Entertainment

A Star-Studded Laxmi Puja at Lahiri House Celebrates Prosperity, Love, and Togetherness

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). Lahiri House, Juhu, once again lit up with warmth, devotion, and glamour as Chitrani Lahiri, Govind Bansal, Rema Lahiri Bansal, and Rego B hosted a spectacular Laxmi Puja. The celebration witnessed the gracious presence of industry stalwarts, including Gulshan Grover, Anu Smriti Sarkar, and many more, who came together with other esteemed celebrities to mark the auspicious occasion. The event embodied the spirit of unity and love, as the who's-who of Bollywood mingled with one another, sharing festive joy.   Chitrani Lahiri, Govind Bansal, Rema Lahiri Bansal and Rego B shared their thoughts, _"Laxmi Puja has always been close to our hearts, and it is beautiful to have our friends, family, and well-wishers come together for this celebration. We are grateful for the blessings of Goddess Laxmi and cherish the love shared by everyone present today” The gathering proved to be a perfect amalgamation of festivity, faith, and friendship, capturing the very essence of celebrations.   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

Raima Sen on Playing Iconic Suchitra Sen: ‘It Would Be an Honor

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). Raima Sen, the celebrated actress and granddaughter of iconic Bengali cinema legend Suchitra Sen, recently expressed her strong desire to portray her grandmother in a biopic, should an outstanding script come her way. Known for her stellar performances in films like Chokher Bali and Parineeta, Raima has made her mark in both Hindi and Bengali cinema, stepping out of the shadow of her illustrious family to establish a distinguished career of her own.   In a recent interview, Raima discussed her admiration for her grandmother, a timeless figure known for her elegance and grace, and expressed her enthusiasm for the possibility of bringing Suchitra Sen’s life to the big screen. "Playing my grandmother Suchitra Sen would be an honor," she shared. "If a good script comes along, I would definitely like to portray her on screen. It would be a challenging role, but one that I would love to take on."   Suchitra Sen, revered as one of the greatest actresses in Indian cinema, is best known for her unforgettable performances in films like Saat Pake Bandha and Aandhi. Her enigmatic persona both on and off-screen has made her a beloved figure in Indian film history. Raima, who bears a striking resemblance to her grandmother, has often been compared to the legendary actress and has paid tribute to her iconic looks in the past. Raima’s desire to play this monumental role reflects her deep connection to her family’s cinematic legacy, while also showcasing her ambition to honor her grandmother’s remarkable career.   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

Actress Shiwani Chakraborty Expresses Heartfelt Tribute to Ratan Tata

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). In the wake of Ratan Tata's passing, Maati Se Bandhi Dor actress Shiwani Chakraborty has shared a touching tribute to the legendary industrialist, describing his death as one of the saddest moments for the nation. In her heartfelt message, Shiwani expressed deep admiration for the values and impact Tata brought to India.   "I have immense respect for Ratan Tata ji. His thoughts were profoundly impactful, and I have learned many inspiring things from him," said Shiwani. She highlighted how Tata’s legacy is not only about his contributions to business but also about the inspiration he provided to countless individuals. "His quotes were always so motivating, and his approach to prioritizing work while giving opportunities to people is something that truly stands out."   The actress also emphasized the selfless nature of the Tata Group patriarch, who she believes dedicated his entire life to the nation. "We stand with other countries today because of what Tata has given us. He was a selfless person who invested his life into making India stronger, economically and morally. He was a gem and a hero of our country." Shiwani noted that even in passing, Ratan Tata leaves behind an aura that will continue to influence and inspire generations to come. "Through his aura, he is leaving so much behind for us to learn and grow from."   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

