A doctor at the KEM hospital, where Alia Bhatt surprised the doctors with a care package, thanked the star on Twitter for the gesture. (Photo: Alia Bhatt/Instagram, Dr Shripad Gangapurkar/Twitter)
As theater owners and filmmakers continue to spar over the former’s decision to release their finished films on OTT platforms, more voices in the industry have risen to support the change. Celebrities like Karan Johar, Hansal Mehta, Taapsee Pannu and Apurva Asrani have said that this is the need of the hour and the industry needed to come together to help each other pass the rough time, courtesy the lockdown.
This war of sorts began after the announcement of Shoojit Sircarβs Gulabo Sitabo directly releasing on Amazon Prime Video was made last week. The next day, it was announced that Vidya Balan-starrer Shakuntala Devi will premiere on Prime Video as well.
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Big players like PVR and INOX slammed the makers of Gulabo Sitabo and it is then that various artistes came out in support of the film’s producers and called out theater owners for their harsh statements. The Producers Guild of India issued a statement, saying it was disappointed to see abrasive messaging from some of the colleagues in the exhibition sector.
The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) had earlier appealed to studio partners, producers, artistes and content creators to support the cinema exhibition sector by holding their films and releasing them in theaters once they are open again.
Actor Anil Kapoor today celebrated the day he proposed to wife Sunita Kapoor 36 years ago by sharing an audio note recalling the special memory. Anil Kapoor posted the audio on Twitter and captioned it, "This is the beginning of a long love story... People celebrate anniversaries. We celebrate the proposals as well. Watch out for our wedding story tomorrow." The Malang actor is heard saying in the audio that there came a point in his life when we had to choose between his career and love. "And I chose love. I proposed to her on the 18th." They got married the next day in the presence of around ten people. The couple, who celebrates their 36th anniversary tomorrow, has three kids - actors Sonam Kapoor and Harshvardhan Kapoor, and producer Rhea Kapoor.
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has surprised the staff of KEM hospital in Mumbai with food packages, containing sweets and beverages. A doctor at the hospital thanked the Gully Boy star on Twitter for the gesture. "Thank you @aliaa08 for such a sweet surprise..much appreciated in these bitter times of pandemic..!!" wrote Dr Shripad Gangapurkar alongside the picture of the snacks. The photo also shows a thank you note by Alia Bhatt that read, "Thank you for doing everything for keeping the community healthy and safe. You are the real heroes."
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor today took to Instagram to share pictures of a chocolate cake baked by her actor-sister Karisma Kapoor. Calling it "the best cake in the world", Kareena wrote, "Devouring the best cake in the world by the best sister in the world. @therealkarismakapoor... And yes, that's Mr Khan being grumpy at the back... Zoom in."
Actor Arjun Rampal today posted a picture of his post-shave look. The actor, who took the help of his girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades to cut his beard, wrote alongside the photo, "All done, back to being civilised. Yay or Nay? #iseeme." Earlier, Arjun Rampal shared a video where Gabriella is seen helping him trim the beard. He captioned the video, writing, "It's started."
Actor-filmmaker Sanjay Khan is all set to direct a biopic on Brigadier Mohammad Usman. The period drama will feature his son, actor Zayed Khan as the 1948 war hero. This is the father-son duo's first collaboration. In an interview with Mid Day, Sanjay said, “I am working hard on the script because I want to make it as authentic as possible. I want to depict the Indian Army's bravery, and how they fought despite not being armed with sufficient artillery and equipment. The brigadier's story is one of courage and principle.” Calling it his duty to re-launch Zayed Khan, Sanjay Khan told the publication, “He is one of the most handsome actors in the film industry. As a father, it is my duty to make a film for him. The audience will rediscover him in the movie.” Zayed was last seen in Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene (2015).
Malaika Arora took to her social media handles today and shared a throwback video of herself soaking the sun on a beach. Hoping for the world to be happy again, she wrote, “Spinning in the sun, dragging my feet only to comeback where I started from. The world too will boomerang from this 'out of control spin' and the sun of hope and happiness will shine on all of us again.”
Sam Hargrave, the director of Chris Hemsworth starrer Extraction, has shared on Instagram a still of Randeep Hooda from the film, and penned a note, praising the actor. "@randeephooda looking especially #fierce in this photo. What a performance in #Extraction !! And such a kind, positive, hard-working, genuine human being. Much respect brother! ππΌππΌππΌ #respect," Hargrave wrote.
Randeep Hooda, who made his Hollywood debut with the Netflix action film, reposted it and wrote, "Thank you brother ππ½ This is your painting, I just turned up with an empty canvas willing to learn."
Sharing a picture of herself with a book, actor Sonali Bendre wrote, “Been reading e-books for a while now, and I really miss holding a physical copy of a book. So, I decided to re-read an old favourite - the #WhiteMughals by @williamdalrymple - and announce that as the next book for SBC (Sonali's Book Club). It's more than just a history book... it's a book on love and betrayal in 18th century India, and this extended lockdown feels like the perfect time to revisit this era once again. Do give it a read and I'll see you at the book discussion! P.S. for those of you that don't have a copy, it is available on #Kindle. #SBCBookOfTheMonth”
A voracious reader, Sonali has shared in the past how books have helped her heal during her battle with cancer.
Ranveer Singh has shared an adorable picture from his childhood on Instagram. The 83 actor, who is a huge WWE fan, is seen posing with a WWE championship belt tied around his waist, with a poster of former wrestler Hulk Hogan in the background. Sharing the picture, Ranveer wrote, “Whatcha gonna do, when Hulkamania runs wild on you!” π€£ #mondayfeeling throw it way back to when #WWF was life π€ΌβοΈ had a poster on my wall of The Immortal @hulkhogan”
Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his family members were placed under home quarantine after they reached Budhana town here from Mumbai, police said on Monday. He said the actor and the family members were tested for COVID-19 but their reports came negative. Read more here.
Kangana Ranaut, who is currently in Manali with her family, has shared a video on social media. The video features a poem she wrote during the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. The poem is titled Aasmaan. It uses the sky as an analogy for feelings we don’t acknowledge. The video has been artistically shot in Kangana’s home.
Sharing a picture of his 8-year-old son Virajveer playing the guitar in a corner of his house, Ayushmann Khurrana wrote, “Apni dhun mein rehta hai. Tu bhi mere jaisa hai.” The actor and his wife Tahira Kashyap has a six-year-old daughter too. Her name is Varushka.
Sharing a sun-kissed picture of herself on Instagram, actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas wrote, “Feeling blessed. The sun, a hat and a cherry lip...it's a good day.” Priyanka, who is spending time with her husband Nick Jonas at their home in Los Angeles, also shared a picture playing dress-up with her niece, Krishna.