The BUZZ

PRESSURE-FREE PRIYANKA

Priyanka Chopra Jonas the reigning heart-throb of Bollywood hasn’t always had it easy. Her journey has been rocky and her solidarity has been put to test time and again. But, she now admits she is able to play roles and take up responsibilities without feeling the pressure.

“I used to feel the pressure. Now I don’t. I think I stopped taking pressure when I reached a point where I could make choices about the work that I wanted to do... when I didn't have to depend on people coming to me with the work. That sort of shifted not too long ago, just four or five years ago maybe," Priyanka told IANS.

"Unfortunately with female actors, there is a lot depending on other people before you are cast in a film. It is the truth. Hard to hear, but it's the truth. That shifted for me just recently. I guess that gave me a sense of confidence to become a producer, to be able to helm films that I wanted to make," she added.

But does she still gets the jitters when starting a new project?

"I like something that will make me nervous coming to set,” she revealed.“I like movies that challenge me. I like the immersive experiences. I like films where I look at my scene and I am like 'oh my god! How am I going to do this?' When your fingers tingle, your toes curl... I like experiences like those.”

A lesson in there for all of us?

Perfectionist Parineeti

AXONE: BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Welcome to the world of content-driven Hindi cinema. If you’re already a fan, Axone is one film you won’t want to miss.

The Sayani Gupta starrer was screened recently at the Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival with Star 2019, and it received a standing ovation at the festival. Earlier it made an equally favourable debut at the BFI London Film Festival.

So what’s Axone? If you think the term sounds outlandish, then that’s where the problem begins. (It’s a food item, also known as akhuni, that is not foreign but very much native to India).

Axone the film is a bittersweet satire that follows a group of young people as they set about preparing a wedding feast for a friend, and want to cook their favourite dish, axone or akhuni. Akhuni is a smelly fermented bean commonly used in Naga preparations.

Yes, the young folk are northeasterners, who have for many years now battled widespread racism at the hands of ignorant Punjabi Delhi-ites. Now that is a refreshingly different Hindi film.

And one, we might add, that has been long overdue.

Sayani who plays a 23-year-old girl from Manipur, has many hopes for the film. “Axone premiered at the BFI London Film Festival. At MAMI, it is mostly an Indian audience and you always look forward to seeing their reaction because ultimately, they will relate to the film the most. All the three screenings of the film were packed. The standing ovation, that was quite overwhelming!”

Quizzed about the film's theatrical release date, the actress sounded unsure. “Soon, I hope. It's very difficult with independent films because they don't make a lot of money when released theatrically. But the good thing is, people have started watching these films. Since the film got a very good response at BFI and MAMI, it will hopefully release by the end of the year,” she replied.

Written and directed by Nicholas Kharkongor, Axone also features Lin Laishram, Tenzin Dalha, Vinay Pathak and Dolly Ahluwalia.

Let’s hope the film helps raise awareness amongst mainstream Indians about their compatriots in more remote regions.

Parineeti Chopra, in her quest to ace her upcoming role as and in Saina Nehwal’s biopic, will be visiting the ace badminton player's home here for the first time, as part for preparation for her role.

"I want to become Saina. For that I want to go to her house and see how she lives. We’ve met many times, but this time I want to go to her house, live like her and eat like her for a day, live her life for a whole day," Parineeti said.

Bollywood actors working in biopics have been known to make the extra effort to bring alive the character on screen. In the recent past, actor Ranveer Singh spent 10 days with Kapil Dev, to prepare for his role of the Indian cricketer in ‘83.

Earlier, Priyanka Chopra Jonas spent time with boxer Mary Kom to essay the wrestler's life story.

The Saina Nehwal biopic is directed by Amole Gupte and is being produced by T-series.

NEW AGE MUMS: NEHA, SOHA

In the Instagram-ruled lives of today, many young mums feel the pressure to lose their postpartum weight quickly. This is especially true for celebrity mums.

Bollywood actor Neha Dhupia, who was blessed with a baby girl Mehr last November, has spoken boldly against being fat-shamed after pregnancy, in a note on social media.

"I have always tried to raise my voice in this regard. I believe this pressure needs to stop for everyone not just celebrities. I feel one should be fit. Fitness is a priority but not "fitting into" society's standards regarding looks. As a new mom I want to be fit, healthy and energetic for my daughter," the 39-year-old said.

As well, the model and actor has launched a 'Freedom To Feed' campaign against the taboo of public breastfeeding. Her best friend and industry colleague Soha Ali Khan, 41, has also been vocal about the issue. It is not healthy for any woman to deal with such pressures, said Soha. The actor tied the knot with actor Kunal Khemu in 2015, and actively posts about their 2-year-old daughter Inaaya.

"It is high time people start respecting women and mothers for who they are and not focus on how they look," Soha stressed.

"Motherhood is a beautiful feeling and postpartum weight is a part of it. Every mother has the right to choose her fitness regimen and take her own time," she said.

Hurrah for these new-age role-model celeb mums.

CAPTAIN KOHLI’S DIGITAL DEBUT

Looks like his wife’s career is exerting some influence on Virat Kohli’s decisions. We’ve seen him in ads, now he’s getting into the movies. For kids, to be precise.

Followed by the massive test victory against South Africa, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli launched a new animated series titled Super V for kids. It is loosely based on his own life.

Super V tells the story of a 15-year-old teenager who is a cricketing prodigy, and who discovers his superpowers and goes on to fight the biggest supervillain to save the world. Virat claims the series aims to educate children on good values and ethics.

It explores his own relationship as a teen with his parents and with the world around him, his sister, friends and teachers.

Talking about the upcoming show, Virat said: "It has a very beautiful storyline along with really good animation. Initially, I wasn't sure about this show, but then I thought why not? This show gives a positive message and every episode will give some learning to the kids who watch it. It's a progressive show and that I think it is the most important thing for me. I think whatever you present out there, whether it's in the form of an animation show or something else, there has to be some learning for someone in it, and that is exactly what Super V is all about."

BHUMI’S UNIQUE ‘MASALA-BRAINER’ KIND OF FILM

Known for her high-in-content choice of films, actress Bhumi Pednekar says she aims only for the "brainer" among masala entertainers. Having debuted in 2015 with Dum Laga Ke Haisha, she was later seen in movies like Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Lust Stories. Has she ever thought of starring in a