Raviraa Bhardwaj Opened Up About Her Emotional Journey in Aukaat Se Zyaada

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). Actress Raviraa Bhardwaj, who is part of the show Aukaat Se Zyaada, a Freshh Mint's original series, shared that her character took her on an emotional journey, helping her explore a wide range of feelings. While the role was intense and demanding, it also brought tremendous growth and depth to her performance. Despite the challenges, she embraced the opportunity and thoroughly enjoyed bringing the character to life.   “This character taught me a lot. During the shoot, I tried to stay in character all the time. I experienced positive changes in my thought process after being part of this story. The series received attention for its unique storyline,” she said. She also added that Aukaat Se Zyaada stood out from other web series that were streaming at the time. “This show didn’t spoon-feed its audience. It entertained but also left some questions in your mind. It raised questions about your day-to-day actions. If you hated someone, you would ask yourself why you felt this way.   If you loved someone, again, you would think, why do you? If you felt stuck in a bad friends' circle, you wondered why you were there. Were you living your own life, or were someone else’s thoughts driving you?” she reflected. Meanwhile, she recalled the positive atmosphere on set. “Positive energy was the key to our success. Our cast and crew were mind-blowing. The sense of humor everyone had made it feel like we weren’t working on a set but were still in college. Every day felt nostalgic. Both behind the scenes and on set, everyone shared the same energy and fun,” she reminisced.   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

Shreya Kulkarni: Bringing Meenal to Life in 'Lai Avadtes Tu'

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). Marathi television is about to witness a dramatic shift with the latest dramedy 'Lai Avadtes Tu,' currently being filmed in the picturesque city of Nasik. At the helm of this exciting project is talented actress Shreya Kulkarni, who takes on the complex role of Meenal, a frustrated and dissatisfied housewife.   Shreya Kulkarni is thoroughly enjoying her outdoor shoot experience in Nasik, praising the city's pleasant weather and refreshing atmosphere. "The weather here is too good and chilling, making it perfect for a long day of shooting," she exclaimed. Nasik, famous for its historic Trimbakeshwar Temple, provides an ideal backdrop for the show's lighthearted yet engaging family plot.   In 'Lai Avadtes Tu,' Shreya Kulkarni embodies Meenal, a multifaceted character with high expectations and a somewhat grey shaded personality. Meenal's dissatisfaction with her husband's financial struggles and her own lavish spending habits creates tension, making for compelling storytelling. Shreya confessed, "I'm much better at portraying negative roles; my acting skills shine when bringing complex characters to life."   'Lai Avadtes Tu' marks Shreya Kulkarni's 17th serial, showcasing her impressive range and experience. With nearly a decade-long journey in Mumbai, she has navigated the industry with ease, taking on various roles in TV shows, web series, and songs. "I've had an incredible journey, and I'm grateful for the opportunities," she shared. Shreya Kulkarni expressed her appreciation for Jaswand Productions, praising the team's professionalism and supportive atmosphere.   The team is fantastic, making this outdoor shoot a delightful experience," she said. As 'Lai Avadtes Tu' prepares to captivate Marathi audiences, Shreya Kulkarni's portrayal of Meenal promises to be a standout performance. With her expertise in playing complex characters, this role is poised to leave a lasting impression. Shreya will be working with Colors marathi for the second time as 1st time was with the serial “jay jay swami samartha”.   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

Growth means never stopping the learning process: Rohit Choudhary

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). Rohit Choudhary, who was seen in Gadar 2 and will soon be seen in the film Vanvaas, is happy with how his career is shaping up. He believes in the process of learning new skills and upgrading himself as he grows in the industry. Asked what growth means to him, he said, “It means never stopping the learning process. Continuous learning and evolving as an artist is how I define my progress.” “I am learning every day, and with each project, I feel I am getting better.    There is always room for improvement, and I strive to excel in all aspects of my craft,” he added. At the same time, Rohit is not someone who is obsessed with TRP ratings and box-office numbers. He said, “I am passionate about my work, and I focus on delivering my best rather than getting caught up in the numbers.” And he enjoys watching himself on-screen as an audience without being overly critical. He added, “I focus on improving with each project rather than fixating on past performances. I believe that I am continually growing as an artist.”   However, he believes artists should embrace the variety of feedback they receive. He added, “At the same time, I also feel it's important to tackle a wider range of character roles to grow as an artist.” And Rohit is not one to bother about trolling or negative social media feedback. He said, “I believe that feedback from friends and colleagues is a more accurate measure of my work than social media opinions. Self-analysis is also crucial for growth. As for trolling, I see it as a form of entertainment for some, so it doesn't scare me; I take it in stride.”   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

