Cricket sensation Yuvraj Singh’s inspiring journey from prodigy to World Cup hero to cancer survivor is being adapted into a biopic film. The project will be produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and co-produced by Ravi Bhagchandka.
The announcement of a biopic on Yuvraj Singh aims to bring his extraordinary life to the big screen, honouring the legendary cricketer and his remarkable achievements.
This film promises to be a grand tribute to Yuvraj Singh’s extraordinary journey, celebrating his contributions to cricket, capturing the essence of his legendary career, including his unforgettable six sixes in the 2007 T20 World Cup, and his courageous off-field battles.
Yuvraj Singh, expressing his gratitude, said, “I am deeply honoured that my story will be showcased to millions of my fans across the globe by Bhushan ji & Ravi. Cricket has been my greatest love and source of strength through all the highs and lows. I hope this film inspires others to overcome their own challenges and pursue their dreams with unwavering passion.”
The film is co-produced by Ravi Bhagchandka, renowned for ‘Sachin: A Billion Dreams’. Reflecting on his connection with Yuvraj Singh, Ravi shared, “Yuvraj has been a dear friend for many years. I’m honoured that he trusted us to translate his incredible cricketing journey into a cinematic experience. Yuvi is not just a world champion but a true legend in every sense of the word.’” However, the cast and other details about the film have yet to be revealed.
Tag: Bollywood
-
Yuvraj Singh’s biopic announced, cricketer says ‘deeply honored’
-
42nd India Day Parade carries the message “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”- the world is a family
Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, is being welcomed by the master of ceremonies at the Review Stand. They are flanked by a former president of FIA Alok Kumar (left) and Dr. Avinash Gupta, FIA President (right) , Senior Advisor to FIA Dr. Sudhir Parikh. NEW YORK CITY (TIP): With 26 floats and scores of marching groups, the New York City came alive on Sunday, August 18, as the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) hosted the world’s largest annual India Day Parade outside India, honoring India’s Independence Day.
This year marked the 42nd celebration, drawing thousands of participants and spectators from the Indian-American community to celebrate their rich culture. The parade started at 12 PM local time at 38th Street and Madison Avenue. This year’s theme, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is One Family,” emphasizes social harmony and cultural unity, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends boundaries. The Consulate General of India, led by CG Binaya S. Pradhan and DCG Dr. Varun Jeph, provided invaluable support for the event. CG Pradhan expressed his pride, stating, “It’s a moment to see the best of India represented here. We celebrate our cultural, historic, and educational achievements today.”
Grand Marshall Pankaj Tripathi addresses the spectators from the Review stand. 
Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, a spiritual leader, blesses the crowd at the Ram Mandir replica float. Our phenomenal Grand Marshal Sonakshi Sinha took the lead at the parade, with her husband, Bollywood actor Zaheer Iqbal by her side. The guests of honor included the talented Indian actor Pankaj Tripathi and the charismatic Bhojpuri celebrity and public figure Manoj Tiwari.
FIA President Dr. Avinash Gupta highlighted the importance of the parade’s theme, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” on India’s Independence Day. He stated, “On this day, we celebrate democracy, unity in diversity, and inclusiveness.” The parade showcased vibrant floats representing India’s diverse communities, including a grand 18x9x8 foot replica of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, symbolizing a historic victory for all Indians. Other notable floats included the newly constructed Nalanda University, the world’s first residential university, founded in 427 CE and led by BJANA, GANA depicting the state of Gujarat in India, and many more.
Dr. Samin Sharma, Grand sponsor waves the national flag 
Manoj Sinha is seen on BJANA float The Indian Panorama float highlighted the Sikh tradition of martyrdom, heroism and sacrifices for the country. It had the pictures of the supreme martyr Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Four Sahibzadas , and of freedom fighters like Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh. Also, the float displayed pictures of modern-day Sikh soldiers like Air Chief Marshall Arjan Singh, Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, and General J.S. Arora, the hero of the surrender of 95000 Pakistani troops led by General Niazi in Bangla Desh in 1971.
The Indian Panorama float 
Begumpura Society Dr. Ambedkar float The crowd was as loud and lively as the music played and colors worn as those in attendance celebrated 78 years of India’s independence. It was an inspiring display of inclusivity and unity in diversity, as individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and religions came together to celebrate their love and pride for India. Each person proudly represented their unique Indian identity, transcending prejudices and celebrating their country by waving Indian and American flags in unison as one big family.
Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, the respected spiritual leader of Juna Akhada, also graced the event, attracting a large crowd of devotees seeking his blessings. He mentioned that he had come to New York to take part in the India Day Parade at the request of the Indian-American community. “People are enthusiastic as they participate in the India Day Parade. Different tableaus featuring India’s divine culture, our Kalajayi, Mrityunjaya, and Sanatan culture, and its values are seen here. All tableaus are very wonderful here,’ he stated looking impressed.
Desis in NYPD march in the parade. Following the parade, attendees gathered at the Cultural Stage, where a variety of performances showcased India’s rich and diverse traditions. Manoj Tiwari, looking at the cheering crowds, said, “Itna pyar dekhkar mujhe yakeen hai ki America mai bhi Bharat basata hai (Seeing so much love, I am convinced that India resides in America too) ”
Dhol Tasha group was a great attraction. Sonakshi Sinha expressed her gratitude for representing the nation, sharing her excitement as her father, Shatrughan Sinha, had served as Grand Marshal in 1985. All celebrities warmly engaged and entertained the audience, bringing their unique talents to the stage.
