming talent. repertoire. Grammy awardee, Ustad by Jadhav. The With subscription to their Zakir Hussain brings his National Award winning channel, one can experience BOLE NAINA ALBUM own flair to the tracks. film director has added a the true magic of all the Pratibha is all set to return He truly brings the words cinematic opulence to the songs in the album. with another treat for to life with the perfect entire album, bringing the Bole Naina, Silences her fans. The singer is melody. The heart of audio into a grand visual speak truly seems to be gearing up for the launch this epic collaboration is experience that reflects the the perfect amalgamation of Sufiscore's first album Deepak Pandit with his quality and standard set by of experience and youth. Bole Naina, Silences composition and vision. the musical legends. This We’re sure that this exciting speak. What makes this While the composer is the first Indian Album combination will produce so special is that she will has maintained the feel launching in the most something that will be be collaborating with of a classic album, the advanced Dolby Atmos remembered by music some of the biggest names inclusion of modern music format. Sufiscore, lovers for years to come. n FUTURE STOCK SERIOUSLY FUNNY Mallika Dua talks about her brush with comedy in this candid chat with Vedanshi Pathak

aughter of veteran journalist Vinod Dua and Padmavati Dua, a doctor, Mallika comes Dfrom a family that is as distant from the world of entertainment as the sun is from the earth. She never actively thought of being a comedian. It happened by chance. She used to perform on stage while in college and most of it used to be comedy. She feels comedy is more effective when done on stage in front of a live audience, “It’s more difficult to do a serious play and convince the audience. It can go really wrong and look very tacky but a bunch of us, who were studying abroad would meet every summer and put up these really funny plays. We would take plays from all over the world and adapt them and I would act in them. That is when comedy really started.” After passing out of the Modern School, Barakhamba, she went to Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to do her graduation in theatre performance. She says she never actually IT WAS ONLY AFTER own right and still be funny thought of taking up RUSSELL PETERS OR and be in charge of what comedy as a full-fledged you are doing and not just profession because the SASHA BARON COHEN support the main cast.” idea of a comedian in CAME THAT WE REALISED She got tagged as a Bollywood movies meant THAT YOU CAN BE A comedienne when the playing stock characters PROTAGONIST IN YOUR digital space opened big day in and day out. “It was OWN RIGHT AND STILL for performers and her only after Russell Peters or skits on social media got Sasha Baron Cohen came BE FUNNY AND BE IN noticed. She mentions her CHARGE OF WHAT YOU With that we realised that you father has a great sense of Kiara can be a protagonist in your ARE DOING humour that has rubbed Advani

FUTURE STOCK off on both her sister Bakul and her. After graduating in 2012, she started working as a copywriter in 2013 and did it for three years. She was writing ad campaigns, jingles, spots and doing theatre side by side. “It’s I THINK MENTAL only in 2016 when the HEALTH CAN BE A VERY first video came out that I started getting offers. So, DELICATE THING WHEN I did another video with YOU ARE BRINGING IT TVF (The Viral Fever) and OUT OF YOURSELF TO BE somehow I started making FUNNY FOR THE SAKE OF videos on Instagram OTHERS. I THINK THERE because I really enjoyed the COMES A TIME WHEN filters. YOU HAVE TO TREAT IT t was like a bunch of WITH DISCIPLINE AND us created the industry TREAT IT LIKE A JOB and grew along with it,” she comments. As an audience, we line in the film kind of hit I laugh and move on but home,” she points out. for a comedian, comedy The year 2020 has been is serious business. the annus horribilis thanks Mallika reiterates the fact to the global coronavirus. that comedy comes from Mallika reveals that one tragedy. “Even as you’re thing she has learnt in 2020 watching the simple is to not plan. “I haven’t slipping on a banana planned anything else thing, which is classic and if something 2020 comedy, you are laughing at has taught us, it is to not someone else’s tragedy,” she attach yourself to plans and asserts. Being a freelancer expectations. I’m glad that can be quite stressful. On films likeHindi Medium personality and is not a I got to spend the entire one hand, you’re waiting (2017), Namaste sidekick. She is full of year with family even for the phone to ring and (2018), Zero (2018) and now gyaan and sass.” though it came at such a on the other, you can be Indoo Ki Jawani has hit the The other thing she liked great cost to the planet.” shitting yourself silly under screens. Indoo Ki Jawani about the film was that Her wishlist for 2021 the work pressure. Jealousy happened to her after it showed a ‘sisterhood’ includes the complete or insecurity too kicks you she met Monisha Advani between her and Kiara eradication of COVID-19. hard sometimes in the and Bhojwani, of Advani. Mallika says Also, she wants more and gut when you feel your . Bollywood has been more companies to adopt contemporaries are doing She’s all praise for the showcasing brotherhood a work-from-home routine much better than you. “I dynamic duo for making a since ages and it’s time for their employees. And think mental health can be space for themselves in the they gave sisterhood a she also wants the internet a very delicate thing when entertainment world in such chance. She and Kiara to be a kinder place. you are bringing it out of a short time. “I find them became pals on the sets. “I think in 2020 we saw yourself to be funny for very amazing, powerful “My relation with Kiara that opportunism doesn’t the sake of others. I think and go-getting. They built was super chill just like escape anything. We saw there comes a time when an empire for themselves. Indoo’s and Sonal’s. We hit vultures and opportunists you have to treat it with When they called I knew it it off instantly and she is a preying on death, on discipline and treat it like would be worth my while. very comfortable person to protests. I think the internet a job. I have learnt to make When they narrated, I work with. We knew the and news media were at that distinction now,” just kept laughing. What I equation we had and even peak toxicity. I would like says she. loved about my character though we were not Indoo to see that change.” We

She has appeared in is that Sonal has her own and Sonal in real life, every can’t help but agree.  They are hot, they are cool. Meet our trend makers and breakers COUTURE SHOCK IN STEPHANE ROLLAND WHERE: FOR AK VS AK PROMOTIONS THE X FACTOR: LOOSE SILHOUETTE COUTURE Sonam Kapoor’s penchant for dramatic silhouettes is well known to everyone who has followed her journey into fashion over the years. Making yet another bold and beautiful appearance, Sonam looked ravishing in Stephane Rolland haute couture she wore for promotions. She paired the marigold gown with a black tied belt clench around the waist and the ornamentation around the neck really elevated this simple yet stylish piece. The smokey eye with blood red lips and the wispy hair, all worked wonders to make this look strike a home run.

Small is big pg 24 Monotone Magic pg 27 Cut above the rest pg28 COMPILED BY: ANALITA SETH PHOTOGRAPHS: YOGEN SHAH FASHION & BEAUTY

Loewe SMALL IS BIG Mini bags aren’t for everyone Jacquemus If you’re looking to carrying a GIGI HADID AROUND handbag that can hold everything THE from your lipstick to your spare WORLD pair of heels, then this trend might Amina Muaddi not be your cup of tea. Mini bags aren’t meant for functionality, they are a minimalist trend which only PRIYANKA CHOPRA works as an accessory for your outfit. We also believe that the addition of pockets in women’s outfits may have given this trend a push because now you don’t need a duffle bag to tote your essentials around. 16Arlington KENDALL JENNER

LIZZO Paco Rabanne

LOCAL SPOTTINGS KIM KARDASHIAN

Lizzo carrying the Jaquemus micro bag sent out a wave of memes on the NUSHRRATT BHARUCCHA internet. It was the first time a bag so RIHANNA tiny had made it to the red carpet and turned out to be a revolutionary moment for luxury bags.

KIARA ADVANI Matching your hat to your shoe to your bag, or your necklace to your earrings, has a tendency to look dated. Mixing up your accessories adds interest to an outfit, and can make you look much more modern and polished -Stacy FASHION & BEAUTY

MASKED MESSAGE Customising the newest accessory one slogan at a time

Remember when you would wear a cool slogan t-shirt and convey a message every time you walked out? With masks fast becoming a mandate, we now have a bolder and more in-your-face way of doing it. What started as a necessity has now transformed itself into a fashion accessory. The first step towards customisation of face masks was matching it with your outfit and now we are putting slogans on them that are quite witty. So look into the eyes, read ANANYA PANDAY the mask and move along, mate.

Pinko MASK FORCE Etsy Pleasures

Pinko

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy DEEPIKA PADUKONE & FASHION & BEAUTY E TALKIN p is rising G H eu a T ak ga Colourful liners -m in e . O, ey centuate y If you’re feeling particularly playful, e ac our D at e to ey a coloured liner is a perfect way to d us es n commemorate it. You can opt for a S a an m c colour totally contrasting to your outfit E a u yo to add that pop on your face and Y g s draw more attention to the eyes. in k Chanel

ic E m Benefit o tr c l E e o b o c s Brow Buddy H k x With the lips not drawing s i T a s attention anymore, your e m brows need that extra filling. T r h a Keep a brow pencil handy

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i e to avoid any mismatch in E r

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e your eyes and brows. Unfilled L H eyebrows can pull down all the effort you’ve put in doing your eye make-up. So brow up, ladies.

HUDA Beauty SONAM KAPOOR AHUJA

Shimmer lid There’s nothing holding you back from using some shimmer on your eyes anymore. So drop the scepticism from the days when the options LASH were a bold lip or eyes. Sweep some glitter on LOVE eyelids next time you step out. Semi lined The biggest trick of trade with eye make-up is to smudge your eyeliner to avoid sharp lines. Another tip for people who love to line their lid Lash extensions is to only go halfway. It gives a nice effect and a These come in several volumes and you cool way to avoid creases on your eyes. can pick according to how heavy you want SHRADDHA KAPOOR your lashes. There are single stands you can add or go for a stick-on lashes over your real ones. They make your eyes look bigger and help them pop.

