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Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Director Mohit Suri, who recently celebrated the 1st anniversary of his blockbuster film ‘Saiyaara’, has called the upcoming film ‘Awarapan 2’, a “long-lost love”, and “an old friend”.

On Friday, the director took to his Instagram, and shared the film’s trailer. He also penned a long note in the caption, saying that the film brought back so many memories for him.

He wrote, “This one feels special. Like a long-lost love, like an old friend you haven’t met in years but still deeply miss. 19 years later, and this movie still matters so much to me. Thank you, @nitinrkakkar , for bringing back something that is so close to my heart and for doing it with so much love, flourish, sensitivity and heart. To everyone who has worked on this film, most of you I know, have worked with before, and will continue to work with, you’ve done such a brilliant job”.

Mohit helmed the first part of the franchise. The film was a commercial disaster upon its release, and was pulled down from theatres owing to its poor performance. However, the film’s music was a huge success, and served as a fuel to its long shelf-life. Viewers saw the film on other avenues, steadily turning a once commercial disaster into a cult-classic.

He further mentioned, “Watching this trailer brought back so many memories. @billysiddiqi , I’m sure you’ve added so much more to this world, things that perhaps we couldn’t do back then. @dishapatani, I am so proud of you buddy !! Like always And last but definitely not the least, my brothers. @therealemraan Emi, my hero, and always, always will be. I’m sure you have given this one your all, like you did to me 18 years back”.

“And my little brother @visheshb7, I’ve passed on the baton to you, and now I can’t wait for the world to see what magic you have created. Good luck, my brother. Loved the trailer. All the very best to all of you. Everyone, go watch Awarapan 2 in cinemas on 14th August. ‘Toh phir aao… mujhko satao… mujhko rulao’”, he added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Comedian-actor Zakir Khan recently shared that he saved Rs 500 for a year to register for his 1st open mic, which paved the way for his stand-up career.

It took Zakir Khan 1 year to accumulate Rs 500 to register for his 1st open mic

Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Comedian-actor Zakir Khan recently shared that he saved Rs 500 for a year to register for his 1st open mic, which paved the way for his stand-up career.

The comedian recently appeared on the ‘Pehla Pehla’ podcast hosted by actor Gopal Datt, where he spoke about his tough days as a young guy, punched down by life.

He told the host, “We used to eat once a day. Every 2-3 months, it happened that we didn’t get food for 3 days. In such a scenario, we would sit in our innerwear. And my friend, Vishwas would tell me, ‘If you start this work, then no one will be better than you in India’. And what did I say? I said, ‘I know’. Now I am ashamed of these things. I had Googled a lot earlier about stand-up/ I had got something. Sitting in a cyber cafe, stand-up comedy, something like this”.

He further mentioned, “So there was a fee of Rs 500 to register in open mic. For someone like us, it was very high. So, it took me about 1 year 8 months to save Rs 500. When I went there for the first time to do it, then of course it didn't work. There is something in your mind. All those who do comedy are aware of it. They think that this will be funny, and something else is going on on stage”.

“People's mood or the environment is something else. Their social slab is something else. Your economical slab is something else. There are so many variants in it that it takes a lot of time to sit. So it got spoiled. It got spoiled. People are laughing at the fact that it didn't work”, he added.

--IANS

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Chennai, Aug 7 (IANS) The makers of director Vishnu Edavan's eagerly awaited romantic entertainer 'Hi', featuring actors Nayanthara and Kavin in the lead, on Friday announced that the film would now hit screens worldwide on August 28 this year.

Seven Screen Studios, one of the production houses producing the film, took to its social media timelines to make the announcement. It wrote, "We know you've been waiting to say HI 🙂 and here's when you finally can! Mark your calendars for AUGUST 28 as the most heartwarming entertainer of the season arrives in theatres. Get ready for the fun-filled #HiMovie, featuring #Nayanthara and

@Kavin_m_0431. A @jenmartinmusic Musical. A film directed by @VishnuEdavan1."

For the unaware, the film was originally scheduled to hit screens on August 14. However, now the makers have decided to release the film on August 28.

It may be recalled that the Censor Board has already cleared the film for release with a U/A certificate.

The film, which is being jointly produced by Zee Studios South, The Rowdy Pictures and Seven Screen Studios, will also feature a host of actors including K Bhagyaraj, Prabhu, Radhika, Sathyan, Adithya Kathir and Kureishi among others.

Sources close to the unit of the film have told IANS that the story of the film takes place across three cities -- Chennai, Coimbatore and Pollachi. They also point out that the film will be a family entertainer and that it would not have any villains featuring in it.

