Latest Bollywood News Today Transcript at 11:30 AM on 31 July 2023
In our top story. Mostly good reviews and positive word of mouth have helped Karan Johar’s film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to grow at the box office. As trade analyst Taran Adarsh reported, after opening with Rs 11.1 crore, the film saw almost 45 per cent growth over the weekend as it minted Rs 16.05 crore. This brings the collection of the film to Rs 27.15 crore. Adarsh shared a detailed report about the film’s growth and performance. The Alia Bhatt-Ranveer Singh film saw a 33.68 per cent occupancy in the Hindi market. While Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has no competition in Bollywood, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer continues to pull audiences.
Meanwhile, actor Ranveer Singh compared working on his latest film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to “friends” coming together to mount a movie they believe in. Directed by Karan Johar, the romantic comedy-drama was released on 28th July, to an overwhelming positive response across the board. The film also stars Alia Bhatt and veteran actors, Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi. In a ‘Making’ video of the film posted by Dharma Productions, Ranveer said he had a fun time shooting with the veterans. He shared – “Dharam ji is just love. He is the most grounded, down-to-earth superstar. Jaya Ji has that authority. When she walks onto a set, everybody is on alert.”
Actor Shabana Azmi’s first made a mark in Indian cinema when she won the National Award for her debut performance in Ankur. However, in a recent interview, the actor recalled that her first experience in front of the camera was a ‘disaster’. During a podcast with Fellowship of Lost Creative Souls, Shabana shared – “First time I did a screen test, it was a disaster because they had put so much makeup on me that I could not even open my mouth. I was so awful that I thought that they were going to throw me out because this was not going to work.” Shabana’s latest release is Karan Johar’s directorial Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Moving on. Kangana Ranaut recently reacted to former Member of Rajya Sabha Subramanian Swamy’s remark over her Y-plus security. Kangana was accorded Y+ security by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020 in the wake of a spat between Ranaut and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. The matter was raked up again by Swamy on Twitter on Sunday, 30th July. He tweeted, “I wonder why since it is no business of SPG to track Bollywood stars.” Kangana in reply tweeted, “I’m not just a Bollywood star, I am also a very vocal and concerned citizen. There is an evident threat to my life hence I requested extended security. Is there something wrong Sir?”
It appears that the row surrounding Nitesh Tiwari’s Bawaal is now snowballing into an international controversy with diplomats getting involved in the discussion. After the Israeli embassy in India responded to the controversy and criticised the Janhvi Kapoor-Varun Dhawan film for “trivialising” the genocide of Jews in World War II, Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon also echoed a similar viewpoint. He wrote on Twitter – “I did not and will not watch the film Bawaal but from what I’ve read, there was a poor choice of terminology and symbolism. Trivialization of the Holocaust should disturb all. I urge those who don’t know enough about the horrors of the Holocaust to educate themselves about it.”
Meanwhile, the makers of the upcoming Netflix series Guns and Gulaabs, starring Rajkummar Rao, dropped a motion poster on Sunday, 30th July, giving the audience a glimpse of Rao’s character. Directed by filmmaker duo, Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, the motion poster features the actor in his character ‘Paana Tipu’. The video shows Rao entering the frame with a heroic swag and spinning his spanner, but it slips from his hands as he fumbles to hold on to it. It is a classic Raj and DK moment, which punctures heroic moments with cheeky humour. Apart from Rajkummar, Guns and Gulaabs also stars Dulquer Salman, Gulshan Devaiah and Adarsh Gourav. Guns and Gulaabs will premiere on August 18.
Actor Vicky Kaushal shared how he doesn’t feel like a ‘star’ as compared to Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan. In an interview with Spicejet Limelight, Vicky shared – “The accessibility today is such that a person is a star only till he or she is in the news or trending on social media. A real star has to have longevity – like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik. Earlier in Bollywood, stardom came after decades of hard work and that fame was for life. I am grateful for the love I receive from my audience, but I do not feel like a star.”
Lastly, Sonam Kapoor shared a series of photos and a warm note on her husband, Anand Ahuja‘s birthday. In her note, Sonam wrote, “A year around the sun again, this time with our beautiful boy Vayu. We love you the most in the world, you kind, sensitive wonderful man. Everyone realises how special you are but no one knows how hard you work to be the best version of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Fly high and reach for the stars. Life is just going to be better because you deserve everything and more.” Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja often share photos on social media. The couple welcomed their son Vayu, on August 20, 2022.