As Pathaan continues to find takers, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have opened up about collaborating in director Siddharth Anand’s action thriller. Salman, who first worked with his Khan dost in Karan Arjun (1995), shared that a special film was required for the two actors to reunite on screen.
Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan
Tiger’s memento for Pathaan
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As Pathaan continues to find takers, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have opened up about collaborating in director Siddharth Anand’s action thriller. Salman, who first worked with his Khan dost in Karan Arjun (1994), shared that a special film was required for the two actors to reunite on screen. Revealing that it was producer Aditya Chopra’s intention to play to the gallery and give the audience what they wanted from the two actors, Salman said, “Given how closely Adi has known Shah Rukh and me, he truly managed to capture how we are as personalities, in the scenes. Also, the way Siddharth executed the sequence and presented us was just brilliant.” Conceding that they always wanted to act together, SRK said, “We were waiting for the right film, and the right script, because we both knew that while there would be excitement to see us on screen, we would have to deliver that promise to audiences.” Adding that it was Aditya’s idea to bring the two spies from the production house’s Spy Universe together to do some high-octane action scenes, SRK summed it up saying, “I instantly jumped at it because it was delivering the promise of seeing Salman and I on the big screen. It’s too much fun with bhai on sets. I had missed being with him on screen. I am keeping the Tiger scarf as a memento!”
Imran, Lekha: What’s cooking?
Imran Khan is making news again. He was spotted exiting the airport with actor Lekha Washington on Sunday evening. They held hands as they walked out, and this triggered rumours of them dating. This is not the first time that reports of them being a couple have appeared. Previously, it was said that their closeness caused a rift in his marriage with Avantika Malik, with whom Imran shares a daughter, Imara, eight. Imran, who separated from Avantika over four years ago, is keen to foray into direction. Talking of Lekha, Imran seemed to be happy in her company and one could sense an undercurrent of chemistry between the two. We just hope they don’t resort to the tried-and-tested, ‘we’re just good friends’ stance now.
Jackie, Rajini reunite
After 35 years since Uttar Dakshin, Jackie Shroff and Rajinikanth are working together again. Jackie, who has joined the cast of Rajini’s Jailer, re-shared a post by the production house, featuring his look in Nelson Dilipkumar’s directorial venture. Not much is known about his role, but sources claim it is integral to the narrative. The two were previously seen together in Kochadaiiyaan (2014), which was made by Rajini’s daughter Soundarya using photorealistic motion capture. Due to date issues, Jackie was replaced by Jagapathi Babu in Rajini’s 2021 film, Annaatthe (2021).
No ‘Bollywood’ please!
One thing common between all the celebrities featured in the trailer of Netflix docu-series, The Romantics, is that they all have expressed displeasure with the usage of the term ‘Bollywood’ for the Hindi film industry. In a tribute to the legacy of Yash Chopra, his studio YRF and its cultural impact on the country over the last 50 years, everyone from the Bachchans, Khans, Kapoors to Mukerjis and Roshans have questioned the usage of ‘Bollywood’ as they don’t feel it is inclusive of other film industries. Oscar and Emmy-nominated director Smriti Mundhra says, ““I was surprised to learn how unanimously people in the industry hate the term ‘Bollywood’.” Adding that in hindsight, it makes perfect sense, she wonders, “Who would want to be defined in the context of a totally different entity, especially with a term that feels reductive and derivative?”
Director ruled out of action
Director Sudha Kongara recently suffered a severe injury on her left hand. The director, who is gearing up for the Hindi adaptation of her 2020 Tamil hit, Soorarai Pottru, shared the news on social media. Along with a couple of pictures of her bandaged hand, she wrote, “Super painful. Super annoying! On a break for a month,” she wrote along with her images. The Tamil original, starring Suriya, had won five National Awards. The Hindi remake stars Akshay Kumar. It is to be seen how viewers welcome this edition.
Ajay, Tabu on a hat-trick
Call it the Drishyam 2 effect, but Ajay Devgn is teaming up with Tabu again. Even as their eighth film, Bholaa is being readied for a March 30 release, the two actors have begun shooting for Neeraj Pandey’s next. Titled Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, the musical romance also features Saiee Manjrekar and Jimmy Sheirgill in pivotal roles. MM Keeravani, who recently won the Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination for the pacy number, Naatu naatu in SS Rajamouli’s RRR, has been signed on to create the soundtrack. We hear Neeraj and Ajay are planning to wrap up a major portion of the movie by mid-March, as the actor is also slated to begin filming Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again, in April. We just hope after Drishyam 2 and Bholaa, Tabu is not playing a cop yet again in Neeraj’s directorial venture.
Farewell, Rauf
Rauf Ahmed, the doyen of entertainment journalism, passed away at his residence on Sunday. He had been unwell for some time. He is survived by wife Jasmeet and daughter Namrata. Rauf ventured into film journalism and edited magazines like Super and Movie, trailblazers of the ’70s, before heading Filmfare. It was under his editorship that the format of Filmfare Awards underwent a sea change, from a traditional event to an Oscar-style show. Writer-author Shunali Khullar Shroff says, “Rauf was one person who would identify talent and go all out to launch that talent. Tributes to him on social media are proof that he has helped and mentored so many people out there. He will be greatly missed.”
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