MUMBAI: Time to read the latest Bollywood updates! So, all the Hindi film buffs, read on to know what’s going on in the B-town… 

'Rangeela Raja' a typical Govinda film, says the actor

Actor Govinda says Rangeela Raja is typically his brand of film, complete with dances and songs.

Govinda was interacting with the media at the music launch of Rangeela Raja along with his co-actor Shakti Kapoor, producer Pahlaj Nihalani and director Sikander Bharti here on Thursday.

Nihalani and Govinda have together given Bollywood films like Ilzaam, Shola Aur Shabnam and Aankhen. The duo is joining forces again after over 25 years for Rangeela Raja.

Govinda, who plays a double role in the movie, said, "I started working with Pahlaj sir in Ilzaam and after that, we both delivered number of hit films like Shola Aur Shabnam and Aankhen. I am feeling like a newcomer who has started his career. There are lots of surprises in the film.

"I would like to say that it's a typical Govinda film in which the audience will be able to see dance and songs throughout the film. I feel that this film will touch the heart of the audience because in every household, there are people like Rangeela Raja. We have also tried to give a really nice message through the film."

Govinda hasn't been able to deliver a hit film as a solo lead from very long time.

Talking about his struggling period in the Hindi film industry, he said, "I am thankful to Pahlaj sir for giving me the opportunity to work in his film. I hope we would continue our past record of hit films with this one as well.

"Since past nine years, I wasn't getting an opportunity to do substantial roles of my choice. I did comedy in Happy Ending and in Kill Dil, I played a negative character. I haven't got an opportunity to appear as a hero in a film from a very long time. Therefore, I produced Aa Gaya Hero but it didn't do well because of demonetisation at that time.

"My last released film FryDay did well. So, I hope that I keep getting success with my upcoming films."

Saif, Radhika never made me feel like a newcomer: Rohan Mehra

Actor Rohan Mehra, who has made his debut in Hindi films with Baazaar, says his co-actors Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte never made him feel like he was newcomer on the film's set.

Interacting with the media at a special screening of Baazaar here on Thursday, Rohan said, "I had a great experience working with them. Both of them are really good actors and apart from that, I feel they are lovely human beings because they never made me realise that I am a newcomer. They treated me like their professional colleagues."

Talking about the film, Rohan said, "I want everybody to watch Baazaar in theatres. It is about money and moral values. It's a family entertainer and people will be able to relate themselves with the characters of the film. I am sure that the audience is going to like this film."

Asked whether he ever felt under pressure to act in front of Saif, he said, "Before the shooting of the film, I was feeling bit pressurised and intimated, but when I reached on the set on my first day of shoot. I interacted with Saif sir and then after that, I forgot all my inhibitions. He is a really kind and funny human being. I am very blessed to have worked with him."

There is one dialogue of Rohan in the film: "Badaa aadmi banna hai to line cross karni hogi (If you want to be successful then you have to take risk)".

Does he agree with that thought?

"If you take risk in your life then, the payoff is very big. You can't play safe all the time," he said.

Baazaar is a crime drama directed by Gauravv K. Chawla, and written by Nikkhil Advani, Aseem Arora and Parveez Sheikh.

Released on Friday, the film is set in the backdrop of money, power and business, largely based on the stock market.

Aamir Khan is the beacon that shines in China: Big B

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has praised superstar Aamir Khan and says that he is the beacon that shines in China and the world from the films in India.

Amitabh said that the Chinese Ambassador visited the sets of the quiz based show Kaun Banega Crorepati to praise Bollywood actors, who are most popular in China.

"The Chinese Ambassador visits the KBC sets to give praise to the film celebrities that are most popular in his country. He shakes my hand... I shift it to Aamir and tell him Aamir is the beacon that shines in China and the world over from the films in India," Big B wrote on his blog.

China has emerged as a new market for Hindi films. Aamir's sports biography Dangal earned a staggering $190 million in China. HisSecret Superstar grossed over Rs 200 crore within five days of its release.

Amitabh and Aamir are now gearing up for the release of their upcoming film Thugs Of Hindostan.

The film, which also stars Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Sheikh, has been directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya and is set to release on 8 November.

