Anushka Sharma spends quality time with Virat Kohli in Sri Lanka

Work commitments may be keeping rumoured love birds Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli on different continents, but where there is a will, there is a way. Anushka was spotted paying her cricketer beau a visit in Sri Lanka, where team India is stationed until September for the ongoing T-20 series.

A few days ago it was reported that the ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ star was leaving for Sri Lanka to spend some time with Virat.

A fresh picture that has surfaced online, sees the two with bright smiles posing for pictures together along with coach Ravi Shastri.

Anushka and Virat were last seen spending some down time together in New York City, before heading back to their busy work schedules. Virat had posted a selfie with his rumoured lady love and captioned it, “Much needed break with my ❤.”

(The Daily Sun)

Saif Ali Khan turns 46

The Nawab of Bollywood Saif Ali Khan is turning 46 today. Wishing him a happy birthday, indianexpress.com will like to take you through a journey of how this Pataudi kid, who debuted with Yash Chopra’s Parampara in 1993, vaulted himself to the pantheon of Bollywood’s finest performers.

It’s been 24 years since that movie. And let us tell you, Saif’s journey has been really incredible. From Vicky Saigal’s Ole Ole to Ishwar Langda Tyagi in Omkara, Saif has come a long way. He has truly undergone a makeover. Here’s a look at five of his badass roles that have played a part in redefining his filmography.

1. Omkara

Until Vishal Bhardwaj’s dark entertainer Omkara arrived in 2006, Saif Ali Khan was pigeon-holed as an actor only suitable for the boy-next-door roles, having done films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Dil Chahta Hai and Hum Tum. But Ishwar Langda Tyagi brought out Saif’s acting prowess like never before.

2. Cocktail

The 46-year-old may be playing a romantic-at-heart Gautam in this film but not without an added sense of maturity to it. Not only did Gautam fight a complex battle about who to love, his dialogues were on point and made a lasting impact.

3. Race

This Abbas-Mustan series saw Saif play a badass Ronnie, the ultimate mastermind behind all the plans and made us fall in love with Saif’s acting even more. Looking dapper in his grey avatar, Saif really stole the show in this film.

4. Bullett Raja

Before this Tigmanshu Dhulia release, one couldn’t have imagined Saif play a UP ‘gunda’ ever. But Saif donned this avatar with such finesse and dexterity that it left audiences impressed.

5. Go Goa Gone

This zombie comedy saw Saif play a Russian-cum-Delhi mafioso Borris who is also a zombie slayer. With some kickass dialogues and perfect comic timing, Saif aced this role. Even though the film was a failure at the box office, it was appreciated for being innovative.

Cut to 2017, Saif has films like Chef, Kalakaandi and Bazaar in his kitty. Saif has truly become an actor to watch out for and he can even give the young stars a run for their money.

We wish Saif a very happy birthday and hope that he continues to deliver such power-packed performances in the future as well!

(The Daily Sun)

India's toilet crisis now on silver screen

Bollywood may be famous for its blingy song and dance numbers, but a new film released Friday deals with a distinctly less glamorous subject-India’s chronic lack of toilets.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has made building more toilets a key priority in the country of 1.25 billion people, around half of whom still have to go into the fields to answer the call of nature.

Campaigners estimate that nearly 200,000 infants die every year due to infections spread through open defecation, which they say also puts women at risk of sexual assault.

“Toilet: Ek Prem Katha” (“Toilet: A love story”) is inspired by the true-life tale of one man’s battle to build toilets in his village in rural India.

He wanted to win back his new wife, whose refusal to live in a house without a toilet won her plaudits in India.

Script writers Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal told AFP they hoped the movie, featuring one of Bollywood’s biggest stars Akshay Kumar, would have a “tangible impact” on Indian society.

“This happened in a village in Madhya Pradesh, and we thought that was a strong statement,” said Singh, referring to one of India’s most rural states.

The writers said they came across numerous stories of women being assaulted when they went into the fields late at night in the process of researching the movie.