Female-centric movies rarely come out: Arshin Mehta on The Diary of West Bengal

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). Actress Arshin Mehta, who was recently seen in the film 'The Diary of West Bengal', mentioned that only a few women-driven movies make it to the big screen, and she is happy to be part of one of them. "I’m thrilled to be the protagonist in this movie. While I'm used to sharing the screen with my co-actors in lead roles, this time, being the central character throughout this film was incredibly exciting. Female-centric movies are rare, which makes this experience even more special," she said.   “As you know, it’s a female-centric movie, and most of the movies in India are male-centric. I’m so grateful to the people who chose me for this role, and I feel blessed,” she added. Arshin has been in the industry for over seven years. When asked how she maintains a positive mindset given the unpredictability of the industry, she said, “It will always be an imperfect market, and there will always be feelings of nervousness, not knowing what will happen tomorrow, or the feeling of insecurity. The only positive mindset I can have is knowing I’m really lucky to have parents who are so positive. Whenever I feel low, my dad tells me that something better is coming.   I pray, believe in the universe, and keep working on myself.” “I have a lot of gratitude; I am always grounded. I don’t have an ego or throw tantrums, and I try to be kind to people, and a lot of people love me for that. I think all this really helps to maintain a positive mindset. I feel grateful for everyone who has shown me support, love, and blessings. It all motivates me, and I’m always ready for anything. And I know that whenever any movie or project of mine comes out, people are thrilled; my friends are always excited. I’m very thankful for everything I’ve received so far from God, the universe, and from people,” she concluded.   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

Did you know Somy Ali’s No More Tears also rescues animals

Mumbai, October 19, 2024 (UTN). Former actress and founder of non-profit organization No More Tears, Somy Ali, says her organization also rescues animals, especially the pets of the victims. She revealed that many times the victims of domestic violence did not leave because of their pets, and thus she started welcoming them as well as their pets in her support home.   Sharing how one incident brought her attention to this, she said, “For many victims of domestic violence, their pets are like family, and leaving them behind to escape the abuse isn’t an option. Early in my career, I rescued a domestic violence survivor who told me she had endured beatings for five years—not because she didn’t want to go to a safe house, but because those shelters didn’t allow pets.”    “The idea that victims wouldn’t leave due to their pets hadn’t crossed my mind before. From that moment on, I made it a priority that NMT would take in pets too, alongside the victims. It’s now a permanent part of our mission and remains so to this day,” she added. She believes that many pets are brought into households because of the kids; however, in most of the domestic violence cases, they become an emotional support for the victims, who are mostly women.    “It’s a psychological comfort they get, both from giving and receiving unconditional love from their pets, especially while living in abusive environments. Nowadays, other shelters do allow pets, but my issue is that they often separate the victims from their animals. This goes against the idea of rescuing pets alongside their owners. At NMT, we don’t do that,” she said. We ensure that victims can keep their pets with them in the safe spaces we provide.   Pets are family, and just like in my life, they are family to the victims too. And families stay together,” she added. Somy herself had four dogs between 2000 and 2010, but unfortunately, they passed away due to various ailments and had to be euthanized over time. She added, “It was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life. That’s why I was so determined to include rescuing victims' pets, along with their children, in our mission.”   Mumbai-Reporter,(Hitesh Jain).

