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The girl-next-door, Bhumi Pednekar is known for her unconventional roles and an equally resilient off-screen demeanour. A Yrf find, she charmed her way into our hearts as Sandhya in the 2015 movie, Dum Laga Ke Haisha and followed it up with the role of the head-strong Jaya in Toilet – Ek Prem Katha that releasedRead More

The post Bhumi Pednekar is bringing sexy back as the unstoppable Indian bride in this stunning photo shoot! appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

The teaser of KriArj Entertainment’s next with Shree Narayan Singh will formally be launched on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. While there has been massive anticipation surrounding the film ever since its announcement, the makers will finally launch the teaser of the movie on 19th Oct, 2017.

The film stars Shahid Kapoor and is lighthearted but impactful social drama that every Indian citizen will relate to. Since the film is based on the issue of astronomical light and electricity bills that citizens face, the makers thought it ideal to launch the title and teaser of the film on the festival of lights.

The film is co-produced by T- Series, with the concept by Vipul Rawal and story, screenplay and dialogues by Garima and Siddharth.

Says an inside source, “KriArj Entertainment as a studio has always backed subjects and issues that still plague the nation. Toilet: Ek Prem Katha was a...

Toilet : Ek Prem Katha

Starring Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar, Divyendu Sharma, Sudhir Pande & Anupam Kher

Directed by Shree Narayan Singh

There is a point of no return in the plot when we the audience become so immersed in the protagonist’s crusade for a better tomorrow that we are cheering and stomping our feet in encouragement for that bright sunshine-drenched tomorrow of which Sahir Ladhianvi dreamt in Pyasa and Phir Subah Hogi.

Our protagonist Madhav’s battle is not really reformatory in the way the great heroes of our times meant it to be. In Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Satyakam when the protagonist Dharmendra marries the rape victim he does it with the least amount of self-congratulations. In Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Akshay Kumar’s mission to build a toilet for his wife is compared with Shah Jahan building the Taj Mahal for his wife.

I wonder who should feel...

He has been entertaining audiences with comedy, drama, romance, some with a bit of all three as well as historical and social issue driven content for 25 years. We are of course talking about the great Akshay Kumar. He is truly one of the best in Bollywood and audiences love to watch his movies.

His newest release both as actor and producer, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha hits theaters on August 11th. Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, this important film brings to light the issues surrounding sanitation, open deification and women safety in India.

Toilet Ek Prem Katha (Tepk) is the real-life love story between Keshav and Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar) whose love transcends across barriers of society and tradition but is challenged by the most unexpected hurdle, a toilet.

Tepk is set in two villages near Mathura, where at least 80% of households are without any access to a lavatory. It is a...

He has three decades and 124 movies under his belt, but one look at the last year of Akshay Kumar’s resume could very well confirm that — amid the steady annual stream of newcomers struggling to find their footing in Hindi cinema — it’s the 50-year-old veteran actor who’s emerging as Bollywood’s biggest revelation.

“This is definitely one of the most exciting periods of my career,” Kumar told IndieWire in a recent interview. It’s a fitting assessment, given that trailer views for his latest feature, Shree Narayan Singh’s “Toilet — Ek Prem Katha” (“Toilet — A Love Story”), crossed the 16-million mark in just four days. The film is inspired by the true story of a villager who, when his new wife (played by Bhumi Pednekar) left him after discovering he had no toilet in his home, made it his mission to build one, defying age-old traditions which have forced women,...

The first time she looked straight into the camera in her debut film Dum Laga Ke Haisha you knew that she was something special. We are talking about Bhumi Pednekar and her performance in that film was real and honest and oh so good. She, of course, won critical acclaim and the audience and fans could not wait to see what she would do next.

That next is another interesting and socially relevant film. Titled Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, the film that also stars Akshay Kumar, is a satirical, quirky, humorous, light-hearted love story set against the backdrop of a very important social issue.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is the real-life love story between Keshav from Nandgaon and Jaya from Barsana who fall in love despite barriers of society and tradition but their happy ending is challenged by the most unexpected hurdle, a toilet. This is the true story of...

Akshay Kumar known for his work on notable social causes, including his new film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, extended his support for the Festival of Education, a first of its kind event in South Asia, incepted by the Government of Rajasthan in partnership with Gems Education, to celebrate the future of education in India. An unprecedented event, the festival saw over 1,00,000 global innovators, academicians, faculty, change-makers, vice chancellors, educationalists, teachers, students, parents, scientists, and policy makers under one roof, united by the same goal – to give shape to the future of education through discourse, discussion and debate.

Akshay Kumar participated in a panel session where he conversed with Amreesh Chandra, Group President, Gems Education, India. Akshay Kumar addressed various questions touching upon the subject of socially conscious film making, including his decision to embrace the worlds first feature film on open-defecation Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.

Answering the question, he said:...

Set to release on August 11th, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha portrays the love story between a simple man Keshav (Akshay Kumar) and the progressive Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar) with only one thing standing in their way…a toilet. The film is a satirical take on a battle against the age old tradition of open defecation in the country. From the panchayat to the sanitation department, from the role of the government to the superstitions of the villagers, from scams to ethics, from first love to a matured romance, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha covers all the facets and facades stifling India’s potential to overcome the open-defecation crisis.

While the worlds ills and issues cannot be solved overnight, it’s ironic that we have the resources and technology to reach the Moon and Mars, yet still allow the issue of open defecation to continue as a nationwide predicament in India.

Check out...

Set to release on 11th August, 2017, the social issue film with a love story Toilet Ek Prem Katha stars Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar, Divyendu Sharma, Sudhir Pandey, Shubha Khote and Anupam Kher. Toilet – Ek Prem Katha traces the love story between a simple man Keshav (Akshay Kumar) and progressive Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar), set in two villages near Mathura.