“But defecating in the open is not only unhealthy it is also dangerous,” said Garima.

“While we were doing our research we heard of three incidents of molestation. Crimes against women have increased owing to their vulnerability when they are out in the fields, alone in the dark, with their ‘pants down’ as it were.”

Garima said it was hypocritical for Indian society to insist that women cover up on the one hand, while on the other forcing them to “expose themselves owing to a lack of sanitary and bathroom facilities”.

Kumar, one of the world’s highest paid actors with an income of $31.5 million according to a Forbes ranking published last year, recently released a “Toilet Anthem” to promote the cause.

“While mankind has progressed far enough to journey to Mars and scale Mount Everest, 54 percent of India defecates in the open,” says the song.

Modi has called for every household in India to have a toilet.

Last year, he announced that his government had already built more than 20 million toilets since coming to power in 2014.

Around two-thirds of homes in the village that the movie is based on now have toilets, according to media reports.

“Our script was ready in 2014 and we felt we should get it going while it is still a hot topic.

It’s especially important to get people in rural areas to watch this film,” said Garima.

(The Daily Sun)

1 Million dance lovers join Japan’s ‘Awa’ fest

Over a million performers and spectators will flock to a western Japanese city this weekend for one of the country’s largest dance festivals, after organisers stepped up efforts to accommodate foreign visitors.

The annual “Awa Odori”, which originates from a Japanese Buddhist custom of honouring the spirits of ancestors, sees the otherwise sleepy city of Tokushima turn into a stage for four days.

Groups of dancers and musicians, known as “ren”, parade through the streets to the sound of traditional music instruments such as lutes, drums, flutes and bells.

Sporting Japanese kimono costumes with hair bands or straw hats, they chant in chorus and dance in synchronised choreography.

The number of participants, including performers, is expected to hit the same number as last year, when 1.2 million took part in the centuries-old carnival.

“You need practice when you do other Japanese traditional performing arts, but anyone can enjoy Awa Odori... only by raising hands and taking steps to the rhythm,” said 32-year-old dancer Masayuki Tatekawa.Performers prepare to dedicate their dance to a temple before the Awa Odori festival in Tokushima on 12 August, 2017.

Kenji Kitamura, an organiser, added: “This is a dance festival welcoming everybody as they can watch, sing, dance.

“This year we are especially putting the emphasis on foreign visitors as the number of tourists from other countries to Japan is increasing.”

He added that this year there would be English signs and temporary western-style toilets.

The country has launched a “Visit Japan” campaign ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the government said last month that travellers to Japan from other countries had jumped 17.4 percent to a record 13.8 million for the first half of 2017.

(The Daily Sun)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya hoist Indian flag in Melbourne

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan along with daughter Aaradhya experienced a moment of pride in Melbourne. The two hoisted the Indian flag as a part of their celebration of 70th year of India’s Independence.

The two not only hosted the flag but also sang the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

As Aishwarya stole the limelight with her appearance, Aaradhya too geared up to match her beautiful mother in terms of looks. The little one looked like a fairy in an Indian lehenga, and on the stage, people just could not stop looking at Aaradhya who patiently stood on the stage while her mother Aishwarya was exchanging some pleasantries.

Thanking Melbourne for giving such an honour to her, Aishwarya said, “Thank you so much Melbourne, thank you everyone for giving us such a moment of pride and happiness with so much love and warmth. Celebrating our 70th Independence Day will forever be such a beautiful memory for me and my dearest Aaradhya.” The actor first spoke in Hindi and then went on to translate her words into English for the non-Hindi speaking audience.

Apart from Aishwarya, the event saw the presence of filmmakers like Karan Johar, Dangal fame Nitesh Tiwari, Baahubali producer Shobu Yarlagadda, Shilpa Shetty, Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao and many others.

Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai on the work front would begin shooting for her next Fanney Khan, in which she would share the screen space with Anil Kapoor. The actor, who is comeback with Anil after almost a decade, will play a singer in the film.

