GET READY FOR SRK

Everybody’s favourite Bollywood personality Shah Rukh Khan will soon be heading our way. He is the chief guest at this year’s International Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), to be held 8-17 August.

Not much is known yet about other guests, but you can make a safe bet regular culprits Simi Grewal and Malaika Arora (no longer Khan) will be around. How about Karan Johar, SRK’s bestie?

Looks like some changes have had to be made to the usual program this time round.

It all kicks off with the IFFM Awards this year – the gala party that has traditionally closed the official part of the festival. Shah Rukh will be attending of course, on 8 August, and then launching the festival itself the following day.

What, you’re not staying around for flag hoisting at Fed Square, Shah Rukh??

As we await further news - of the films to be screened, celebrity guests, masterclasses and special interviewswe know as of now that the other festival mainstay, the Bollywood dance contest, is back again, to be held on 10 Aug.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, the director of the festival has also announced that the theme this year is Courage. Well chosen, we say, in times when freedom of expression is a hot topic not only in India but the world at large.

Shah Rukh himself said, “I’m particularly pleased with the theme of the festival this year which is Courage, an emotion that resonates with storytellers who really have the might to change society and the world.”

(Now how does this sound: a retrospective of Girish Karnad? He certainly fits the theme, and it will be a wonderful tribute.)

Shah Rukh also added, “I have had great memories of shooting for Chak De India in Melbourne and look forward to being back again, this time to celebrate Indian cinema.”

The festival is marking its tenth year this year.

Bedi tweeted a photograph of Saif and Alaia from India’s winning match against Pakistan at the ICC World Cup recently. She captioned the image: “My daughter Alaia with Saif Ali Khan. Perfect start to their shoot together for her debut film #jawaanijaaneman. He plays her dad…and this was shot on Father's Day. Best of luck for beautiful new beginnings.”

Jawaani Jaaneman marks Alaia’s Bollywood debut. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the movie is a romantic dramedy (comedy + drama) also starring Tabu.

Excited about her big debut, Alaia left for London a week in advance in order to “get into the skin of (her) character and study the script better.” She’d also commented on how she “loves to overprepare for her character”.

“I’m working with established artistes who I admire, so I’m understandably nervous. To ease those nerves, Nitin sir thought it would be appropriate for me to observe things on set before I have to go in front of the cameras,” the newbie said in a statement. Say what you will about nepotism, the excitement of your first paying gig is universal!

Shewakramani’s Northern Lights Films, the movie will release on 29 November.

SRK ON DUBBING 'THE LION KING' WITH SON

Shah Rukh Khan is stoked about dubbing for The Lion King with his "own Simba" Aryan, saying this makes it even more special.

Shah Rukh and Aryan will be lending their voices for King Mufasa and his son Simba, respectively, in the Hindi version of Disney's upcoming live-action film The Lion King.

Shah Rukh says his whole family loves the story. "It holds a very special place in our hearts. As a father, I can totally relate with Mufasa and the endearing relationship he shares with his son Simba," Shah Rukh said in a statement.

"The legacy of Lion King is timeless; and being a part of this iconic reimagining with my son Aryan makes it extra special for me. We are most excited that AbRam is going to watch this," he said.

The announcement comes a day after Shah Rukh took to Twitter to share a photograph of him and his son sporting blue cricket jerseys with their backs towards the camera. The star's jersey read "Mufasa" and Aryan's read "Simba".

Directed by The Jungle Book fame director Jon Favreau, The Lion King is one of the most-anticipated films of recent times.

The original film, considered an animation masterpiece, was released on 15 June 1994. It was not just widely lauded critically, but received commercial success as well.

Produced by Jackky Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment in association with Saif’s Black Knight Films and Jay ALAIA F

Favreau has stayed true to the classic story of Simba and used pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring the iconic characters to the big screen in a whole new way.

The Lion King will be released in India on 19 July in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

'LEILA’ HAS BEEN LIBERATING: HUMA QURESHI

It’s a role that’s causing much discussion recently. As Shalini, who sets out on an arduous 16-year-long search for her missing daughter born out of a 'mixed' marriage in the latest dystopian show Leila, actress Huma Qureshi says she felt challenged to push her boundaries and play the role with full justice and honesty.

"It has been a gratifying journey for me. It have never played such a strong character before this show. With this character, I have pushed myself as an artiste. I really had to go deep into the story.

The gritty six-episode Netflix series also delves into the issues of authoritarian rule, class and religious