PARINEETI: SELLING AUSTRALIA TO INDIANS

What’s the capital of Australia, we asked Bollywood star Parneeti Chopra on Indian Link Radio when she visited here last.

“Sydney,” she said bubbling over with characteristic enthusiasm.

The loud silence that greeted her answer gave her an inkling that something was amiss.

“Oh NO it’s Canberra, isn’t it! Can you please erase that answer!”

But that was over a year ago, and now Parineeti is a lot more con dent in her role as “Friend of Australia”.

Snippets of her videos lmed then have now been released as an ad for Tourism Australia, as both India and Australia celebrate an important national day on 26 Jan.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Australia and the videos re ect every bit of fun I had there,” the muchmore self-assured Parineeti said at the launch in India.

“From immersing in the aboriginal culture at Uluru to the fun and frolic in Queensland, I was fortunate to have an enriching experience of two completely different sides of the country. It is undoubtedly a must-visit holiday destination,” she added.

In the lms, Parineeti can be seen cuddling a koala, learning to surf at the Gold Coast, getting a taste of Australia’s freshest produce, enjoying a birds’ eye view of Surfers Paradise on the Skypoint climb, spotting whales, watching the sunset over the Red Centre in Uluru amongst others.

As an added bonus to Parineeti fans, the ad also features the bubbly star singing the background vocals.

But if you want to listen to Parineeti do an Aussie accent, or show off her knowledge about all things Australia, check out Indian Link’s interview with her on our YouTube channel.

LONG LIVE PADMAVATI?

The Padmaavat saga is nally coming to an end as we go to press, now that it has at last been allowed to hit the screens.

The Indian courts have nally come out in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s beleaguered historical lm, albeit with a name change and some cuts, dismissing last ditch efforts by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments to block its January 25 release.

The lm industry for its part is making the episode a watershed moment for freedom of expression to be allowed to thrive, and many parallel releases (Pad Man, Aiyyaary, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety) have all graciously changed their own release dates to allow Padmaavat to y free.

The devout Deepika Padukone, who plays the lead role in the lm, did her customary obeisance at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple (just like she does prior to all her movies releasing).

So, is all nally well?

Well, not for the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, it seems - the original protestors, who claimed their culture was being tarnished by the wrongful depiction in the lm. After their earlier calls for beheadings, they are now threatening self-immolation by 1908 women (hmm, wonder why the men don’t do this, since they are the louder protestors…).

Meanwhile, you’ve all probably seen the clever social media quip that seems perfect to end all the brouhaha: Khilji commenting from the here-after that even he didn’t torment poor Padmavati as much as she has been tormented in recent months!

Stop press: the early reviews of the lm are in. They are what you might expect, really, from a Bhansali magnum opus: Deepika is beyond fabulous; the lm is way too long; there’s technical nesse; some great production values; Deepika is beyond fabulous; Ranveer is fantastic; Ranveer is OTT; DeepikaShahid chemistry is wonderful; no, the lm doesn’t hurt anyone’s sense of honour. Oh, we forgot to mention, Deepika is beyond fabulous, especially in Ghoomar

HRITHIK ROSHAN: MATHS GURU

No thanks to the lessons learnt from Padmaavat, we’re suggesting caution to the unit of Hrithik Roshan’s latest project Super 30. Who knows, the academic world might follow in the footsteps of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena and protest against Hrithik’s role as a mathematician.

Apparently the hunky star plays Indian maths whiz Anand Kumar in the lm.

Mathematicians all over India, unite in protest… how can such a handsome hunk be good at maths??? Does Hrithik know any maths?? Let’s get the best experts in the country to test him!

Meanwhile, the devout Hrithik thwarted any such attempts by seeking divine intervention, just like Deepika. He tweeted to the gods recently: “On the auspicious day of Saraswati Puja and Basant Panchami, I am beginning my journey of Super 30 where I am playing a teacher for the rst time. May the Goddess of Learning bless this effort.” Super 30 is a biopic on Anand Kumar, who teaches 30 meritorious and talented candidates each year from economically backward sections for the entrance examination to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology. The lm is slated to release in November this year.

Stay cool, Hrithik, we’ll support you against fundamental mathematicians come what may – beheadings, selfimmolation…

3d Comedy

Karan Johar, Diljit Dosanjh, Sonakshi Sinha, Rana Daggubati, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani, Sushant Singh Rajput.

That’s the cast of a new comedy lm coming up on 23 Feb, a 3D comedy no less, called Welcome To New York

Produced by Vishu Bhagnani, the movie tells the story of two unlikely youngsters living in India in search of a better life for themselves. An unexpected trip to New York City sets them off on a comedic adventure that changes their lives forever.

Worth waiting for? You decide!

