Latest Bollywood News Today Transcript at 11:30 AM on 26 July 2023
In our top story. As fans eagerly await the release of Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the makers organised a star-studded special screening of the film in Mumbai on Tuesday, 25th July. The event witnessed several stars in attendance, including Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, Malaika Arora, Karisma Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif, among others. Ranbir Kapoor also graced the screening to show his support for his wife Alia Bhatt‘s film. However, Ranveer Singh’s better half, Deepika Padukone, was missing from the event. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani also stars Shabana Azmi, Jaya Bachchan and Dharmendra in pivotal roles. It is set to release in theatres on July 28.
Meanwhile, addressing reports of cuts proposed by the censor board in “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani“, Alia Bhatt on 24th July, said the makers of her upcoming film have made “minor” changes respecting the CBFC’s suggestions. The Central Board of Film Certification had reportedly asked the producers to chop a few scenes containing abusive words and remove references to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including the dialogue ‘Khela hobe’ – Game on — the slogan of her party TMC during the 2021 Assembly elections. Alia told reporters – “The final cut of the film flows seamlessly regardless of these cuts.”
Filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria’s “Sanaa”, starring Radhika Madan, will have its Australian premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2023. The film has previously been screened at global festivals such as Shanghai International Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The director said in a statement to PTI – “IFFM has a rich history of bringing pathbreaking cinema to Australia and we’re proud Sanaa is included on that list this year.” “Sanaa”, which revolves around an ambitious woman who is fighting an internal battle caused by unresolved trauma, also features Soham Shah, Shikha Talsania and Pooja Bhatt. The 14th edition of IFFM is set to take place from August 11 to 20.
Moving on. Ayushmann Khurrana’s first look from Dream Girl 2, the sequel to the successful 2019 film, Dream Girl, was unveiled on Tuesday, 25th July. In the first look, Ayushmann is seen in two avatars – one as Pooja and another as Karam. As Pooja, he is seen completely in a woman’s attire. On the other side of the mirror is Karam, dressed in a pink t-shirt. The film, also starring Ananya Panday in the lead, will hit the theatres on August 25. Produced by Ekta Kapoor, the film also has Annu Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vijay Raaz, Manoj Joshi, Rajpal Yadav, Seema Pahwa, Manjot Singh and Abhishek Banerjee in supporting roles.
After creating iconic love stories like Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Rajshri Productions is set to bring another romantic tale to the audience in their upcoming film Dono. The film’s teaser was released on the 25th of July, Tuesday. It marks the debut of Rajveer Deol, son of actor Sunny Deol, and Paloma Dhillon, daughter of Poonam Dhillon and producer Ashok Thakeria. Dono also marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya’s son Avnish Barjatya. He has previously worked as an assistant director on his father’s films like Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Uunchai. Excited about his son’s debut, Sunny Deol took to Instagram to share the teaser and wrote, “A new journey unfolds in cinemas soon!”
Meanwhile, actor Richa Chadha has commenced shooting for her first international film “Aaina” in London with “Chronicles of Narnia” actor William Moseley. The film, set between London and India, is being directed by debutant Markus Meedt. Based on real-life events, it will also be shot across various locations in India in September. Richa said “Aaina” has an interesting storyline and she is happy to be making her international debut with the film. She told PTI – “I had read a couple of scripts but nothing was good. When Aaina came my way, I knew this was the one and now, as it is finally happening, I am extremely thrilled. I felt like a fresher despite my experience.”
Actor Vicky Kaushal opened up about how the values instilled in him by his parents have shaped his understanding of money and hard work. In an interview with Film Companion, Vicky also spoke about the hardships that his father, action director Sham Kaushal, had to face in his career. He told Anupama Chopra – “One thing that my parents always made sure that Sunny and I both knew the difference between necessity and luxury. As part of his job, my father’s lit himself on fire, he’s fallen off 10-storey buildings. He’s done all of that. Once he even fell and fractured his hand. But he didn’t have the money to get it treated because he needed food first.”
Lastly, Yash Chopra’s 1993 film Darr which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Deol and Juhi Chawla went through many casting changes before the filmmaker locked the cast and now, designer Neeta Lulla has revealed that at one point, even Aishwarya Rai’s name was in the mix. In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Neeta recalled that the late filmmaker wanted to cast Aishwarya as the leading lady but it never worked out. She shared – “Yashji and I discussed and we agreed she was beautiful in the look test. But he said maybe it won’t work out because she was going away for the Miss World pageant so we had to drop her .”
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