The film is satirical take on a battle against the age old tradition of open defecation in the country. From the panchayat to the sanitation department, from the role of the government to the superstitions of the villagers, from scams to the ethos, from first love to a matured romance.

Toilet Ek Prem Katha consists of a real-life love story between Keshav from Nandgaon (Mathura) and Jaya from Barsana (Mathura) whose love transcends across barriers of society and tradition but is challenged by the most unexpected hurdle, a toilet.

This is the...

It is shocking to see the number of people protesting against Akshay Kumar’s Toilet – Ek Prem Katha. At first it was Praveen Vyas who alleged that his 2016 docudrama Manini was also based on the same idea. This was followed by Jaipur-based filmmaker who alleged that the punchline and subject of Toilet – EkRead More

The post Omg! Woman who ‘inspired’ Toilet – Ek Prem Katha not happy with the film; demands cut from it’s earnings appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Looks like the plagiarism woes just don’t seem to end for the makers of Toilet – Ek Prem Katha, starring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar. Based on the importance of sanitation and installation of toilets in everybody’s homes, the social drama was first accused of being similar to Praveen Vyas’s 2016 docu-feature Manini. Manini throwsRead More

The post Now Jaipur-based filmmaker sues Akshay Kumar’s Toilet – Ek Prem Katha for copyright infringement appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

What do you do if you have a song to finish off filming but you’re running late for an important meeting? You jump! Superstar Akshay Kumar found himself exactly in that situation whilst filming the song ‘Bakheda’ for his upcoming film ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, slated to release on 11th August 2017.

Reports have emerged of the heroics displayed by the star who left the film crew awestruck on the spot. As the megastar Akshay Kumar had just 10 minutes to shoot before leaving for his meetings, the sequence involved the actor having to jump from balconies. Sensing the delay at the spot, the superstar made the impulsive decision to perform the stunt himself without a safety harness, much to the surprise of the cast and the crew. The actor not only performed the dangerous stunt in a single take, he even taunted the cast and the crew by hanging on...

While the producers of the eagerly awaited Akshay Kumar starrer Toilet: Ek Prem Katha about the pit-falls (pun intended) of open-air defecation are discreetly quiet on the issue of alleged copyright infringement, the much-awaited film’s young director Shree Narayan Singh is far from inert in his creative corner. Known to work silently, Singh has emerged from the shadows to challenge the documentary maker Praveen Vyas’ contention that Toilet: Ek Prem Katha isRead More

The post Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’s director laughs off the plagiarism charges, prepares to sue the accuser appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha starring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar is in the news for plagiarism. A documentary film maker, Praveen Vyas, has alleged that the idea behind the film has been lifted from his 2016 documentary, Manini. But, the writers of the film, Siddharth and Garima, say that they had registered the script withRead More

The post Writers of Akshay Kumar’s Toilet: Ek Prem Katha to file a defamation case against ‘Manini’ documentary makers appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

What is a love film without the love song? Get ready to sing along as the romantic duet between Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar from Toilet: Ek Prem Katha releases it’s duet version!

Teaser clips of “Hans Mat Pagli” (male version) and ‘Hans Mat Pagle’ (female version) went into circulation earlier this week, instantly attracting lovers around the world and allowing them to enjoy that famous “aww” moment.

Composed by Vickey Prasad and crooned in the melodious voices of Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghosal, the songs are shot in Mathura and Agra.

Talking about the song Akshay Kumar revealed, “Once during the shoot, I was travelling by road with the film’s writer Siddharth Garima, when I noticed that the truck ahead had the line Hans Mat Pagli Pyaar Ho Jayega. I felt that it went with the milieu of our film and asked the writers if they could...

We have a look into the unique love story of Keshav aka Akshay Kumar and Jaya aka Bhumi Pednekar in the upcoming film Toilet Ek Prem Katha.

Featuring amazing vocals by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghosal, the song was composed by Vickey Prasad with

lyrics by Siddharth – Garima

Toilet – Ek Prem Katha is a satirical take on a battle against the age-old tradition of open defecation in the country. From the panchayat to the sanitation department, from the role of the government to the superstitions of the villagers, from scams to the ethos, from first love to a matured romance.

Catch the movie in theaters on 11th August 2017...

After helping his bit in the Swach Bharat Abhiyaan, Akshay Kumar is likely to step in to yet another political move and this time, he is going to aim for an innings as Prime Minister Narendra Modi! Yep. You heard right! Akshay Kumar, who is a very popular face amongst the masses and also a staunch supporter of the government’s efforts, is being scouted to play the role of Narendra Modi in the biopic which is being planned on him. Earlier, faces like Paresh Rawal and Anupam Kher were making the rounds. Incidentally, Anupam Kher will be playing the role of former Pm Dr. Manmohan Singh in the film, The Accidental Prime Minister. Shatrughan Sinha, actor and a vocal government loyalist, totally sees Akshay in the role. Speaking to a media source he said: “Akshay is the Mr Clean of India. His image goes well with the image of the New Shining India.” Akshay Kumar, who will be seen in the movie, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha recently met with the Prime Minister to discuss the film and their efforts to promote Pm’s pet project, Clean India Mission. Cbfc Chief Pahlaj Nihalani also added: “I can’t think of anyone better to play our Prime Minster than Akshay. He has a spotless image of an idealist and visionary. And look at the kind of work he’s doing. Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Padman are the cinema of social reform that Guru Dutt and V Shantaram were associated with. Also, Akshay has risen from humble working class beginnings to become a national star, just like Modiji. We are certainly looking at a strong possibility of Akshay playing Modiji.”...

