FULFILLING IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS: RAHUL BOSE

Rahul Bose is back in a directorial role after a 16-year break. His new flm Poorna is basedonPoorna Malvath, the youngest girl in historyto climb Mount Everest. She was 13 when she accomplished this feattwo years ago. Rahul claims he was first approached withthe project as an actor. Butwhen the project got shelved, he took it on as his own. Of course he still acts in the film, in the role that was first intended for him: Poorna's coach and mentor.

The actor-director claims he was drawn to the film solely because of young Poorna. She comes from a disadvantaged background, but is uastonishingly single-minded and determined". She hails not from a mountainous region but from flatlands, which make the activity alien to her. But she put her mind to this seemingly impossible task, and wentall outto achieve it.

A young Telangana girl Aditi lnamdar plays the main lead.

Rahul also promises some stunning footage from the summit of the Everest. Rahul's first film as director was way back in 2001, a film called Everybody Says I'm Fine. In the interim, the 'thinking woman's actor' Rahul has been a regular on the speaking circuit (having spoken on cinema at Yale, secularism at the Oxford, and on gender equality at Harvard) and has impressed in offbeat films such as Di/ Dhadakne Do.

Poorna is setto release in March.

WOULDLOVESARATO BELAUNCHEDBYKARAN JOHAR:SAIFALIKHAN

Bollywood starSaif Ali Khan says he wouldlove his daughter Sara Ali Khan to be launchedas an actress in the film industry by filmmaker KaranJohar. He said in a statement, ul wouldlove Sara to be launched by Karan Johar. He is one ofthe bestthat we have. I keep reading various reports where I am supposedly averse to her getting launched by Karan because she will apparently become another Alia Bhatt. I would just like to say that if Sara becomesas successful as Alia is, thenit will be a matter ofprideand happiness for all of us."

The grapevine has itthatSara, who is Saifs daughter with his former wife AmritaSingh, will make her foray into Bollywood with Karan's Student Of The Year sequel.

Student Of The Yearlaunchedthe careers ofactors Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and SidharthMalhotra,who are currently much sought-after amongthe new generation of actors.

ISKANGANA'SJULIABASED ONNADIA,ORISSHENOT?

The biggest buzz in Bollywoodthese days is Rangoon,the Kangana Ranaut-starrer thatlooks very much like it is based on FearlessNadia aka Hunterwali, or Perth actress Mary Evans who wentto Bollywood in the 1940s. Just like the stuntwoman ofthe old films, Kangana's characterJulia is a daredevil: she brandishes a whip, wears a mask,dons black tights and boots and hat, andrides a horse; she grows close to a Parsi film-maker, and, apparently, likes to say 'Bloody hell'.

Butnow the members of the Vishal Bharadwaj directed team sayno,their character isnotbased on any character living or dead.

Wadia Movietone,the makers ofthe Fearless Nadia series, have taken Rangoon to courst for copyright infringement.

The film is due to be released on 24 Feb, but a court order could see it delayed.

APARSHAKTI:GOINGFROM STRENGTHTOSTRENGTH

Things are looking up for new kid onthe block Aparshakti Khurrana, who has a decent role inthe upcoming Badrinath Ki Dulhania starring Alia Bhattand Varun Dhawan.

"I had a lot of fun while on Badri," Aparshakti said recently. uAlia, Varun, Davidji and Karan Johar, are all a happy bunch of people. There was always a fun aspect on the set. Badri is very close to my heart."

The younger brother of Ayushmann Khurana, Aparshakti has just come off a grand success with Dangal, where he played an adorable cousinto thePhogat sisters. He nailed it with his physical fitness and Haryanvi accent.

"I never expectedmy character in Dangal would be admired so much," he revealed. "I thoughtpeople would be excited for Aamir Khan,thetwo girls,andtheirjourney of becoming wrestlers. However, my characterOmkar was appreciated as much asthe other characters."

He added, "People have startedtaking me seriously."

Aparshakti startedhis career in stage, and worked as a radio jockey andTV anchor.

Badrinath Ki Dulhania, a romantic comedy, is directed by Shashank Khaitanand slatedto release on 11 March.

SAYANIGUPTA:SCALING HEIGHTS

She claims she is scaredof heights. But we just saw Sayani Gupta jump offa 40-footbuildingin herlatest f ick Johnny LLB 2!

It wasn't easy, butthe young actor managedto pull itoff.

