Acclaimed lyricist Shahryar passes away
Acclaimed lyricist Shahryar of Umraao Jaan fame and fourth Urdu writer to win the Jnanpith Award in 2008, died of lung cancer last night at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.
Shahryar belonged to a Muslim Rajput family, and retired as the chairman of the Urdu Department at the Aligarh Muslim University. Originally christened Akhlaq Mohammed Khan, he was recognized for his lyrics in Muzaffar Ali’s films like Gaman, Umrao Jaan and Anjuman.
News Trends sends out its heartfelt condolence to Shahryar’s family.
Watch the video: Life & Work of Shahryar
Two endings for Ekk Deewana Tha
In what appears to be the first of its kind in India, the forthcoming release, EKK DEEWANA THA, will be released with two endings. Yes, you read it right! Director Gautham Menon, who made the film in Tamil and subsequently in Telugu, had opted for diverse endings for the two films. For the Hindi version, EKK DEEWANA THA, Menon and Fox Star Studios have decided to release two endings across the country.
While the mainstream ending will be released in 500 + screens in India, the Director’s Cut, with a different end, will be released in 20 select theatres across the country. “The newspaper listings will highlight this fact as well,” Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios confirms. An interesting development without doubt and it could pave way for similar efforts if the concept of two endings clicks with the audience.
Watch Promo: Ekk Deewana Tha
Johns gung-ho about Vicky Donor
Generally, when an actor sets his/her sights on film production, it’s with the intention of making films that would cement and consolidate his status as an actor. But John Abraham thinks differently. The actor started his first venture, VICKY DONOR, without making any noise whatsoever and as you read this, he is making arrangements for the release of the film on 13 April. Also, like everyone knows by now, VICKY DONOR doesn’t star John, but Ayushmann Khurrana, one of the most popular anchors on Indian television, as the protagonist.
“I fell in love with the script the moment I heard it. It’s a small little gem with a big heart,” John tells me about the film that has been directed by Shoojit Sircar, who made his first film YAHAAN several years ago. Interestingly, John is not acting in the film. “I am glad I cast Ayushmann in the lead. He’s a complete natural, has all the trappings of a fine actor and has delivered a super performance. It doesn’t seem like VICKY DONOR is his first film,” John divulges.
John has decided to back Ayushmann all the way. “I am going to promote him rigorously. He has the potential to hit big time and I think we need to support fine talent,” John adds.
Siddhant Kapoor to star in Ugly
Shakti Kapoor’s son Siddhant, who is all set to make his debut as a gangster in Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout At Wadala, has now been signed on by Anurag Kashyap for his next directorial venture titled Ugly.
In the film, Siddhant will be seen playing a dark character, who is into drugs. But what Siddhant is more excited about is that in Ugly, he will get to share screen place with his aunt Tejaswini Kolhapure (his mother Shivangi’s sister). What many people don’t know is that Tejaswini’s debut film was Anurag Kashyap’s unreleased film Paanch (2003).
Ugly also stars actors Ronit Roy and Pallavi Sharda and will go on floors in March.
Big Bs abdominal surgery successful
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan went through an abdominal surgery today morning at Mumbai’s Seven Hills Hospital. The good news is that the surgery was successful and the Big B’s condition is stable.
Big B was wheeled into the operation theatre at nine thirty in the morning today, where they performed a surgery for his abdominal pain.
Abhishek Bachchan thanked all the people for their well wishes and tweeted, “Thank you all for your wishes and prayers. The surgery went off well and dad is now in the room resting.”
News Trends wishes the megastar a speedy recovery.
Anupam Khers father passes away
Veteran actor Anupam Kher’s father passed away earlier today. The actor tweeted, “As I landed in Goa my brother Raju called from Mumbai that the “Best Dad in the World” (our father) is No More. Traveling back.”
News Trends offers heartfelt condolence to Anupam Kher and his family.
Esha Deol to tie knot with Bharat Takhtani
Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s daughter Esha Deol is all set to marry her boyfriend Bharat Takhtani this year. The couple is getting engaged on 12th February.
Esha has been dating Bandra based businessman Bharat Takhtani for more than a year now. Earlier it was reported that Esha would get engaged soon after the release of her comeback film Tell Me O Kkhuda.
Preparations for the engagement are on in full swing. Their engagement will be a very private affair.
O P Dutta passes away
Veteran director, writer and producer O.P. Dutta expired late last night. The filmmaker was ill and admitted at the Kokilaben hospital at 7 pm yesterday and breathed his last around post 12 a.m. with the cremation scheduled today at Shivaji Park.
The filmmaker who began his career in 1948 as a director with Pyaar Ki Jeet, slowly transitioned into writing films like Border and Refugee which were directed by his son J P Dutta.
News Trends sends out heartfelt condolences to the filmmaker’s family and friends.
Jennifer Lopez to attend SFL opening ceremony
After artists like Akon, Pitbull and Lady Gaga visiting India recently, the latest to join the list is none other than Jennifer Lopez. The actor/singer is slated to visit the Mumbai next month for her performance at the Super Fight League (SFL) inaugural event.
A source close to SFL says, “Jennifer Lopez is slated perform at the Mumbai event. It’s the opening ceremony of SFL and both Raj and Sanju want it to be as grand as possible.” J’Lo will be performing on some of her biggest hits as well as songs from her latest album ‘Love?’
Raj Kundra, the founder of SFL says, “SFL is slated to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year and there are many surprises in store.” For the uninitiated, SFL is a joint initiative by Raj Kundra and Sanjay Dutt and will have International as well as Indian fighters. SFL will promote Mixed Martial arts (MMA) in India, a sport that includes 36 forms of combat- wrestling, taekwondo, kung fu and Karate among others.
Prahlad Kakkar makes his acting debut in David
Advertisement guru Prahlad Kakkar has found a new vocation for himself at the ripe old age of 61. Prahlad has turned into an actor.
He joined the cast and crew of Bejoy Nambiar’s David in Mangalore on Monday. The film began shooting last week with Tamil superstar Vikram playing the title role. Kakkar we hear joined the cast on Monday morning and showed no signs of nervousness while facing the camera.
Interestingly, Kakkar has been cast not as himself but as another character in David. Said director Bejoy Nambiar from Mangalore, “We have a very interesting debutant actor with us today. Prahlad Kakkar plays a priest in my film. I cast him because I thought he looked like a Catholic priest. I was right. Prahlad just slipped into the role like a priest in a gown.”
Apparently, the locals in Mangalore mistook Kakkar for a real priest, much to the debutant actor’s delight. Although Kakkar had scenes with the seasoned star-actor Vikram, he simply sailed through his shots.
We now hear Bejoy is so impressed with the ad guru’s acting prowess that he has decided to cast him in cameos in all his films. Says Bejoy, “Prahlad shows no signs of self-consciousness before the camera. That could be because he has directed ads with the biggest superstars of the acting world like Bachchan saab and Aamir Khan and celebrities from the non-acting field like Sachin Tendulkar.”