Pankaj Tripathi was visibly emotional upon seeing the Baba Ambedkar float, expressing his heartfelt gratitude: “The sheer amount of love and support from the diaspora here in the United States is truly overwhelming. Your presence makes us all proud.’”
The festival featured a vibrant stage for cultural performances, where artists presented both traditional and contemporary Indian music and dance. The performances beautifully epitomized the theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family.
Sonakshi and Zaheer Iqbal entertained the spectators. Each dance told a unique story, harmonizing the grace of Bharatnatyam and Kathak with the energetic beats of Bhangra and the joyful movements of Garba. This fusion created a breathtaking experience, celebrating unity in diversity. With over 45 booths and food stalls, attendees enjoyed a sensory feast of Indian cuisine and crafts. From spicy street food to handcrafted goods, the festival was a lively celebration of Indian culture in all its forms.
The India Day Parade 2024 was a resounding success, offering a joyful and immersive experience of Indian culture to New Yorkers and visitors alike. When asked about the mantra behind the parade’s success each year, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya stated, “Our mantra is our vibrant community and thriving diaspora, who are proud, inclusive, diverse, and, most importantly, united. May the United States and our motherland, India, reach new heights of success.”
Manoj Sinha regaled the audience with his songs 
Pankaj Tripathi stole the heart of the pleased crowd This mega undertaking was made possible through the generous support of partners, including Holtech, Mount Sinai, The Consulate General of India-NY, State Bank of India, RWJ Barnabas, ICICI, Simplify TARA, Bombino, Andaaz, Landeed, Dunkin, Times Group, Bansal Foundation, Siddhivinayak Temple-USA, BJANA, GANA, AAPI, MOCAAPI, and ESB. Media outlets such as TV Asia, Parikh Worldwide Media, New India Abroad, The Indian Panorama, South Asian Times, and many others who played a crucial role in elevating this landmark event.
The festivities concluded with a grand Independence Gala held at the National Museum of the American Indians that brought together over 450 members of the Indian community and esteemed guests. Attendees enjoyed a diverse menu provided by Andaaz Restaurant, located in Franklin Park, NJ, which offered a delectable array of traditional Indian dishes. Manan Saxena, owner of Andaaz, also took the stage to discuss the banquet menu and its significance in supporting this initiative.
A key focus of the evening was the “Zero Food Waste Mission,” emphasized by Nirali and Rohit Korat, founders of Gracia Marcom, a purpose-driven agency that highlighted the importance of sustainability and minimizing food waste during the event.
Local artists gave a dance performance. The parade left a lasting impression of the vibrant spirit and unity of the Indian diaspora in New York City, celebrating not just a day, but a shared heritage that continues to thrive.
FIA, in the press release said it was grateful for the heartfelt turnout and all those who attended, participated, and volunteered to make this iconic celebration a memorable one.
(Based on a press release)
A view of the general gathering in the parade. -
I’m sitting in Locarno because of Yash Chopra: Shah Rukh Khan
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Sunday credited late filmmaker and frequent collaborator Yash Chopra for bringing him to the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, where he was honoured with the gala’s prestigious Pardo alla Carriera award-Locarno Tourism award.
A day after he became the Indian film personality to receive the award for his contribution to cinema, the 58-year-old sat down for a Q&A session with Giona A Nazzaro, the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival. It was his late mother, Shah Rukh said, who took him to a cinema hall to watch a film for the first time. “In school, Hindi (language) was not my strongest point. My mom said, ‘I’ll take you to a movie hall to watch a film if you get 10 on 10 in Hindi dictation’. I think I copied one answer from a friend, but I did get 10 on 10, and then my mother took me to watch a film in a theatre for the first time,” he said.
Coincidentally, the film was Chopra’s 1973 thriller “Joshila”, added the actor.
“It was called ‘Joshila’, which was of the director with whom I did maximum number for my films later on in my life. So life is connected. Mr. Yash Chopra, it was his film. I’m sitting here in Locarno, Switzerland because of him, because of that movie I saw.”
Veteran filmmaker Chopra directed Shah Rukh in “Darr”, “Dil To Pagal Hai”, “Veer-Zaara”, and his swansong “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”.
Chopra shot his mega hit directorials “Chandni” and “Darr” in Switzerland. His son Aditya Chopra also filmed his directorial debut “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, starring Shah Rukh and Kajol, in the picturesque locales of the European country.
In 2016, a bronze statue of Chopra was installed by the Switzerland government as a tribute, near the Congress Centre in Interlaken, a popular tourist spot.
Shah Rukh, who was last seen in 2023’s “Dunki”, said after his parents died he wanted to leave New Delhi, his hometown, and come to Mumbai.
“I thought, I’ll get some roles. Then I thought I’d work in front of television, then I came into films, so I got little bits and pieces roles. And then one thing led to the other.