“Treat your makeup like jewelry for the face. Play Bobbi Brown with colors, shapes, Dior structure — it can Small wing While a big Amy Whinehouse wing transform you.” is a classic, it does not always go with every occasion and outfit. – François Nars So tone it down a bit with a small stroke of your liner to extend your MAC Cosmetics lid just a little bit. NORA FATEHI MONOTONE

ALIA BHATT MAGIC Indian wear is no more a game of contrasting shades KHAN Whenever one thinks of an Indian attire, the instant visual in one's head is bright colours and clingy embellishments. But with celebrities opting for salwar kameez for daily wear, it’s gradually taking a more minimalistic approach. Monotones and pastels are becoming a favourite and actors are picking the loose silhouette over body-hugging cuts. The long kurta with flared pyjamas is the biggest trend on NEHA DHUPIA the block. DESI GIRL VIBES

KIARA ADVANI

TIPS:

IF YOU WANT TO ELEVATE THIS MONOTONE OUTFIT, HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: - Pick colourful jootis to finish the look. SUTARIA - Pair it with heavy Our traditional attire has taken earrings or a SARA ALI KHAN hundreds of years, generations metal watch. ANUSHKA SHARMA of fashion designers, and tens of - Pick a contrasting thousands of iterations to make bag to add a a mark on the world. And you pop of colour. should be proud of it! FASHION & BEAUTY

HOLLYWOOD STREET STYLE

SELENA GOMEZ

SOPHIE TURNER

HAILEY BALDWIN

JENNIFER LOPEZ

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN CUT ABOVE

JHANVI KAPOOR THE REST Sweatsuits now have a new address and it's on ‘cutting’ street Take one of the comfiest outfits that exist and add a bit of pizazz to. Crop sweatshirts are the new thing. We’ve seen the Jenners, the Kardashian and the Hadids strutting in crop sweatsuits around New York and now this bug has bitten the Bollywood divas. Pyjamas and sweats have taken over the streets of B-town and we can't be more excited to see "Fashion is this trend evolve with time. Let the the part of the sweatshirts move to the front of your daily air and it wardrobe then. LILY COLLINS changes all the time, with all events. You can even see the approaching of a BELLA HADID revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes." —Diana GIGI HADID

Vreeland EMILY RATAJKOWSKI what’s on their mind?

LIFE’S A GIFT I was blessed to have the comfort of a home, food to eat, surrounded by people who I love and the opportunity to continue to work. We were safe and healthy and that for me was most important. I count my blessings every day

Priyanka Chopra Jonas talks about learning to be grateful and positive while living under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic and lots more... PHOTOGRAPH: ART STREIBER COVER STORY

THE WORLD IS MY OYSTER PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS TELLS ANURADHA CHOUDHARY THAT LIFE’S NOTHING BUT A HUGE BUCKET-LIST PHOTOGRAPHS: ART STREIBER EVERY TIME YOU THINK YOU’RE GETTING TO KNOW WHAT SHE’S LIKE, PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS SURPRISES YOU BY HER CHOICES... WHILE THE WORLD WAS WHILING AWAY ITS TIME WATCHING SHOWS ON OTT PLATFORM, BAKING BANANA BREAD AND DEVOURING NEW CUISINES DURING THE LOCKDOWN, PRIYANKA WAS HARD AT WORK WRITING HER MEMOIR, UNFINISHED.

The book, which also comes in the audiobook format, recorded in her own voice, gives us a glimpse of Priyanka’s formative years, her winning Miss India and Miss World beauty pageants... the challenges she faced while carving a niche for herself both in India and Hollywood. It’s aptly named Unfinished because when it comes to Priyanka Chopra, there are no full stops indeed. From juggling an acting career for 20 years, turning producer, starring in a Hollywood drama series, being appointed as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador, marrying singer Nick Jonas to making a name for herself in Hollywood, Priyanka surely has come a long, long way. Yes, she has broken all kinds of ceilings without and has shown us how it’s done without breaking sweat. More power to her! If her social media posts are anything to go by, she’s living the good life. Inspiring millions in turn to dream...She has launched a thousand brands, inspired a million dreams. Despite all the accolades, her head is firmly on her shoulders. She remains as amenable as ever... no airs and always ready with a smile to welcome you... The actress is in the news again. Her movie The White Tiger has just been released on OTT. She may not be driving the movie but she’s driving many conversations about the film... working in the OTT space and her memoir and of course the lockdown and her living in London for a while, shooting new assignments... We talk about anything and everything under the sun...read on... COVER STORY

HOW WOULD YOU LOOK BEING IN THIS QUARANTINE MADE ME BACK AT LAST YEAR? REALISE THAT SOME OF THE STRESSES With a lot of gratitude. I was blessed to have WE PUT ON OURSELVES IN OUR NORMAL the comfort of a home, LIVES MAY OR MAY NOT BE IMPORTANT. food to eat, surrounded IT’S GOOD TO TAKE A BREATHER, TAKE STOCK OF YOUR by people who I love LIFE, AND TELL YOUR LOVED ONES YOU LOVE THEM and the opportunity to continue to work. We It’s good to take a memoir Unfinished WHAT WOULD YOU were safe and healthy breather, take stock of in that time. But more SAY HAS BEEN THE and that for me was your life, and tell your than anything else, HIGHLIGHT OF THE most important. I count loved ones you love for someone who was LOCKDOWN FOR YOU? my blessings every day. them. The one thing always on the go, Getting to spend so that kept me calm was doing 100 things at much quality time WHAT HAS THE constantly reminding one go, I learnt that with my husband, PANDEMIC TAUGHT YOU? myself how lucky and I could completely which was the biggest Basically, being in blessed I am. slow it down and still highlight because, given this quarantine made be ok. I found things our hectic individual me realise that some WHAT DID YOU LEARN to do, learnt how to schedules, we don’t of the stresses we put ABOUT YOURSELF DURING pace myself and get such extended time on ourselves in our THE LOCKDOWN? I think I came out of together. Also, writing normal lives may or A lot… given that that experience calmer the book, adopting our may not be important. I wrote most of my and more at ease. new puppy, Panda and COVER STORY

IRONICALLY, I NAMED THIS MEMOIR just spending time YEARS BEFORE I STARTED WRITING IT with the family and . the doggies. I HAVE A LONG AND EVER-GROWING LIST OF THINGS I WANT TO DO, BOTH UNFINISHED WILL HIT THE STANDS SOON, PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU SO, IN THAT, I AM VERY MUCH #UNFINISHED TO WRITE IT? The journey of Unfinished started about two years ago as I was nearing the milestone of being in the entertainment business for 20 years…. basically 20 in 2020. I am at a place in my life where I can look back and introspect and I thought it was a good time as any to pen down this journey I’ve been on. I hope to give readers an insight into my journey in my own words… it’s sort of the ‘in-between interviews’ version of my life… the public version vs. my real story. It reveals a vulnerable side of me that only I can explain…. Sort of like a ‘curtain’s down’ look at my life in my words.

WHY DID YOU CALL IT UNFINISHED? WAS THERE ANY OTHER TITLE YOU’D THOUGHT OF? Ironically, I named this memoir years before I started writing it. I have a long and ever-growing list of things I want to do, both personally and professionally. So, in that, I am very much #Unfinished. But the funny thing about writing a memoir is that it forces you to look at things differently, reconciling so many things you thought you had put to bed. In doing so I’ve realised COVER STORY

that being ’unfinished’ has deeper meaning for me and has in fact been one of the most common threads of my life.

YOU’RE ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING ON THE AUDIOBOOK OF UNFINISHED. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DUB SOMETHING YOU’VE WRITTEN? Yes, I have already completed the recording. I did this in London, during the most recent lockdown (seems to be a common thread with my book) and so I did this alone, in a makeshift studio set up in my home. So, it was just me basically doing this alone with no one else around. It just added to the overall experience…. Which was surreal to say the least. It almost felt like I was narrating my story to a close friend… it was intimate and personal. It also made the whole prospect of the upcoming release so real.

LOVE IS LOVE AND ROMCOMS ESSENTIALLY DRIVE THE SAME EMOTIONS. THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY DIFFERENCES (BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD AND INDIAN ROM COMS) APART FROM LANGUAGE AND MAYBE THE SONG SEQUENCES AND POSSIBLY THE DEGREE OF DRAMATISATION

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT TEXT FOR YOU, THE MOVIE YOU WERE SHOOTING OR IN LONDON. Text For You is a romantic drama directed by Jim Strouse. The story revolves around a woman who, to ease the pain after tragically losing her fiancé, starts to send romantic texts to his old cell. It turns out, the phone number COVER STORY

has been reassigned to a man across town suffering from similar heartbreak. The two meet and feel an undeniable connection but can’t seem to leave the past behind. I’m excited to have worked with Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, Sofia Barclay and an incredible collection of actors in this film.

YOU WERE FORCED TO STAY BACK IN LONDON AFTER YOUR SHOOT, HOW DID YOU SPEND THOSE DAYS? Actually, I was always

GETTING TO SPEND SO MUCH QUALITY TIME WITH MY HUSBAND, WHICH WAS THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE GIVEN OUR HECTIC INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULES, WE DON’T GET SUCH EXTENDED TIME TOGETHER

meant to be there…. it was not forced at all. I will be spending a year in London to complete two projects. I just finished shooting Text For You and will shortly begin filming Citadel, Amazon Studios’ new global series from directors Anthony and Joe Russo (Russo brothers) alongside Richard Madden.

HOW DIFFERENT IS A HOLLYWOOD ROMANTIC FILM WITH A BOLLYWOOD ONE? Love is love and romcoms essentially drive the same emotions. There are not too many differences apart from language and maybe the song sequences and possibly the degree of dramatisation… you know how we love the drama.

