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M O N DAY, JUNE 22, 2015
EXTRA PRIYANKA CHOPRA IS RIDING HIGH The Indian actress talks about her forthcoming releases, her passion for singing and her new television series, Mahran Shaukat Ali reports
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riyanka Chopra is flying high after the success of Dil Dhadakne Do and she is busy juggling her singing work and shooting schedules for Gangajal 2, and Quantico an ABC series, to debut in September. In an interview to Times of Oman, the Bollywood actress has slammed critics and their take on her recent movie Dil Dhadakne Do. The movie was branded by some as a “movie by the rich, for the rich.” “I find this really funny, the criticism has been really silly,” she said. “Are we really not going to watch a movie just because it depicts the life of a rich family or a poor family? Is this the criteria to judge any movie?” she said raising concerns. On her work, post Dil Dhadakne Do, the actress said that she has already finished shooting for Bajirao Mastani and is in Bhopal shooting for Gangajal 2, a sequel to the 2003 hit film starring Ajay Devgn. On what made her take up Prakash Jha’s Gangajal 2, Priyanka said, “I’m proud of being a part of a movie that speaks on relevant issues. The protagonist (herself plays the role of superintendent of police) takes on corruption and BRIEFS
When A.R. Rahman met Quincy Jones! OSCAR-WINNING composer A.R. Rahman, who has returned to India after a month-long North America tour, got a chance to meet the legendary producer Quincy Jones in US. The 48-year-old took to Facebook on Sunday to share a photograph with Jones, who has worked for musicians like Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. “With legendary producer Quincy Jones after the LA concert,” Rahman captioned the image. Earlier on June 17, Rahman, who shares a massive 21 million followers on Facebook, wrote about his experience of the tour. “It feels good to be heading back to India for Ramadan after performing in North America for a month. Infinite love to all the fans and the team who made the Intimate concert tour a roaring success. My band members and I had an awesome time,” he wrote.
Only love lasts: Hrithik ACTOR Hrithik Roshan, who was earlier married to Sussanne Khan, believes that the only way to live on forever is to etch your name in other people’s hearts. The actor on Sunday posted a photograph of his son Hridaan, who is seen writing his name on sand with his hands. “That won’t last my son, the only way to live on forever is to etch your name in other people’s hearts. #OnlyLoveLasts,” Hrithik captioned the image, which he shared on Twitter. The Bang Bang! star also posted a photograph of him gearing up for zip-line. “Can u spot us? Its a perfect day 4 fathers n sons 2 conquer sum fears n hv some fun! #HappyFathersDay #zipline,” he captioned the image. On the movie front, Hrithik is currently busy shooting for his upcoming film Mohenjo Daro, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker.
Priyanka garners 10m followers on Twitter ACTRESS Priyanka Chopra has collected more than 10 million fans on micro-blogging site Twitter and says she’s the “luckiest” to reach the milestone. The 32-year-old took to Twitter on Sunday to thank her fans for their support. The Dil Dhadakne Do actress tweeted: “10 million reasons why I feel so loved! 10 million reasons why I’m the luckiest! #10MillionPCmaniacs thank u so much.” Priyanka, who was crowned Miss World in 2000, has starred in films like Aitraaz, Fashion, Kaminey, 7 Khoon Maaf and Mary Kom. She will be next seen playing the lead role in American thriller TV series Quantico. -IANS
I am going to be part of the second season of ‘Quantico’, so that keeps me packed the next year the land mafia. It is to me a righteous role.” On being asked as to what keeps her going, she said she is a workaholic, “I love keeping myself busy, have been so the last couple of years. However I do have my ‘me’ time. Just before I go to sleep, I do spend some time watching television, reading a book, or penning something that I like, and I do not like to be interrupted during that time,” she disclosed. A workaholic, Priyanka Chopra will be flying to Los Angeles in September. She revealed that the ABC drama series Quantico will go on air in September. Priyanka
will be seen playing the role of a half Indian and half American FBI agent in the show and would be busy shooting and spending the next five months starting September in the United States to finish shooting for the 13 episode show. The actress will also star in the second season, which will keep her busy most of next year. And how different was it shooting for Quantico? To this she said that the work culture and the nuances of acting or shooting are the same almost everywhere. “I just found people to be a bit more judgmental on the sets,” she said. Do we see less of Priyanka Chopra in Bollywood and even less of her singing? “No,” she says. “I am trying to balance my act between acting and singing. I am going to be part of the second season of Quantico, so that keeps me packed the next year, I would probably do two to three movies, next year.” Priyanka Chopra has already recorded her soon-to-be released track which will come out soon. The untitled track will see her collaborate with an international artist again, the details of which she declined to share.
H O L LY W O O D
Characters not originally the star THIS LIST started with Thomas the Tank Engine because, although his 70th birthday is being celebrated this year, he did not appear in Wilbert Awdry’s Railway Series until 1946. (A tank engine is one that carries its own water rather than pulling it in a tender.) Thanks to Philip Downer, who pointed out that Thomas was originally the Starr (Ringo, that is). 1. Elsa of ‘Frozen’ Anna was originally the protagonist, but extensive rewrites – and the composition of Let It Go – changed everything. Thanks to James Ronicle. 2. The Fonz Henry Winkler’s character was meant to be a second-string role in Happy Days. Tipped by Angus Ramsay, Spinning Hugo, Simon HB, Simmy Richman and Stephen Murray. 3. Popeye Didn’t appear in Elzie Crisler Segar’s Thimble Theatre comic strip until 1929, 10 years after it started in the New York Journal. Spotted by Stephen Murray and Bill Detty. 4. Ed Miliband Very funny, Aaron Bell.
5. President Bartlet The West Wing was originally going to focus on staffer Sam Seaborn, and Bartlet would have been mostly off-screen. Voted for by Harris, Stuart Ingham and Jem Stone. 6. Frasier The character, played by Kelsey Grammer, was supposed to be in only a few episodes of Cheers, but his spin-off became as successful as the original. From AJK62, Jem Stone and Mr Memory. 7. Arthur Daley Minder was devised as a vehicle for Dennis Waterman after his success in The Sweeney, but George Cole’s character soon won equal billing. Thanks to Patrick Hennessy. 8. Phil Collins Promoted by John Peters, who also nominated Robbie Williams. 9. Alan Partridge The Steve Coogan character who started life as the sports presenter for On the Hour, a parody news programme. 10. Hannibal Lecter “He was a mere cameo villain in Red Dragon” – the second being The Silence of the Lambs, says Richard T Kelly. - John Rentoul/The Independent
B O L LY W O O D
I believe in leading a healthy life: Manoj Bajpayee MANOJ BAJPAYEE may not have hopped on the flaunt-yoursix-pack bandwagon, but the actor, who “believes in leading a healthy life”, says that fitness is “more about exercising daily and eating the right food”. “I believe in leading a healthy life. For me, fitness doesn’t mean to have abs or muscular look but it’s more of exercising daily and eating the right food,” he said.
Believing in leading a healthy life, Manoj, 46, has always given health a priority. Be it outdoor shoots or day-to-day routines at home, he makes sure to exercise daily and eat healthy nutritious food. Not many would be aware, but he is such a health freak that some days he even cooks nutritious food for his family to keep them healthy. He has also started yoga with his wife Neha in order to
get mental peace and physical balance and Manoj likes doing Surya Namaskar since his school days. “I am not someone who might stay in gym for hours but I certainly believe that one should not ignore his or her health, being an actor it is important that we pay close attention to our health,” he said. The actor will be debuting as producer soon and he has titled his production venture Missing.-IANS