'Hichki' mints Rs 100cr in China, Rani ecstatic

Rani Mukerji starrer Hichki has raced past the Rs 100 crore-mark in China since releasing on 12 October, according to its production banner Yash Raj Films.

The film features the actress as a determined teacher who changes lives of innocent students from economically backward strata for the better while dealing with her own nervous system disorder Tourette Syndrome.

It is a blockbuster in China with it racing past the Rs 100 crore-mark. Audiences in the country have loved Rani's exceptional acting and it has been recording extremely strong collections since its release, read a statement.

"Good cinema has no language barriers and it connects with the hearts and minds of the audience. The success of Hichki in China proves just that," Rani said.

"We knew we had made a special film but for it to get so much love and acclaim from audiences across the globe is an extremely proud and humbling moment for all of us," she added.

She congratulated producer Maneesh Sharma and director Siddharth P. Malhotra for "creating a gem of a film whose universal message of love has been melting the hearts of audiences in China now".

Hichki was titled "Teacher with Hiccup" for its Chinese release. Rani had promoted the film extensively across leading Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

20th Jio MAMI Film Fest started with 'conflicted emotions'

Under the open sky, with the iconic Gateway Of India on its backdrop, the 20th Jio Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) Mumbai Film Festival started on Thursday night on an emotional note, in solidarity with the #MeTooMovement that aims to create a much inclusive environment at the workplace.

Considering the fact that the #MeTooMovement in India is gaining momentum, calling it a 'profound collective reckoning' festival director Anupama Chopra said at the opening ceremony, "we are starting the festival with conflicted emotions, in solidarity with the #MeTooMovement. We decided to exclude certain films from the festival."

Hosted by actress Kalki Koechlin, the ceremony was graced by Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar, Radhika Apte, Soha Ali Khan, Diana Penty, Vishal Bhardwaj, Radhika Apte, Tabu to international filmmaker Sean Baker, Thom Noble, Lucrecia Martel among others.

Being the jury member of the Dimensions Mumbai, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani said, "I think it is a great initiative to have a section where filmmakers under 25 (years old) get a chance to showcase their work on big screen. I still remember when in the film institute we made a film which was shown on the big screen. The joy of watching it on the big screen was stunning. So I am absolutely looking forward to these films."

The festival honoured the iconic filmmaker Shyam Benegal with the Excellence In Cinema Award.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who along with veteran actress Jaya Bachchan gave away the award to Benegal, said, "Shyamji is one of my favourite filmmakers and his films created a deep impact on me, so I am so happy to be here. I think the film industry owes you so much sir."

Benegal who felt very emotional receiving the award said, "This is like my one hand giving the award to another I feel like a very much part of MAMI. I was one of the founder members of the festival; and back then, I used to think that people who are part of MAMI should give themselves some awards also. Well, I lost, they won, now I won (this award)."

This year, a book has been published that captured the detailed journey of the festival for the last 20 years. The book is authored by Sucheta Chakraborty, Ruklina Bose.

After unveiling the book in the presence of festival directors and board members like Anupama, Smriti Kiran, Kiran Rao along with Benegal, authors and publisher of the book, Jaya Bachchan said, "About 25 years ago, I told Amit Khanna to start a film festival here in Mumbai. Back then he said, it is impossible to happen. However, a few years later when we started the festival, I was so happy to see Amit on board with us.

The film festival will continue till 1 November.

Neetu Chandra keen to do P.T. Usha biopic

Actress Neetu Chandra, who has been a sportswoman too, says she would love to do a biopic on legendary athlete P.T. Usha as she feels telling stories of successful Indian women can inspire young girls to take up sports seriously.

Neetu has recently been appointed community ambassador of Patna Pirates, the Pro Kabaddi team from her hometown Patna. She has a natural affinity towards sports as she has been involved in the promotion of basketball in the country through her close association with the NBA and Taekwondo.

Asked if she would like to do a sports biopic and if yes, on whose life, Neetu told media via email, "Yes, why not! I'm a sportsgirl myself. I represented India three times and a fourth Dan black belt. And I've been associated with NBA basketball of India for six years now.

"I still play a lot and I'm an actor too. So I'd be more than happy to do a biopic on the life of sportswoman P.T. Usha. She has been an exceptional sportsperson with a truly incredible journey and I'd love to bring her inspiring journey alive on screen."