“I came to Mumbai for a year in 1990 and I said, ‘I’ll work for a year, earn Rs 1 lakh, buy myself a house, and then go back and become a scientist or a mass communication journalist. And, I hadn’t gone back yet,” he added. -
Javed Akhtar announces new collaboration with Salim Khan: ‘We will write one more film together’
Salim-Javed, the legendary screenwriters who revolutionised Indian cinema in the 1970s with films such as ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Sholay’ and ‘Deewar’, will reunite to pen a new feature project, Javed Akhtar, one-half of the duo, announced on August 13. The industry stalwart made the announcement during the trailer launch of the upcoming Prime Video docuseries ‘Angry Young Men’, which explores the formidable creative partnership and legacy of Salim Khan and Akhtar.
“Now, let me tell you that we are going to write. I’ve spoken to him (Salim Khan). ‘Bas ek aur picture hum likhenge saath mein’ (We will write just one more film together).
“Uss zamane mein bhi humari price zyada thi, iss zamane mein toh bohot zyada hogi, woh dekh lijiyega (In the earlier days, we used to charge a premium price for our work. It will be even higher in today’s time, so please see to it),” Akhtar told reporters here.
Salim-Javed are credited for reinventing the Bollywood blockbuster format through their films, playing to the gallery but also chronicling the angst of their times. The duo was also noted for being the first Indian screenwriters to achieve star status. After collaborating on 22 Hindi films and two Kannada movies, the duo decided to end their partnership in 1982.
The title of the docuseries, ‘Angry Young Men’, refers to the angry young man hero-type they created in the ’70s, which became a cinematic representation of the era and also gave birth to Amitabh Bachchan’s stardom. The three-part series will stream on Prime Video on August 20.
‘Angry Young Men’ is a joint venture produced by superstar Salman Khan’s Salman Khan Films; Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment; and Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s ‘Tiger Baby Films’. Namrata Rao, known for her work as an editor on movies such as ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!’, ‘Ishqiya’, ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ and ‘Kahaani’, is the director. -
Taapsee in a happy space
Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu is happy with the response her latest film Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba is getting and said she is already looking forward to what all can be done in the next part. Taapsee said, “Doing a sequel is always tricky because the first one comes with no expectations and if people like it, it becomes a hit. But with sequels come expectations, which are always tricky to meet.” The actress said she is glad people have loved her character of Rani and the film more than the first one. “I knew how much people loved Rani from part one, so I kept those expectations in mind when I approached the next part,” she said.
Looking forward, the actress said, “This response has been so validating that I’m already looking forward to what all we can possibly do in the next part.”
The first part, which was titled Haseen Dillruba, is a romantic thriller directed by Vinil Mathew and written by Kanika Dhillon. It stars Taapsee, Vikrant Massey and Harshvardhan Rane.
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba has been directed by Jayprad Desai. Taapsee and Vikrant reprise their characters, and Sunny Kaushal joins the cast.
The film opens in Agra, where Rani is living as a small-time makeup artist, while Rishabh is hiding in disguise, trying his best to get the arrangements made for the couple to move abroad and start afresh. With the Uttar Pradesh police somehow still hung up on the case, the two toxic lovebirds cannot be seen together. They now exchange coy glances like forbidden high school lovers across the street, talk on hours-long phone calls, and meet in secret.
And oh, like always, they speak fluent Dinesh Pandit – the crime novelist whose works gave them the perfect exit plan last time. You’ll see the crazy couple painting quotes from his books on walls or even garbage vans to send messages to each other. Okay, admittedly, however painful the rest of the film might be, this laureate exchange is quite impressive. It might not have an ounce of practicality, but the almost Sherlocky idea is in alignment with the kind of madness that had taken over our protagonists towards the end of the first film. -
Ajay Devgn kickstarts ‘Son of Sardaar 2’
Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn, recently seen in ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’, has begun shooting for his upcoming movie ‘Son of Sardaar 2’.
Ajay took to Instagram and shared a video announcing the start of filming for the sequel to the 2012 film. The movie is reportedly being shot in Scotland.
The video captures moments from the set, featuring a jimmy jib, Holi shots, dance sequences, Ajay’s son Yug, and the superstar visiting a Gurudwara.
Ajay wrote in the caption, ‘The journey of #SonOfSardaar2 begins with prayers, blessings, and an amazing team.’ ‘Son of Sardaar 2’ picks up where its predecessor ended.
Directed by Ashwni Dhir, the original ‘Son of Sardaar’ was a remake of the S S Rajamouli film ‘Maryada Ramanna’. It followed the rivalry between the Sandhu and Randhawa families and starred Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Juhi Chawla.
The sequel, ‘Son of Sardaar 2’, is directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and features several actors in cameo roles.
However, according to media reports, Sanjay Dutt, who originally played the antagonist, has been replaced by actor-politician Ravi Kishan due to Sanjay’s UK visa application being rejected because of his past incarceration.
The announcement of ‘Son of Sardaar 2’ comes after the poor box-office performance of ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’, which marked the lowest opening for Ajay Devgn in a decade, earning only Rs 7.75 crore in four days, according to an industry tracker, Sacnilk.
Meanwhile, Ajay also has the highly anticipated ‘Singham Again’ in the pipeline.