DUTT’S THE WAY…

The Rajkumar Hirani-directed biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt has been wrapped up. The makers shared a special video on Twitter to announce the wrap-up. Hirani, along with actors Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and other cast and crew members are a part of the video, in which they say in unison: “Dutt’s the way, aha aha, I like it, aha aha.”

Ranbir, who plays Sanjay Dutt’s character, is also seen popping the champagne, whereas Sonam takes to her social media page, sharing the happy moments while marking the last day of the shoot.

Ranbir will be seen playing the title role in the biopic. The lm also features Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal and Vicky

Kaushal.

Presented by Fox Star Studios, the yet untitled Dutt biopic is co-produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Hirani and is slated to release on 29 June. Worth waiting for? You decide!

OSCARS 2018: DESI LINKS

Indian actor Ali Fazal-starrer Victoria & Abdul has two nominations and Anupam Kher starrer The Big Sick stands a chance to win in one category at the 90th Academy Awards this year.

Victoria & Abdul, a movie about a unique bond between Queen Victoria and her Indian Muslim servant Abdul Karim, has won a nomination in the Best Costume Design and Make-up and Hairstyling categories. In the lm, Ali plays Abdul, with Hollywood veteran Judi Dench as Queen Victoria.

As for Anupam’s The Big Sick, it is nominated for the Writing (Original Screenplay) honour for Pakistan-origin Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President John Bailey, announced the nominations this week via a global live stream. Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra was one of the celebrities who participated in pre-taped category introductions.

Newton, India’s of cial entry for the Foreign Language Film category, had failed to make the cut to the shortlist early in the selection process. Films from Sweden, Chile, Lebanon, Russia and

Hungary have made it to the nal list. The 90th Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be held on 4 March at the Dolby Theatre in LA.

Animated Series Inspired By Singham In Works

Little Singham, an animation series inspired by Bollywood lm Singham, is in the works.

Reliance Animation has been commissioned to produce the new disruptive Indian original content series, targeted at children in the age group of 4-8 years.

Little Singham will go live in April this year on Discovery Kids channel. It will be aired in four languages - English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

The series will set a completely new benchmark for animation in India. As many as 250 animation artists have been engaged on the project.

ART SHOULD NOT HAVE BOUNDARIES: KARAN JOHAR

Meanwhile, Karan Johar showed his serious side to the world fairly impressively this week. The lmmaker was attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at DavosKlosters, Switzerland. Participating in a panel discussion, he said that art should not have boundaries and one cannot enforce culture to the people.

The lmmaker shared the stage along with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Alice

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

KENDALL JENNER or PRIYANKA CHOPRA in RALPH AND RUSSO?

Share your views with us on our Facebook page /IndianLinkAustralia

Bah Kuhnke, Minister for Culture and Democracy of Sweden and Arlie Russell Hochschild, Professor of Sociology at the University of California.

The panel was discussing the topic “Can we avoid the spread of so-called ‘culture wars’?”

Talking on the matter Karan said, “You cannot enforce culture or imbibe it. There are immense economic and social problems, but sometimes the main papers and politicians don’t talk about them because they are focused on a lm. It’s empowering to the lm industry, but it’s ridiculous.”

Recounting a time he was accused of being ‘non-Indian’ for casting a Pakistani actor in one of his lms, Karan said, “Art should not have boundaries but then culture and patriotism is thrown at the artists.”

The panel discussed the virtues of tolerance.

While Alice Bah Kunke said that in politics, one needs to be very, very tolerant, Karan said “there is a risk that tolerating intolerance in others can be misconstrued as validation.”

The annual meeting was graced by some of the iconic Indian personalities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan who received the Crystal Award that celebrates the achievements of leading artists.

What Tweety Bird Told Us This Week

Match the following stars to the tweets that appear below: Parineeti Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Anupam Kher

Honoured to receive the WEF’s 24th Crystal Award, together with Elton John and Cate Blanchett. My fan moment!!

So excited to nally show you all my videos from Australia! Guess who sang the song?

Congratulations to Emily Gordon and Kumail N for the Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay for the The Big Sick. So proud to be a part of this gem of a lm. Jai Ho.

Our tribute to the valour, legacy and courage of the Rajputs, Padmaavat releasing now on 25 January.

What are DEEPIKA and RANVEER saying to SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI here?

Send your response to: media@indianlink.com.au TO WIN A MOVIE TICKET!!

LAST ISSUE CAPTION CONTEST WINNING ENTRY

What’s the chitchat here between SAIF ALI KHAN and his son TAIMUR?

Leyla Singh: Don’t look at me like it’s bedtime.

Congratulations, Leyla. You win a movie ticket!

OTHER GOOD ONES:

Taimur to Saif: Dad, I heard you are a Nawab and still have to work for a living?

Vishal Degaonkar

Saif: I’m expecting a lot from you, Taimur: your lineage includes the country’s greatest poet, greatest actor and greatest cricketer.

Taimur: Typical Indian dad. Rajni Luthra