Gulshan Grover is one of the most respected actors in Hindi films. Since 1980, he has thrilled audiences with his characterizations and is known for his outstanding performances in villain roles. In fact, if you mention his name, most likely you will hear him called ‘Badman’. His new film, called Badman, done in a mokumentary style, has the actor playing himself in a very interesting tale. Directed by Soumik Sen, Badman is a mad, comic caper, that sees Gulshan Grover, the legendary villain of Bollywood, decide to re-launch himself in the film industry, but this time as a hero! He enlists the help of his dysfunctional sons and begrudging Bollywood stars including Chunky Pandey and Farah Khan plus a host of special appearances of many famous faces to help him achieve his transformation. Badman is a brilliant, laugh out loud funny and moving look at the world of Bollywood… but more on that later.

First let’s set the scene with the trailer

I was very honored to get the chance to have a conversation with Mr. Grover about Badman, which is screening at this year’s London Indian Film Festival. In a fascinating and fun interview, the actor talks about playing “himself” in Badman, about those special appearances, about his love of acting and so much more! It is not to be missed!

Was acting something you always wanted to do?

Yes, but I would not say always. In the early years the thrust was education and academics because that is what my late father had outlined and made us understand that no matter what our economical conditions are, which were very, very, very bad, we were very exceptionally poor, he said that education is something that you give uttermost importance too – it is something that is truly important. So, I was doing that. I was a brilliant student. I reached Shri Ram College of Commerce, which is the top most college in our country and Asia, where today the cutoff point is 100% marks. At that time I had 92% with distinction in 5 subjects so I was truly brilliant in my studies. I had had a little exposure to acting here and there. It was only after I went to the college and looked at larger things, looked at various prospects that I realised am I going to pursue my academic career or am I going to listen to my heart and go towards art? In the end I did that. Acting assumed the stronger position after I grew up. It was always there, but as I grew up and was in college and was looking towards which direction do I take my life too.. and I followed my heart.

What were your first thoughts when Soumik Sen narrated the concept of Badman to you?

I loved it! I thought it was fantastic. I also thought it was gutsy and courageous to make fun of yourself as opposed to generating humor that makes fun of others. Here the humor is on me! The person who is being laughed is me. I thought that was interesting. I also thought that this is amazing that here is an iconic character played by villain and that villain is expected to play the hero in that film. That was another very interesting thing which has never been done before because there has never been a film called Angry Young Man, there has never been a film called Prem, or Rahul or Lakhan (laughs) so I thought it was truly brilliant and let me be the first one to do this.

I also asked Soumik, is the studio Viacom 18 as passionate in making this and reaching it out to people? The CEO Gaurav Gandhi and Monika Shergill, the head of production, their passion translated, and I was more than happy and excited to be in the movie.

How would you describe Badman?

I would say that it is not just as the tagline says ‘A villain trying to be a hero’, I mean that is an integral part of the film but here it is that you are famous, you are successful, you are a name, and how interesting and comical things can be when you try and do something else. And since it is set in Bollywood and all my colleagues are acting in it and all my colleagues being referred to in the dialogs – it is a very interesting way of looking at the happenings in Bollywood.

It takes a lot of little things from your life, so how much did you contribute to developing and adding to the script from his first narration to the final product?

I would say I only translated what Soumik sent and the other writer Anuvab Pal, who plays one of my sons; he is a stand up comedian, famous name in writing and also a very famous journalist. So I didn’t interfere at all to be very honest. It was not my area of expertise. I hadn’t done anything like this before. I had faith in Gaurav Gandhi, Soumik Sen, Monika Shergill and Anuvab Pal as to what they were making.

Yes, I translated what they had in mind on screen, in their opinion far better and far larger than what they had thought. I wasn’t scared of letting me be the subject of ridicule. You know, in the movie like you are in the hospital room and the nurse wants to take a selfie (laughs) or the doctor wants you to recite some dialogs from your movie while you are in pain, and while your kids are only interested in that they can’t find a will. They don’t give a shit about your legacy or who you are all they want to know is where is the money. All those very human things are also an integral part of the film.

It’s a wholesome film where you will laugh, you will enjoy, and you are really seeing the Bollywood from close quarters. We actually shot with Bollywood stars, actors, technicians, directors and along with all this, you also see some of the emotional side of it.

It takes a lot from films and the film industry, so how much of it is true and how much of it is exaggeration and how much of it is what they invented for this world?

It is not an exaggeration to be very honest. You can really go mad trying to pull favor from your colleagues. You can really go crazy if you are a villain wanting to be hero and at the same time a hero wanting to do something else could also have an interesting, funny reaction of participation of the other colleagues. All of that – nothing is exaggerated.

Like there is a dancing scene and I am a terrible dancer even in real life so that is not an exaggeration at all. (Laughs)

So Ms. Farah Khan was really getting annoyed..…

Yes! That is why the scenes look real! (Laughs)

It must have been fun to play this character, because you are you in a form but you get to expand it into so many different aspects, the more emotional, the funnier, to play the hero…

Absolutely! I would also say enjoy was not the only emotion that I went through… I was also partially scared. I was partially scared that I hope it translates the right way. There is a large part of it where I am called a failure and also in the movie I am called a failure father. There is also a funny certain thing about all this. So I felt all emotions while portraying that and I wanted to play it correctly. That is what sort of has translated into it.

Also the tremendous support of my colleagues – be it Manisha Koirala, Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Farah Khan, Mahesh Bhatt, Shootjit Sarkar, Sujoy Ghosh, and even Vishal Dadlani, who sung the title song, Goliyan Chidkta Aaya Badman.

I loved seeing all the special appearances. That one scene where you are sitting opposite Mr. Rishi Kapoor, and you both are just staring at each other, I was wondering were you about to crack up?

