Amrita Puri

Anshuman Jha-starrer 'Lakadbaggha' to have its European Premiere at the prestigious 20th Indisches Film Festival Stuttgart, 2023.The duo will soon travel to Germany for the film's special screening in July.Excited about it, Ridhi and Anshuman said in a statement, "We are excited and grateful that our love letter to dogs is breaking the language barrier & will reach an audience in Germany. Animal trafficking and cruelty is a grave environmental issue and I am happy that the festival is giving a voice to the voiceless. This is a shot in the arm as we prep for a bigger Part-2. We are thankful to the selection committee at Stuttgart and stoked to be there for our European Premiere."'Lakadbaggha' is the story of an animal lover vigilante vs an animal abuser kingpin. This action film deals with the underbelly of illegal animal trade and the inhuman treatment of the voiceless creatures.The film had its World Premiere at the Kolkata International Film Festival and its International Premiere at the HBO South Asian International Film Festival.

Taking to Instagram, Manoj Bajpayee shared the news with his fans. He wrote, "#JORAM starring @BajpayeeManoj and @Mdzeeshanayyub, directed by @nakdindianfakir is all set for its 'World Premiere' at the prestigious, 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2023, under the 'Big Screen Competition' category."#JORAM starring @BajpayeeManoj and @Mdzeeshanayyub, directed by @nakdindianfakir is all set for its 'World Premiere' at the prestigious, 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2023, under the Big Screen Competition' category.@ZeeStudios_@nowitsabhi#SmitaTambe manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) December 20, 2022Helmed by Devashish Makhija, a survival-thriller about a displaced indigenous man. Made in collaboration with Makhijafilm, an independent production house jointly owned by Devashish himself and curator-producer Anupama Bose.The film stars Smita Tambe and Megha Mathur. It also features Tannishtha Chatterjee and Rajshri Deshpande in special appearances.'Joram' is Devashish's third collaboration with Manoj Bajpayee, and his third film to be screened at IFFR after Ajji (2018) and Bhonsle (2019). The film was also part of FBR section of the Viewing Room at NFDC's Film Bazaar, 2022.Recounting his experience of playing his role in Joram, Manoj Bajpayee said, "The film Joram is a riveting story of a man torn between his past and present. I loved playing the intricate character, Darsu, whose past and present have a significant contrast. On the outside he looks like an ordinary man that people may not even notice, but in no way is he a common man! A brilliant story with such impactful characters! It's always been a pleasure working with Zee Studios & Devashish Makhija. I always remain very proud of my artistically fulfilling relationship with them."Actor Zeeshan Ayyub shared, "I play Ratnakar - a city bred cop in the film who is low on the social ladder & therefore amongst his colleagues too. Being a city bred person myself, to me this film, my first ever trip into jungles to shoot it and the iron ore mines made me realise how much of 'me' was Ratnakar - that my access to education & middle class angst was a luxury compared to the bleak, stark and forever-on-the-edge lives that the 'Other' truly underprivileged live on a daily basis."Producer & Makhijafilm's Managing Partner Anupama Bose said, "Both Devashish and I set up Makhijafilm to make and support independent spirited & accessibly told films & web series about people, cultures, identity conflicts & human dilemmas across genres and languages. We are fortunate that all our collaborators and Zee Studios held on to that spirit as they walked with us on the film. We hope with the IFFR, Rotterdam selection our debut home production JORAM will embark on a journey that reaches out to audiences across the world as well."Joram Director & Partner, Makhijafilm, Devashish Makhija said,"Joram is my third film at IFFR, after AJJI (2018) and BHONSLE (2019), but the first film produced by Anupama Bose and myself as Makhijafilm, and backed by Zee Studios, a rare Indian studio that loves and nurtures independent-spirited cinema like ours. JORAM features some of the finest international actors from India - Manoj Bajpayee, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Smita Tambe, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Rajshri Deshpande, and many more. In its vision and its making, our film has sought to bridge that ever shifting gap between the artistic cinema and the mainstream, hopefully having pulled in the best of both. The brilliant team behind JORAM is filled with strength and hope by our selection for our World Premiere in the Big Screen Competition at IFFR."Shariq Patel, the CBO, of Zee Studios said, "'Joram' is a the gritty tale of how a common man transcends and overcomes all barriers to protect his blood. It is an honour that a story so rooted in India has been selected in the 'Big Screen Competition' section and Zee Studios is looking forward to the films World Premiere at the illustrious 52nd International Film Festival of Rotterdam."Presented by Zee Studios and produced by Zee Studios in association with Makhijafilm, 'Joram' is all set to be released next year.