Rohit Shetty, who is the director of the film, had earlier told IANS that the film is currently in the post-production stage. Source: IANS -
Taapsee Pannu on her Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Role: ‘Darker, edgier and stakes are high’
Actor Taapsee Pannu, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba,talked about her character Rani and how challenging it was to make it intriguing for the audience again. Taapsee’s depiction of Rani in Haseen Dillruba remains a stunning and compelling performance. As the actor is reprising her role in its sequel, she shared that it is going to be more intense and darker. While speaking to the media, she said, “The most difficult aspect was to fulfill the expectations of the audience.”
“Apart from that, performance-wise, it was not that challenging, as after doing the first part, I knew what the audience liked about the character and what not. So, this time I got a chance for the correction. I approached Part Two (Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba) with more confidence than I did with Part One (Haseen Dillruba). I hope the audience feels the same way. This time the character is darker, and edgier and the stakes are high.”
Vikrant Massey, who played Rishu in Haseen Dillruba, talked about reprising his role and what the audience can expect from his character this time.
“The audience can expect me to handle, ek haath hai mera,” he laughed and added, “I won’t open up much about my character as I want the audience to experience it. But as Taapsee said it is more edgier, crazy, darker, and entertaining.”
Sunny Kaushal and Jimmy Shergill are also part of the film and they are playing prominent roles.
On why he decided to do the film, Sunny replied jokingly, “Rani ka aashiq banne ko mil raha tha”, adding, “You just watch the film and you will know why I did it.” He continued, “I never imagined and thought about such a character.” Source: ANI -
Mrunal Thakur is fed up of media portals using her old comment about being ‘madly in love’ with Virat Kohli
Recently, an old comment by Mrunal Thakur stating that she was ‘madly in love’ with cricketer Virat Kohli resurfaced on social media. And the actor is not okay about it, and wants the media to stop using it again and again.
Recently, a media portal, Instant Bollywood took to Instagram to post a snippet from Mrunal’s past interview, where she is talking about Virat Kohli and expressing her love for him. As social media users started commenting on the post, the actor didn’t appreciate it getting back into the spotlight.
The actor took to the comment section to express her dismay. She wrote, “@instantbollywood STOP IT OK.”
She made the statement while promoting her film, Jersey, which revolved around the world of cricket.
“There was a time when I was madly in love with Virat Kohli. I started liking cricket because of my brother who’s a big fan. I have fond memories of watching a match live at a stadium with him around five years ago. I remember I was wearing a blue jersey and cheering for team India. Cut to today, I am part of a cricket-based film like Jersey. It is such a happy coincidence,” she had told Etimes.
The film also featured Shahid Kapoor. The sports drama, a remake of the Telugu film of the same name, narrated the story of a former cricketer who returns to the game in his mid-30s to fulfil his son’s wish. The film was released in 2022, but failed to make an impact at the box office.
Mrunal was last seen in Family Star, which starred Vijay Deverakonda. The film, supported by a cast including Abhinaya, Vasuki, Rohini Hattangadi, and Ravi Babu, also features a special appearance by Divyansha Kaushik. It received a lukewarm response from audiences upon release. Source: HT -
A Conversation with Dr. Avinash Gupta, President of FIA NY NJ CT NE on the forthcoming India Day Parade in New York City
The India Day Parade organized by the FIA NY NJ CT NE in New York City is billed as the largest India Day Parade outside of India. And it is just a few days away. The Indian Panorama spoke with the FIA President Dr. Avinash Gupta on August 4 to know about the preparations for the 42nd edition of the parade on August 18.
Here are some excerpts.
TIP: Thank you for taking out your time to speak with the Indian Panama. The world famous, one of the largest India Day parades, and the largest India Day Parade outside of India is just about a few days away now, and as the time comes nearer, in spite of the arrangements that you have had in place till now, you might be quite nervous. Are you?
Avinash: It’s natural to be nervous, but I’m very much at it because of our hardworking and dedicated team. And you will be surprised to know that our preparation starts the day after the parade for next year. So, it was a long time and long way.
TIP: So, you got the whole year to prepare for it.
Avinash: Yes, we have to take the New York City permits; we have to have floats. We have to put up the review stand, press stand. Then we have to arrange for a gala. We have to select caterers. Then there is a cultural program. And the biggest and most difficult is to get the celebrities from India.
TIP: You have a very impressive array of guests this year, I think, topped by the famous Bihari origin famous Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha. If I am not mistaken, she is going to be the Grand Marshal.
Avinash: Yes. Our theme this year is Vasudhaiv Kutambakam. World is one family. And we are celebrating unity and diversity and inclusiveness. I’m proud to announce that our Grand Marshal is Bollywood superstar Sonakshi Sinha, and we have two guests of honor. One is a versatile actor, Mr. Pankaj Tripathy, and the other is Member of Indian Parliament, and actor and singer, Mr. Manoj Tiwari.
TIP: Is it a coincidence, or it’s by design that you have all the three coming from Bihar.
Avinash: It’s just a coincidence.
TIP: Somebody was saying, look here the president this year is from Bihar or Jharkhand, if you prefer to say. Because he’s from there so he has a preference for people from his own state .Is that so?
Avinash: No, that’s not true. It was just a coincidence. Just a coincidence, because these three names are recognized all over India. They are pan global stars.