(Laughs) Yes, yes we were. We shot the scene in the legendary Mehboob studio. And yes we were absolutely about to crack up. Also we had great fun shooting this scene because Shah Rukh was shooting right next to us for his film Raees. We had a very, very enjoyable time while shooting that scene. I also made my friend Shah Rukh hear the whole story of the film and made him hear the title song sung by Vishal Dadlani. And Shah Rukh kept complimenting and saying this is going to be an interesting and amazing film. It was really fun shooting that scene.

One you saw it all together with all scenes, special appearances and everything involved what did you think?

I did not see it for a while to be very honest. I sort of rolled on the faith of Gaurav Gandhi, Monika Shergill, Soumik Sen, Aritra Mukherjee and various others involved. I had faith in their faith. I normally don’t see the films. It is like once it is done it is like I have kicked the ball – whether it hits the goal post or not… we will see. It is gone it is out of my hands, I have kicked the ball, I have hit the ball with my bat in the cricket.

Is it hard to play straight in a comedy like this? You were the straight man throughout the entire thing…

It is very hard, it’s very difficult. See comedies are perceived in a certain way – comedies in India are done a certain way. We were very clear on this – that I am going to play it real. Soumik is not only a very good director; he is a very tough director as well. He is clear what he wants and he does not really want to change or stop. He is clear how he wants it and that is how he wants it, which was good. It didn’t leave any room for any ambiguity or any should we do it this way or should we do that way? He had it all clear. It was good. And good or bad it was his way of thinking.

What is your favorite thing about Badman?

I think I like the scene where literally I have had a heart attack and I am lying on a deathbed and all the kids are discussing the will and calling me an idiot for not really having done enough for the children. You know, that scene is beyond the golden jubilee trophies, the fans, the stars, the stardom, the fans that want a piece of their star… it is beyond all that. It is the real world of a celebrity, a star where kids have a certain perspective have a certain way of looking at things. That scene, you know, I really, really felt very strongly. I am told that that is a very moving scene. That scene was really something that I felt very close too.

Do you still have the acting itch, as Mr. Mahesh Bhatt told you in the film?

(Laughs) I have nothing else but acting itch honestly. The only itch that I have is the acting itch.

Looking back over your career what would you say?

To be very honest I am of the opinion – I don’t look back. I don’t do this throwback photograph, posting ‘this film 15 years back what an amazing time we had on set’ bullshit. Are you relevant today?! Are you relevant in your chosen craft today?!. Are you better than what you were 15 years back in areas where you lacked?! That is what I am interested in. That is what inspires me. This bullshit about when I did this or when I did that or you did this… Many other external elements supported you and that is how you became what you became and that is why we are interested in your story of the early years because you became something. There are many who were left back there and we are not interested in their story. So therefore I am absolutely against this thing about early years and nostalgia. Nostalgia to me is like a soft tranquilizer. It sort of gets the logic out and everything looks nice and beautiful in the movies you know? The earlier years are always in sepia and have beautiful lighting and everything. I don’t really look back honestly. I am looking at the present and I am staring at the future. I am looking at the present very pleasantly and staring at the future and that I am Passionate about acting! I love acting! There is nothing else I can do. I hope and I am very sure that I will continue to do that until the end of my being here in this world.

How exciting is that the film is coming to London Indian Film Festival?

I came many years back; I had such a fantastic experience! There is tremendous energy! I Loved It! I stepped in for another actor, I think Irrfan Khan was supposed to come for The Lunchbox which was being shown and something didn’t go right so I came as the guest of honor and I opened the festival. It left such a warm, nice feeling and memory in my mind. The clarity of Cary Sawhney and all his colleagues and their passion for cinema. The audiences and everybody that I interacted with – their love for cinema was something that left me with the feeling that I want to come back. It happened in a perfect way that I am now coming with a movie that is my film! A film where I play the lead. India’s first mokumentary feature film. Never ever has India made a feature film where everybody plays themselves. Mahesh Bhatt is Mahesh Bhatt, Gulshan Grover is Gulshan Grover, Farah is Farah and there are more. I am proud and happy that I am coming back to the festival with a film that is my favorite film that has me in the lead. And it’s a film that would be a unique entertaining wholesome experience for the festival audiences.

Badman is also the opening film at the Moscow Film Festival in the Indian Panorama on the 23rd. It is one day prior to the London Film Festival. So I literally leave the screening halfway through in Moscow and fly to London to be amidst and in the activity of the London Indian Film Festival that I truly love and adore. The screening opens on the 24th at Cineworld Wembley. I would like to convey through you to my fans that I shall be present at all of the four screenings Cineworld Wembley Cineworld Leicester Square, Stratford Picturehouse and Birmingham’s Cineworld Broad Street. I want them all to know I would be happy to meet my fans, take a picture with them. I will be there throughout the festival!

If you are in London or Birmingham be sure to go experience Badman and meet Mr. Gulshan Grover at the screenings at London Indian Film Festival!

International megastar Akshay Kumar took another step towards his goal of monumental social change in India, as he released the much-anticipated trailer for his upcoming film ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ – and it’s an instant huge hit! In fact the first day it had over 11 million hits on Facebook and now has over 17 million hits on YouTube.

The trailer has appeared to have set a new benchmark in Bollywood, riding on a moral and social higher ground on a fabric beyond the usual drama and dance – a film which portrays a man’s struggle to bring about a revolution for his love.

A love story with a satirical message that is set against the backdrop of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to improve sanitation across India, ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ (‘Clean India Movement’), Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, is the latest statement of intent from Akshay Kumar in his bid...

We have your first look of the Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Bhumi Pednekar film social awareness film Toilet- Ek Prem Katha.