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Oct 19, 2024

प्रवीण हिंगोनिया की फ़िल्म 'नवरस कथा कोलाज' अब 25 अक्टूबर 2024 को होगी रिलीज़

नई दिल्ली, 19 अक्टूबर 2024 (यूटीएन)। कश्मीर से कन्याकुमारी तक सड़क के रास्ते से प्रचार करके फ़िल्म 'नवरस कथा कोलाज' की टीम ने बॉलीवुड के इतिहास में नया कीर्तिमान स्थापित कर दिया है। इस फ़िल्म की रिलीज़ को लेकर नया अपडेट सामने आया है, जी हां अब यह फ़िल्म सिनेमाघरों में 25 अक्टूबर 2024 को रिलीज़ होगी, पहले इसका रिलीज़ डेट 18 अक्टूबर था। एसकेएच पटेल और प्रवीण हिंगोनिया द्वारा निर्मित, अभिषेक मिश्रा द्वारा सह-निर्मित, नवरस कथा कोलाज समाज के कई महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दों को छूती है।   निर्माता, अभिनेता और निर्देशक प्रवीण हिंगोनिया इस फ़िल्म को लेकर काफी उत्साहित हैं। उनका मानना है कि लोगों ने हमारी फ़िल्म के ट्रेलर को जितना प्यार दिया है उम्मीद है कि वही प्यार रिलीज़ पर थेटर्स में दर्शक देंगे। उत्तर से लेकर दक्षिण तक अपने शहरों में ग्रुप बनाकर हमारी फिल्म के सामाजिक संदेश के बारे में लोगों ने जागरूकता फैलाई है। 58 राष्ट्रीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार हासिल कर चुकी फ़िल्म की टीम ने कश्मीर से यात्रा शुरू की, फिर पंजाब गए, फिर हिमाचल प्रदेश, उसके बाद हरियाणा, पंजाब फिर दिल्ली गए, दिल्ली से उत्तरप्रदेश, यूपी से मध्यप्रदेश गए, फिर राजस्थान गए।   वहां से  गुजरात गए, वहां से महाराष्ट्र आए, फिर तमिलनाडु गए और कन्याकुमारी में कम्पैन खत्म किया। इस दौरान टीम वाघा बॉर्डर, गोल्डन टेंपल, जलियांवाला बाग, खटकर कलां, शहीद भगत सिंह के गांव, ताजमहल सहित कई महत्वपूर्ण स्थानों का दौरा किया। प्रवीण हिंगोनिया ने लोगों से बात की और दर्शकों से बहुत अच्छी प्रतिक्रिया मिली है। लेखक, निर्देशक और अभिनेता प्रवीण हिंगोनिया ने इस फिल्म में नौ चुनौतीपूर्ण किरदार निभाए हैं। इस फिल्म के अन्य कलाकार हैं शाजी चौधरी, दयानंद शेट्टी, रेवती पिल्लई, सुनीता जी, महेश शर्मा, प्राची सिन्हा, अमरदीप झा, श्रेया झा, जय शंकर त्रिपाठी, ईशान शंकर और स्वर हिंगोनिया।    विशेष संवाददाता, (प्रदीप जैन) |

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Oct 19, 2024

ऑस्कर विजेताओं के साथ बनी विनोद कापड़ी की नई फ़िल्म “पायर” का वर्ल्ड प्रीमियर यूरोप में