TIP: The head of the organization is a Bihari. And the three guests that are coming to the to bring glory to your career, they also happen to be Bihari. So, do we call it a Bihar affair?
Avinash: Not at all. I’m a proud Bihari, but before that, I’m a proud Indian, and we are celebrating India’s Independence Day. We have to show our strength. There are 5 million of us in this country, and we don’t have a say. But I’m very much excited that more and more people are coming into mainstream, whether it is science, technology or even politics. And that day, just like you saw the sea of blue after the World Cup win, you will see a sea of American Indians, or I would say, Indian Americans in Madison Avenue, between 38th Street and 28th Street.
TIP: Besides those three names that you have taken, who are celebrities in their own right, and they are coming here as your special guests, what other celebrities or VIPs do you think would be appearing at the parade?
Avinash: I’m proud to announce that Mayor of New York City has always come. And this year also he has he’s coming. And this year, Governor of New York State Kathy Hochul will also be there.
TIP: Can you give us an outline of the program for the 18th, the day of the parade?
Avinash: Actually, before the parade which is on the 18th , we have 15th of August, which is the Independence Day. We hoist a tricolor on Times Square, and we have been doing it for three years.
TIP: And what time is that?
Avinash: It’s at 1030 AM at Times Square.
TIP: And is it open to public?
Avinash: It’s open to public, and usually the Consul General hoists the flag, and we invite all the local congressmen, senators. And then in the evening, we have lighting of the Empire State Building in tricolor. And we are going to get a celebrity to do that. And then after the 15th of August, on Sunday, August 18 is the parade. We start at 12 noon from 38th Street and Madison Avenue and march all the way down to 28th Street. And then there are booths. We have lot of booths, and they are all filled up. We have food booths. Vendors are there. They are promoting local business. So, although the premium booth is for $2500 and standard booth is for $1500 there is a special pricing for women entrepreneur. We just don’t talk women empowerment; we practice it also. For women entrepreneur it is only $500. Then we have the Gala. It’s a grand Gala, and this year it is a very relevant location- Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian in Battery Park, One Bowling Green, from six o’clock to 10 o’clock .
TIP: Is it on the same day- August 18?
Avinash: Yes, the same day, same day, the 18th. All the celebrities will be there. The governor will be there. And all the businesspeople, who’s who of New York City and tri state area are there. So, it’s a good opportunity to meet with the celebrities and also network with the businesspeople. And like I said, Who’s Who of New York is there.
TIP: That apart. What is there for the common people who would be coming to the parade? They would of course, be watching the parade. And also, you said there is a cultural program. Is it open to public?
Avinash: Yes. Cultural program is open to public.
TIP: And what my readers would like to know from you, the kind of program that you are presenting, the artist who are coming?
Avinash: There is a patriotic dress competition.
TIP: That’s something new.
Avinash: And that’s very popular. And there is cash prize for that, and a ticket to the gala also. And then in the cultural program which is actually very top class, because all the famous dance schools will participate. And this year, Mr. Manoj Tiwari has agreed to sing there. So, that will be an added attraction, in addition to all the dance schools.
TIP: Are the celebrities going to appear on the stage?
Avinash: Yes, all three celebrities, and that’s on 25th Street from 2. 30 PM to 5 PM.
TIP: How many people do you expect in this parade this year?
Avinash: We are expecting more people this year because of all the three celebrities and so, definitely more than 100,000 or 150,000 people on both sides of the street, and the highlight of this year is the Ram Mandir afloat.
TIP Can you please talk about Ram Mandir float?
Avinash: Yeah. So, this is the exact replica of the Ram Mandir, which was built in Ayodhya after 500 years of wait, and all the Ram bhaktas are going to march with the float. And this float has already been built and shipped from India, and it’s being assembled as we speak. And there are nine streets and 18 corners. There will be Ram Bhaktas there. Each corner is assigned to a temple, and the people are coming by bus to the corner, and there they will be provided refreshment when they reach there, and they will be given flower petals to shower on the Ram Mandir when the Ram Mandir float passes through that street.
TIP: Some time ago, there was a mention about FIA organizing a bhandara. Can you comment on that?
Avinash: Yeah. So, we are still planning on that. We are talking to Mr. Vikas Khanna who is the celebrity Chef. He was planning to do the bhandara. We will give to 5000 people the Prasad, some of it is coming from Ayodhya directly
TIP: This food will not be for everybody, because there will be so many people?
Avinash: Yeah. first come, first served.
TIP: And where will it be served ?
Avinash: It will be in the booth area.
TIP: So, Mr. Khanna will have a booth there?
Avinash: Yes. that would be after the parade.
TIP: How many booths you think are there?
Avinash: Now, there are 50 booths, and 30 of them are already filled up.
TIP: 30 of them? 20 are left? You said, for women, it’s a subsidized rate at $500?
Avinash: Yes.
TIP: Another thing about the floats. How many floats are going to be there, besides the Ram Mandir float? Is it going to be the first float?
Avinash: Actually, every year we have a Siddhi Vinayak temple float . They come first. Ram Mandir float will be the second. And then FIA float, then Consulate float, State Bank of India float. So, that’s like that.
TIP: How many floats are there?
