Kartik Aaryan’s last Bollywood release was Love Aaj Kal.
As uncertainty looms over the Hindi film industry, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray seeking permission to resume post-production. A host of Bollywood films were supposed to begin post-production before the country went into lockdown on March 25 to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter, signed by Ashoke Pandit, BN Tiwari, Ashok Dubey and Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav, begins by mentioning that they have over five lakh members of the entertainment industry under their umbrella. It also states that the industry generates high revenue and plays an important role in the economy of the country.
“If permissions are given to carry out such post production activities (editing, sound recording and music recording) of these projects, which can be done in closed studios with minimum workforce, it would be great relief to the producers who have poured in huge funds and that they shall be all set to release their projects immediately after the lockdown is lifted,” a part of the letter read.
After FWICE, Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association wrote a letter to the CM on Wednesday requesting him to consider resuming post-production operations.
Just when the nationwide lockdown was announced in March, Hrithik Roshan had shared on his social media platforms that Sussanne (his ex wife) had graciously volunteered to temporarily move out of her home so that their children are not disconnected indefinitely from either one of them.
Sussanne Khan on Wednesday, gave us a glimpse into her work space at Hrithik's house and wrote, “Getting used to the new normal.. typical Wednesday afternoon on my outdoor desk, watching pigeons on the sand while I draw, as the robust sparkling ocean waves become my background score. Mighty grateful for being fortunate enough to have all of this."
Shilpa Shetty's son Viaan turns eight today. Sharing a video to wish her son happy birthday, on instagram, the actor wrote, “Every step of the way, I promise I’ll be by your side. Whenever you need a hug, I’ll be right here, with my arms spread wide. I’ll never stop loving you and believing in you. Coz you are my Sonshine and my pride! Happy 8th birthday, my darling son Viaan-Raj. I love you!”
Late actor Rishi Kapoor's daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni has shared some unseen family pictures. In these throwback pictures, a young Rishi is seen sharing happy moments with his family, and a young Ranbir Kapoor posing for pictures sitting on his father's lap.
In an interview with Film Companion, Kartik Aryan spoke about the hit that the film industry has taken due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown, and what are his thoughts on how the industry can resume work. The actor also shared that he is ready to take a pay cut.
When Anupama Chopra asked him, “Will stars take a pay cut?” He replied, “I wouldn’t want to cut down on people’s jobs. There has to be a solution wherein that problem also doesn’t crop up and producers (who are getting hit), they too are saved. There has to be solution and a balance will come out. Whatever it takes for the industry to get together and start working, I think, I am up for it. I would do whatever collectively we decide to do.”
On pay cuts, Kartik told Film Companion, “If that is something that is going to help the industry, I think we all should do that. We should be up for it. We have taken a huge hit, as a country and as an industry also.”
Producer Sandip Ssingh on Wednesday said Sanjay Dutt starrer Blockbuster Gang might go on floors by July-August. "We will make the official announcement after the lockdown is lifted. The moment we get the dates of all the actors, it shouldn't be difficult to start. We hope to start shooting in July-August if all goes well," Ssingh told PTI.
Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) is the second film body after FWICE to have written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray requesting permission to begin post-production activities.
"Though we fully understand that it might not be possible for you to allow early resumption of film shooting as they involve large number of people, you may kindly please allow our members to go ahead and complete the post production of their films and other entertainment products as in majority of cases, all the shooting and other work has been completed except for the editing, dubbing and post production which are all activities performed indoors in secluded offices with very limited number of personnel," read a part of the letter.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has invited people to bid for his Gangs of Wasseypur Filmfare trophy to raise funds for kits needed to test coronavirus patients. The gangster drama won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film in 2013. "Highest bidder gets the original trophy for the Filmfare critics award best film 2013 . “Gangs of Wasseypur”...," Kashyap today tweeted.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan has taken to online belly dancing lessons. Suhana Khan's dance teacher today shared on Instagram a collage of two pictures- one with Suhana and the second showing the two interacting over a video call- to describe before and after lockdown situations. "December 2019 #beforelockdown May 2020 #lockdown4 with @suhana2 level up #onlinedanceclass," Suhana's teacher wrote.
Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar today announced he has sent a consignment of PPE kits for health workers in Cama Hospital, Mumbai. "Happy to share that our consignment of PPE kits leaves for the Cama Hospital, Mumbai. Lots of love & gratitude to all who contributed. This will help keeping our medics at the frontline safe! Jai Hind," Akhtar tweeted.
Tapsee Pannu today shared on Instagram a picture of her tattooed forearm, and reminisced about the first day on the set of her psychological thriller Game Over. Taapsee's video game tattoo from the 2019 film became its trademark.
"First day on the set of #GameOver and this tattoo became the annoying take away for me and for everyone who saw the film. "I love tattoos personally so I get really excited about getting tattoos done for films but since they r the temporary ones maintaining them becomes a pain especially in the humid Chennai weather. This tattoo actually became my accessory, which was to be handled with a LOT of care," the actor wrote.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan turned philosophical as he appealed to his fans today to put grudges against others in "quarantine." "Let's put in quarantine whatever bitterness we have for others in our heart so that we prevent our relationships from going on ventilators," the actor wrote on Instagram alongside a video showing him smiling at the camera.
Actor Randeep Hooda today took to Instagram to mark four years of his 2016 biopic, Sarbjit, for which he had shed 18 kilos. In the Omung Kumar-directed film, Randeep Hooda played the role of Sarbjit, an Indian national who was detained in Pakistan for 23 years. "Almost took the life outa me," the actor wrote alongside a picture of his look from the film.
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife Aaliya, who has sought divorce after 11 years of marriage, has accused his family of physical and mental torture. "He (Nawaz) had never raised his hands on me, but the shouting and arguments had become unbearable. But his family has mentally and physically tortured me a lot. His brother had even hit me. His mother and brothers and sisters-in-law used to stay with us only in Mumbai," Aaliya was quoted in an interview with Bollywood Life.