She credits itall to co-star Akshay Kumar who we allknow is quitetheTom Cruise when it comes to doing his own stunts.

"When I saw the stuntperson do the jump, I gotverynervous. It was not pretty at all. But I still wantedto do it. The action directorParvez Shaikh was tryingto keep me calm and I was like 'I don'twantto be scared, but do I really have a choice!?"

That's when Akshay, everthe mentor and guide, offered help.

"He gave me some simple tips which made it much easier. I am grateful to him for being helpful, calm and such a master of stunts.Thanksto him, I could jump with perfect calm!"

Now that'snotas bad as itsounds Sayani has begunto make an impression ever since Margarita With a Straw. Her stints in Fan, Parched and Baar Baar Dekho have notgonenoticed, and we await her appearance in Jagga Jasoos now.

THEGHAZIATTACKTEAM HOPESIT'SMADETAX-FREE

The actors ofThe Ghazi Attack, which has collected Rs 15.75 crore across

i#JMIMSi■51f¥{

India during its first weekend, hope the movie is declared tax-free across India.

ActorRana Daggubati, who leads the stellar cast, said in a statement, "We have already submittedthe film fortax-exemption andwe are hoping the governmentwill recognise cinema likethis, will recognise heroes like this andtakethis forward to more and more audiences."

Ranafeatures inthe film as Lieutenant CommanderArjunVarma, who was part of a mission conducted by the Indian Navy againstthe Pakistani naval force in 1971. Varma is said to have remained underwater for 18 days during the war.

The movie, helmed by Sankalp Reddy, has garnered strong recommendation from audience and critics alike.

ActorAtul Kulkarni said, "Ithinkthe tremendous response has madethe governmenttake cognisance of The GhaziAttackand it will soon be a taxfree film."

Kay Kay Menon, who too has a key role, said, "We have applied forthe taxfree bracketandI'm very sure thatthe government will oblige and give this film a tax-free certificate."

ITTEFAQ: NO COINCIDENCE

Yash Chopra's 1969 film lttefaq (starringRajesh Khanna and Nanda) is set for a remake, starringSidharth Malhotra and SonakshiSinha.The 1969 film was itself a remake of 1965 British film Signpost to Murder starring Joanne Woodward.

It is unusual for Bollywoodto make a murdermystery, andthattoo one without any songs in it, and the new version hopes also to be much shorter than usual, at abouttwo hours in length. Red Chillies Entertainment, Dharma Production and BR Films willjointly produce.

Sidharth Malhotra has revealedthat the plot will undergo slight changes, as everyone knows whatthe original film was about, andthe same storyline wouldnotleave any mystery to be unfolded.

The film will release inlate 2017.

Khayyam Launches Jukeboxat90

Padma Bhushan awardee and veteran composer Mohammed Zahur Khayyam, who recentlyturned 90, has launched his jukebox titled Soothing Melodies of Khayyam on YouTube.

Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. paid tributetothe veteran music composer by launching hisjukeboxwhich features 20 original song videos from his films like Bazaar, Shagoon, Footpath and Lorie among others. It is available on YouTube channel Filmi Gaane.

The National Awardwinner,who celebrated his birthday on 18 February, has composed forfilms like Kabhi

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

KENDAL JENNER orALIA BHAT in BALMAIN?

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Kabhie, Trishul, Noorie, Umrao Jaan and RaziaSultan.

On his birthday, Khayyam also announcedthe formation of a charity trust called Khayyam Jagjeet Kaur KPG CharitableTrustand also shared the news that he is donating his entire wealth valued around Rs 10 crore to his owntrust, which will help needy artists and technicians of the film industry.

When A Star Agrees To Attend Your Wedding

Actress TaapseePannu is setto attend a fan's wedding inSecunderabadnext month.

The Running Shaadi actress and her fan have been communicating regularly over emails and chats. He also has an official oftheTaapseePannu fan club. He recently reached outtoTaapsee and sent her an invite for his wedding.

Taapsee said in a statement, "He is a sweet guy andhe's extremelykind. He wrote to me requesting meto attend his wedding briefy. I had to say 'Yes' because he's always been respectful and has admired my work. I had some time off so, I will go for a day and be back."

RunningShaadi, produced by Shoojit Sircar, is aboutthe lead actors helping othersto elope and get married.

Now is this a real story or "fake news"?Sounds like a promotionstunt for Running Shaadi or are we being a bit cynical here??