Avinash: 25 floats are already registered, but we are expecting at least 10 more. And we have invited all religious entities, all ethnic entities, all states. And I have been talking constantly to everybody. So, the Christians are participating, Muslims are participating, and Sikhs hopefully will participate also.
TIP: I remember you mentioning this at the time of the curtain raiser in the Consulate. Very clearly you said that you invite to all people, people belonging to all faiths, to come with their religious signs. People belonging to all states, all kinds of people are welcome because it is India Day Parade. I remember very distinctly you said that, and that was very good of you. It was taken in a very good spirit, in the right spirit that you wanted to convey to people. So, is there anything that you would expect in particular from community?
Avinash: Yes, definitely. I appeal to all the community members with family and friends to give your three hours and come to the parade and enjoy. There will be something for everybody. The colorful floats, the food stalls, the DJ music, Gala, cultural program. So, there will be something for everybody. So, everybody should come and show our strength, show our unity in diversity and inclusiveness, and enjoy the parade.
I hope readers of The Indian Panorama have a fairly good idea of what they can expect at the world famous, the largest India Day Parade outside of India in New York City on Sunday, August 18. Get set and come over for a lovely experience. Let me tell you, the weather god is pleased , and it is going to be a perfect weather for an outing. Come yourself, bring your family, friends and neighbors, in particular the non-Indian ones. Let them know who we are and what we value.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
-
Taapsee Pannu says doing whopping 11 films post-pandemic wasn’t planned
If there is a Hindi film actor who matches the record of most number of films released post-pandemic set by Akshay Kumar (14 releases), it is Taapsee Pannu. The actor holds the rare distinction of being perhaps the only Bollywood actress, who, in August, will have her 11th film title up for release.
“This is not planned!” Taapsee told Indianexpress.com with a smile when pointed out that her latest release Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba will be her 10th release since 2021. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s Thappad was Taapsee’s last theatrical release before the coronavirus pandemic shut the world down in 2020. Since then, the actor has had a slew of releases, starting from Haseen Dillruba, Vijay Sethupathi-starrer Annabelle Sethupathi, Rashmi Rocket, Loop Lapeta, Telugu comedy Mishan Impossible, Mithali Raj biopic Shabaash Mithu, Anurag Kashyap’s Dobaaraa, her production debut Blurr and Shah Rukh Khan–starrer Dunki.
“I am not sure if it landed the way I wanted it to land. I made the mistake of over-planning my successive years, where I thought every year, I would have two releases. In 2020, Thappad was released, and Haseen Dilruba was supposed to be released the same year, but we had the lockdown. So, nothing was released, until one and a half years!
Source: The Indian Express -
Kriti Sanon spotted vaping with rumored boyfriend Kabir Bahia from Greece vacation
Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon’s well-kept secret seems to be finally out in the open after photos of her exotic Greece vacation with rumoured boyfriend Kabir Bahia went viral online. While the Mimi actress continues to remain silent, a new set of pictures have now surfaced in which she can be seen sitting next to Kabir and enjoying with their friends.
Kriti can be seen enjoying a scrumptious meal with Kabir and friends at a crowded eatery in the pictures, however, eagle-eyed fans spotted that the actress was also using a vape. In the viral photos, Kriti can be seen vaping while being engrossed in a conversation with Kabir.
In the earlier photos and videos that had gone viral, the actress was spotted smoking by netizens. It came as a surprise since Kriti’s mother Geeta Sanon had once claimed that her daughter was “anti-smoking”.
She had claimed that Kriti did not smoke and had also stated that the actress makes sure that the others around her quit smoking too.
However, in the midst of all the chatter, Kriti seems to be unbothered as she shared a slew of photos from the Greece vacation on Instagram on Wednesday. While Kabir was MIA in the pictures, the actress posed with her sister Nupur Sanon and other friends while flaunting her svelte figure in vibrant bikinis.
Kriti reportedly celebrated her birthday on July 27 in Greece with her gang.
Kriti and Kabir have been rumoured to be dating for quite some time now, and the buzz got intense after the two were spotted celebrating the New Year with MS Dhoni and Sakshi Dhoni in Dubai. -
Janhvi Kapoor: Don’t know if industry has opened up to the actor in me
Actor Janhvi Kapoor, who is all set for her upcoming theatrical release ‘Ulajh,’ has been extensively promoting her film as she believes this is one of her finest performances to date. Janhvi’s last release, Mr and Mrs Mahi, didn’t clock in huge numbers but Kapoor’s performance and hard work didn’t go unnoticed. During the promotions of her film, Janhvi shared her take on whether the industry has opened up to the actor in her, looking beyond her vanity.
Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Janhvi said, “I don’t know whether the industry has actually opened up to the actor in me yet. Even if they have, it’s something that I’m probably not specifically thinking about as such, because acting is what I wanted to all my life. I feel I have evolved from my first film to now, but how the industry takes me is something I can’t tell for myself.”
“It would have been predictable and a much easier journey if I had done commercial movies with a wider reach that has the song, dance and glamour, because that would have come easily to me and has a higher guaranteed success rate and ensures more popularity. But I made a conscious decision a couple of years ago to challenge myself and surprise myself and try something different even though the risks and stakes are much higher,” the actor added.