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YOU’VE BEEN DOING THE THE JOURNEY OF UNFINISHED PROMOTIONS DIGITALLY STARTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO DURING THE PANDEMIC. HOW’S THE EXPERIENCE AS I WAS NEARING THE MILESTONE BEEN LIKE? OF BEING IN THE ENTERTAINMENT It’s not completely new BUSINESS FOR YEARS in some ways… because 20 … I’ve been working in BASICALLY 20 IN 2020. I AM AT A PLACE different continents and IN MY LIFE WHERE I CAN LOOK BACK time zones for many years, I have done a AND INTROSPECT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD TIME number of promotions AS ANY TO PEN DOWN THIS JOURNEY I’VE BEEN ON digitally in the past. But this is completely people, especially BEEN AFFECTED BY THE the lockdowns and different… not meeting fans… I miss that a lot PANDEMIC? restrictions caused the / interacting with though I completely There has obviously loss of livelihood for people or doing on- understand and support been a clear impact… many people within the ground events is the need to stay home from shoots being called industry… technicians, very surreal. I’m as much as possible off, to many releases support crew, actors, someone who loved and practice social moving from theatres dancers etc. It’s been doing promotions distancing right now. to streaming platforms, especially hard on because it gave me the industry has had them. And we can’t the opportunity to HOW DO YOU THINK THE a tough year. We also forget the plight of interact with so many BUSINESS OF MOVIES HAS have to remember that theatres as well, which

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THE WHITE TIGER IS NOT PINKY MADAM’S (MY CHARACTER IN THE FILM) STORY. YET SHE IS INTRINSICALLY LINKED TO HOW THE STORY UNFOLDS. DIRECTOR RAMIN BAHRANI HAS DEVELOPED AND EXPANDED THE ROLE OF PINKY MORE THAN WHAT WE READ OF HER IN THE BOOK

were one of the last sarcastic and funny and businesses to open. But dark at the same time there was a positive and I remember it being side… it made us all such a page-turner. So think more out of the when I heard that it box, explore new ideas was being adapted for and platforms and a film, I chased after find new ways for the it. I met with Ramin creativity to shine. in cities across the world and auditioned TELL US SOMETHING for it multiple times. ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER I wanted to be an IN THE WHITE TIGER executive producer so WHICH RECENTLY GOT I could put support RELEASED ON OTT? behind It. It was an The White Tiger is incredible experience not Pinky Madam’s shooting this film and (my character in the working with such film) story. Yet she is talents like Ramin, Raj intrinsically linked to () and how the story unfolds. Adarsh (Gourav) not Director Ramin Bahrani to mention the other has developed and stellar cast members expanded the role who brought the of Pinky more than finer nuances out in what we read of her every scene. Working in the book. She is with Ramin was an born to a hardworking, experience unlike any middle-class family of I’ve had before. His immigrants in the US style is more supportive and has a tough life. of actors… he builds Marrying the affluent your self-confidence Ashok (Rajkummar and gives you space… Rao) and moving to so much so that he India (for a short time, never says action or she thinks) isn’t what cut… he just says she imagines it to be. “when you’re ready”… Pinky is woke, but she’s it’s incredible. woke as long as it’s convenient for her. WHAT WAS THE TOUGHEST PART WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO ABOUT PLAYING YOUR SIGN THE FILM? HOW WAS CHARACTER IN THE WHITE IT WORKING ON THE FILM? TIGER? When I first read To fully give into being the book, I thought this American desi… it was hard-hitting one who was born and and provocative and brought up there. My

44-52-Coverstory Priyanka Chopra-STAN R1.indd 37 05-02-2021 14:56:14 COVER STORY

reality is so different from hers. Also, her lens of the world is myopic in a sense and very different from mine and so I had to switch off that side of me when playing Pinky.

DO YOU MISS WORKING IN BOLLYWOOD? DO YOU PLAN TO SIGN A BOLLYWOOD FILM ANYTIME SOON? Yes, I do… very much. I’m currently discussing some great projects and hopefully, I will announce something soon.

WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO WORKING ON THE OTT PLATFORM? I already am… I already have multiple projects underway for the same. OTT is the future of entertainment and we have to catch up with the world in creating the right kind of content for these platforms. The White Tiger just released on , Citadel is being made for and I have multiple projects being discussed for my Production House, Purple Pebble Pictures with various OTT platforms across the world. OTT IS THE FUTURE I love is safe, happy and healthy. ANY HINDI FILM OR WEB OF ENTERTAINMENT SERIES YOU WISH YOU AND WE HAVE TO CATCH ONE THING THAT YOU HAD DONE. UP WITH THE WORLD HOPE HAPPENS FOR YOU Delhi Crime… but IN 2021. honestly my friend IN CREATING THE RIGHT That I am able to shoot is just KIND OF CONTENT FOR again and finish and amazing in it. THESE PLATFORMS launch all the amazing . things I’ve been AT THIS STAGE IN LIFE, THE WHITE TIGER working on. Basically, WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST JUST RELEASED ON NETFLIX, for us to move forward HEART’S DESIRE? CITADEL IS BEING MADE FOR after so many months Just that everyone AMAZON PRIME… of standing still. n

44-52-Coverstory Priyanka Chopra-STAN R1.indd 38 05-02-2021 14:56:27 YOUR VOTE COUNTS! 66TH 2021

Vote for the Best Film | Best Director Best Actor in A Leading Role (Male) Best Actor in A Leading Role (Female) and many more...

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Shrutirhapsody Haasan displays her inner desires in this wild and spirited photoplay Photographs: Eshaan Giri | Stylist: Amritha Ram Hair: Chinni | Make-up: Arthi Selvarajan Outfit: Kartikeya | Shoes: Christian Louboutin Let your heart be an untended garden Don’t clip the wings of desire Let them flutter wildly Outfit: Chola The Label Be as you are don’t change a comma of your story Untwine your sorrows unleash your joys

Shoes: Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika Between heart and mind choose heart. Always... INTERVIEW

A MASSEY ANALITA SETH CHATS WITH VIKRANT MASSEY, A MAN OF AFFAIR MANY MOODS AND GENRES After being a part of primetime television, Vikrant Massey started a gradual ascent at the movies. From doing small roles in films like and , he slowly graduated to playing complex characters and impressed us with the shelled up Shutu in , the hopeful Amol in , the morally bankrupt Pradeep in Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare and the bright and shiny Sunny in , his first commercial venture. Despite his art cinema credentials, Vikrant has the ability to walk onto any set and make every role his own. He may not be a hunk but has been called the thinking woman’s sex symbol. We caught up with the actor who is slowly earning the sobriquet of Mr Dependable with each of his releases...

YOUR LAST VENTURE, “ALANKRITA SHRIVASTAVA, AS A DIRECTOR, IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE I TRUST GINNY WEDS SUNNY WAS AN OUTRIGHT BLINDLY. I’D GO SHOOT FOR HER EVEN WITHOUT READING MY PART. AS MUCH AS COMMERCIAL FILM, SHE’S OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS, SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS FROM HER ACTORS. WHICH IS A RELATIVELY HALF YOUR JOB IS TAKEN CARE OF WHEN YOU’RE WORKING WITH SOMEONE LIKE HER” NEW GENRE FOR YOU. WHAT MADE YOU PICK THE FILM? for something Yes, it’s fairly new spontaneous and for the audience to this came along. see me acting like a But yes, now that I typical hero. It was think about it, I did a conscious decision miss my staple diet on my part. As an which is drama and actor, you want to alternate cinema. tap into the diet of I’m really looking the massy audience forward to starting at least once in your filming again and life. It felt like the getting back into my With in Ginny Weds Sunny right time because space with Haseen I’ve already done Dilruba. has always been a THE TRANSITION LIKE all in one go. It’s a a lot of intense very close part of my AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL level-playing field stuff. I needed a HOW WAS IT DANCING IN life. So I just went ABOUT THIS SHIFT? for everyone. I will breather from that. I A FILM? YOU’VE NEVER out there to enjoy It’s actually great also concede to the thoroughly enjoyed DONE IT AT THIS SCALE myself. I will always because there’s an fact that in India the working with Yami BEFORE. cherish the days I entire ecosystem single-screen theatres Gautam. The entire I used to dance spent dancing in that has fought for cater to a different cast and crew were professionally on front of the camera. it for years. Because audience altogether. like a family because stage but had never of the advent of the But yes, the shift we were together for done it in front of IT’S SURPRISING streaming platforms, is prominent. As nearly two months. the camera before. THAT YOU SHOULD GO this dawned upon for me, it was a A strong sense of I was blessed with TOWARDS MASALA us in a rush. We conscious decision to camaraderie existed a great team. The ENTERTAINER WHEN got exposed to try this and tick that on the sets. I think choreographer was THERE’S A SHIFT international content box. I also wanted it also reflected in so supportive, as was HAPPENING TOWARDS and our content to experiment and the feedback we got Yami, who shook a CONTENT-DRIVEN too got exposed it felt like the right for the film. It’s a leg with me. Dancing CINEMA? WHAT WAS internationally, time. There is now nice and happy film, especially in times VIKRANT’S FAVOURITE OTT SHOWS like these when our minds have turned negative. Money Heist Peaky Blinders Schitt’s Creek DID YOU EVER FEEL Our Planet OUT OF PLACE WHILE SHOOTING FOR GINNY Unorthodox WEDS SUNNY? I was looking INTERVIEW

around us grabbed or how important everyone’s attention. your part is. That It was exactly the has never been my case with me. But case. So Chhapaak after that, it was full was socially relevant. of introspection and I was proud to be filled with gratitude. associated with that I’ve understood film. the fragility of life. Though I had four WHAT DID YOU LEARN releases this year, FROM THESE FILMS? I did miss out on You learn a lot from meeting people. But the people who work no complaints. with. Especially when you spend CHHAPAAK, CARGO, not a few days, but DOLLY KITTY AUR months together. CHAMAKTE SITARE AND There are days you GINNY WEDS SUNNY… get vulnerable in WHICH WAS YOUR front of each other. FAVOURITE TO WORK There are bonds and ON AND HOW WAS THE relationships you TRANSITION FROM ONE build over time. So TO THE OTHER? it would be hard I have always been to pick one thing someone who because there’s so represents realism much to each one of and alternate cinema. them. But if I were to It’s something I pick one, then I’d say

“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS REALISM AND ALTERNATE CINEMA. IT’S SOMETHING I ENJOY BECAUSE I LOVE DRAMA AND TALKING ABOUT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. SO I WOULD SAY CHHAPAAK WAS SPECIAL FOR ME THIS YEAR AND SO WAS CARGO”

With With Shweta Tripathy in Cargo Mirzapur and Deepika Padukone a sense of realism THAN MOST. HOW DID missed shooting enjoy because I love I’ve learnt a lot from in everything we do THE YEAR GO FOR YOU? and being on a film drama and talking Deepika Padukone, and I’ve always said, It’s been like it’s been set. Luckily, I did about interpersonal while working with cinema and society for everyone else, get the opportunity relationships. So I her in Chhapaak. are interrelated and besides the work to be on sets during would say Chhapaak Her poise, grace and intertwined. So aspect. Things have an ad film. It’s also was very special for calm are something it’s a great time for been how they’ve been a period of me this year and I admire a lot. Her creative people to go been for most people. introspection in a lot so was Cargo. A lot conduct, especially out and tell stories. The last six to of ways. The initial depends on what the at workplaces is seven months have few months of the film is trying to say. admirable. It’s so WITH FOUR RELEASES IN been challenging lockdown and the It is not always about endearing and 2020, YOU WERE LUCKY for all of us. I’ve things that happened what you are doing inspiring to see INTERVIEW

as a director, is one of platform, all of these those people I trust can co-exist. A lot of blindly. I’d go shoot questions have been for her even without asked about which reading my part. one will outdo the As much as she’s other. I think the open to suggestions, two mediums can she knows what peacefully coexist she wants from her like they did before actors. Half your the lockdown. The job is taken care of larger purpose is to when you’re working tell stories. with someone like her. On a lighter HOW WAS YOUR note, her obsession EXPERIENCE OF with roses has WORKING IN HASEEN increased with time. DILRUBA? From Lipstick… up It’s been great until Dolly Kitty… working with you’ll always find a reference of a red and director Vinil rose somewhere. Our Mathew, and style of storytelling producer Aanand L.