Whattweety Bird Told Us This Week

Match the following stars tothe tweets below

Alia Bhatt, SRK, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra

My fav films by Yashji #lttefaq is being recreated by Abhay. Thx @S1dharthM @sonakshisinha Akshaye. Also BR & Dharma Films tie up with RCE

Today on Feb 15th 1969 I officially joinedthe Film lndustry signed my 1st film 'Saat Hindustani'

I was raised to have a point of view n not be afraid butthis AM I'm sharing it with the world as guest co-host on @ TheView So God help me!

Here goesthe trailer!! #BKDTrailer

What's the chitchat between VARUN DHAWAN and ALIA BHATT?

Send in your responsesto win@indianlink.com.au and win a movie pass

What's KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN thinking here?

So glad Saif said he would look after baby while I came here...

PRAJWAL SHRESHTHA KATOOMBA, NSW

Prajwal wins a ticket to Hindi film

RunningShaadi

Black is beautiful

Dear Auntyji

I have been married forfive years - it was alove marriage Lately, I have begun to notice a problem You see Auntyji my husband is a very handsome, tall, fair North Indian He looks like a Bollywood star -and he is builtlike an action hero Now I am from the south, and while I am fairly slender and tall, I am quite dark skinned When people gazeat my husband's good looks, I am concerned that they are startled at my lack of beauty when they finally glance at me I can see it intheir eyes. It's as though they are thinking, what is this kaafi ka/ooti doing with that chickna. I am beginning to develop a complex I feel jealous of the women gazing at my husband with their big cow eyes. What should I do Auntyji?This is beginning to erode my self-esteem When I talk to my beloved about this, he tells me that I am the most beautiful woman in the world and I should stop worrying about these meaningless things Can you please help me?

Auntyji Says

Oh my little padma lakshmi, my little kaali niraali. You need to get yourself some kaali ka/ooti pride going. Haven't you seen how beautiful Naomi Campbell is considered? What about Lupita Nyongo? In this country, dark equals exotic and that equals beautiful. You are already tall, slender and dark

- so you tick all the boxes for an exotic beauty. Start by seeing what your husband sees in you, and to downplay your beauty is calling into question your husband's love for you. Respect his views, and start respecting yourself. You can't change your dark skin. Be like Krishna - he did not apologise for his! Also, if you are walking around in a faded, frumpy sa/warkameezwith hair pulled back like an IT worker, and not even kaajal on your nayan, then of course you will feel ugly beside your husband. Go and get your hair styled. Put on some lip gloss. Wear clothes that enhance your figure. Then, when you walk down the street with your he-man, you will leave people withno choice but to stare and say, who is this apsara walking downthestreet with that rajkumar? Goodness, this woman must be a beauty queen - just look at her!

See, beauty is not just about your skin colour or features. It's everything. It's your clothes, your confidence, your demeanour, your gratitude for the blessings you have. So stop looking at your kaa/a rung as anything less than perfect. Get yourself your kaali kalooti pride, and strut down the street like you own it.

Weird celebrity baby names

Dear Auntyji

So, Auntyji, what are your thoughts on Kareena and Saif calling their baby boy Taimur? Why would they call him that, and don't you think that it's a little inappropriate seeing the historical significance of that name? All our relatives are having robust discussions about this and I was hoping for your insight. I'm looking forward to your wisdom on this matter

Auntyji Says

My dearest gulabo, if you and your rishtedar have nothing better to do with yourlives than discuss the name of a bub, then the world is indeed doomed. Seriously, robust discussions about this inane topic? Have you perhaps considered discussing more interesting like how to get gender pay parity or solving the Syrian crisis or how to get Trump to stop harping on about immigrants? Really, do you guysalso watch the Kardashians or The Bachelor on TV? Ok, you are giving all immigrants a bad name if this is your pastime. As fornaming of babies, Kareena and Saif could have named their baby anything they wanted - it's really no one's business. History tells that historical figures all have shades of grey when viewed with a certain perspective. For example, there are multiplelittle Stalins running about at recess without a care in the world in primary schools all over Kerala and Bangladesh.Do you have issues with this? You should - perhaps you ought to go on a crusade to stopnamingIndianchildrenafter Russian mass murderers. And closer to home, how many lndiras do you know? Most of them would be in their 3Os even - but at least they were born, which is more than one can sayfor the victims of the transistor radio scandal. Enough said on that. Let little Taimur be. He is, after all the grandson of the Nawab. He is a chhota nawab. Show him some respect, you peasant.

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