Janhvi Kapoor is often papped whenever she goes to the gym, but this time, she treated her fans to her home-workout look, on Friday.The actor posted two photos and a video of her working, on her Instagram handle. She sported a monochromatic lavender-coloured athleisure, which gave major gym fashion goals.The 'Roohi' actor also wrote a hilarious caption, tagging her pilates instructor, Namrata Purohit, which read, "sometimes when I fall asleep I still hear @namratapurohit saying "go slow" in my dreams".Namrata reacted to her post and wrote, "Haha the mind and body connection!! finally you're understanding how slow is soooo effective!"Meanwhile, on the work front, the 'Ghost Stories' actor recently wrapped up shooting for 'Milli' opposite Sunny Kaushal. This will mark her first collaboration with her father Boney Kapoor.Her other upcoming projects include Aanand L Rai's 'Good Luck Jerry'. Apart from that, she will be seen in 'Dostana 2' and is reportedly a part of Karan Johar's period drama 'Takht', alongside bigwigs like Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and more.

The first set of performers for the 36th Golden Disc Awards have been announced. On December 28, the Golden Disc Awards announced that BTS, aespa, ENHYPEN, THE BOYZ, Brave Girls, Lee Mujin, Lim Young Woong, and Jeon Somi as a part of the lineup for the event.Although BTS is currently on their extended period of rest following their BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE LA concert in the United States and cant attend the event, theyll be revealing exclusive footage from their Los Angeles concert for the first time on TV.Besides being nominated for Rookie Artist of the Year, South Korean female group aespa is also currently nominated for a Bonsang (Main Award) in both Digital Song and Album divisions.ENHYPEN, who won the rookie award last year, is nominated for a Bonsang in the Album division for DIMENSION: DILEMMA, which is the groups first million-seller album.THE BOYZ is also a nominee in the Album division with THRILL-ING. After the massive success of Rollin'and Chi Mat Ba Ram, Brave Girls will be making their first attendance at the Golden Disc Awards.Lee Mujin will also be joining the lineup for the first time after his song Traffic Light received much love on music charts.Furthermore, Lim Young Woong is preparing another new special stage following his performance last year, and Jeon Somi will also be performing at the ceremony. Her single Dumb Dumb is nominated for a Bonsang in the Digital Song division.The 36th Golden Disc Awards will be held on January 8 at 3 p.m. KST. Lee SeungGi, Lee Da Hee, and Sung Si Kyung have been confirmed to host the show.

Janhvi Kapoor is juggling between two projects. The actress began the year with Gunjan Saxena biopic tentatively titled Kargil Girl.For the role of IAF Pilot, the actress had to gain 6 kilos. After the wrap up of the schedule, she went underwent hectic training to shed 10kgs for her next film RoohiAfza.Now, for Georgia schedule, Janhvi Kapoor will have to gain muscle for her role. Namrata Purohit, her trainer, revealed that Janhvi underwent hectic regime for both the schedules and everything was monitored. For her weight loss, she had to do a fair amount of cardio. Since she has six weeks before the schedule, the actress will follow the same regime. She has been working out six days a week. Four days are allotted to Pilates and two days for electrical muscle stimulation. Meanwhile, Kargil Girl is set for 2020 release. The film stars Pankaj Tripathi as Janhvi Kapoors father. ALSO READ: Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao are happy souls after wrapping the Agra schedule of RoohiAfza

After the fifteen years since Masti Ajay Devgn and filmmaker Indra Kumar will be coming together in the forthcoming Total Dhamaal.Now, it seems like the collaboration will happen for the third time. Ajay Devgn Films and Indra Kumar are reuniting to co-produce The Big Bull along with Ashok Thakerias Maruti International. Ajay will only be producing and not star in it. It will be helmed by Kookie Gulati. The casting is in the process as the makers plan to cast an established actor who can pull off the role. Apart from Kookie Gulati who has written the story, Arjun Dhawan. Juhi Chaturvedi are collaborating on the script as well. The story will be loosely based on the life of infamous stock broker Harshad Mehta who was arrested for financial crimes that took place in the Securities Scam of 1992. There were several criminal charges brought against him and he was convicted of four for four of them before dying at the age of 27 in 2001. In September 1999, Bombay High Court convicted and sentenced him to five years rigorous imprisonment. He was called Big Bull because it was reported that he had begun bull run in stock market. Also Read : Ajay Devgn and Kajol to come together for a special project

Homi Adajania's quirky comedy Finding Fanny has been selected for the Korean premiere at the prestigious Busan Film Festival - the biggest film festival in Asia. Being hailed as the movie to watch out for, Finding Fanny is set to release on September 12.

Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios, says, "We are thrilled that Finding Fanny has been selected for the Busan Film Festival. We are getting incredible feedback at our screenings - this quirky comedy with an amazing ensemble cast is a must see film!" Producer Dinesh Vijan says, "It feels great! Busan is fast emerging as one of the more serious and hugely respected international film festivals. It gives Finding Fanny perfect exposure to a widespread international audience. One of the reasons we made this film was to release it internationally to include a non-diaspora audience and this is an encouraging first step towards that." Director Homi Adajania says, "It's pretty cool to be showcasing at the Busan International Film Festival because it is the top festival in all of Asia. Big names come to Busan and I know that last year they had an over 200-thousand strong audience come in from all over the world to watch the chosen films. So ya, it feels very good that Finding Fanny has been invited there." Deepika Padukone, who plays the character of Angie, says, "I know that the Busan International Film Festival is huge in prestige and is widely considered within the top ten festivals in the world so having our film invited there is very exciting because it will reach a massive and varied international audience. It's an amazing moment for us and that too just before the release of the film. We thank Busan for bestowing this honour on us." Arjun Kapoor, who plays the character of Savio says, "This is great news for the entire team of Finding Fanny . It's a moment of pride and joy that a prestigious film festival like Busan has given us such recognition." Finding Fanny is an off the wall, comical story about five oddballs who venture out to find Stefanie Fernandes (Fanny); in the process, they discover a strange sense of solace and love amongst each other, and end up seeing a point to their previously pointless lives. The film has been produced by Maddock Films and is being presented by Fox Star Studios.

With biopics being the flavor of the season, producer Ashi Dua decided to revive the love story of popular poetess Amrita Pritam with literary legend Sahir Ludhianvi. The film which was to be directed by Jasmeet Reen, however, has been caught up in a legal controversy.

The family of Amrita Pritam, that is, her partner Imroze and her grandson Aman Kwatra are unhappy with the idea of this biopic and has denied the permission to portray the story on screen. Amrita Pritam, who had a turbulent relationship with Sahir Ludhianvi, has mentioned about the same in her autobiography. We also hear that, Aman and his sister Shilpi did meet the makers of the film but refused to allow them to showcase the love story on celluloid. According Aman Kwatra, his grandmother was a simple woman and wanted to lead a life that way. She never wanted her life to be made into a film and the family members are only abiding by her wish.

He also expressed his disappointment over the fact that despite his repeated attempts to convince the makers to shelve the film, Ashi Dua went ahead with the project and has even cast a few actors for the same. However, he has curtly maintained that since they have the right to Amrita Pritam's autobiography, they will not allow her life to be commercialized. Aman also clearly stated that they want people to know about the poetess life through her writings, and not through commercial cinema and hence they have decided to fight for it.

However, on the other hand, Ashi Dua maintained that she has no idea about any such legal tangle and that they have already received all the necessary permission required to make the film.

The film in question apparently stars Irrfan Khan as Sahir Ludhianvi and it is being said that Priyanka Chopra has been approached to play Amrita Pritam.

The last time when one heard of Vishal Mahadkar was when he had made Blood Money , which starred Kunal Khemu and Amrita Puri. This time round, the man is back with a horror thriller titled 3 AM . Speaking to Bollywood Hungama , the boyish director said, " 3 AM is one man's quest to find the existence of ghosts in today's world. The film will be having three music composers, viz., Pranay Vijaya, Rajat Manan and the Pakistani band Raeth ." When asked about the starcast, he replied, "The film stars Ranvijay Singh and debutante Anandita Nayar as the lead."He added that, "While the film is being produced by Essel Vision and Handprint Pictures, it's being readied for a September release"

Bengali director par excellence Rituparno Ghosh best remembered for his film Choker Bali passed away in Kolkata earlier today morning. The 49 year old director is said to have suffered from a heart attack which subsequently led to his demise.

Born on August 31, 1963, Ghosh shot to fame with his 1994 film Unishe April. Post the film, Rituparno has won multiple National Awards and several acclaimed international awards as well for his filmmaking skills.

A director who has mostly favoured recreating and adapting the works of Tagore for his film, Rituparno started his career in advertising making his directional debut with Hirer Angti in 1994. We at Bollywood Hungama send out our heartfelt condolences to the director's family and friends.