With fiancee Sheetal Thakur “I’VE LEARNT A LOT FROM DEEPIKA PADUKONE WHILE WORKING WITH HER IN CHHAPAAK. HER POISE, GRACE AND CALM ARE SOMETHING WHICH I ADMIRE. HER CONDUCT, someone of her be special for me. ESPECIALLY AT WORKPLACES IS ADMIRABLE” stature being so She will always diligent with her be one of the most work and her gifted directors I’ve as a director at the or the things we Rai. Unfortunately, temperament. worked with. She is drop of a hat. want to say are pretty it’ll always be the one very sensitive as a much alike. thing that’ll come to person and that’s a HOW WAS IT WORKING my mind when I talk THE ACTOR OR DIRECTOR, special quality. The WITH ALANKRITA STREAMING about this film, we WHO DO YOU PREFER? times that we are SRIVASTAVA AGAIN IN PLATFORMS BECAME were about to finish I’d choose Konkona living in, in terms DOLLY KITTY AUR WOH THE SOLE SOURCE OF the film when the the director any of all the negativity CHAMAKTE SITARE AFTER ENTERTAINMENT DURING lockdown happened. day. I’m one of the around, it’s a rarity LIPSTICK UNDER MY THE PANDEMIC. WHERE It’s a special film and millions fans she and a blessing to BURKHA? DO YOU SEE THIS GOING a special part that I has. I want to see be around someone The names we are IN THE FUTURE, ONCE am playing. I can’t her on the screen as who has her heart mentioning here THINGS GET BACK TO wait for it to come well. But the time in the right place. are all supremely NORMAL? out. It’s written by I spent with her I’ve learnt so many talented and I’ve always felt Kanika Dhillon and during A Death In things from her. I independent women. that streaming you know, it’s been The Gunj, where look up to her in They have strong platforms and movie beautiful on the set. she navigated me as so many ways and heads over their theatres, or any Taapsee has been a Shutu, will always would choose her shoulders. Alankrita, other entertainment great co-actor. n INTERVIEW

AKASHIn NIHALANI MEETS character UP WITH THE TALENTED DIVYA DUTTA AND COMES AWAY IMPRESSED

here’s something about Divya Dutta. She may not have made Tit as a leading lady in Hindi cinema but no one can deny that she’s a powerhouse of talent. She’s the sort who’ll sparkle even in a two- minute role. She’ll engross you with her histrionics on the screen. Incidentally, Divya was launched as a heroine in 1994 with Ishq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna. When her career as a lead actress didn’t take off, she started playing character roles in Hindi films. She then turned her attention to Punjabi films. And what she couldn’t do in Hindi cinema, she achieved up North. She became a leading lady and her pairing with Gurdas Maan got much acclaim. After making a mark in films and TV, Dutta is now NITIN KAKKAR’S APPROACH WAS SO DIFFERENT. HE TOLD ME TO LAY ASIDE EVERYTHING I WAS KNOWN FOR AND JUST BE THE CHARACTER. IT MADE ME NERVOUS AS AN ACTOR BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE LEARNING AND UNLEARNING AGAIN INTERVIEW shining on OTT. She recently won the Best Actor In A Supporting Role In A Drama Series (Female) for her role in Special OPS.

TT seems to be the future of entertainment and has levelled Othe playing field for performers like her, so to speak. She admits that these indeed are exciting times for an actor, she points out that twenty years ago, TV was touted as the future as it was booming. And maintains there’s an audience for every kind of product. “Once theatres open up, we will have an audience for OTT as well as theatres and for television too. I’m sure that all three will boom. Yes, right now because of the lack of people going to theatres, everything is on OTT. But I think they both will co-exist. It will be a good marriage,” she states. Ask

her whether the acting Her last release Ram process is different when Singh Charlie, released it comes to OTT and she over OTT, was raved for says that’s not the case both its content and for the at all. She didn’t feel the acting. Divya says it was a difference as she’s always special film as the director worked in a ‘different’ Nitin Kakkar didn’t go brand of cinema. “It’s for commercial viability different for the makers as but believed in telling a you’re making six hours story. “Kumud Mishra fit I’M GREEDY AND HUNGRY AS AN ACTOR AND THIS worth of content instead of the central role brilliantly. your usual two hours. As In fact, they thought I IS JUST THE BEGINNING. NOW IS THE TIME I’M GETTING an actor, you get a lot more was the glamorous face THE KIND OF ROLES THAT I WANT TO BITE MY TEETH INTO. freedom, you can express of the film,” she giggles. what you want to in a “Nitin’s approach was I HAVE SUCH A WIDE VARIETY OF ROLES COMING BY. SO, more distinctive way,” she so different. He told me I’M JUST ENJOYING THAT explains. to lay aside everything INTERVIEW

ONCE THEATRES OPEN UP, WE WILL HAVE AN AUDIENCE FOR OTT AS WELL AS THEATRES AND TELEVISION TOO. I’M SURE THAT ALL THREE WILL BOOM. YES, RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PEOPLE GOING TO THEATRES, EVERYTHING IS ON OTT. BUT, I THINK THEY BOTH WILL BE ABLE TO CO- EXIST. IT WILL BE A GOOD MARRIAGE

over again. “When Delhi 6 to her character then she was all planned out. But came out, I started getting tries to find out what’s maybe doing all those all these sensuous roles. pushing the buttons of that Bachchan impressions as After Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, particular character. “And, a kid planted the seed of I started getting ‘sister’ once all that is done, acting in me. Perhaps the kind of roles and with my look is set, I know universe wanted me to Badlapur it was back to my dynamics with the be an actor,” she gushes. serious roles. So, yes, I did actors…I just let the magic She got a chance to act make an effort to say no to of the set take over me. I with her idol in Baghban the things I’ve done before just wear the shoes of the (2003), where she played and took on things that role and feel what it must his daughter-in-law. “My Sheer Qorma I hadn’t. However, if the feel like. So, if you call dream of working with script is really interesting that a method then yes, Bachchan saab came true I was known for and and the director is good, but for me, it’s just flowing not once but five times. just be the character. It then even if the role is with it,” she asserts. But, yes it was surreal. made me nervous as an similar to something that It was something that I’d actor because it was like I’ve done before then I he had a passion daydreamed about and it learning and unlearning try and tweak it… give it for acting since came true,” she reflects. again.” She enjoyed the a different colour,” she she was four. She Among the actresses, she whole process of making reveals. used to dance like idolises Kumari the film and was gratified Strangely, despite her AmitabhS Bachchan and and says she’d love to act that the audience took to credentials, she doesn’t used to round up kids in the Tragedy Queen’s it. call herself a method from the neighbourhood biopic if given a chance. Divya says the film actor and maintains her and enact Bachchan’s “I think her life was industry is known to put method ends at the script scenes. She grew up intriguing. I love her a stamp on the actors level. She reads the script idolising the thespian and voice, I love her poetry, and hence if you’re with the eye of the lay credits him for planting I love her acting. I think serious about your craft viewer. If she can’t relate the seed of acting in her. she’s done some really it’s important not to get to the script as a viewer, “I come from a family of great films and I would slotted. She personally then mostly she says no doctors and was expected like to portray her if a feels she’d get bored doing to a role. And if she can to follow suit. I was film were to be made. My the same thing over and relate to the script and good academically so it second pick would be INTERVIEW

Ram Singh Charlie I THINK ’S LIFE WAS VERY INTRIGUING. I LOVE HER VOICE, I LOVE HER POETRY, I LOVE HER ACTING. I THINK SHE’S DONE SOME REALLY GREAT FILMS AND I WOULD LIKE TO PORTRAY HER IF A FILM WAS TO BE MADE. MY SECOND PICK WOULD BE AMRITA . I’M REALLY ATTRACTED TO HER POETRY

talks about a lot of relevant issues. I went into a space I’ve never been before and hence it was definitely challenging,” she gushes. Amrita Pritam. I’m really her faith in character a non-binary character in After the success of her attracted to her poetry.” roles. Having proved her Sheer Qorma, an upcoming first book, Me And Ma, versatility ten times over, Indian Hindi LGBT which was dedicated to sk her to pick a is there something that romance short film written her mother, Divya is in the turning point in she still yearns to do? Ask and directed by Faraz Arif process of writing another her career and Divya that and she answers Ansari. She plays Swara one. “I’ll be launching the she says every in the affirmative. “I’m Bhaskar’s lover in the film, Hindi version of Me And filmA is a turning point. greedy and hungry as an which also stars Shabana Ma soon. The one that I’m She points out Delhi 6 got actor and this is just the Azmi. Divya is excited writing now is my journey her the awards and made beginning. Now is the time about the project as it’s in movies. I cannot really people take notice of her. I’m getting the kind of roles something she’s never divulge much but it is Irada (2017) for which she that I want to bite my teeth attempted before. “I trust going to be about me as an won the National Film into. I have such a wide my gut and upon reading actor.” Award for Best Supporting variety of roles coming by. the script I felt I had to do Given her chequered Actress, was another So, I’m just enjoying that,” the film. It stars two strong life, it will be an exciting milestone, as it reiterated she points out. She played women besides me and book to read indeed. n INTERVIEW

RANA DAGGUBATI CHATS WITH AKASH NIHALANI ABOUT HIS NEW BEGINNINGS INTERVIEW

Rana Daggubati is a gentle giant who strides the world of both the South and Hindi cinema with equal ease. Usually, South stars wait to get themselves established before taking the plunge in Hindi films but Rana was just a film old when he did Dum Maaro Dum in 2011. The move spoke volumes about his supreme confidence and also hinted at his penchant for taking risks. This desire to do something different made him accept the role of the antagonist Bhallaladeva in the Baahubali franchise. He devoted almost three years to the project but the risk paid off as he became established as a pan-Indian star. He broke a million hearts when he married his long-time sweetheart Miheeka Bajaj, in August last year. The threat of the coronavirus pandemic was very much in the air back then but the macho hero thinks this brave move further strengthened their ties. He has taken risk again by launching his own channel called SouthBay on YouTube. The channel promises to cater to the youth by targeting trending topics and trending celebs, both from North and South. Rana talks to Filmfare about his marriage, his upcoming films With wife Miheeka Bajaj and his passion project in a candid interview. Excerpts...