(The Daily Sun)

Sharmila Tagore files complaint to claim royal property in Bhopal

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore has filed a complaint on behalf of the Bhopal royal family against occupants of a prime residential property in the picturesque Koh-e-Fiza area in Bhopal, following which the district administration issued notices to them, reports PTI.

Sharmila, widow of cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and mother of actor Saif Ali Khan, has claimed ownership of the property.

Pataudi was the rightful heir of the royal family of Bhopal's princely state as he was the grandson of the last Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan.

"A couple of months back, Sharmila Tagore had claimed ownership on the land of Dar-us-Salam, a residential property in Koh-e-Fiza, and urged to get this property evicted. We have now served the notices to the present occupants - Azam Khan and Nawab Raza - to furnish their replies.

These persons were named by her," Tehsildar, Bairagarh circle, Ajay Pratap Singh Patel said.

He said the administration was still waiting for the reply.

The actress reportedly said in her written complaint to the district administration that these persons (Syed Nawab Raza and Azam) trespassed into her property.

(The Daily Sun)

It was a definite grab, Taylor Swift describes at groping trial

Taylor Swift has described in court the moment she says she was groped by a radio presenter during a meet and greet.

"It was a definite grab. A very long grab," said the singer, who is suing radio DJ David Mueller over the alleged incident, which he denies.

"It was intentional.

He stayed latched onto my bare ass cheek.”

"I felt him grab onto my ass cheek under my skirt. He grabbed my ass underneath my skirt."

Swift said she didn't report what had happened right away because she had other fans waiting to meet her.

The alleged assault occurred in 2013, during a Denver stopover on Taylor Swift's Red tour.

Mueller, then a host on the top-rated radio station KYGO, had been invited to meet her before the show.

Swift took the stand the day after her mother gave her testimony and described how she wanted to "vomit and cry" when Swift told her about the alleged incident.

(The Daily Sun)

Haseena Parkar' to now release on September 22

Biographical crime film 'Haseena Parkar', based on terrorist Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar, is now scheduled to release on September 22. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film features Shraddha Kapoor in the title role.

Shraddha's brother Siddhanth will portray the role of Dawood Ibrahim, while Ankur Bhatia will essay Haseena's husband Ibrahim Parkar.

The film was earlier due to release on August 18, but the date was shifted to avoid clutter. The makers "wanted to get a better release date as there has been a lot of hard work, research and thought put behind each and every scene of the movie", read a statement issued on behalf of the producers on Wednesday.

"As a director, it is very important for me to ensure that the film reaches out to maximum audience as it takes a lot of patience and perseverance to make a film on a subject like this. We are all set to release on September 22 and hope the audience loves it as much as we loved working on it," Lakhia said.

(The Daily Sun)

Anil Kapoor: I have never looked for instant success

Actor Anil Kapoor, basking in the success of his new film Mubarakan where his Sikh character Kartar Singh is being appreciated, says he has never run after instant success in his life, reports Ians.

Brushing off the claim to individual fame with Mubarakan, which also features his nephew Arjun Kapoor in a double role, he said, “I feel any film is a team effort. There are so many films with an ensemble cast featuring me where others have been liked more.

After Slumdog Millionaire, all of us stood on that stage receiving that Oscar. That is the team spirit in which Mubarakan was made. Sure, my character was liked. And it contributed to the film’s success. But my nephew Arjun has also been liked. I was surprised by how dedicated and focused he is at his age.”

This is the first time Anil played a full-fledged Sikh character. “I loved getting into a turban. I really enjoyed my character. Kartar Singh is destined to be iconic just like my characters in Mr India, No Entry, Nayak, Ram Lakhan and my TV series 24. I played characters in these films who are remembered to this day. Even now people call me Lakhan from Ram Lakhan or Kishen from No Entry.”