As writers of the film Siddharth and Garima told us, “Toilet-Ek Prem Katha is a social satire about the sanitation situation in our country. It’s a lighthearted take derived from a real-life situation. With Toilet-Ek Prem Katha we are hoping to make an impact on the mindset of our country and bring about a necessary change. We feel, through cinema, the topic of toilet should have been raised long ago. Better late than never though.”

It’s time to be a part of Keshav and Jaya’s anokhi love story! Toilet – Ek Prem Katha traces the love story between a simple man Keshav (Akshay Kumar) and progressive Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar), set in two villages near Mathura.

Toilet – Ek Prem Katha is a satirical take on a battle against...

You’ve been lost in the worlds created by writers Siddharth and Garima in films like Bajirao Mastani (Lyrics) and Ram-Leela. Now the incredible pair have ventured into the complex tale Raabta, directed by Dinesh Vijan and starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon and Jim Sarbh. Set in two time periods, both the present and a time long ago, Raabta is about connection, re-incarnation, mystery, karma, life, and love.

The film tells the story of Shiv (Sushant Singh Rajput) and Saira (Kriti Sanon), two seemingly ordinary individuals going about their lives, until their paths cross and they realize that they belong to one another. Unaware of a connection that was forged over several hundred years ago, Shiv and Saira are inexplicably drawn to each other and quickly develop a beautiful and fun relationship. The third facet to their relationship emerges in the form of Zakir Merchant, a billionaire who goes...

Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar have begun the promotions of their upcoming film, Toilet- Ek Prem Katha. They began the promotional tour in Delhi on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the stars of the film got an opportunity to meet Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. As their film deals with the importance of cleanliness, sanitation and Pm NarendraRead More

The post Check out: Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar meet Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in Delhi appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pedneker make for the cutest yet uncomfortable newlyweds ever! A still from their new movie, Toilet-Ek Prem Katha was just released and we can’t stop obsessing over the awkward yet goofy photo! Akshay Kumar took to social media to share the first look from the movie, which is set to release on June 2nd, 2017. Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, the film is touted to be a social satire based on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. Akshay Tweeted the first look and wrote alongside, “With the wrap of @ToiletTheFilm treating you guys to a still from the film...Keshav and Jaya's unique love story coming to you on June 2 :)” The photo shows the two in their wedding attire. While Bhumi is wearing a red lehenga, Akshay is seen in a mustard shade suit. The scene looks absolutely out of an old style wedding. Apart from the two,...

The year 2017 started off with the big Box Office clash between Bollywood's two big ticket movies, Shah Rukh Khan's Raees and Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil. These two movies battled their way to victory at the Box Office. However, the business of both the films was affected due to divided screen counts which had a 60-40 percent ratio. And now, the Shahenshah of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan with his Sarkar 3 is all set to lock horns with Bollywood's heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's Jagga Jasoos at the box office. After facing a lot of hurdles during the making of the film, Anurag Basu's musical adventure drama - Jagga Jasoos, which was announced in the year 2014, had finally got its release date on April 7, 2017. But it looks like the film has become trouble's favourite child as Ram Gopal Varma's political crime thriller Sarkar 3, which was initially...

February – The month of Luuuuurve. The month where every film channel goes nuts showing Hindi cinema’s most romantic films…the radio channels go nuts playing the dulcet tones of Sonu Nigaam, Alka Yagnik and everyone else in-between, and their various romantic numbers and the music channels swing between the sexy videos and the romantic videos. Why? All because of Valentine’s Day. The day for which businesses get a free license to decorate their premises with pink and red hearts and cute babies in nappies pointing a little arrow at you. And why would the film industry not join in with the madness with romantic or psycho-romantic films releasing in time for the big day.

The Hindi film industry has a lot to answer for in my opinion when it comes to romance. Hindi cinematic releases always show the perfect romance. The perfect location, the perfect setting, the perfect food the perfect partner…...

Namaste, Sat Sri Akaal, Assalamualaikum and welcome to My Christmas/New Year’s present to all you Bollywood fanatics. The 2015 countdown of the Top Grossing Films.

Now for the countdown. Bear in mind that this countdown is based on pure fact and figures. This is a countdown based on what you the viewer have voted for with your feet, as you the viewer have taken the time out from your lives to see these films in your droves. You may agree with some of them you may not agree with some of them – but come what may, these are your top ten grossers for 2015.

10. Gabbar is Back

Starring – Akshay Kumar, Shruti Hassan, Suman Talwar, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sunil Grover

Director – Krish

Producer – Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Shabina Khan

Music – Chirantan Bhatt, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Manj Musik

Release Date – May 1st

Okay I will be honest. I was surprised...

Bollywood had an interesting year of music, whether it was A.R.Rahman delivering a cohesive soundtrack in Tamasha or Amit Trivedi conjuring up the jazz and swing sounds of Bombay’s jazz age in Bombay Velvet. There was also less pressure on one music director to deliver when multiple artists contributed to the film’s hits like Roy’s ‘Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan’ by Meet Bros, and ‘Sooraj Dooba Hai’ by Amaal Mallik. 2015 was definitely a year for experimentation for music directors, which we completely appreciated including the retro albums like Prem Ratan Dhan Payo with the title track capturing the nation on Dubsmash. Read on for our picks of the year, and let us know what your faves were.

1. Bombay Velvet – Irrespective of what you thought of Anurag Kashyap’s magnum opus of Bombay’s murky past filled with gangsters, business tycoons, torch singers, and hitmen, you can’t dispute...

As director duo Radhika Rao-Vinay Sapru’s Sanam Teri Kasam nears release, it has been revealed that their next is a musical, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Based on the Grimm Brothers’ classic fairy tale, their film will be set in the hinterlands of India, and against the backdrop of the brass band culture of the North.

As per reports, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker too has been planning a modern-day take on the popular fairy-tale. But while Vinay and Radhika’s ‘Snow White’ will kick-start in March-April with a known star cast targeting a 2016 release, Gowariker’s film is expected to roll towards the end of the year.