YOU WERE THE FIRST STAR and nice. I wouldn’t LIFE TREATING YOU SO WILL CONTINUE IN THE TO HAVE A LOCKDOWN have wanted it in FAR? FUTURE. WEDDING. WHAT WERE any other way. It’s great. You get I felt it was the Making short content THE CHANGES THAT YOU a feeling of being best time to get that is irreverent and HAD TO MAKE TO YOUR HOW DID YOUR PARENTS balanced, settled. married. I mean ob- nonsensical… it’ll WEDDING PLANS GIVEN REACT WHEN YOU TOLD The bond you share viously, there were be funny and it’ll THE SITUATION? THEM YOU WANTED TO is a great source a lot of people who be deep when it has In fact, I felt it was GET MARRIED DURING of calm as well as I couldn’t invite but to be. I’ll keep at it the best time to get THE PANDEMIC? energy. It’s fun, I’m the whole thing felt consistently. That’s married. Obviously, They were extremely definitely enjoying the idea. there were a lot happy. The fact that myself. extremely personal of people who I I was getting married and nice. I wouldn’t YOU’VE LAUNCHED YOUR couldn’t invite but alone was enough NAME A HOBBY WHICH have wanted it in VERY OWN YOUTUBE the whole thing felt motivation for them. YOU PICKED UP DURING any other way CHANNEL SOUTHBAY. extremely personal AND HOW IS MARRIED THE LOCKDOWN THAT YOU WHAT CAN THE FANS INTERVIEW

EXPECT TO SEE IN THE I thought why not FUTURE? take these people SouthBay was and make something formed as a mainstream and collaboration create content for between mainstream us to consume. It’s and indie creators hard to do that with to make pop a feature film but I culture content in think with SouthBay multi-languages. It it’ll be easier to will be filled with create such content. everything young people in age and WHAT MADE YOU INVEST spirit will want. The IN SUCH A PROPERTY? idea behind this is to I’ve been watching curate content that is a lot of content as cultural. I think the a viewer. Apart internet has offered from MTV back in so much to creators the broadcast era, that curation has I’ve not really come become a bit of a across anything that burden. There is a has empowered large OTT world, the generation with Youtube… that is content and culture. catering to people I also think that this in different formats. lockdown came as The idea behind a big help as I could SouthBay was to

The Ghazi Attack Virataparvam Haathi Mere Saathi Dum Maaro Dum One thing that the pandemic has done is that it has ensured that our headspace is a little expanded when it comes to the content we watch. I feel once when things go back to normal, the scale of everything will be humongous go premium and world in terms of TRENDING? a while and it was sit down and gather into a space where technology, lifestyle Not trending in about time that we my thoughts and everyone is. So far, etc. So, the idea is particular. But, had a mainstream figure out what was we’ve told stories to curate millennial everything that version too. Take the missing and fix it. through movies, news, information, has been part of animation industry we’ve told stories on gaming… curate subculture so far for example. We’ve YOUR GUEST LIST the OTT platform everything that’s in India. It can had the animation CONSISTS OF PEOPLE and I felt this was happening in the be gaming, it can industry for several COMING FROM DIFFERENT the next step. I feel digital universe. be music like years. However, it WALKS OF LIFE AS we’ve all been lucky independent artistes was always limited OPPOSED TO A FILM to grow with so SO, YOUR CHANNEL and DJs… all of to the children’s BACKGROUND THAT ONE much exposure and INTENDS TO SHED LIGHT them have been a space and was never WOULD EXPECT learn things from ON ANYTHING AND part of the Indian experimented within Well, that’s my different parts of the EVERYTHING THAT’S subculture for quite the adult world. So, universe literally INTERVIEW where pop culture FOR FILMMAKERS TO from home. So, for to listening to how TELL US ABOUT YOUR icons meet reality GET THEIR CONTENT them, cinema will you’re supposed PROCESS OF CHOOSING in the quirkiest OUT THERE. DO YOU SEE be an outlet from to be then you lose A PROJECT manner ...from THINGS GOING BACK TO their routine lives. your own identity. It’s the stories that Bhuvan Bam, Ram HOW THEY WERE ONCE I think we’ll get a I’ve always been motivate me to Gopal Verma, Karan NORMALCY ENSUES? better understanding clear in my head take that leap. Each Johar, Kangana One thing that of this as we move that this is what I do industry offers such Ranaut to Raja the pandemic has ahead in time. I’m and this is a part of a different cultural Kumari. It’s a full done is that it has sure there will my job. film experience. I’ve mix bag with real ensured that our be films made to been working for and fictional people headspace is a little enjoy on the big YOU’VE TASTED SUCCESS 10 years now and and like I said, it’s expanded when it screen, there will IN REGIONAL CINEMA AS fortunately, I’m in a because I want comes to the content be stuff made for WELL AS MAINSTREAM position where I have to introduce this we watch. I feel OTT, for digital BOLLYWOOD MOVIES. the liberty to choose culture and they’re a once when things go short content, gif WHAT MOTIVATES YOU the film, I want to big part of it. back to normal, the format. And across TO WORK OUTSIDE YOUR be a part of. For scale of everything all these portals, SAFE ZONE? example, I have an YOU’VE OFTEN SPOKEN will be humongous. we’ll witness a Ever since I was upcoming film called ABOUT OTT BEING A lot has changed rise in the content growing up, I was Haathi Mere Saathi. ON THE RISE. IN THE in these months for making and content a guy who was I was approached CURRENT SITUATION, OTT example several consumption. interested in films for it right after PLATFORMS ARE THE have adapted to the That’s what I see and the types of Baahubali by Eros. ONLY VIABLE OPTION lifestyle of working happening when stories that we This is directed see in films. For by Tamil director me, it didn’t matter Prabhu Solomon. SouthBay formed really as a collaboration between what language it The idea of the film mainstream and indie creators to make pop culture was. If you look at was to showcase a content in multi-languages, It will be filled with my first two films. bond between an everything the young people in age and spirit will The first one was elephant and a man. want Leader (2010). It Since it works on a was a political larger scale, this is things get back to drama set in Andhra now a Hindi feature normal. Pradesh. Since film as well. The it was a regional other film that I’m THE INTERNET IS A political film, it doing right now is GREAT PLACE TO BE mainly dealt with called Virataparvam. BUT IT CAN ALSO BE A Andhra politics. This was a story SOURCE OF A LOT OF It obviously was that came to me NEGATIVITY. WHAT IS a regional Telugu while I was shooting YOUR IDEA OF DEALING story. The second for Haathi Mere WITH IT? story that Saathi. It is a film I think it doesn’t I heard and wanted set in the ’90s in the affect me as much to be part of was Naxal bank which now. Yes, in the Dum Maaro Dum is , beginning, I reacted (2011). That was a and to a lot of things film set in Goa and those regions. Now, but once you reach revolved around since this film was a following of this drugs and crime in based on a regional size, the majority the place. So, that setup, we shot the expects you to do would work in the film in Telugu only. the right thing. They national language It’ll be dubbed in follow you and as well. It need not other languages too, subscribe to your be any regional film. of course, as is the lifestyle. Invariably, So, for me, it’s the norm nowadays. it’s your choice. story that decides We didn’t shoot They follow you if a film needs to it in Hindi as it because you are be multilingual or didn’t have a Hindi you. If you go back a regional language. resonance. n CAUSE

AKASH NIHALANI CHECKS OUT HOW OUR STARS CELEBREARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE Thanks to the rise of social media, it is easier than ever before for Bollywood stars to connect with their fans. Everyone with a smartphone is using some form of social media. Interestingly, it’s slowly taking the place of traditional media as a reliable and a convenient way to get real news. Our stars have recognised it as a marketing tool to increase their popularity. While social media has emerged as the numero uno platform to promote their films and events, some stars are recognising it as a tool to spread goodness. They have used it to promote social causes, to talk about pertinent issues cropping up in the society, and have even boosted positivity in these dark times. We certainly need to tap the power of social media for altruistic reasons. We celebrate the charitable spirit of the denizens of tinsel town by making a list of Good Samaritans who have used social media for the greater good. FEATURE

The COVID-19 pandemic is something that has caused devastation across the world. While the PRIYANKA financial slowdown is common across every country, small business owners, in particular, have been severely affected. They simply don’t have the CHOPRA financial wherewithal to battle through tough times like these. Keeping their condition in mind, global superstar Priyanka Chopra decided to do her bit in order to help them. The actress announced that PROMOTING she’d be using her social media page to promote SMALL women founded small businesses each week from BUSINESSES India as well as the , that are battling the wrath of the pandemic. The actress made the announcement by sharing a video on her account along with a statement that read, “We all know that people around the world have been incredibly affected by this pandemic, and that includes small business owners. My heart really breaks to see these businesses shutting down or letting go of loyal, hardworking employees. So, I really want to highlight some female-founded businesses that we can all support, and hopefully help them get back on their feet” So far, Priyanka has given shoutouts to a variety of businesses ranging from fashion labels to rural handicrafts companies. KARTIK AARYAN During the pandemic, one actor who was constantly focussing on the positive side of things was Kartik Aaryan. His social media account was filled with several hilarious memes and even a coronavirus rap which brought a smile to people’s faces. Apart from this, he came up with a new series for his Youtube channel - Koki Poochega. In the series, Kartik got chatting with the real-life heroes of COVID-19 of our country including doctors, policemen, social workers and people who’d fought and survived the fatal virus. Through this the actor not only showed that he was genuinely interested in learning more about the country’s battle against COVID-19 but also increased awareness among the common folk about coronavirus thanks to his massive popularity. The actor also managed to add a dash of humour, which he’s known for, to set the conversation rolling.