Janhvi opened up about picking the ‘smaller films’ and stated, “So, yes, I do feel that I have picked a couple of high-risk films and ‘Ulajh’ is one of them. I sometimes make jokes about Insta Janhvi vs actor Janhvi. Honestly, I’m a little unaware of how the industry sees me, but all I can attest for myself is that with every film, I get more confident on another set because I feel that I can deliver what my director wants out of me.”
Janhvi concluded by saying, “I am scared to try to become aware of what the outside narrative or perception is about me. I think that kind of awareness kills an artist, because it will start making me calculate things that I’m not meant to calculate in any case. It will either make me supremely confident or completely shatter my ego and both of these things will be very disruptive for me.” Source: India Today -
Janhvi Kapoor embodies flirtatious energy in ‘Shaukan’ from ‘Ulajh’
The makers of the upcoming Janhvi Kapoor and Gulshan Devaiah-starrer film ‘Ulajh’ have released the first song from the film. Talking about the song, Janhvi said, “I have always been a fan of Neha’s songs, and collaborating with her for the first time on ‘Shaukan’ is one thing off my wish list. This song is incredibly upbeat and will make you want to hit the dance floor. It’s hot, glamorous, and groovy. I think Shashwat, Jubin, and Neha have created another masterpiece.”
For Neha Kakkar, singing ‘Shaukan’ along with Jubin was a terrific experience.
The singer said, “Kudos to Shashwat for making this banger. ‘Shaukan’ is not just another party number; it’s a vibe. Can’t wait for my fans to hear the song and groove to the beats.”
Jubin Nautiyal added, “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Shashwat and Neha. They are incredible artists, and our tastes in music align perfectly. Janhvi and Gulshan’s on-screen chemistry has taken the song a notch higher. I hope all my fans love the track as much as I do.”
‘Shaukan’ is released under the label of Sony Music India and is available to stream on all major audio streaming platforms. -
Salman Khan celebrates rumored girlfriend Iulia Vantur’s birthday
Salman Khan and his family came together to celebrate the birthday of Iulia Vantur on July 24. A picture featuring Arpita Khan, Aayush Sharma, Alvira Agnihotri, Arhaan Khan, and other members of Salman’s family and their close friends was shared on Instagram Reels by Salman’s brother-in-law, former actor Atul Agnihotri.
The Romanian actor-singer reshared the group picture on Instagram Stories and wrote, “I love you.” She wore a metallic dress for her birthday party.
More inside photos and videos of the birthday girl were shared by singer Mika Singh and other guests from the party that took place in Mumbai.
“Happy birthday to the most beautiful Iulia Vantur. God bless you with lots of happiness and success,” wrote Mika on Instagram Stories alongside a video of himself with the actor from the party.
Singer and music composer Himesh Reshammiya along with wife-actor Sonia Kapur posed with Mika and the birthday girl in another inside photo from the night. Mika wrote, “Thank you for a wonderful party.”
The Romanian singer-actor is often spotted at rumored boyfriend Salman’s parties, which are attended by his close friends and family. She has not yet confirmed her relationship with the Bollywood actor, but has often spoken about him in interviews.
Iulia, who is rumored to be dating Salman since many years, opened up about the pros and cons of being associated with the actor in a 2022 interview. Iulia and Guru Randhawa’s song Main Chala was released in 2022 and in the song’s video, Salman was seen romancing actor Pragya Jaiswal.
Iulia told ETimes at the time, “It is an honor, blessing and joy to work with Salman. He is such a great person first of all and a great actor and experienced in the field. When you are around him, you learn so much. I feel for me, at the moment, I wanted to work on my own identity. I am working on that, especially because people don’t know me so well here and I think it is important to do that.” -
Aaj Ki Raat: Fans compare Tamannaah’s dance number from Stree 2 to Nora’s Kamariya
The first track from Stree 2 featuring Tamannaah Bhatia was released on July 24. Fans are divided over the dance number on social media. While a section of movie buffs have praised Tamannaah’s screen presence and her moves, others have compared it to Nora Fatehi’s Kamariya from Stree (2018).
The song starts with Tamannaah getting ready for her stage performance as Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurrana and Abhishek Banerjee stare at her. As the actor dances to slow qavvali music, the song catches the pace. Later Rajkummar, Pankaj, Aparshakti and Abhishek also join her as they are mesmerised by the captivating dance.
Tamannaah and Maddock Films shared he song in a joint Instagram post and captioned it as, “#AajKiRaat hogi tabaahi ki raat! (ghost, blast and heart-shaped-eye emojis).” Fatima Sana Shaikh commented, “Hottie.”
A user commented, “Nothing compared to kamariya from stree.” Another user wrote, “Sabse bekar gana.” A user also captioned his comment as, “Totally disaster song bad music and singer and vibe.” While pointing out at the choreography, a user wrote, “what’s wrong with the choreography these days from bad to terrible.”
