AUDIENCE IS CHANGING: MANOJ BAJPAYEE

National award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee thinks the era ofescapist cinema is coming to a close.

"The audience has changed over the years," he said recently. "Now they are showing interest in real things.They wantconvincing and reliable. The audience has matured."

Manoj is currently promoting his film Traffic, which belongs to the "convincing and reliable" category, like much of Manoj's work including Satya, Shootand Zubeidaa.

Another thing he is glad of is that item numbers look like they are finally on their way out.

"Thank god item numbers are out," he said. "They were somewhere ruining the whole storytelling format. Whateverchangesthe industry isundergoing, it's good whether it's for mainstream or parallel cinema."

Trafficis an emotional thriller based on a road tripfrom Mumbai to Pune, and is based on a true story. The story centres on the transportation from Mumbaito Pune of a harvested heartfor a hearttransplant case, chasing a strictdeadline. Duringthe mission, the characters face numerous difficulties and obstacles, traffic being one ofthe major ones.

Manoj Bajpayee plays a traffic constable who decides to spearhead the situation amidstthe heavy traffic in Mumbai.

The film is a remake ofa hit Malayalam film. Completed by Rajesh Pillaijust before he died, the film is setto release on 6 May.

Randeep In Chains

Actor Randeep Hooda, who will soon be seen in the Omung Kumar directorial Sarbjit, chained himself with heavy handcuffs weighing2.5kg in each hand, to get into character.

Sarbjit is based on the life of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer who was convicted of charges of terrorism and spying in Pakistan and was sentencedto death.

"Randeep Hooda has shown immense dedication," Kumar said in a statement. "He is well known for his method acting but I believe Randeep has given his entire heart and soul for this film. The level of dedication needs immense acknowledgmentand it will be visible to others too once the movie releases."

As Randeep's character was trapped in a Pakistanjail for years and given heartless treatment, the actor made a dummy prison cell in an area ofjust 6x4 feet where he spent his entire day, fully chained, and with a minimum supply of food intake.

In spite of much irritation and even pain, the actor didn't give up in his self-made training and went beyond his limits to get a realistic performance on screen.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be seen inthe role of Dalbir Kaur, Sarbjit's sister who fought tirelessly for his release, while Richa Chadha plays Sarabjit's wife.

THE RETURN OF DULHANIA!

It all started with some cryptic tweets.

Example,Alia Bhatt wrote, "The 'dulhania' is on the move! Is this true though? Dharma movies, Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan."

And so everybody thought it was a sequel for HumptySharma Ki Dulhania, the 2014 film starring rumoured couple Varun and Alia.

But it was Karan Johar that made the big announcement. On Twitter, of course.

"The second in our love franchise staring Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt. Directed by Shashank Khaitan," he wrote.

He also posted a little teaser from the film, showing Varun andAlia in a desi avatar in a rural backdrop set in a fair.

Shashank Khaitan, who directed the first movie, is expectedto don the director's hat yet again for the film whose title is rumoured to be Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya.

Produced by Hirao Yash Johar, Karan Johar and presented by Fox Star Studios, the Dharma Productions film is setto release on 10 March, 2017.

Hrithik Roshan In Transgender Cause

Hrithik Roshan will be seen shaking a leg withthe Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band,touted as India's first transgender band, in their latest track Ae Raju.

The song salutes the unabated spirit of the transgender community, and the actor says he was compelledto be part of the song as it addresses a "meaningful" message in a "fun and entertaining way".

The actor, who has himself successfully battled stammering and more, shared, •we cannotjust reject them just because they are different from us".

Brooke Bond Red Label tea in association with Y-Films, the youth films' wing of Yash Raj Films, is back with another song by the band.

In the song the members of the band are inspiredto fight discrimination and break all social barriers.

The song and its chorus are a lighter take on the trademark Ae Raju, a term used by the Hijra community. In the video, Hrithik motivates the members of the bandto unleash their inner superheroes. The video went live on Y-Films' YouTube channel recently.