SERENADING REAL-LIFE HEROES FEATURE

Deepika Padukone is one of the actresses who DEEPIKA has had the courage to openly talk about her fight with depression. The condition of being depressed is often looked upon as someone PADUKONE who’s just ‘constantly sad’ but the issue is much larger than that. Our lack of empathy towards those going through mental issues forces them to go further into a cocoon and possibly never ever open up about their condition. Deepika, who has fought this battle herself, through her social media page has tried to encourage people to speak up about their feelings. On her Instagram page, Deepika Padukone created a separate section named ‘Guides’ which basically is a compilation made from a series of posts from her own account. Through this, Deepika encourages those suffering from poor mental health to take up activities like meditation and exercise, connect with loved ones and embrace their own uniqueness. FIGHTING Deepika also started the hashtag DEPRESSION “#NotAshamed” to prevent people, who are suffering from depression, from feeling low about themselves. DIA MIRZA Dia Mirza has been the face of several pivotal environmental campaigns across India and is one who has always voiced her opinion regarding the need to take a stand for the environment. Her work saw her being appointed as the UN Environment’s Goodwill Ambassador for India. During the lockdown, Dia started her very own web series titled Down To Earth With Dee. In her first episode, she chatted with her Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein co-star R. Madhavan. In the following episodes, Dia not only spoke to her Bollywood contemporaries who shared her love for the environment but also played hosts to environmentalists such as Pradeep Sangwan (Founder of Healing Himalayas foundation) and Menon (Founder and CEO of Wildlife Trust of India).

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT FEATURE

Alia Bhatt is one of the most loved actresses in the country. This love is not only for the brilliance she delivers on screen but also for her kind-hearted nature. The actress shares deep compassion for animals and even started her own social media page ‘Co-exist’ which highlights the efforts being made towards the welfare of animals and the ALIA environment. Every pet owner must be familiar with the horror that a festival like Diwali brings upon their little friends at home. The noise pollution, SPREADING BHATT especially in metropolitan cities, is off the charts EMPATHY and this severely affects the sensitive hearing of TOWARDS pets. Keeping the situation in mind, Alia Bhatt ANIMALS shared a video in which she kickstarted the #PoochOverPataka campaign. If the hashtag didn’t make it evident enough, the campaign was an attempt to get people to choose pooch i.e their pet animals at home (dogs, cats) over firecrackers. Through the video, Alia encouraged others to share a selfie with their pooch (pet animal) to display their support for the cause. Alia’s popularity on social media paired with the kind thought behind the campaign made it an instant hit. The hashtag saw a flurry of pictures and videos where people pledged to pick their pooch over pataka.

SONAKSHI SINHA Social media was our source for news, entertainment and during the lockdown, it became pretty much the only way to stay connected with the world. However, this also led to the spread of negativity on online. In fact, Sonakshi Sinha was so fed up with trolls that she ended up quitting Twitter. She then decided to do much more than just delete her account. The actress launched a campaign named ‘Ab Bas’ with an aim to putting an end to cyberbullying. The actress teamed up with Pratap Dighavkar- Special IGP Police and started the campaign which was backed by the organisation Mission Josh. The campaign focused on how trolls target others, especially women, without the fear of any consequences. During the campaign, Sonakshi Sinha took part in several online discussions with women who’re greatly reputed in their respective fields. The campaign set an example for trolls online when they managed to arrest 27-year-old Shashikant Jadhav from Aurangabad. Sonakshi confirmed the same with a statement that read, “I am immensely grateful to cybercrime branch Mumbai for taking prompt action and being so supportive. I took this step to report the culprits so that even others gather the courage to do the same. Ab Bas, we will not watch and allow online abuse to happen to us or others. I am extremely glad to be part of a campaign like this to help as many people as I can, who have been subjected to RAISING online harassment.” AWARENESS ABOUT CYBERBULLYING NOSTALGIA

DEVESH SHARMA CHRONICLES THE CAREER OF ACTOR AND DIRECTOR , WHOSE DEATH GOLD ANNIVERSARY FALLS ON FEBRUARY 23 STANDARD NOSTALGIA

  HIS BEST FILM  AS AN ACTOR IS SAID TO BE KORA ijay Anand was born  and in KAGAZ (1974). THE on January 22, 1934 in Guide Gurdaspur, Punjab and was FILM, DIRECTED the youngest of the three Dev Anand in a BY ANIL GANGULY, double role in Hum AnandV brothers. His elder brothers Dono WAS BASED ON were director and  Dev Anand and THE 1963 BENGALI actor Dev Anand. Though Vijay, in FILM SAAT PAKE affectionately known as Goldie, BANDHA DIRECTED some say because of his curly hair, is Dev Anand and known today as a director, he actually in Johny BY AJOY KAR, AND started his career as an actor in 1955 Mera Naam STARRED SUCHITRA in a family drama called Joru Ka Bhai Vijay Anand and SEN AND SOUMITRA (1955), directed by brother Chetan. Waheeda Rehman CHATTERJEE He didn’t pursue acting, however, preferring to be behind the camera for most part. His best film as an  actor is said to be Kora Kagaz (1974). the fortunes of , whose acting The film, directed by Anil Ganguly, as a stoic wife was much admired was based on the 1963 Bengali film in the film. People started taking her Saat Pake Bandha directed by Ajoy seriously as an actor after this. In Kar, and starred and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), Soumitra Chatterjee. He played a he played a debauched landlord college professor who marries a who marries another, much younger much younger girl (Jaya Bhaduri), woman () and brings from a wealthy family. The girl’s turmoil into the life of his wife mother doesn’t like the fact that (). In 1994, he appeared as their son-in-law isn’t affluent like detective Sam D’Silva in the hit TV them and her constant interference series Tehkikaat. The serial became creates acrimony between the couple. quite popular and his chemistry In Tere Mere Sapne (1971), a film with Saurabh Shukla, who played starring Dev Anand and Mumtaz, Gopichand, his partner, was much  he played a doctor who is drunk all admired. the time. Though he’s a drunkard, When it came to filmmaking, Vijay, he acts as the conscience keeper of like his brothers, too was influenced the protagonist and was well-liked by the neo-noir Hollywood films. for his small but significant role. That was very much evident in his He also directed the film. It’s said directorial debut to be his most serious film till date (1957), where a truck driver (Dev as it revolved around the real-life Anand) and a runaway bride profession of doctors forgetting (Kalpana Kartik) fall in love, leading the Hippocratic Oath and blindly to many misadventures. His next pursuing lucre. It reportedly changed directorial venture NOSTALGIA

(1960) had all the three brothers BEST SONGS FROM acting together for the first time. Dev VIJAY Anand played a black marketeer who starts off by selling film tickets in ANAND black but is later reformed through FILMS love. It’s said that Vijay's childhood memories of seeing movie tickets of HUM HAIN RAAHI Dev Anand’s films being sold in black PYAR KE gave him the idea for this film. The Film: Nau Do Gyarah (1957) film used footage of the premiere of Singer: Kishore the film Mother India (1957) to great Kumar advantage and with actors like Dilip Composer: Kumar, , Geeta Dutt, , SD Burman and  Lyricist: Majrooh being featured in it. It became one of Sultanpuri the talking points of the film. His next film was Tere Ghar Ke  Vijay Anand Saamne (1963), a romantic comedy. with Dilip KHOYA KHOYA It’s said Goldie liked Nutan as an Kumar, Dev CHAND Anand and actress, who was said to have the Guru Dutt Film: Kala Bazar (1960) perfect photogenic face. He shot one  Dev Anand Singer: of the best songs of the actress, Dil and Mumtaz ka bhanwar kare pukar in the film. in Tere Mere Sapne Composer: The song was said to be shot on the SD Burman spiral staircase of Qutub Minar and is  With Shammi Lyricist: Shailendra a marvel of song picturisation. Nutan Kapoor and and Dev Anand climb up the tower Asha Parekh as friends but come down as lovers, while shooting DIL KA BHANWAR the whole courtship being played out KARE PUKAR amidst the journey.  Dev Anand Film: Tere Ghar Ke and in Samne (1963) Hum Dono Singer: ndeed, shooting songs Mohammed Rafi aesthetically and using them Composer: as extensions of the narrative  SD Burman became something of a trademark Lyricist: Hasrat Ifor Vijay Anand. In the Tere mere TERE MERE SAPNE IS SAID TO BE HIS MOST Jaipuri sapne song from Guide (1965), for instance, the morning sun becomes SERIOUS FILM TILL DATE AS IT REVOLVED a metaphor for the new-found love AROUND THE REAL-LIFE PROFESSION OF AAJ PHIR JEENE KI TAMANNA HAI between Raju and Rosie. The light DOCTORS FORGETTING THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH Film: Guide (1965) Goldie wanted was available only for AND BLINDLY PURSUING LUCRE. IT REPORTEDLY Singer: Lata 15 minutes per day early morning so CHANGED THE FORTUNES OF MUMTAZ Mangeshkar he timed it to perfection and shot for Composer: those 15 minutes each day till he was SD Burman satisfied. The song Hothon mein aisi Lyricist: Shailendra baat from Jewel Thief (1967) was shot at the royal palace of Gangtok, Sikkim and showed the heroine in a dilemma as she has learnt a fateful secret. The fast-moving song looked almost like an uncut take. Pal bhar ke liye koi hame pyar kar le from (1970) was filmed on a set representing a house with multiple doors and windows. You can see Dev Anand in a continuous motion serenading Hema Malni from  various nooks and crannies.