Radhika and Vinay are known for lending a larger-than-life fairy-tale like charm to their works. Be it their music videos, their film Lucky: No Time For Love starring Salman Khan and Sneha Ullal or their superhit songs including Dabangg’s...

We first experienced the magic of Siddharth and Garima’s writing in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. The duo, along with Mr. Bhansali, brilliantly transformed the story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into an Indian context and the result was rave reviews for the writing and the stars.

For their next project they entered the world of a love story of a warrior – Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic Bajirao Mastani starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. For what is being called his magnus opus, Mr Bhansali went to Siddharth and Garima to paint beautiful pictures with their lyrics for three of the biggest songs, ‘Deewani Mastani’, ‘Pinga’ and ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’.

I was granted the amazing privilege to interview Siddharth and Garima about RamLeela and it was a joy to write the piece. This week, I once again was honored with the...

It can now be told. Sooraj Barjatya's eagerly anticipated Diwali bonanza Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is actually a variation on Mark Twain's The Prince & The Pauper where two lookalike heroes, a commoner and a royalty, exchange places to see what the other one's life feels like. The two roles are played by Salman Khan. Revealing this and further information, a source close to the project says, "More than Mark Twain's novel The Prince & The Pauper, Sooraj Barjatyaji is a fan of the 1968 film Raja Aur Runk which was based on the same classic novel. The film is also inspired by the Dharmendra starrer Yakeen and the Shashi Kapoor starrer Haseena Maan Jayegi where the leading lady's beloved is replaced by his double. That explains Salman's look of discomfort and guilt as Sonam Kapoor dances all around him in the song 'Jalte diye'." Raja Aur Runk was produced...

Director Sooraj Barjatya is back with his eternal Prem (Salman Khan) in tow in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which looks a fun throwback to the Rajshri blockbusters like Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Hum Saath Saath Hain. He’s roped in Himesh Reshammiya, who is no stranger to retro sounds with his composing work, which is both his weakness and strength to haters and fans. Yet Reshammiya shows that he’s up to task in recreating the big and grand spectacles of the Rajshri songs. If we were to compare the soundtrack to a food, it’s like a comfort food that delivers the goods for that short while, which is part of the Rajshri treatment that we’re getting after so long.

The album kicks off with Prem Leela, which is a big and brassy number that was unveiled last week. The song is your characteristic Salman song with the loud dhols and drums,...

Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafa .... This soul stirring song from Manoj Kumar's hit film Upkaar is still relevant as it compels one to ponder at the uncertainty of human relations.

Being a thought-provoking and philosophical number many wonder this song is penned by literary genius like Indeevar or Prem Dhanwan. In fact many websites have credited this song to Indeevar, Prem Dhawan and some have even credited it to Qamar Jalalabadi but the fact is the song is written by Gulshan Bawra.

Besides penning songs Gulshan Bawra even played comedy roles in many films (Including Upkaar) hence due to his comedian image people mistook him as humourist but he had written many wonderful songs like 'Mere Desh Ki Dharti...' (Upkaar), 'Yaari Hai Imaan Mera...' (Zanjeer) and the title track of Agar Tum Na Hote.

Secondly, few know that Manoj Kumar had no plans for the song in the...

Some re-incarnation movies leave an impact, while some are downright flops. With Ek Paheli Leela releasing this weekend, we bring you 11 other movies which have either pleased our minds or made us crib for watching it. Take a look...

Om Shanti Om:

This Deepika Padukone's debut film is a story about the rebirth of a lover played by Shah Rukh Khan, who dies poor in one life and is a super-successful star in his next life. While he does not get his love in his previous life, a lady with the same face enters his life with desperateness to meet the superstar.

Karan Arjun:

This evergreen drama is always remembered for the epic dialogue 'Mere Karan Arjun aayenge'. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan took punar janam on the wish of their mother played by Rakhee and also settled the old score with their killers.

Prem:...

Last Sunday saw the grand finale of the popular musical reality show India’s RAWStar on Star Plus. The episode started with a recap and highlights of the previous 14 weeks. The shows original mentor YoYo Honey Singh also featured in the highlights. The show opened with the finalists Darshan Raval singing ‘Mast Magan’ from 2 States, Rituraj singing ‘Arz Allah’ from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Mohit sang ‘Tharki Chokro’ from Pk. The three of them then sang ‘Indiawaale’ from Happy New Year.

Before host Gauahar could begin her introductions, a very “irritating” Rithvik Dhanjani made his appearance as a so-called ‘manager’ of artists. He made many such appearances throughout the grand finale! Mentor Hr was in his true rockstar form, wearing a red leather jacket and blue jeans. The first half of the finale featured the ex-contestants of India’s RAWStar. Mohan and Pradip performed in their Bhojpuri and Punjabi dialects...

It is where hearts meet, auntyjis gossip and kids have a blast. Navratri shin-digs are the ‘it’ get togethers in the Desi calendar every year. It’s a nine day long festive period where everyone joins in daily for a night of song and dance. Apart from being the social get together of the year the festival has a strong religious meaning. It celebrates nine forms of Goddess Durga, one on each night, hence the name nav-nine ratri-nights. The 10th day is the festival of Dashera, marking the ultimate triumph of good over evil in Indian history.

Unlike any other usual festival, navratri songs and dance are specific. They have a distinct beat and the dance form adopted is garba or dandiya. The song and dance routine of the night, garba or dandiya, also have a strong historical backing as depicts the rasa-lila between Lord Krishna and the gopis of Vrindavan.

The sun has been glorified through the Bollywood song as the perfect metaphor for love.

It is not unusual to have romantic songs and scenes to be set against a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Love and sunshine go very well together and therefore, Bollywood and sunshine go hand in hand.