"I've been following the Brooke Bond Red Label 6-pack Band and when I heard they are creating a meaningful message in a fun, entertaining way, I hadto be a part of it. Shooting with them was an amazing experience," Hrithik said.

The Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band aims to encourage everyone to be more accepting, overcome social prejudices and make the worlda more welcoming place. It has been welcomed with open arms by music lovers, and has had hit numbers in collaborations with Sonu Nigam, Zanai Bhosle andArjun Kapoor

The winds of change are slowly but surely blowing in.

SRIDEVI: SOME CROSSBORDER LOVE

Pakistani drama actorsAdnan Siddiqui and Sajal Ali are going to debut in Bollywood alongside veteran Indian actress Sridevi in the movie Mom.

Siddiqui will play the role of Sridevi's husband andAli's father. Sridevi, who is also the producer, will play a lead role in this women-centric film.

ActorAkshaye Khanna will make a comeback with the movie while actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui will have a special appearance. The Mom team is now shooting in Georgia, one report claimed.

Siddiqui also played a small role alongside actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie and actor lrrfan Khan in the 2007 film A Mighty Heart.

New Set Of Rods For Aamir

Hey, we thoughtAamir Khan was the soft new-age sensitive kinds but apparently he likes his hot rods. He showed off his latest toy recently, a brand new Bajaj V, a motorcycle which contains metal from India's de-commissioned aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Aamir was inspired to buy the V15 when he learnt that the new launch from Bajaj contains metal from the much-loved navy ship, the first aircraft carrier built in India. It played a role in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

When Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, got to know thatAamir, a personal friend, had placed an order for a V15, he decided to make it one with unique customisation.

The new V made forAamir has a customized embossing of the initial A on the fuel tank and one-off graphic design of "Chote Lal" affectionately inscribed on the rear seat cowl.

Bajaj personally delivered the vehicle to Aamir's home.

The V was launched in February this year. It is a 150cc commuter bike differentiated by its solid form and stand tall proportions.

The Dhoom 3 star was delighted to receive his new bike. He said in a statement: "The Vis a special bike and I wouldn't compare it with anything else. It has a piece of history ingrained into it. For me, it's a proud moment to own a piece of metal from INS Vikrant which was the military pride of India for decades."

See, we knew he was a true patriot!

SERIOUSLY COMIC: AKSHAY KUMAR

In 2015, actorAkshay Kumar juggled effortlessly between the intenseAirlift and the frivolous Singh Is Bliing. This year again he joyously juxtaposes the real-life saga Rustom with the crazily out of the world Houseful/ 3.

So he likes living in two different planets How does he manage this?

"I know there is a belief that men can't multi-task. Whoever believes that, hasn't met me as yet!"Akshay

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ or � NATALIE DORMER in CUSHNIE ET OCHS?

+ Shareyourviews with us on our Facebook page /lndianLinkAustra/ia said of himself.

But of course,just like all the topbracket stars in Bollywood, Akshay thinks he is invincible

Well, not exactly.

He went on, "I am not going to pretend it's easy. But I also can't deny that I enjoy doing both serious and comic roles.And let me tell you, comedy is also a serious business for me. I am happy to juggle the two contrasting genres. I embrace both happily. See, I adore my Housefull franchise, as muchas I adore the serious scripts that I choose."

WHAT'S UP AND COMING

Sonakshi Sinha's off to England. She has confirmed being a part of director Vipul Amrutlal Shah's Namastey England along withAkshay Kumar. The film will reportedly roll inAugust.

Meanwhile,Anupam Kher's Kaanu looks set to be different, and worth waiting for. He plays a Bengali coach in the football-based drama, with film maker and director Prabhat Bhattacharya playing the title role of the footballer. The story of the film traces the journey of Kaanu and his beloved Ghat Shila Football Club.