 NOSTALGIA

BEST SONGS FROM VIJAY ANAND FILMS

GAATA RAHE MERA DIL Film: Guide (1965) Singers: , Lata   Mangeshkar Composer: VIJAY ANAND GAVE GUIDE THE POETRY AND THE PATHOS OF A GURU DUTT FILM SD Burman Lyricist: Shailendra AND THE GRANDEUR OF A FILM. AND ITS SONGS ARE SOMETHING IS STILL EMULATING. TODAY, IT’S CONSIDERED A CLASSIC AND GETS TAUGHT IN FILM SCHOOLS O HASEENA ZULFONWALI Film: Teesri Manzil in his various associations with (1966) music directors like SD Burman, RD Singers: Burman, , Laxmikant-Pyarelal Mohammed Rafi, and lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Asha Bhosle With Prem Composer: Nath and Sunil Jaipuri. It’s said that his songs often RD Burman Dutt felt like dialogue between the hero Lyricist: Majrooh With and the heroine. Sultanpuri Dharmendra, , uide, his most famous film, and Amitabh is said to have come to him RAAT AKELI HAI Bachchan on through accident. The film Film: Jewel Thief the sets of Ram is based on the 1958 novel (1967) Balram GThe Guide, by R. K. Narayan, and was Singers: Asha Bhosle conceived as an international project Composer: between Dev Anand and writer Pearl SD Burman S Buck, who brought in American Lyricist: Majrooh director Tad Danielewski to direct Sultanpuri her version of the film. Dev Anand brought in his elder brother Chetan Pal pal dil ke paas from Blackmail Anand to helm his version, which YEH DIL NA HOTA AE MAINE KASAM LI (1973) was designed like a daydream. would have extensive songs and BECHARA Film: Tere The heroine, Raakhee, reads the dances. It’s said the American team Film: Jewel Thief Mere Sapne letters written to her by the hero, didn’t gel well with the Indian team. (1967) (1971) Singers: Kishore Singers: Lata Dharmendra, and imagines he’s there Then, Chetan wanted to make the Kumar Mangeshkar, Kishore alongside her. It rates as being one war drama Haqeeqat (1964). Hence, Composer: Kumar of the most romantically picturised he exited the project and Goldie SD Burman Composer: SD songs ever. In Akela gaya tha main was asked to helm it. The director Lyricist: Majrooh Burman (Rajput, 1982), the daydream motif gave it the poetry and the pathos of Sultanpuri Lyricist: Neeraj is again utilised, this time on Rajesh a Guru Dutt film and the grandeur of Khanna, who is shown riding a horse a Raj Kapoor film. And its songs are and thinking about Hema Malini. something Sanjay Leela Bhansali is VAADA TO NIBHAYA PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS The film may have flopped but the still emulating. Today, it’s considered Film: Johny Mera Film: Blackmail beauty of the song hasn’t diminished. a classic and gets taught in film Naam (1970) (1973) Singers: Asha Singer: Kishore Composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal too schools. Incidentally, it’s said that Bhosle, Kishore Kumar cleverly incorporated the tick-tock Narayan himself didn’t like both the Kumar Composer: Kalyanji- sound made by the hooves of the Indian and the American adaptations Composer: Anandji horse into the soundtrack. and wittily described Guide as being Kalyanji-Anandji Lyricist: Rajendra He was said to have a finely- misguided. By the by, Vijay was one Lyricist: Indeevar Krishan tuned ear for music, as can be seen of the protagonists of Haqeeqat. The NOSTALGIA

 Vijay Anand and Dev Anand on the mahurat of Jaana Na Dil Se Door  With wife Sushma  Wife Sushma and son Vaibhav  GOLDIE WAS SAID TO HAVE A FINELY-TUNED EAR FOR MUSIC, AS CAN BE SEEN IN HIS VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS WITH MUSIC DIRECTORS LIKE SD BURMAN, RD BURMAN, JAIDEV, LAXMIKANT- PYARELAL AND LYRICISTS SHAILENDRA AND HASRAT JAIPURI  film opened with a long panoramic shot of him driving a jeep through rugged mountains. People often said Vijay Anand excelled because he only worked with , Dev  Anand’s banner. Perhaps to prove them wrong, he chose to direct Teesri Manzil (1966), which was produced by and starred and Asha Parekh. The noir elements were again evident in the film as it chronicled the exploits of the hero wrongly accused of the murder of her sister by the heroine. It had some evergreen tunes composed of the film. The bhajan, Allah tero He was way ahead of his times in by RD Burman, was shot on naam, sung by Lata Mangeshkar, is doing so. picturesque locales and showcased revered even today. The highlight Vijay Anand reportedly lost crackling chemistry between the two of the film were the confrontation interest in direction after three leads. It proved to be a blockbuster scenes between Major Manohar Lal conecutive films , Blackmail (1973), hit and silenced his critics once for Verma and Captain Anand. Shot (1973) and Bullet all. It’s a pity the team couldn’t come way before computer graphics came (1976) didn’t perform well at the box together again. into the picture, they nevertheless office. To overcome the depression, successfully gave an illusion that perhaps, he became a disciple of t’s said he also directed Hum we’re watching two characters, godman Rajneesh and was said to Dono (1961), though the film’s despite a single actor enacting them. belong to Rajneesh’s inner circle. credits say Amarjeet. Even Dev Some credit Vijay Anand as being He married his niece Sushma Kohli Anand, who played the double one of the most prolific of commercial in 1978, when he was making Ram Irole of two army guys, had said Hindi film directors. Well, come to Balram (1980). This move led to a so in his interviews. It has one of think of it, Nau Do Gyrah was a road huge scandal within the conservative the finest songs ever filmed on movie, Kala Bazar was neo-realist Punjabi community. Subsequent Dev Anand -- Main zindagi ka cinema, Tere Ghar Ke Saamne a films like Rajput (1982), Hum Rahe saath nibhata chala gaya. The romcom, Guide a book adaptation, Na Hum (1984) and Main Tere Liye song has all the landmarks of Vijay Teesri Manzil a murder mystery, Jewel (1988), too flopped. His last film was Anand’s wizardry. Over the course Thief was noir, Johny Mera Naam Jaana Na Dil Se Door (2001), which of the song, one gets to know the employed the lost-and-found formula, didn’t get released. mindscape of the protagonist. while Hum Dono explored how war He died on February 23, 2004 due Jaidev’s music and Sahir and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress to a heart attack and was aged 70 at Ludhianvi’s lyrics were the soul Disorder) changed the human psyche. the time of his death. n reader’s reviews, box-office, celebrity column & more

@aliaabhatt: nothing a french fry can’t fix French fries possess INSTA LIKE mood-altering Winning vignettes Check out the best Instagram posts of the past fortnight magic and Alia Bhatt agrees.

@karanjohar: When he faced the camera for me for the first time I developed an immediately protective feeling of love and care for him..: almost assuming the role of a parent.... that feeling today came alive in abundance as I saw him walk with his loved one @varundvn: Life long love just became official around the holy fire of trust and Loads of speculations and lots of love later, commitment... my boy is all grown Varun Dhawan finally took the wedding vows up and ready for this beautiful with his dulhaniya Natasha Dalal in Alibaug phase in his life... and we couldn’t be happier for this couple. His ‘student’ just graduated to new phase of life and Karan Johar couldn’t be happier.

@saraalikhan95: When Sister Sara fears post binge bloat Brother Iggy says ‘at least fatty will float’ Now that rhyme @priyankachopra: made sense so I can gloat What’s my secret And to reward myself to doing late I will consume this entire night talk show boat appearances in These nonsensical rhymes the US while living by Sara Ali Khan that will in London you make you enjoy that cheat ask? meal with zero guilt.

Beauty sleep, anyone? Priyanka Chopra Readers send in their feedback pg 68 Jonas’ secret siestas are the key to her looking fresh and radiant. Shatrughan Sinha’s racy rejoinders pg 70 LETTERS

January, 2021

GALA NIGHT... BEHIND THE SCENES From (L-R) , Tripti Dimri, Jaideep Ahlawat, THE MAGIC AND GLORY OF THE and FLYX FILMFARE OTT AWARDS INREADERS WRITE THE AND BITE BACK... WITHMAIL LOVE AND AFFECTION

OTT FEVER st The OTT platform has become 1Prize significantly popular over the last 1500 few years. Now it also has many big names of Bollywood on board. st I was glad to see Filmfare start the OTT awards to 2Prize appreciate the great work these artistes are doing. Ramesh Singh, 1000

KHAN DOST VARUN WEDS NATASHA I read in Filmfare Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal prove that true love (December) that exists even in times like these. In an industry where we might see the we see relationships change every week, it's indeed three big Khans of SAIF SHINES AGAIN great to see how Varun and Natasha have stuck by Bollywood – Shah I recently watched Ali each other through all these years. Congratulations Rukh Khan, Salman Abbas Zaffar’s web to the newly weds. Khan and Aamir Khan series Tandav and was Powerful performer: Loveleen Arora, reunite on the big blown away by Saif’s screen for Aamir’s performance. The actor loved couples in the Laal Singh Chaddha. has been upping his country. Their immense Now this is awesome game recently and I’m following thanks to news because glad he’s been bold with their excellence in their watching the three his choices of projects. respective professions together is probably Rohan Iyer, Bangalore has made them the every Bollywood fan’s nation’s sweethearts. dream. Now, as they embark Anam Shaikh, VIRAT AND ANUSHKA upon a new chapter Aurangabad BLESSED WITH A in life with their baby BABY girl, I wish them all the Virat Kohli and Anushka happiness. NEW YEAR Sharma is without a DONE RIGHT doubt one of the most Seema Saini, Meerut It was so lovely to see Ranbir Kapoor, New parents: Anushka Sharma Alia Bhatt, Neetu and Virat Kohli Kapoor joined by Ranveer Singh and Married and happy: Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal Deepika Padukone for New Years' NEW SCREEN PAIR celebrations. The A new on-screen pair is something that always gets year 2020 was tough the audience excited. I enjoyed watching Sanjana for everyone so it Sanghi in and I’m sure that she and Aditya was great to see Roy Kapur will provide the audience with some good them bring in the chemistry in their next project OM: The Battle Within. New Year together. Satish Nigam, Asansol Lalit Joshi, Bhimtal

