MADHURI DIXIT: THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING RELEVANT

When the queen speaks, you listen. From Tezaab to Total Dhamaal, Madhuri Dixit Nene has followed her own path. In a career spanning over three decades, the screen icon has constantly kept pace with a changing industry. The trick to her longevity? Always adapting and trying to do work that is relevant to the times.

Talking about her changing image with time, she said, "I think I always got opportunities to do some cool stuff even in the 1990s when I was young. When my son watches my dance for Que sera sera with Prabhudheva, he says 'You are my cool mom'. It is the relatability, the relevance of those works (that’s important to me). I am always trying to do work that holds relevance."

Her latest role in Kalank alongside Sanjay Dutt, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur, is a good example of this. Madhuri plays Begum Bahaar in the movie, of whom she said, "She is an introvert and emotionally scarred because of the past tragedy of her life. She is silent, yet conveys a lot through her eyes. She is what she is because of the bitter experience of her life."

At 51 years, the actress is no stranger to social media, with a solid presence on Instagram that is peppered with fun positive quotes, glimpses of her private life and plenty of images of her famous dazzling smile. And she knows the importance of social media for promoting a movie, saying, "In our time, we had more face-to-face interaction with our co-stars, but these days it’s all about social media. The good thing is, I am finding that (virtual) world quite fascinating. Posting quirky pictures on social media, I enjoy that too!”

Does she believe that senior actresses are now getting much better characters to play than earlier?

"I strongly believe that people like us have to break the stereotype. If we’re carving a path that shows how women of our age can flourish with substantial characters in films that go beyond the cliched, our next generation will continue it. We have to open doors for the next generation. It is not as an activist that I’m speaking, but as an artiste."

Madhuri Dixit - actor and dancer extraordinaire, budding Instagrammer and...activist? We like the sound of that!

KRITI SANON: THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING

She’s currently basking in the glory of the success of her recent film Luka Chuppi and so Kriti Sanon is in a good place to look at the state of the industry.

Especially when it comes to taboo topics like in Luka Chuppi, about a young couple who move in together. The film has managed to cross over Rs 90 crores at the Indian box office.

"The box office numbers are encouraging and I'm grateful to the audience," said the 28-year-old actor.

She believes the audience is now much more accepting of different subjects that would earlier be considered "taboo".

"Our idea wasn't to (endorse) live-in relationships in general. But yes, we did want to stir the audiences a bit and leave them with the thought that everyone has the right to lead their lives according to their wishes and we shouldn't judge them for that," she said.

Looks like the audience got the message…

A Song For Parineeti

Another actor who is looking back happily at a recent success is Parineeti Chopra.

Pari has just come off a role in the Akshay Kumar film Kesari, in which she sang the soulful number Teri Mittiwhich has been very well received.

“The song came about because I used to keep humming it all the time and everybody used to appreciate it,” she said.

Music producer Azeem heard her and proposed the idea of doing the song in her voice. Parineeti revealed they dubbed it within two hours, and shot the video in another two hours.

Buoyed by this, the chirpy actor is calling upon other music directors to give her a similar break.

"I think now is the time for me to sing more and show people what I can do, because I do believe I can sing,” she related.

Of course, she is a trained Hindustani classical singer.

"I come from a family of singers so I have been blessed with the gift of sur and taal. While I was growing up, my parents thought that it was a good idea for me to also learn it professionally.”

She did her first gig at only three years old.

“Yes it’s true,” she laughed. “Singing is the first creative art I pursued and it’s been a huge part of my life throughout.”

She has sung the song Maanake hum yaar nahin for the film Meri Pyaari Bindu.

What would she like to sing, if given a chance?

"I would like to come out with tracks that really resonate with the youth. I think I will always want to pursue doing very very melodious songs because I have a very husky voice and I think that suits me."

So she knows what she wants… and like her big sister, let’s hope she knows how to go out and get it.

SALMAN AS 'BHARAT'

It’s a slow reveal.

We mean Salman Khan’s look from the much-awaited film Bharat.

We’ve seen two looks so far, out of five apparently – each to be released daily this week. So dramatic…. talk about building up hype!