As the world celebrates this year’s Summer Solstice this weekend, we at BollySpice put together our favourite songs celebrating the sun and all the inspiration this fascinating and important star provides.

Happy Summer Solstice from BollySpice!

Song: Suraj Hua Madham

Film: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Summer vibe: We had to begin with Suraj Hua Maddham – the perfect song to get you in the mood for some summer lovin’!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDmLSuXt-ze

Song: Paani Paani

Film: Yaariyan

Summer vibe: The perfect track to play on the way to the beach on a hot sunny day!

http://www.

Prem Raj, earlier known as Prem Soni who last year directed Preity Zinta's home production Ishkq In Paris, is now on to another phase of his career. After a quiet six months Prem has emerged as an actor, the leading man-no less. According to a source close to Prem he is all set to play the lead in a film called Phone Affair. Giving out details the friend said, "It's directed by Tamil director K.S. Vishal who has made close to 450 ad films. Vishal turns producer with Phone Affair. His banner is called Raging Bulls. He was a creative director at the J Walter Thompson (Jwt) for seven years." Prem who we hear is also starring in a remake of the Rishi Kapoor comedy Raffoo Chakkar, heard Vishal's script and fell in love with it. Interestingly, the film in which Prem Raj makes his acting debut is a bi-lingual.

To celebrate the release of Salman Khan’s latest film Jai Ho, BollySpice presents to you an exclusive countdown list where we list some of the actor’s greatest works. From Best Action Film to Best Song, we give you the lowdown on what has made Salman Khan one of the most iconic and most loved actors in Bollywood history. We hope you like our choices and hope they will make you a bigger fan of Salman than you already may be. Enjoy!

Best Masala Film – Dabangg (2010): Director: Abhinav Singh Kashyap. Producers: Arbaaz Khan, Malaika Arora Khan & Dhillin Mehta.

Arguably one of Salman’s best works, Dabangg contains everything you would expect from a masala flick. It has action, drama, romance and comedy, with the accompaniment of some flavoursome songs. The film also saw the debut of Bollywood favourite Sonakshi Sinha, who has subsequently managed to build a successful career in the industry.

Suraj Barjatya’s next venture has been in the limelight for quite some time now. The biggest reason being his re-union with the “original Prem” of his movies, Salman Khan after 14 long years. Barjatya launched Salman as a leading hero in the blockbuster Maine Pyaar Kiya in 1989 making the latter an overnight star. The duo last worked together on Hum Saath Saath Hai in 1999.

Another reason which has kept the movie in news has been regarding it’s leading lady. Many names have cropped up in the process like Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif and Parineeti Chopra. Recently, it was reported that the two-film old, Illeana D’cruz has been roped in to play the lead opposite Salman. When asked, Illeana told a leading news daily, “Yes, I’ll be starring opposite Salman Khan in Sooraj Barjatya’s upcoming film. He will be directing a film after almost 8 years and I...

The biggest hurdle that a remake has to cross is the passion of the fans of the original. Zanjeer 1974 was no ordinary film. There was so much to this film that made it extraordinary: classic in status, the Angry Young Man icon for Amitabh Bachchan, the genre shift from romance to action with story-telling and let’s not forget Mona Darling. Pretty hefty stuff if you think about it. Nevertheless, the fresh team for Zanjeer 2013 headed by Apoorva Lakhia, has had a debut, a comeback of sorts and enough off screen drama to give a bit of original hype to the remake. But hype doesn’t make up for audience impact nor an entertaining story. Ok so the original film was of the same simple story of revenge and action and yes, it had a bigger hand in Amitabh’s life than played by Ram Charan. But in the end,...

We continue our series paying tribute to the 100 years of the magical Hindi film industry. In take two of Framing Movies we shine the light on Salman Khan’s Maine Pyar Kiya.

Maine Pyar Kiya revolves around two old friends, Karan (Alok Nath) who is a poor mechanic and Kishan (Rajeev Verma) who is a wealthy businessman. Karan seeks his old friend to ask whether he would be able to put up his daughter in his home while he goes to work abroad in order to earn more money. Kishan complies and agrees to look after Karan’s daughter, Suman (Bhagyashree) who is a country girl. Kishan’s son, Prem (Salman Khan) becomes friendly with Suman and soon they spark up a friendship. Prem attends a party with Suman, held by his wealthy friends, they insult Suman and state she is out to marry Prem. Left in tears, Suman leaves...

Film: "Charminar"; Producer-Writer-Director: R.Chandru; Cast: Nenapirali Prem, Meghana Gaonkar, Rangayana Raghu, Raju Thalikote, Mrudula, Vidya Murthy; Music: Hari; Background Music: Guru Kiran; Camera: K.S.Chandrashekhar; Rating: ***1/2 - fresh narration, natural portrayal.

For those who have felt filmmaker R.Chandru follows the same kind of storylines and narration, his new film "Charminar" would come as a pleasant surprise!

Though it has a rural backdrop like in his previous films, the beauty of "Charminar" lies in the way the director has introduced fresh elements into the narration and fantastic dialogues. Everything looks completely natural.

You may feel that the movie is slow in pace, but.

Hyderabad, Nov 15: The upcoming romantic movie in Tamil titled "Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum" has finally found the female lead in form of Yami Gupta for the film. The film's male lead had already been decided but the makers were looking for the lady. Jai is playing the hero in the film, while Yami Gautham has been finalized to be the heroine. Sometime back it was heard, Ananya might be the female lead, but that did not happen. Music of the film has been composed by Karthik and the movie will be directed by Prem Sai.

The cast also includes Santhanam, Saranya Ponvannan, Sricharan and Vtv Ganesh. This is the maiden directorial venture of Prem.