What Tweety Bird Told Us This Week

Match the stars to the following tweets: Amitabh Bachchan,Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan

Three cheers for @Abhinav_ Bindra, Olympic gold medallist & India's Goodwill Ambassador #RioOlympics2016 #MakelndiaProud

Happybirthday DJ DwayneJohnson. Have a wonderful year and lots of happiness to u. God bless you and your kind heart. See you back on set. Baywatch

Back now 3:54 am from Delhi and National Award! So humbled and touched, for President ofIndia to take my name in his speech!

My favorite track from #Sarbjit The Mrs. Got moves/

What's the chitchat here between newlyweds BIPASHA BASU and KARAN SINGHGROVER?

Send inyourresponsesto win@indianlink.com.au and win a surprize prize

What's the chitchat here between AKSHAY KUMAR and TWINKLE KHANNA?

AKSHAY: I'm still head over heels .!!

Mohit Banwa/ Arcadia NSW

Mohit wins a ticketto the film The Man Who Knew Infinity

What did youget your mumfor Mother's Day?

BY DEVNA LUTHRA

Everyonesaystheirmotheris special.MyMum,ormyMatajias

Irefertoher (adeeply entrenched remnantfrornHindiSchool, thanksMalaAW1ty)isespecially specialasshecomeswithacertainAaw.She isvery hardrobuy giftsfor.

IstroUpasttheshopswith brightdisplays, advertisingtheirhardboundpastel-coloured Swedish-designedorganicpapernotebooks thatare 'Peifectfa,·.Nfti111this:Mother'sDt!J•f' AndIknowif Iboughtoneof these diamond-encrustednotebooks(that'sgotto bethereasonthey aresoexpensive,right?!) shewouldgivemeabighuganda"Thank givingittomeatthe lastminuteto'usetoday orthemoneywillgotowaste'. Breakfastinbedisnotidealeither.The firstthingmyMarajidoeswhensheawakens isbrushherteeth.Beforespeakingtoany of us.Beforebendingdowntopatthedog. Beforethefirst sipof chaiandexhaled 'ahhhh'thatfollows.Evenbeforechecking herphone!(Itoldyou special,right?)She's sufferedthroughenoughof thosetorturous Mother'sDaymornings,whereaSL't-yearoldandathree-year-oldhavetakenover thekitchenandtoldbernottogetoutof beduntilthey bringupher'surprise'.(This foUowingaweekof 'casualquestions'of whatshelikestoeatforbreakfastif she couldchooseanythingintheworld,and franticphonecaUstodadatworkasking whatavadais,andcanhebringsomehome.)

Andfellowkidstakenote,tmder nocircrnnst.mceshouldanyonegive theirmother cleaningsuppliesorany suchderivatives never.AsLilly Singh you, darling!"

But1canjustguesswhatwillbe goingthroughherbead.

'WhoneedssuchjtJShioni.rtapaper?

Scrapp,rpcrisfinefarme. Illptt!thirinthe gjftsd,mverandgiveIfoneof11a•Jrimdr 011 theirbi,thda)'s.'

Mataji:'I.BilliondollarconsW11er markeradvertising:0.

\X/hataboutanicespavoucher?

Actuallyno payingsomeonecopress herfeetandpainthertoenailsbesides meseemsmorelikeapresenttomyself. AndIknowmyl\fatajitoowell,shewill keepputtingoff thedayshewillusethe voucheruntilC\vohoursbeforeicexpires,

Australia & New Zealand Distributors Required

('Superwoman'on YouTube)sopoetically pmit:"Don'tgiveyour mumcleaningsuppliesas presents.It'slikegivinga livechickenapacketof flavouredseasoningand saying'youknowwhat todowithit'."

So,wheredoesthis leaveus?Let'smakea checklistof componentsrequiredinthisgift.

•Mustmakehersmileandfeelgenuinely happy tokeepit

•Mustalleviatestressesinherdaily life

•Mustbesomethinguseful

•Mustbesomethingsheactuallyenjoys

•Mustshowcheessenceof beingamother AbhalAftercarefulanalysis,itseemstbe only logicalpresentissomethingthatshe's hadallalong.

It'sme!

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