Anyway, for the first look, we saw an aged Salman, all salt and pepper in hair and beard, very different, and sort of Amitabh-ish. Now we know what Bhai will look like 20 years from now.

Next day, we saw him as a young dude, and we were transported back to the 1990s, when a hunky and dashing Sallu ruled the silver screen.

Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Reckon we’ll see a middle-aged, potbellied version…? Not bloody likely!

The film Bharat depicts the history of India through the life of an ordinary man. Named Bharat and played by Salman. It is an official remake of Korean film An Ode To My Father.

Talking of fathers, Jackie Shroff plays Salman’s dad here.

The film's other cast members include Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Disha Patani and Sunil Grover. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Bharat will release on the occasion of Eid.

EVEN PADMAVATI DIDN'T FACE SUCH STRESS: SANDIP SSINGH

Producer Sandip Ssingh of PM

Narendra Modi fame is hopeful the Election Commission gives his film "justice" and he can release it soon.

But he says the process has given the team more stress than what the makers of Padmavati (Padmaavat) went through.

The Supreme Court recently directed the Election Commission (EC) to watch PM Narendra Modi, a biopic on the Prime Minister, and submit its report regarding the film's release in a sealed cover.

"We are in a lot of stress,” Ssingh revealed. “The team is losing confidence, but we hope and pray that we get justice and we release our film. For the first time it has happened that a filmmaker has to go through this. It is humiliating... not even Padmavati had gone through so much of stress. At least their release was not cancelled just a night before. But we have no option. We are waiting for justice," Ssingh said.

The brouhaha for the Vivek Anand Oberoi-starrer biopic began as the film's release date was shifted from 5 April to 11 April, the first day of polling for the seven phased Lok Sabha elections.

But just a day before, the poll panel ruled that any biopic material in the nature of biography/hagiography serving the purposes of any political or individual entity connected to it should not be displayed in electronic media, including cinematograph, during the operation of the MCC (Model Code of

Conduct).

After the film's makers approached the Supreme Court, the apex court put the ball in EC's court.

“Everyone’s seen the trailer, and people know it's an expensive film,” Ssingh said. “We put in crores of money, and a lot of money went into its promotions. All we want is our film should be released and people should get inspired by watching it”.

PRIYANKA: GOOD BAHU

Singer-actor Nick Jonas says it is "kind of a dream" that his wife and actress Priyanka Chopra, Sophie Turner and Danielle Jonas are "so connected".

In an interview to Entertainment Tonight, Nick opened up about the close friendship that has formed between Priyanka and his brother Joe's fiance Sophie.

"It's a great feeling. I mean, it's kind of a dream where, as close as we are as brothers, that our wives and fiance are so connected as well," Nick said.

The Chains singer admitted that reforming the Jonas Brothers band was "obviously a huge adjustment for everybody", but they have gotten nothing but love and support from their significant others, including Kevin Jonas' wife Danielle.

"These incredible women have handled it so well and have been the best support system for each of us, individually and as a group," Nick shared. "To get to share that with them is a really amazing thing."

While Priyanka has been welcomed into Nick's close-knit family, the 26-year-old entertainer said he has managed to blend in well with his wife's family as well.

"It is one of the things we were so drawn to about each other. And the family's just getting bigger and bigger, and that's a beautiful thing. We love including our loved ones, our family, in everything we do...our house is for everyone, our doors are always open," he added. "That is, in my opinion, how it should be."

On Twitter This Week

Match the following stars to the tweets that appear below:

Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra again, Madhuri Dixit

Much fun in Chennai today. Well played @ChennaiIPL& my fantastic @KKRiders we did our best but sometime it’s not good enough. @ Russell12A@imkuldeep18 will giv u guys a massage, @SunilPNarine74 will help. #piyushchawla ‘I am in love with ur new body’

My first ever #jonasbrothers show. And it was incredible!!! I'm so proud of these guys!! #Family

I hope you’re enjoying #Echoes as much as I enjoyed making it. What’s your favourite single off the album so far?

Dance is a hidden language that connects you to your soul. Get ready to see #BahaarBegam in theatres on 17th of April.

Good luck Sophie Turner you are a boss babe. And are very loved… J-sister. 'Game Of Thrones' tonight

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