However, a section of users differed from the negative reviews. A fan commented, “I’m the only one who like this song i mean it’s not that bad (blessings emoji) why half of comment section full of bad song bad songRs ” Another fan wrote, “She ate it! (fire emoji).” While giving reference from the prequel, a fan wrote, “Finally pata chal gaya ki Rudra bhaiya ki shama kaun hain 2018 ka mystery solved.” A fan complemented Tamannaah and wrote, “Woahh !! Tamannah just rocked (heart and fire emojis).” -
Kim Kardashian draws ire for using Lord Ganesha idol as ‘prop’ for photo
One of the key reasons the wedding of Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant, daughter of Encore Healthcare’s CEO Viren Merchant, garnered global attention was the presence of American media personality and socialite Kim Kardashian. Kim, accompanied by her sister Khloé Kardashian, arrived in Mumbai and participated in the wedding ceremony on Friday and the ‘Shubh Aashirvaad’ ceremony on Saturday before returning to the US.
While the Kardashian sisters turned heads last week in custom-made outfits by renowned Indian designer Manish Malhotra, Kim made headlines this week by posting a picture of herself with a Lord Ganesha idol. On Monday, Kim took to Instagram to share a couple of fresh photos from Anant and Radhika’s wedding festivities. In the pictures, she is seen wearing a white and golden Manish Malhotra lehenga and choli.
However, netizens quickly noticed that one of the photos showed her posing with an idol of the Hindu deity Ganesh. She soon started receiving flak from social media users for using the idol as a “prop,” prompting her to take down the image. Nevertheless, the picture went viral on Reddit and has been a hot topic since then.
“Nita Aunty, educate your guests,” noted the user who posted the picture on a popular subreddit. “That isn’t helping her gain any favors from the Indian audience that she is after,” another Redditor wrote. -
Shraddha Kapoor shares new poster of ‘Stree 2’ featuring Stree’s braid
Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who is eagerly awaiting the release of her upcoming horror-comedy movie ‘Stree 2’, shared a new poster of the film on July 16.
The poster features a hand holding a braid in a firm grip, a significant element in the film’s narrative.
In the first part of the film, which was released in 2018, Shraddha’s character dropped hints about her identity by using the braid of Stree (the ghost) on herself, intriguing viewers and leaving them wondering if she was a ghost.
The actress also shared that the trailer of the film will be released in two days.
Shraddha wrote in the caption, ‘Ek badi suchna – O Stree aa rahi hai in just 2 din. #Stree2 Trailer in 2 days! The legend returns this Independence Day, August 15, 2024.’
‘Aatank jab Chanderi par chhaya, tab sabko ek hi nara yaad aaya, O Stree Raksha Karna!’
‘Stree’, which was directed by debutant Amar Kaushik, also starred Rajkummar Rao, Flora Saini, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee.
The plot is based on the urban legend Nale Ba (‘Come Tomorrow’) of Karnataka.
Rajkummar, who played a tailor in ‘Stree’, learned to sew as part of the preparation for his role. Source: IANS -
No ‘good news’, for now enjoy ‘Bad Newz’: Vicky Kaushal on Katrina’s pregnancy rumors
Actor Vicky Kaushal has dismissed media reports about wife Katrina Kaif’s pregnancy as “speculation”, saying they will happily announce whenever they have “good news”.
Kaushal, who is currently promoting his upcoming comedy “Bad Newz”, was in the city to promote the movie ahead of its Friday release. The film also stars Triptii Dimri and Amy Virk. “As far as the good news that you spoke about is concerned, we will be very happy to share it with you when we have it. But till then, there is no truth to that, there is only speculation which is coming from the media. So please, enjoy ‘Bad Newz’ for now, we will share with you when there is time for good news,” Kaushal said at a promotional event here. When the host requested the media to not ask personal questions, the actor quipped, “There is a very good line in the picture, which is ‘Don’t get personal’.” Pregnancy rumours gained prominence when a picture of the couple walking on the streets of London became viral on social media with many fans speculating that Kaif was sporting a baby bump.
“Bad Newz” revolves around a woman (Dimri) who is carrying twins, but with different fathers, played by Kaushal and Virk. Directed by Anand Tiwari, “Bad Newz” has been produced by Amritpal Singh Bindra, Apoorva Mehta and Karan Johar. The film is slated to release on July 19. Source: PTI -
‘Jaanam’: Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri exude fiery chemistry in ‘Bad Newz’ song
After ‘Tauba Tauba’ became a cult, Vicky Kaushal is back with another track from ‘Bad Newz’, this time co-starring Triptii Dimri. The teaser of the song was unveiled on July 8. With their oh-so-hot romance and fiery chemistry, Vicky and Triptii are bound to set your screen on fire.
Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri, co-stars in ‘Bad Newz’, are too hot to handle in a new song from the film. The teaser of ‘Jaanam’ was released on Monday. From their pool and shower romance to underwater kisses, the duo are hotness personified in the recently-released teaser of the track.
Fans had the most hilarious comments to the teaser of ‘Jaanam’. Comments such as “Katrina didi, mein toh nah seheti (Katrina, I wouldn’t have tolerated this) (sic)”, “Bhai aapko Katrina bhabhi kuchh kehti nahi hai kya? (Doesn’t Katrina say anything to you?) (sic)”, “Katrina close your eyes (sic).”
Previously titled ‘Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam’, ‘Bad Newz’ will see Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk team up for the first time. Directed by Anand Tiwari, the film also stars Neha Dhupia.
The film is backed by Dharma Productions and produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra and Anand Tiwari. It is written by Ishita Moitra and Tarun Dudeja.
‘Bad Newz’ will release on July 19.