ShowBiz

Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) Telugu actor Nikhil Siddhartha, who got a lot of positive response for his pan-India release, 'Karthikeya 2', is a huge fan of the Badshah of Bollywood - Shah Rukh Khan, by his own admission.

Nikhil has been a part of 'Karthikeya 1' and 'Karthikeya 2' and will also be seen in 'Karthikeya 3'.

The actor, who started his journey in the film industry as an assistant director, and emerged as a successful actor with 'Karthikeya 2', recently shared, "I am a huge Shahrukh Khan fan from the 'Fauji' and 'Circus' (television shows) time."

He said that he has seen every single interview of Shah Rukh Khan to understand what it takes to be an outsider and still rule the hearts of millions across the world, "I have watched every interview of his and learnt how he came from outside and became the King of Bollywood."

After its theatrical run, 'Karthikeya 2' will soon be streaming on ZEE5 from October 5. The movie did good business in both the Northern and Southern belts. The actor has a mesmerising line-up of films in the coming year and will be seen next in 'Spy', a larger-than-life action thriller.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) 'Bigg Boss 16' contestant Archana Gautam had a heated conversation with the captain of the house Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia in the latest episode of the reality show. She in fact went on to write 'Bekaar' on the forehead of Nimrit after the fight.

While Bigg Boss has announced Nimrit as the captain of the house, her job is to divide different duties among the contestants. Initially, she had asked Archana to cook for the housemates and she was happy as she loves cooking.

But later, Nimrit removed her from her duty saying there are already six people to do that. This made her furious.

"You have given me the job to cook food and I just loved it. Why are you taking away this responsibility? I just loved it."

To this Nimrit replied: "I am a captain and I can change the duties whenever I want." To which Archana retorted: "Yes you are a captain and you can give tasks but you just cannot keep changing the duties."

Sumbul Touqeer Khan and Tina Datta also supported Nimrit saying she is a captain and everyone has to do whatever she says. But Archana refused to listen to them.

Meanwhile, Bigg Boss has started playing his game and he gave prank calls to the contestants and also gave them certain specific tasks to perform.

Like he called the contestant and actor Shalin Bhanot as Aamir Khan and asked him to take a dip in the pool and he jumped thrice. While Gautam Vig received a prank call in the name of Hritik Roshan and asked him to go shirtless and show his body and do his signature step from the movie 'Kaho Na Pyar Hai' in each of the bedrooms.

While Sonu Nigam's prank call was picked by Tina and she was asked to sing the song 'Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke' from 'Maine Pyar Kiya' starring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree. And the last call in the voice of Pankaj Tripathi was for Archana and he asked her to go and write 'Bekaar' on the forehead of a person whom she feels is useless and she took a lipstick and rushed towards Nimrit and told her that she was given the task to write 'Bekaar' on her forehead.

But Nimrit didn't allow Archana to touch her but she did the task anyway. Nimrit was upset with this and told her that many of the housemates didn't like the tea she prepared but still she didn't tell Archana as she never wanted to hurt her but she took no time in hurting her sentiments.

'Bigg Boss 16' airs on Colors.

--IANS
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Chennai, Oct 3 (IANS) Ace director Boyapati Sreenu is to next work with actor Ram Pothineni on a film that is to be produced by well known producer Srinivasaa Chhitturi.

An official announcement regarding the film, which the makers said was tentatively being referred to as 'BoyapatiRapo', was made on Monday.

The makers' surprise announcement took social media by storm and got several fans excited and eager for updates.

The makers also went on to say that further updates regarding the film will be put out on October 5, the festival day of Dussehra.

Sources close to the unit of the film say that Boyapati Sreenu has come up with a story loaded with mass elements and that both the producer and the actor were thrilled by it.

The yet-to-be titled movie will be made on a lavish budget by Srinivasaa Silver Screen. Pavan Kumar will be presenting the film.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) Actor Karan Deol shares his excitement on sharing screen space with his father and Bollywood star Sunny Deol in 'Apne 2', a sequel to the 2007 sports drama 'Apne' starring veteran actor Dharmendra and his sons.

Karan, who was seen in his father's directorial 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas', talks about his experience working with Sunny.

