Entertainment Updates: Vivek Agnihotri Blasts Bhansali For Glorifying Courtesans; Alia To Attend Met Gala

Isha Malviya finally broke silence on ex-boyfriend Samarth Jurel’s viral ‘opportunist’ comment. Isha, who appeared in Bigg Boss 17 along with Samarth, stated, “I think I would not like to talk about it. Because meri life mein kaafi bahot achi cheezen aa rahe hai. I am focussing on it not my life backwards. It’s okay sabka apna nature hai, sabki apni personality hai but I don’t think main iss particular topic pe comment karna chahungi. Khushi manao yaar. (I think I would not like to talk about it. Because a lot of new opportunities are coming up in my life. I am focusing on it not my life backwards. It's ok, everybody has their own individual nature and personality, but I would not like to comment on it. Celebrate guys.)”

Akshay Kumar is currently busy shooting for Jolly LLB 3. In between his shooting schedule, Akki has watched the show and called it a 'grand spectacle.' He also praised his Rowdy Rathore co-star Sonakshi Sinha. Taking to his Insta story, Akki wrote, "Watching #Heeramandi, such a grand spectacle!" He also tagged Sonakshi and Bhansali Productions and said, "Great going."

Ever since the release, Sharmin Segal has been facing a lot of criticism over her 'expressionless' acting in Heeramandi. Netizens have called the actress and claimed that she got Alamzeb's role only because she is the niece of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Now Sharmin's Heeramandi co-star Shruti Sharma has come out in support of her. "Criticism is one thing; healthy criticism is always welcome, but trolling is unacceptable. It is a very negative way of approaching anyone. It is a kind of mental harassment. If it is happening, I am very concerned for her right now," she said.

Bigg Boss 16 star Priyanka Chahar Choudhary recently revealed that she does not wear make-up on daily basis. The actress wears it only when her job requires. She said IANS, "I don't wear make-up. I only put make-up on when I am working." She further reveals her beauty hack, saying, "I just do one thing: I apply some lipstick and then use it on my cheek, forehead, and eyelids. So, it looks like blush, contour, and lipstick. The whole make-up is done like that."

Following the immense success of the inaugural season of the gripping series Faadu, rumors abound about the potential involvement of acclaimed actor Pavail Gulati in its highly anticipated sequel. As fans eagerly await news of a follow-up to the groundbreaking show, speculation has intensified regarding Pavail Gulati's return to the screen alongside co-stars Saiyami Kher and director Ashwini Iyer Tiwary. Faadu proved to be a pivotal moment in Pavail Gulati's career, garnering widespread acclaim for his portrayal of 'Abhay'. As discussions surrounding a second season gain traction, reports indicate that Pavail's reunion with Saiyami Kher and Aswini Iyer Tiwary may be in the cards, promising audiences another thrilling chapter in the series. However, an official announcement is still awaited.

Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi have kicked off the shooting for Jolly LLB 3, as recently announced by the actor on his social media with a playful video. Adding to the excitement, reports indicate that Huma Qureshi, who previously starred in Jolly LLB 2, has joined the cast. Pinkvilla exclusively reported that she is set to begin filming for the project. According to sources, Huma Qureshi is traveling to Ajmer today to commence shooting for Jolly LLB 3 alongside Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, who are portraying the two Jollys, currently filming in Rajasthan.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's series Heeramandi has garnered affection from his fans, yet it has also encountered criticism for its idealized portrayal of the lives of 'tawaifs' and 'kothas.' Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri recently voiced his dissent towards the series, contending that it romanticizes the existence of courtesans and brothels. Vivek shared a post by a Pakistani doctor outlining inaccuracies in the depiction of Heeramandi, Lahore's red-light district. He underscored Bollywood's tendency to glamourize such locales, asserting that brothels symbolize 'human injustice and suffering' rather than luxury and allure. He penned, “A brilliant critique by @SophieSchol. I haven’t seen the show, but I have visited Heeramandi in Lahore a few times. Bollywood has this tendency to romanticize courtesans and brothels. It’s a sad commentary because brothels have never been places of opulence, glamour or beauty. These are monuments of human injustice, pain and suffering. Those unfamiliar with this should watch Shyam Benegal’s Mandi.” Vivek asked his followers to consider the consequences of romanticizing human suffering in art. He continued, “Also, a question we must ask: Does creativity give us the freedom to glamorize human suffering? Is it okay to make a film where slum life is depicted as a life of abundance? Is it okay to portray slum dwellers wearing clothes as if they are attending an Ambani wedding? Pl discuss.”