Mubarakan is not the first film of Anil that had a low start at the box office. “My other films like Judaai, Taal and No Entry had a subdued start. They went on to become big successes. I’ve never looked for instant success. Nor have I ever craved to be the pivotal character in my films. Right from the beginning of my career in Woh Saat Din, I never played the conventional hero. I never feel threatened by any co-star because I don’t look anxiously at what others are doing. I focus on my own work.”

Prod him to name his favourite co-stars and Anil gets evasive. “Favourite, I don’t know. But I’ve done my maximum films with Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Amrish Puri and Jackie Shroff. And in many of the films with them, they had more footage than I did. There was more of Sridevi in Judaai and Mr India than me and more of Madhuri in Beta. But I never felt I’d be overshadowed.” Amrish Puri is one actor he misses.

“I don’t think Mr India or Nayak could be possible without Amrishji. He was one of my most formidable co-stars. I learnt so much from him. As for Jackie Shroff, we did so many films together we were buddies. We don’t meet that often any more. Our wives Sunita and Ayesha are more connected now than Jackie and I.”

(The Daily Sun)

Parineeti Chopra to record new song soon

After making a successful singing debut with 'Maana ke hum yaar nahi' earlier this year, actress Parineeti Chopra is now set to record another song. The actress is busy shooting for Rohit Shetty's 'Golmaal Again'.

Asked if she has sung in the upcoming film, she told select media here, "No. I haven't sung. I'm trying to butter up Rohit sir to let me sing one small thing. I'm going to release a second song soon though. I'm working on it. It's going to be a good one." "The first song did really well. So, I want to take this forward. I'm yet to record it," she added, reports Ians.

The actress, who has starred in 'Ishaqzaade', 'Shuddh Desi Romance' and 'Daawat-e-Ishq', said with 'Golmaal Again' - the fourth part in the 'Golmaal' series - she has joined the big league. "I don't think anybody in this country has not seen 'Golmaal'. My dad knows every character by heart. I think he was the most excited when I signed 'Golmaal' because he is the 'massy' audience. For me, it was an honour to sign the film because it was literally like joining the big league," she said.

"Being Rohit Shetty's (director) heroine, actor Ajay Devgn's heroine...it was a big deal for me. The movies that I have done were with boys mostly of my age. It was like stepping up into the big game. So obviously, I felt proud of myself because I earned that," she added. 'Golmaal' is one the biggest films of the year, she said.

"It is one of the most expensive and biggest franchises. I don't think any film has reached four. Abroad we have. 'Dhoom' has reached three and so has 'Housefull'. 'Golmaal' has the biggest director and cast so, obviously it's like joining the big league and I'm very happy to be a part of this gang," she said about the team, which also consists of actors Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Kunal Kemmu.

"I have a very important role in the film. I'm not just the heroine in the film. So, it was like the best of everything," she added. And now, she is happy to be a part of the family. "First few days I was scared of Ajay and Rohit sir. They are like a family and have amazing tuning. It was like entering a new class and wondering 'Will they like me or not?' Ajay is like a kid, especially when he does songs. He doesn't enjoy dancing so, he would complain. But he would work hard also."

"I call him (Ajay) my box office India. He gives me all the 'gupshup' (gossip) on the industry. I always message or call him to know about any new film. I can plan my life according to his information. It's always correct. He is my trade guru," she said.

Any ragging on the film's set? "I was told 'You have to be prepared for pranks during 'Golmaal' shooting'. There is time, money spent on pranks. It's a separate department. I have been at the receiving end," she said.

Recalling one of those moments, she said, "One day, Rohit sir seriously came to me and told me to do some funny movement. I asked him 'Really? But the character is not like that'. Nevertheless, I agreed and did it. The whole team laughed at me. I was so embarrassed." It's not just her. Even Shreyas fell prey to pranks.

(The Daily Sun)

Kolkata actor Dev to star in a war film

After joining in politics of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banarjya’s party, popular Kolkata actor Dev has become irregular in movies. Now, he is keen to act in a meaningful commercial films instead of masala entertainers.

He will soon be playing the lead in Aniket Chattopadhyay’s Kabir, the story and script of which are written by the director himself.