He said: "The climax is here. The final read of 'Apne' starts with Neeraj Sir and my father who will also be my co-star. No bigger dream than this where I am getting not only to work with him but also to share the screen space with him."

He added on how he has put all his efforts to give his best and he is looking ahead to the response of the viewers.

"The experience till now has been amazing. I have indulged myself so much into the script that I cannot wait to go on floors for the shoot."

'Apne 2' is all set to go on floors soon. Sunny Deol is also shooting for a sequel to 2001 film 'Gadar' and 'Soorya' is also in the pipeline.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) As Sunny Leone kicks off the new season of youth-based reality show 'Splitsvilla', the actress on why it is the most exciting genre to pull off. She says non-fiction is always difficult to shoot and perform as one has to be themselves and that's the most challenging and most fun thing to do.

With the new season in Goa, she tells us that this is the toughest genre to shoot. The actress is soon going to star opposite Vishnu Manchu in the upcoming Pan-India film 'Ginna'.

From shooting a multilingual film to doing an action packed web series, the actress has done it all in 2022. But what turned out to be the most thrilling for her is 'Splitsvilla'.

Revealing the reason, she said: "At its core, this reality show is about love, longing and heartbreak. To see young people go through that journey is both heartening and sometimes tough to judge. Human beings are flawed by nature and so when we show these real emotions on screens, even as judges we find it hard to gauge who is right and who is wrong.

She added: "Moreover, every year, the attempt to do something unexpected and keep the conversations fresh. The whole team endeavours to retain the snazziness of the show and blend it with genuine emotions. Non-fiction is always difficult to shoot and perform. You have to be yourself and sometimes that's the most challenging and most fun thing to do."

--IANS
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Chennai, Oct 3 (IANS) South actress Rashmika Mandanna, who has worked with Amitabh Bachchan in 'Goodbye', says that she is grateful for having done the film with the Bollywood superstar.

Taking to Instagram, the actress posted a picture of herself with Big B and wrote, "I still can't believe this is happening.

Having done a film with sir, getting to talk to him, being able to share the same stage as him, talking about the same topics, getting to take a picture with him, my God!!

"He is an absolutely brilliant performer... A gem of a person and always arguing with me as a reel papa... but my God - how grateful am I.

"I am grateful for having done 'Goodbye' with Amitabh Bachchan sir. It's been an absolute honour and this will forever be super special. PS - See papa and Tara in five days on October 7 in cinemas near you!"

The actress considers the Hindi film super special as she herself mentioned in one of her posts when she wrapped up shooting for the film.

She had then said, "Everyone I've worked with in this team will always and forever be super special to me (Guys! Let's work again soon, like super soon. I dunno how you'll make it happen but make it happen!) I love you guys! You are the bestest!"

--IANS
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Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) Powerhouse performers Revathy and Kajol are all set to light up the screens on December 9 with their upcoming film 'Salaam Venky'.

The film is directed by Revathy, who has previously worked behind the camera for the National Award-winning "Mitr, My Friend" and 2004 drama "Phir Milenge".

'Salaam Venky', which was earlier titled as 'The Last Hurrah', will showcase a tale of a praiseworthy mother, who battled the most difficult circumstances.

'Salaam Venky' is inspired by an incredible true story of a mother's strength when faced with life's challenges.

Produced by Suuraj Sinngh, Shraddha Agrawal and Varsha Kukreja under the banner BLIVE Productions and RTAKE Studios, 'Salaam Venky' is directed by Revathy and is set to release in cinemas on December 9.

--IANS
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Los Angeles, Oct 3 (IANS) Sacheen Littlefeather, the activist for Native Americans who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar for 'The Godfather' on his behalf at the 1973 Academy Awards, died on Sunday at 75, the Academy of Motion Pictures said.

She had been suffering from breast cancer, reports 'Variety'.

In June, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences apologised to Littlefeather for her treatment at the Oscars that night.

Littlefeather attended an in-person presentation of the apology at the Academy Museum on September 17.

At the Oscars, she was only given 60 seconds to read her speech on Native American rights, and was then escorted off the stage with audience members booing.

"He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award," Littlefeather said to the Academy Awards audience.

"And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry... and on television in movie re-runs, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee."

Littlefeather, born Marie Louise Cruz in Salinas, California, became interested in Native American issues in college and participated in the 1970 occupation of Alcatraz Island, adopting her name during that time.

