Latest Bollywood News Today Transcript at 11:30 AM on 20 July 2023
In our top story. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne on Wednesday, 19th July, announced its tribute to Karan Johar as he completes 25 years as a filmmaker. The film gala will host a series of events and special screenings of Johar’s films in its run from August 11 to 20, the organisers said in a press release. Johar made his directorial debut in 1998 with “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and has gone on to become one of the most influential figures in the Indian film industry. Karan told PTI – “I can’t think of a better platform to commemorate this milestone in my career. I am overwhelmed by the love and support I have received from the Australian audience.”
Moving on. Churni Ganguly, who plays Alia Bhatt‘s mother in Karan Johar’s upcoming film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, recently shared her perspective on the nepotism debate in the Hindi film industry. In an interview with News 18, Ganguly praised Alia’s acting skills, stating, “Alia is an incredibly talented performer. People often discuss nepotism, and there’s a lot of talk about it. I think nepotism only becomes relevant if the actor lacks talent and doesn’t measure up. But that’s certainly not the case with Alia.” Alia, the daughter of director Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan, has frequently faced criticism and trolling for allegedly securing opportunities solely due to her family background and close association with filmmaker Karan Johar.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri on Wednesday, 19th July, announced his upcoming non-fiction project “The Kashmir Files Unreported” which will be soon released on streamer ZEE5. The filmmaker, who earlier directed the 2022 film “The Kashmir Files“, shared the news on his social media along with its official teaser. The filmmaker, however, did not provide any details of the format of “The Kashmir Files Unreported”. “The Kashmir Files” depicted the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir following the killings of people from the community by terrorists. The movie opened in theatres to polarised reactions but became one of the most commercially successful Hindi films of 2022.
Meanwhile, actor Randeep Hooda uploaded a video on his social media, where he is seen working with an NGO and distributing supplies in flood-affected areas of Haryana. He wrote in the caption – “Seva. Urging others to come out and join hands in helping each other.” Randeep worked with Khalsa Aid Foundation, an international NGO. The video shows him working alongside other NGO members and interacting with people, who are stuck inside their houses without any electricity or food supplies. The actor, along with his girlfriend Lin Laishram, was seen distributing supplies like bottled water, milk, and other material important for those whose lives have been disrupted by heavy rainfall and floods.
Hollywood has hit a pause button as SAG-AFTRA joined the strike by the Writers Guild of America last week. It has now emerged that Deepika Padukone, who is a member of SAG-AFTRA, will not be a part of Project K promotions at San Diego Comic-Con to show her solidarity with those on strike. Deepika joined the union when she made her Hollywood debut in XXX: The Return of Xander Cage, which had Vin Diesel in the lead. With the SAG-AFTRA strike underway, the union has specified that actors cannot provide promotional or publicity services. That extends to appearances at conventions, such as the SDCC. However, Prabhas, Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan are expected to attend the event.
Meanwhile, Pankaj Tripathi, who will be seen in Oh My God 2, has urged the audience to not pay heed to what is being said about the film. The social comedy-drama is a sequel to the much-celebrated 2012 film OMG, starring Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar. After the trailer of OMG 2 was released, reports about the Central Board of Film Certification reviewing its scenes and dialogues surfaced online. India Today quoted a source as saying that the board “does not want to repeat the backlash that Adipurush faced”. Pankaj was asked about it and he told Zoom TV – “People are saying all sorts of things, but the truth will be out when the film releases.”
Motherhood isn’t easy and Kajol knows it. The actor says she now realises how her mother, actor Tanuja brought her up in an “outstandingly brave” manner. In an interview with Instant Bollywood, Kajol said, “Mothers never tell you what they are going through, they never tell you how hard it was. I look at my childhood and think, ‘Oh my God, I had such a wonderful childhood.” Never did I think what it cost my mother to give me that and to make it so easy. But now as a parent, I realise that. I respect her even more, every day since I have had my daughter. I hope I am half as brave as her.”
Lastly, actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh have been together for 21 years. After marriage, Genelia, who was a popular name in the South film industry, quit acting and became a homemaker. She continued to be at home even after her two sons, Riaan and Rahyl, grew up. This is when husband Riteish nudged her and asked her to do what she loves — acting. In a recent interaction with Zoom, Genelia shared – “He had to remind me that I love acting.” The Ved star also complimented her husband for being “amazing” and a “secure man”. She opined, “The value of a man is seen when he is extremely secure when a woman’s success doesn’t bother him.
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