Vishnu Edavan, who is making his debut as a director with this film, had earlier worked as an associate director to ace director Lokesh Kanagaraj in several of his projects including 'Kaithi', 'Master' and 'Vikram'.

Director Vishnu Edavan, while commenting about his film earlier, had said that it would be a wholesome family entertainer that would speak about true love.

Expectations from the film are high as this will be the first time that actors Nayanthara and Kavin are acting together.

The film, which boasts of a strong technical team, will have music by Jen Martin and cinematography by Rajesh Shukla. Editing for the film will be by the capable Philomin Raj and art direction will be by Shekhar B. Dances in the film are to be choreographed by Brinda while stunts are to be choreographed by Dinesh Kasi.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Content creator Aarush Bhola, who is set to join Elvish Yadav and Tejasswi Prakash in the new season of the gaming reality show ‘Playground’, has shared that the show stays clear from “going below the belt” unlike other reality shows despite the competitive spirit being its cornerstone.

Aarush spoke with IANS along with Elvish Yadav and Tejasswi Prakash at a 5-star property in the Juhu area of Mumbai during the promotions of the show.

When asked how the new season of the show makes its place among a sea of reality shows currently owning the digital space, he said, “What I've seen in the shoot, what I've edited, I've seen that this show is very positive. It's not like we're just sitting here and fighting. There's a competition going on inside”.

He told IANS, “There's a lot of fun in it. Other games are being played. Strategies are being made. But no one is going below the belt. And everyone is coming and pushing their team well. So where you see earlier shows, I think it's an updated version of that. Made for Gen Z, made for new people. And this platform is open for new influencers, for gamers, for everyone. So where there are reality shows, there's a lot of negativity. There's a lot of personality”.

“You fight a lot, they still make you angry. Or you're very famous, they'll make you angry. But there's nothing like that. New people are getting a start in this. They're also happy to see that they're coming and doing all this”, he added.

‘Playground’ blends gaming, entertainment, competition and influencer culture into a single format. It is designed around a virtual playground, and brings together young creators, gamers and internet personalities who compete in a variety of challenges while navigating rivalries, friendships and team dynamics.

‘Playground’ season 5 is available to stream on Amazon MX Player.

--IANS

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Chennai, Aug 7 (IANS) Well known actress Shamna Kasim, who has delivered several impressive performances in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, on Friday penned a touching tribute to her late dad in which she said that she saw a part of him when she looked into her second baby's eyes.

Taking to her Instagram page to pen a tribute to her father, she wrote, "You left us far too soon, Uppa. I never had the chance to meet you, but I have heard countless stories about your love, kindness, and the way you cared for everyone around you. Every story makes me wish I had known you personally."

She went on to say,"Maybe we were the unlucky ones because you left before we could experience your love. But I truly believe that love never disappears—it continues to live on in the hearts of those you touched."

"When I look into my second baby’s eyes, I see a part of you. It feels like Allah has blessed us with a beautiful reminder that you are still watching over your family and living on through them," she said and went on to add, "It’s been nine years since you returned to Allah, yet for Umma, it still feels like yesterday. Time may pass, but the pain of missing you and the love you left behind never fade. Your presence is missed every single day, but your memories continue to bring comfort to all of us."

She ended the note saying, "May Allah grant you the highest place in Jannah, fill your grave with light, peace, and mercy, and reunite us with you one day. You will always be deeply loved, forever remembered, and never forgotten. Ameen!"

For the unaware, actress Shamna Kasim, who is better known as Poorna to her fans in the Tamil film industry, had announced in March this year that her husband Shanid Asif Ali and she had been blessed with a second child, a baby girl.

She had also gone on to explain why she had chosen to name the child 'Dua Jameela'.

Taking to her Instagram page to pen a post, Shamna Kasim had said, "Introducing our little angel, Dua Jameela. So many have asked me why “Jameela”? It was my grandmother’s name — a piece of my heart I lost far too soon. Her love, her warmth, her memories have stayed with me every single day. I always told myself that if I were ever blessed with a baby girl, I would give her that same beautiful name… so a part of her could live on again."

"Today, that promise has come true. Holding my daughter in my arms feels like a piece of my grandmother has come back to me in the most beautiful way," she had said.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Actress Vaaishnavi Prajapati has opened up about her experience of filming intense ragging scenes and revealed how the process took an emotional toll on her.