After college, she joined SAG and reportedly met Brando, who took an interest in Native American issues, through Francis Ford Coppola who like Littlefeather, lived in San Francisco.

In a recent interview, Littlefeather told 'Variety' what it was like to attend the Oscars on Brando's behalf.

"It was my first time at the Academy Awards. I made it through my first hurdle, promising Marlon Brando that I would not touch that Oscar. But, as I walked off that stage, I did in the ways of courage, honour, grace, dignity and truthfulness. I did so in the ways of my ancestors and the ways of Indigenous women.

"I was met with the stereotypical tomahawk chop, individuals who called at me, and I ignored all of them. I continued to walk straight ahead with a couple of armed guards beside me, and I held my head high and was proud to be the first Indigenous woman in the history of the Academy Awards to make that political statement.

"At that time in 1973, there was a media blackout on Wounded Knee and against the American Indian Movement that was occupying it. Marlon had called them in advance and asked them to watch the Academy Awards, which they did.

"As they saw me, up on stage, refusing that Academy Award for the stereotypes within the film industry, and mentioning Wounded Knee in South Dakota, it would break the media boycott."

A documentary about her life and activism, "Sacheen Breaking the Silence," was released in 2021.

Though she had a few small roles in films including 'The Trial of Billy Jack', Littlefeather said she was blacklisted in Hollywood after the Oscars, and returned to San Francisco to continue her activism and work in theatre and health care.

--IANS
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Los Angeles, Oct 3 (IANS) Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine was joined by his wife Behati Prinsloo when performing at Shaquille O'Neal's charity gala, which marked his first public appearance since he was exposed for alleged affairs.

The show took place at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on Saturday night, October 1. Among those in attendance were stars like Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek, Logan Paul and Flavour Flav, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Aside from his wife, Levine has gotten support from Shaq amid his rumoured infidelity.

According to Page Six, Shaq declared at the event, "Adam is a friend of mine from [a long] time ago. I always say to myself, you know, I cannot be a hypocrite."

"Now, I wasn't the greatest husband in the world, so just because I have a large platform right now doesn't give me the right to bash other people."

Shaq, who was married to Shaunie O'Nealfrom 2002 to 2011, further shared.

"He's great, he's doing something for the children, he's always been like that. I'm happy for him. And I wish him luck."

In late September, the former professional basketball player explained to TMZ why he decided to keep Adam's band Maroon 5 as a musical guest at his show.

"Adam is a personal friend of mine. He's always been a great guy... He's coming to help kids out this weekend. That's as solid as you can get."

Refusing to judge Levine based on the recent headlines about his private life, the sports analyst continued: "It is not my job to say, 'You did this. You did that. You shouldn't have did this. You shouldn't have did that.'"

Levine was first exposed by Instagram model Sumner Stroh before other multiple women came up with similar affair allegations. However, the musician and his wife Behati kept putting on a united front since the cheating accusation surfaced.

--IANS
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Chandigarh, Oct 3 (IANS) The condition of famed Punjabi singer Alfaaz, alias Amanjot Singh Panwar, brother of Yo Yo Honey Singh, who got grievous injuries in a scuffle, is out of danger, doctors said on Monday.

Hirdesh Singh, alias Honey Singh, took to Instagram to share the incident and later thanked the Punjab Police for catching the culprits.

As per police, the singer had gone to a roadside eatery in Mohali in Punjab when the crime occurred. The accused, Vicky, a former employee of the eatery, was trying to escape when Alfaaz approached his car. The accused and his accomplices allegedly attacked the singer and fled.

The police booked Vicky on charges of assaulting the actor.

Police said the singer was coming out of Pal Dhaba after having dinner with his friends -- Gurpreet, Teji and Kuljit -- when there was an altercation between Vicky and the eatery owner over not settling his money.

Honey Singh shared an image of an injured Alfaaz on Instagram, saying, "My brother Alfaaz was attacked last night. Whoever planned this...I won't let you go...Everyone, please pray for him."

In another post, he wrote, "Special thanx to Mohali police who caught the culprits who hit Alfaaz with a tempo traveller on road last nite @itsaslialfaaz is now out of danger too."

--IANS
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