Films that gained a ‘cult following’ over the years,despite being unnoticed on release

Silsila

Yash Chopra is looked upon as the grandfather of candyfloss romance, an antithesis to the more ‘artistic’ genre of films. One wonders why. Here’s what his early films were about:

Unwed mothers and illegitimate children – Dhool ka Phool (1959)

Partition and the rise of Hindu fundamentalism – Dharmputra (1961)

Taut, song less thriller about a fugitive, a lone woman and a corpse – Ittefaq (1969)

A man who lives with his wife and the ‘other woman’, Hindi Cinema’s first Ménage à trois- Daag (1973)

In 1981, we had another of his equally risqué works, Silsila. Expectedly, sparks flew when the Screen God of the time shared screen space with the reigning diva. Rekha and Amitabh were quite an item on screen and allegedly, off screen too. The grapevine has it that Chopra was inspired to make Silsila on this relationship...

Pran Kishan Sikand

Pran Kishan Sikand dreamt of becoming a professional photographer. Little did he know that a measly, humble ‘paan’ (betel leaf) would change his life and set him on his destined path. It was 1939 or thereabouts. Pran was at a ‘paan’ shop at Lahore, enjoying a munch with his friends when a stranger approached him and asked whether he wanted to act in films. Pran was amused and asked his name. Stranger introduced himself as Muhammad Walli, a renowned film maker in the flourishing film district of Lahore. He said he was making a Punjabi film and Pran looked a perfect fit for the role of a villain in the film. Pran just brushed him off. Walli kept insisting that he pay a visit to the studio, and pushed a piece of paper with his address into Pran’s hands. The film was Yamla Jat (1940), a runaway hit that year.

Mumbai, Mar 1: Deepika Padukone the young sensation finds her relationship disaster with her charming and super rich boy friend Siddharth Mallya, the son of Vijay Mallya.

She was linked with Siddharth after the break up from her actor boy friend, Ranbir Kapooor. Deepika has done one movie with him, named Bachna Ae Haseeno. Their relationship suffered after Ranbir’s affair with sexy Katrina Kaif on the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani and Rajneeti that were hit movies.

News is that Siddharth is not happy about the work of Deepika with Ranbir Kapoor in their upcoming flick Ye Jawani Hain Deewani and Deepika is unhappy about.

Just what happens to creativity when it comes to titles? From ongoing TV soaps like .Kuch Toh Log Kahenge. and .Bade Acche Lagte Hain. to the forthcoming .Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuuch Kaha. and .Kya Hua Tera Vaada., it appears that authors expend all their energy in writing scripts and fall back on well-loved film songs for titles.Clearly, Hindi movie songs down the ages are the easy inspiration for a host of television serials with the makers also hoping for instant connect..Kuch Toh Log Kahenge., a hit song picturised on Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna in .Amar Prem., is now the the title of Indian adaptation of the popular Pakistani serial .Dhoop Kinare.. Mohnish Behl and Kritika Kamra are the protagonists in the love story of a 40-plus guy and a 20-something girl.The title of Ekta Kapoor.s .Bade Acche Lagte Hain. is picked up from...

Still from Nobel Chor

Bijuka by Ashtar Sayed, Kagojer Bou (The Paper Wife) by Bappaditya Bandopadhyay and Nobel Chor by Suman Ghosh will participate in Asian Competition at the upcoming 12th Dhaka International Film Festival.

Chandrayaan by Santhosh George Kulangara, Umma (Mother) by Vijayakrishnan, Parijayee by Indronil Banerjee, Abhiman by Debanik Kundu, Asob Prem Ebong …….by Arindam Dey, Jetuka Pator Dare (Enchanting, Challenging…the Life) by Jadumoni Dutta and Life! Camera Action (USA/India) by Rohit Gupta will screen in Cinema of the World section.

Sneha Yatre (Journey of Friendship) by J. Samson will be shown in the section for Children’s films.

The Indian short films to be screened at the festival are Shwet (White) by Kanchan Ghosh, Jantranar Dalil:Ritwik (Documenting Agony:Ritwik) by Debjani Halder, Disha (The Clue) by Jyotirmoy Ghosh and Knocking On Heaven’s Door by Sanjay Barnela.

Kaveri by Shilpa Munikempanna will be shown in the section for women filmmakers.

Growing up on a staple diet of glitz and fashion magazines which adorned her father’s departmental store racks, Shyamali Arora definitely had an inclination towards the fashion world. Graduating as a Chartered Accountancy student from Lucknow, Mumbai got her a job at a fashion magazine where she got introduced to the field of fashion and styling. Starting from styling Ranbir Kapoor’s and Katrina Kaif’s look in Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani, she designed Bipasha Basu’s look in Dum Maaro Dum, John Abraham’s in Force and even styled for Game’s music video Kaun Hai Ajnabee starring Abhshek Bachchan, Kangna Ranaut and Sarah Jane Dias. In an exclusive interview to BollySpice, Shyamali talks to us about her latest movie, Desi Boyz.

What was the brief that was given to you for Desi Boyz?

I have done John Abraham, Anupam Kher and Omi Vaidya in Desi Boyz.

Shahid Kapoor’s career, though still relatively young in the scheme of things, has shown the actor in an incredible range of roles and genres. With each new film he has grown as an actor and has proven himself to be one of the best in Bollywood. Coming up this Friday is the love story Mausam, which also stars Sonam Kapoor. Directed by his father Pankaj Kapoor, the actor dedicated all of his time over a period of two years, to make it a film that he hopes will blow audiences away. Since we think Shahid rocks, we thought we would take a look at some of the pivotal and best moments in the actor’s career!

Ishq Vishk: Of course his debut film has to be mentioned. He burst on the scene with that adorable baby face and fabulous screen presence. He did a great job as a...