नई दिल्ली, 19 अक्टूबर 2024 (यूटीएन)। ऑस्कर विजेताओं के साथ बनी राष्ट्रीय फ़िल्म पुरस्कार विजेता विनोद कापड़ी की नई फ़िल्म “पायर” (चिता) का वर्ल्ड प्रीमियर, यूरोप के प्रतिष्ठित 28वें टैल्लिन ब्लैक नाइट्स अंतरराष्ट्रीय फ़िल्म फ़ेस्टिवल में होगा। इस साल टैल्लिन में चुनी गई ये अकेली भारतीय फ़िल्म है। फ़िल्म को वर्ल्ड कंपीटिशन श्रेणी में रखा गया है और प्रीमियर की तारीख़ 19 नवंबर 2024 तय हुई है। टैल्लिन की तरफ़ से ही दुनिया भर से चुनी गई फ़िल्मों की सूची जारी हुई है। “पायर” उत्तराखंड के हिमालय की पृष्ठभूमि में रची 80 साल के दो बुजुर्गों की एक अद्भुत, अनोखी, कलेजा चीर देने वाली अविश्वसनीय प्रेम कहानी है। दिलचस्प बात ये है कि लेखक - निर्देशक विनोद कापड़ी ने फ़िल्म के लीड एक्टर के तौर उन दो बुजुर्ग लोगों पदम सिंह और हीरा देवी को कास्ट किया है, जिन्होंने फ़िल्म की शूटिंग से पहले जीवन ना कभी कोई कैमरा देखा है, ना ही कोई फ़िल्म।   पदम सिंह और हीरा देवी दोनों ही उत्तराखंड के पिथौरागढ़ ज़िले के बेरीनाग तहसील के रहने वाले हैं। पदम सिंह पहले भारतीय सेना में थे और रिटायरमेंट के बाद खेतीबाड़ी करते हैं जबकि हीरा देवी घर में भैंस पालने और जंगल से लकड़ी और घास काटने का काम करती हैं।  डायरेक्टर विनोद ने पहले इस फ़िल्म के लिए नसीरुद्दीन शाह और रत्ना पाठक शाह को कास्ट किया था। दोनों तैयार भी हो गए थे। लेकिन फिर नसीर साहब ने विनोद के सामने एक संशय रखा कि हिमालय की कहानी में नसीर/रत्ना की कास्टिंग से फ़िल्म की प्रमाणिकता पर असर पड़ सकता है।विनोद ने फिर नए सिरे से कासटिंग  शुरू की और हिमालय के दूर दराज़ के दो दर्जन से ज़्यादा गाँवों में तीन महीने तक भटकने के बाद विनोद को उनके पदम  सिंह और तुलसी देवी मिल ही गए। लेकिन सबसे बड़ी मुश्किल ये थी कि दोनों ने अपनी ज़िंदगी में कभी भी कैमरे का सामना नहीं किया था।   नेशनल स्कूल ऑफ ड्रामा के अनूप त्रिवेदी  के मार्गदर्शन में दो महीने तक चली वर्कशॉप के बाद दोनों कलाकार शूटिंग के लिए तैयार किए गए।  ख़ास बात ये भी है कि पायर की शूटिंग पूरी होने पर फ़िल्म की फ़ुटेज देखने के बाद ऑस्कर विजेता फ़िल्म संगीतकार माइकल डैन्ना  तुरंत “पायर”  के लिए संगीत करने को तैयार हो गए। माइकल को “लाइफ़ ऑफ पाई” के लिए 2012 में ऑस्कर मिला था। जर्मन एडिटर पैट्रिशिया रॉमेल ने फ़िल्म को एडिट किया है।पैट्रिशिया ने  ही “ दि लाइफ़ ऑफ अदर्स” फ़िल्म  को एडिट किया था, जिसे 2006 में सर्वश्रेष्ठ अंतर्राष्ट्रीय फ़िल्म का ऑस्कर मिला था। भारत के विलक्षण गीतकार और  “जय हो” जैसे गीत लिख चुके गुलज़ार ने “पायर” के लिए एक गीत लिखा है। विनोद के मुताबिक़- ये उनका परम सौभाग्य है कि विश्व सिनेमा की इन तीन महान हस्तियों ने “पायर” में अपना योगदान दिया है। माइकल और पैट्रिशिया ने तो अपनी फ़ीस 90 फ़ीसदी तक कम कर दी और गुलज़ार साहब ने तो फ़ीस तक लेने से मना कर दिया।गुलज़ार सर ने यहाँ तक कहा कि जिस सिनेमा में उन्हें सत्यजीत राय के सिनेमा की झलक दिख रही हो, उसमें वो फ़ीस कैसे ले सकते हैं?   यह फ़िल्म “पायर”  उत्तराखंड में लगातार हो रहे पलायन के बाद वहाँ ख़ाली हो चुके गाँव , जिन्हें भूतिया गाँव भी कहा जाता है- की पृष्ठभूमि में एक बुजुर्ग दंपत्ति की सच्ची कहानी से प्रभावित है, जिनसे विनोद 2017 में मुनसयारी  के एक गाँव में मिले थे। मृत्यु का इंतज़ार कर रहे इस बुजुर्ग दंपति के एक दूसरे को लेकर प्यार ने विनोद के दिल में ऐसी गहरी छाप छोड़ी कि उन्होंने ये फ़िल्म बनाने का फ़ैसला किया। नॉन एक्टर की इस फ़िल्म को बनाने के लिए जब कोई निर्माता नहीं मिला तो विनोद ने अपने और पत्नी साक्षी जोशी ने खुद ये फ़िल्म बनाने का फ़ैसला किया । भागीरथी फ़िल्म्स की निदेशक साक्षी जोशी का कहना है कि कि “कहानियों और किरदारों को लेकर विनोद के संकल्प पर उन्हें हमेशा से भरोसा रहा है। भारत में स्टूडियो के सहयोग के बिना स्वतंत्र फ़िल्म बनाना मुश्किल काम होता है , लेकिन असंभव नहीं है।”टैल्लिन ब्लैक नाइट फ़िल्म फ़ेस्टिवल में वर्ल्ड प्रीमियर के बाद कम से कम 7-8 महीने तक “पायर” अलग अलग अंतराष्ट्रीय फ़िल्म समारोह में चलेगा और उसी के बाद फ़िल्म को भारत में रिलीज़ किया जाएगा। निर्माताओं ने आज फ़िल्म का पहला पोस्टर भी जारी किया है।   विशेष संवाददाता, (प्रदीप जैन) |

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Oct 19, 2024