COOLIE NO. 2 NO OTT RELEASE FOR one I recently watched BRAHMASTRA? Just David Dhawan’s I recently read in Filmfare Point Coolie No.1 remake (December) that Karan online. Although Johar was not too keen on Varun Dhawan and releasing Brahmastra on Sara Ali Khan are no OTT. Personally, I feel that match for Govinda it's the right decision as a and Karisma film of such a large scale Ravishing: Kareena Kapoor Khan Kapoor, they did would be best enjoyed on put in a good effort the big screen. Let’s hope KAREENA KAPOOR which people must we don’t have to wait too KHAN’S PREGNANCY appreciate. long for it. HRITHIK ROSHAN BIBLE Naman Ahuja, Jaipur Uma Rastogi, Jabalpur GOES TO Kareena Kapoor Khan HOLLYWOOD is nothing short of an I've always been a huge inspiration for every Hrithik Roshan fan so woman out there. The Unique: when I came across the actress has always done Anupam Kher is one of news of the possibility what she feels like. The the most versatile actors of a Hollywood project actress continued to work in the industry. Thanks to his interview in your last for the actor, it got during her pregnancy issue (January), I was able me excited. I think he and reinforced the belief to see a different side of has what it takes to that pregnancy shouldn’t the actor. be a global superstar hinder a woman’s Karan Dixit, Pune and hope that he career. So when I came Your interview with Sunny can recreate some across your article about Leone (January) was a of his magic on the Kareena launching her fun read and gave a good international scale book on pregnancy, it insight into her life as a as well. really got me curious. I Two to tango: Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan mother. Devanshi Kaul, Mathura Prateeksha Nadkarni, Pune can’t wait to read it. Monami Ghosh, Kolkata THE TRUE KING I came across an article In the last issue of Filmfare (January), I came across on Filmfare’s website an article which explained how SRK had come to the which featured a list of NEWSMAKERS 2020 rescue of our frontline workers yet again by donating stars appreciating our Indian cricket team’s The Newsmakers article I read in Filmfare (January) PPE kits. He truly is a man with a golden heart. historic achievement on issue just reminded me of the chaos that ruled Aarti Patel, Gandhinagar social media. Our boys 2020. The constant blame game on social media surely deserved every bit and mindless trolling is something I hope we've left of the praise. Sylvester Kumar, Darjeeling behind in the last year. JAIDEEP AHLAWAT’S Amit Gujjar, Bangalore BIG MOMENT I want to thank the I have been following Filmfare team for always Jaideep’s work since creating some of the best FASHION GAME ON POINT a while now and I feel content for Bollywood fans. There’s a reason why I’m a After I saw the Filmfare OTT Awards, I was left he’s finally getting the fan of Filmfare. seriously impressed by some of the outfits that the recognition he deserves. Rajesh Kulkarni, Sangli stars turned up in for the event. Although I enjoyed The fact that he’s now a watching them all experiment with new styles, Mouni recipient of the coveted The news of Ranbir signing Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Roy and Jennifer Winget were the best dressed ladies Black Lady speaks volumes Animal has got me excited for me that night. about his talent. for the actor. Ayesha Ansari, Ramesh Iyengar, Chennai Narendra Kumar, Ludhiana Class act: Jaideep Ahlawat

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What is the best gift you have the government guidelines Rachuri Sai Ram, on email received from your wife and on foreign policy on this I think they are intelligent what's the best gift you have subject. enough to stay away from given her? us. Don’t you think so? Rajesh K Ranga, New Delhi In the present scenario if The best gift she's given me the farmers revolt for non- What's your best-kept secret ? are our wonderful children production of grains, what will Seema Sabharwal, Chandigarh and a beautiful home. And happen to crores of people in Any best-kept secret would my return gift is safety, India? only remain so if it’s not PHOTOGRAPH: PHOTOGRAPH: MEETESH TANEJA security, prosperity and Syed Mubbesher Mehdi shared with anyone. So maintaining my personal The government should why do you expect me to loyalty -- being a one look into and resolve the share it with you, that too woman man always. issue as soon as possible on a public platform? All and give relief to our proud my secrets are best-kept What are some fun and farmers, the sooner the secrets... interesting alternatives, better. India could use to settle What is your mantra for a its differences with its Amidst coronavirus lockdown, tension-free life? neighbouring countries? Chinese incursions, massive Dr C Janardan Singh, Hyderabad Abhishek Sharma, Kolkata unemployment and farmers' Meditation and yoga, I think sports and protests how do you rate the besides humour, happiness entertainment could be year 2020? and family ties. interesting alternatives. But R Ramakrishnan, on email I’m willing to go along with 2020 was a difficult year Why do witches wear white for the entire world. Thank ? God it’s behind us. Let’s all Bharat T Kajaria, Mumbai Do you think age really matters in a relationship hope, wish and pray that I haven’t seen a witch Amit Jain, New Delhi 2021 turns things around personally so wouldn’t Ask our friend, the evergreen Kabir Bedi or the ever for all of us and pours be able to reply to that. youthful Milind Soman and even the President of health, wealth, success, Perhaps their costumes are France this question. Age does matter where it matters peace and prosperity into sponsored by a detergent the most but apart from that it doesn’t matter. If the the life of every citizen. manufacturer? I think our couple has love, caring, understanding aplenty and filmmakers, storytellers remains on the same page on major issues, age doesn’t Does intelligent life exist should make them wear matter at all. beyond earth? colourful clothes to break 1st Prize A lot of people are becoming or proclaiming themselves to be spiritual gurus, life coach, motivational speaker etc and they also have mass followers. How and when will this trend change? Riki Mishra, via email Any power they have has been granted by us. The day we Smiles galore: The Sinhas are a happy family learn we don’t need any intermediaries when it comes to talking to God, that power will go away. What’s needed is self-awareness within us. And sharing our experiences with others may hasten the process. 2nd Prize

Why are today's young generation interested in live-in relationships, not in marriage? Syed Nisar Mehdi, Hyderabad So they have the option to practice the art of loving, living, believing and if not, leaving -- before making Age no bar: Milind Soman Evergreen: Kabir Bedi and the final commitment. with wife Ankita Konwar wife Parveen Dusanj the monotony and change reinfuse the real human being Mars and women are from and only Shatrughan the myth. What say? in us? Or telling us that science Venus. Do you agree? Sinha called Anything and modernisation aside, God Amit Jain, New Delhi But Khamosh. I heartily How do we welcome the covid is still the supreme authority? Men may be from Mars recommend it as it avidly vaccine for the welfare of Rajneesh Batra, New Delhi but it’s not yet established showcases the passion, mankind? God was, is and will where women are from. struggle, romance, Amit Jain, New Delhi always remain the ultimate They may be from Venus, patriotism, survivor With an attitude of authority. This wrath is from Jupiter or from some instinct, and love of gratitude. Our scientists of our own making as we other galaxy altogether. cinema of the actor, orator, have toiled day and night to have been abusing nature politician and family man bring about this boon. There since aeons and this is the Which was the most favourite called Shatrughan Sinha. are many controversies result. We don’t care for book that you read in 2020? It’s a bestseller written in a surrounding the vaccine any other life form and Ravi Kotwani, Mumbai frank and candid manner. but despite that I’d say it's a have gone too arrogant. Thanks to the lockdown, Go for it. step in the right direction. Perhaps this is a lesson I could finally get to read (Feature co-ordinated by in humility. Or maybe it’s the most talked about DEVESH SHARMA) How should we interpret the punishment indeed. Take it biography written by Please note: The column doesn’t meaning of this pandemic - as you deem fit. respected film journalist reflect Shatrughan Sinha’s political punishment by God for our Bharathi Pradhan. It’s or personal views. His answers are berserk behaviour? A lesson to It’s often said men are from the biography of the one given in jest and humour.

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OTT IS A GAMECHANGER

aran Johar is known to be the biggest advocate of blockbuster cinema. Each K of his announcements are planned months in advance. And are publicised accordingly worldwide. So he really pulled a rabbit out of his hat when his OTT The Family Man Bard Of Blood show Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives directors Raj and DK have biggies are taking OTT erupted on our screens. turned their hands on seriously and are more The Bollywood wives in producing another actioner. than ready to make question were Maheep Tentatively titled Sunny, the next big transition. Kapoor, Panday, the series features the They have realised that Neelam Kothari Soni and likes of Shahid Kapoor, the viewers have now Seema Khan. Wives of Raashi Khanna and Vijay become habituated to Sanjay Kapoor, Chunky Sethupathy. Amazon Prime watching quality content Pandey, Sameer Soni and reportedly paid Akshay right from the comfort Sohail Khan respectively. Kumar 90 crores to be part of their homes, or even The masses had never Class Of ’83 of their web series called on their phones. Star heard of such content The End, which is said to system serves the purpose before and took to it platform for a while now. be a futuristic saga. Sanjay of driving the masses because of its novelty. They have a partnership of Leela Bhansali is said to to the theatres but with The point is that no one sorts with Netflix and so be making a period drama the public staying away expected Karan Johar far have produced a hard- on the lives of courtesans from cinema halls so far to jump on the OTT hitting actioner called called Heera Mandi. It’s because of the pandemic, bandwagon and produce a Bard of Blood, featuring said the series will reunite it's always better to have a reality show of all things. , a horror him with music director plan B in place. One thing But he went ahead and did series, Betaal, featuring Ismail Darbar. There are is for sure. The quality it because he can still read Vineet Kumar Singh and also reports that Sonakshi of content will definitely the market. Aahana Kumra and the Sinha, , improve as a woke Shah Rukh Khan film Class of ’83 starring Nimrat Kaur, Sayani Gupta audience will no longer may not have appeared . There are and Manisha Koirala will take kindly to formulaic on an OTT show as an several more projects said be part of the series. set pieces. Exciting times actor but his production to be in the pipeline. Going by all these ahead it seems... company, Red Chillies, has After the success of The reports, it won’t be wrong [email protected] been exploring this new Family Man, acclaimed to say that the Bollywood Twitter: @jiteshpillaai

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