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, the actress shared that portraying such difficult moments on screen required her to deeply connect with the emotions of her character. Vaaishnavi, who essays the role of Soni, in the show, said, “Reading the script itself was an emotional experience for me. Since most of my studies happened online, I've been fortunate enough to have never experienced ragging personally, although I know it's a reality for many students. While shooting these scenes, I truly felt how serious the issue is and it made me realize how deeply it can affect a person.”

“A little harmless fun among friends is completely different, but ragging that humiliates or traumatizes someone is unacceptable. The sequence where Soni's clothes get torn was especially difficult to perform because it made me think about how heartbreaking it would be if something like this happened to someone in real life.”

She added, “I would often wonder why Soni, who has always been portrayed as such a strong girl, wasn't fighting back. But as I performed those scenes of her silently enduring the bullying, I understood the emotional impact it can have on a person. As an actor, I felt incredibly emotional while shooting this track, but at the same time, I also felt grateful to be a part of a story that sheds light on such an important issue.”

The upcoming episodes will showcase a major twist in the storyline as Shivani, the student responsible for bullying Soni, cleverly turns the situation around. She manipulates events to make it appear as though Soni was the one who harassed her.

“Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan” also stars Amandeep Sidhu and Sheizaan Khan in lead roles. The show airs every day on Zee TV.

--IANS

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Chennai, Aug 7 (IANS) The makers of director Kishore Rajkumar's upcoming romantic comedy 'Coimbatore Mapillai' on Friday revealed that actress Anna Ben plays a character called Kanagavalli in the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

The makers chose to reveal Anna Ben's character in the film on the occasion of her birthday on Friday.

Taking to its social media timelines to wish Anna Ben a happy birthday, Noise and Grains, the production house producing the film, wrote, "A Special Day For The One Who Makes Our Frames Beautiful. Here’s To The Beautiful Journey & A Blockbuster Ahead. Filled With Unforgettable Frames & Countless Memories. Happy Birthday @benanna_love."

The production house also shared a poster that said, "Happy birthday Anna Ben. Our Kanagavalli."

For the unaware, 'Coimbatore Mappillai' is being directed by Kishore Rajkumar, who is best known for having directed the comedy drama 'Naai Sekar' featuring actor Sathish in the lead. Interestingly, Kishore Rajkumar is turning a hero with this film, which he is directing himself.

The film also marks the entry of one of India’s leading media production and talent management companies, Noise and Grains, into film production.

Under the Noise and Grains banner, producers Karthik Srinivas and Mahaveer Ashok are bankrolling this upcoming romantic-comedy family drama, which sources say will be about the problems an obese man faces when it comes to falling in love.

Speaking about the film, Kishore Rajkumar had on an earlier occasion said, "This is a story filled with romance and humour. The screenplay is crafted to deliver a complete feel-good experience to the audience. The driving force behind this project is none other than the legendary K. Bhagyaraj sir. Film lovers feel that movies like the ones he used to direct are no longer being made — this film aims to fill that gap."

He had added, "This lively film revolves around compatibility in relationships and places strong emphasis on the female lead. I am thrilled to be working with the incredibly talented Anna Ben. I sincerely thank Noise and Grains for giving me this opportunity."

The film’s cinematography and co-writing responsibilities are being handled by Praveen Balu, while editing is being overseen by Ram Pandian. Both of them had earlier collaborated with Kishore Rajkumar on 'Naai Sekar', where actor Sathish had made his debut as a lead actor. Art direction for the film is by SriSasikumar K. Costumes have been designed by Kiruthikha Sekar and the film has S N Asraf and Naresh Dinakaran as its executive producers.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Actress Raveena Tandon celebrated National Handloom Day by extending her support to India’s weavers.

Taking to social media, the ‘Mohra’ actress shared a heartfelt note appreciating the efforts of master weavers and artisans who continue to keep traditional crafts alive. She emphasized the importance of supporting local products and embracing India’s handloom legacy.

Sharing her series of images, Raveena wrote, “Swadeshi was built on the idea of standing by our own people, and that starts with our master weavers. Wearing local today with gratitude for the hands that keep our culture alive. #NationalHandloomDay.”

The photos featured the actress wearing sarees crafted by local artisans, showcasing her love for Indian handlooms and traditional textiles. Through the post, Raveena highlighted the beauty of locally made creations while celebrating the craftsmanship of India’s weavers.

Several actresses have extended their support to India’s handloom heritage on National Handloom Day. In her post, Shriya Saran said, “Behind every thread is a family, a tradition, and days of hard work. Our weavers keep our history alive in the most beautiful way. Celebrating them with #NationalHandloomDay.”

‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ actress Apara Mehta said, “Today on National Handloom Day, I would like to extend my best wishes to all our extremely talented weavers and artisans. Our country has such a rich heritage of textiles and I have been very fortunate that thanks to my mother, I was introduced to our beautiful handlooms right from my birth.”

She further encouraged people to support Indian handlooms and local textiles, adding, “I would like to tell everyone to please embrace our handlooms and local textiles and continue our rich heritage of textiles. Once again, a very happy National Handloom Day.”

India marked the 12th National Handloom Day on August 7, 2026, honouring the nation’s centuries-old weaving traditions and recognising the hard work of its artisans. The day also commemorates the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on August 7, 1905, encouraging people to promote and adopt Indian-made products.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Actress Jayati Bhatia, who essays the role of Sharda Bua in the television show ‘Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile’, has spoken up on the phenomenon of actors leveraging Instagram and YouTube as additional income sources.

The actress herself has a YouTube vlog called Chatpuri Chaiti, and said that creating content is a full-time job, and demands a lot from actors.

She told IANS, “A lot of actors today are leveraging Instagram and YouTube by sharing vlogs, behind-the-scenes moments from shoots, and glimpses of their personal lives, be it travel, food, or fashion. I think it’s a great way for audiences to know the real person behind the character. I, too, have a YouTube vlog called Chatpuri Chaiti, and it’s been a lot of fun doing something different from acting. I’m still learning the social media space, but I’d love to create more mini vlogs on Instagram, whether it’s about my day, acting tips, or sharing insights that could help aspiring actors understand the entertainment industry better”.

She further mentioned that she often feels like sharing tips about the ethics and etiquette every aspiring actor should know before entering the profession. She said that she has had her own share of challenges.

“I truly admire people who have successfully leveraged Instagram and YouTube. They’ve understood the power of digital media, and besides being an additional source of income, content creation keeps you productive even when you’re between projects. That said, creating original content consistently is not easy, it’s a full-time job that demands creativity and discipline. With my hectic shooting schedule, consistency is the biggest challenge for me. Hats off to everyone who does it so well”, she added.

Meanwhile, ‘Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile’ explores the evolving relationship between two individuals brought together by unexpected circumstances. The story follows a man and a woman from contrasting backgrounds whose lives intersect through fate rather than choice. ‘Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile’ airs on Zee TV.

--IANS

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Chennai, Aug 7 (IANS) Critically acclaimed director Arun Matheswaran, who has directed the action entertainer 'DC' through which ace director Lokesh Kanakaraj makes his debut as a lead actor, says that directing a director is easy.

During an interaction with the media, director Arun Matheswaran was asked how it felt to direct Lokesh Kanakaraj, one of the top directors in the film industry today, in his film 'DC'?

Responding to the question, Arun Matheswaran said, "This is not new to me. I have directed veteran directors Bharathiraja and Selvaraghavan sir too. Dhanush is also a director. Working with directors is easy. Since they know the film well, they quickly understand the director's vision."

Giving out details of how the idea to make a gangster film like 'DC' began, Arun Matheswaran disclosed, "This is a story that I have always wanted to tell. I met Lokesh at a party and told him this idea. I said it would be good if we did it together. He liked the story a lot and immediately said 'Okay' to it. That's how this project started. It is a gangster story. Chandra meets Parvati on his journey. The film is about how their journey progresses after that."

Stating that his film was one that would give hope to audiences, Arun Matheswaran said that he wanted audiences to come to the theaters and watch the film without any expectations. "It will definitely give you a new experience," he said confidently.

For the unaware, 'DC', which hits screens on Friday, has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs as it will mark the acting debut of director Lokesh Kanakaraj.

A special promo for the film that was released on the occasion of Valentine's Day this year gave away the fact that Lokesh Kanakaraj plays a character called Devadas in the film, while Wamiqa Gabbi plays a character called Chandra and actress Sanjana A K plays a character called Parvathi.

The film has dialogues by Arun Matheswaran and Franklin Jacob with additional screenplay by Arun Ranjan.

Music for the film is by Anirudh and cinematography is by Mukesh G. Editing for the film is by G K Prasanna and art direction by Kannan S.

It may be recalled that Lokesh Kanakaraj had undergone martial arts training for this film. Lokesh underwent martial arts training in Thailand for this film soon after he had directed Superstar Rajinikanth's 'Coolie', which hit screens worldwide on August 14 last year.

--IANS

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