Confirming the news, Aniket said, “Yes, I am working with Dev in Kabir, where he plays the title role.

It’s a war movie and the story unfolds through Kabir’s journey.We will see Dev in different looks in this film. People are getting killed brutally in different parts of the world and there is a lot of unrest; my film talks about that. I will like to cast a non-Bengali girl as the female lead but I am yet to lock it.”

The cast also includes Goutam Halder, Arno, Ekavali Khanna, Soumyajit Majumdar and others. Kabir will go on the floors from the first week of September and will be shot in Sikkim, Kolkata and different parts of Maharashtra.

(The Daily Sun)

Kylie Jenner’s make-up brand could be worth $1bn

She may be only 20, but Kylie Jenner may soon have a beauty business worth more than a billion dollars.

For the first time, the youngest Kardashian-Jenner has revealed how much money her Kylie Cosmetics brand makes.

In an interview with WWD, Kylie and her mum Kris Jenner revealed she’s made $420m (£323m) in retail sales in 18 months.

Her cosmetics brand has outsold established companies like Bobbi Brown and Lancome.

It’s the first time Kylie has discussed financial details about her business.

Her range of lipsticks, highlighters and eye shadow palettes have outsold Tom Ford Beauty, which was one of the fastest-selling beauty brands of all time, making $500m (£385m) in sales in 10 years.

Other more established names, Bobbi Brown and Lancome, took 25 and 80 years to reach the billion dollar mark, yet Kylie is set to do it in just five years.

If these predictions for her cosmetics line are correct, she will join another elite group – the youngest dollar billionaires in the world. There are currently only 56.

She’ll sit alongside the founders of Airbnb, Uber, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

She told WWD: “I don’t know how we’re going to do it.

I think it’s time people walk into a store and see Kylie Cosmetics.

“I do want that but we haven’t figured out exactly how we’re going to do that and what approach we’re going to take.”

Kylie is yet to launch a concealer and foundation because it would be hard for customers to get the right colour match online.

“It’s going to be hard to buy concealer online. That’s why I kept pushing it back…[But] I’m up for it.”

Kylie Cosmetics, which is only sold online, could now expand to be sold in stores.

The firm released its first three products in November 2015, with kits containing lipsticks and matching lip liners in different shades.

Since then, Kylie has expanded her range of lip kits with several different shades, but has also created new collections, such as highlighters, blushers, bronzers and themed bundles to celebrate Christmas and her birthday.

She says: “What I’ve been into is creating collections. That’s kind of my thing.

“In the beginning I thought my brand had to be consistent and everything look the same and that was stressing me out. And that’s really not my personality.

“I like to have blue hair one day and blonde the next… and collections are where I kind of get to express myself. I change everything… I love to switch it up and come out with new products.”

It’s not just Kylie’s beauty line making her money, she has Keeping Up With The Kardashians, her new reality show the Life of Kylie, a clothing line with sister Kendall and modelling contracts with the likes of Puma to add to her fortune.

(The Daily Sun)

Ranbir Kapoor once dated Imran Khan’s wife Avantika Malik

We all know Ranbir Kapoor dated Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone but many might not know that the ‘Barfi’ actor once dated Avantika Malik, Imran Khan’s wife.

Back in the 90s, Ranbir Kapoor had a huge crush on Avantika. They couple dated for more than five years before calling it a quit.

When Avantika Malik worked as a child artist in a popular serial ‘Just Mohabbat’, Ranbir was so much smitten by her that he used to visit her every day on the sets of the show.

After dating for five years, Avantika and Ranbir broke-up.

Later, she found love in Imran Khan and after dating for eight years, the couple tied the knot in 2011. Avantika and Imran were blessed with a baby girl, Imara.

Not only Avantika but Ranbir Kapoor also moved on in life post break-up. He debuted with ‘Saawariya’ and concentrated on his career. Post separation, Ranbir Kapoor and Avantika Malik remained good friends.

(The Daily Sun)