She finds it "fabulous" that there are films being made on the lives of successful Indian sportswomen.

"That could actually inspire a lot of girls in India to play some or the other sport which is very important because playing any sport would help in personality, grooming, growth, confidence, sincerity, and discipline which is very essential for anyone's life," added theGaram Masala and Traffic Signal actress.

What urged her to be a community ambassador for Patna Pirates?

"I was born and brought up in Patna... I'm very emotional towards Patna because I have grown up and learned my sports here and played for India," said Neetu, who finds the Patna Pirates team very strong.

"I love the tactics and strategy with which they play. And it reminds me of my childhood when I used to play. It is a very strong team also as they are very united. I was always favouring Patna and when they offered me to be the community ambassador, I thought this was a great opportunity to associate with them and go back to my roots."

As a community ambassador, she will be travelling with them for their practice sessions and will be cheering them in all their matches.

"I'll be representing and being the face of the team in a very sporty and positive way," she said, adding that "kabaddi is a great sport because it keeps you on your toes, alert and you have to strategize very well".

"You're not only playing the game physically but even mentally. Also, while playing the game and saying 'kabaddi kabaddi', your breathing has to be very strong and it also helps you in a certain kind of breathing practice which is great for health. So I think that detailing of breath holding and saying kabaddi makes it all the more unique as compared to the other games."

Nawazuddin, Athiya's next film a 'gift for children, family'

Acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui's next film will be titled Motichoor Chaknachoor and he says it is a "special gift" for children and family.

Nawazuddin on Thursday shared a sneak peak from the film's set, where he is seen sporting a sherwani and captioned it: "We are bringing a special gift for all the lovable kids and their family. 'Motichoor Chaknachoor', a romantic wedding comedy."

The film also stars Athiya Shetty.

This will be the first time Athiya and Nawazuddin will be seen sharing screen space together.

In an earlier interview to media, Athiya had said that she will be shooting for the film in Bhopal.

Aparshakti waiting for right script to act with brother

Actor Aparshakti Khurana is looking forward to acting with his brother and actor Ayushmann Khurrana, and says they are going through some scripts but nothing exciting has come their way.

"We have done three-four narrations but we haven't got hold of the right script. I would like to do something which people haven't really seen us doing," Aparshaktisaid in a statement.

"It should be something different, something really exciting plus it should really bring out the best in us," he added.

Ayushmann is known for films like Vicky Donor, AndhaDhun, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Savdhan and Badhaai Ho. And Aparshakti has made a place for himself in Bollywood after featuring in supporting roles in movies like Dangal, Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya, Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi and Stree.

Aparshakti says he has a different way of looking at a character.

"As artistes, we are very different. The way we approach a particular character is very different. We have done different kind of cinema and whenever we both collaborate, we both should be proud of it," he said.

At the moment, Aparshakti is busy hosting Bigg Buzz.

Bigg Buzz is a property by VOOT -- wherein evicted contestants will share their experience inside the house. Aparshakti interacts with the contestants, conducts a few fan calls and a few other activities.

"I wouldn't say I am a fan of Bigg Boss but while flipping through channels, I do watch it. It is quite 'masaledaar (spicy)'. It is fun to hostBigg Buzz," he added.

'Total Dhamaal', 'De De Pyaar De' release postponed

Actor Ajay Devgn's films Total Dhamaal and De De Pyaar De have been pushed to 22 February 2019 and 26 April 2019 respectively due to extensive work around visual effects, he announced on Thursday.

Total Dhamaal, the third film in the comedy entertainer franchise Dhamaal, was earlier slated to release on 7 December.

Ajay tweeted: "December date with you looks challenging, but still keeping my February date! Due to extensive VFX work, 'Total Dhamaal' will now release on February 22 and 'De De Pyaar De' moves to April 26," he wrote.

Total Dhamaal stars Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh and Jaaved Jaaferi. The film will be jointly produced by Inder Kumar along with Ashok Thakeria and Ajay Devgn. The second film was Double Dhamaal. It is directed by Inder Kumar.

De De Pyaar De is a romantic comedy co-produced by Luv Ranjan and directed by Akiv Ali. It also features Rakul Preet Singh.

(Source : IANS)