Aayush Sharma's previous film Antim: The Final Truth managed to achieve moderate success, but the same cannot be said for his latest release, Ruslaan, which continues to struggle at the box office. Audiences have largely rejected the film, and its theatrical run is anticipated to conclude by the end of the current week. Despite being in theaters for over a week, the film has yet to cross the Rs 5 crore mark in earnings. Shockingly, on its 9th day, the film recorded zero box office collections. According to a report by Sacnilk, Ruslaan faced a significant setback on its first Saturday (day 9), failing to sell any tickets and resulting in no revenue for the day. Presently, the movie has only managed to accumulate Rs 4.08 crore in domestic box office collections. "Ruslaan" has struggled to recover even a quarter of its production costs within 9 days.

Shooting has begun on the third season of Prime Video's The Family Man, headlined by Manoj Bajpayee, the streamer said on Monday. Created and directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK under their banner D2R Films, the much awaited installment of the action thriller series will bring back original cast members, including Bajpayee, Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, ­Ashlesha Thakur, and Vedant Sinha. Prime Video shared a series of pictures from the set on its official X page. "#TFM3W??? us: shoot begins. Drop your excitement. #TheFamilyManOnPrime @BajpayeeManoj @rajndk @sumank #PriyaMani @sharibhashmi @ashleshaat @VedantSinha0218," the platform captioned the post.

The Housefull franchise stands as one of the most beloved in cinema, with fans eagerly awaiting each new installment. Excitement surged further when news of the fifth film emerged, and now, producer Sajid Nadiadwala unveils another thrilling announcement: Abhishek Bachchan is rejoining the star-studded cast. Alongside Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Chunky Pandey, Abhishek's return promises to infuse the film with even more laughter and entertainment, courtesy of his stellar comedic timing. Scheduled to commence filming in the UK in August 2024, this latest installment guarantees an uproarious adventure. Expressing his elation, Sajid Nadiadwala remarked, "I am thrilled to welcome back Abhishek to the Housefull franchise. His dedication, comic timing, and sincerity will undoubtedly enhance our film."

As MET Monday 2024 is on its way soon, fans are eagerly anticipating the latest high-fashion looks of their favorite celebrities from the night. The Met Gala, renowned for its extravagant and elegant fashion, serves as a beacon for style enthusiasts worldwide. As excitement for the event builds, recent reports suggest that Alia Bhatt will be making an appearance this year as well. According to a report by India Today, Alia departed for New York late on May 4. This marks Alia's second appearance at the Met Gala; she made her debut in 2023 alongside Prabal Gurung. However, this year, Alia has chosen to keep the identity of her designer under wraps.

Audiences are eagerly anticipating Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayan,’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi as Ram and Sita respectively. Meanwhile, influencer Anjali Arora has announced her silver screen debut as Sita in Abhishek Singh’s ‘Shri Ramayan Katha,’ with both films drawing inspiration from the Hindu epic. Recognizing that her portrayal of Sita will naturally invite comparisons to Sai Pallavi’s depiction in 'Ramayan,' Anjali Arora expressed her satisfaction at being measured against a seasoned actress, stating, “If I am compared to a Bollywood actress, I will be happy.”

After Karan Johar's statement, Times Now contacted Kettan Singh for his response. Singh apologized to Johar for any offense caused, explaining that his impersonation was inspired by watching Johar on talk shows and being a fan of his work. Singh expressed his admiration for Johar's latest film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and clarified that his intention was to entertain the audience rather than cause harm. Singh stated, "I would like to apologize to Karan (Johar) sir. Whatever impersonation I do is because I watch a lot of Karan Johar on the talk show, and I am a fan of his work. I have seen his latest film, 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,' 5 to 6 times. I am a huge fan of his work and his show. If my actions hurt him, I would like to apologize to him. My intention was not to hurt him. I just wanted to entertain the audience, but if I did something extra, I would like to say sorry to him."

During a recent podcast interview with Vamshi Kurapati on his YouTube channel Raw Talks With VK, Rana praised Kalki 2898 AD. Discussing the film on the podcast, Rana conveyed his enthusiasm for Nag Ashwin's sci-fi action-thriller, even though he is not involved in the project. He stated, “The next big moment is Kalki. Nag Ashwin is a very dear friend. Not just India and the Indian diaspora but everyone in the world will connect to Kalki. For a long time, I have been waiting for an Avengers moment from our side. That’s what has excited me to be part of it.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut streaming series, the period drama 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,' has garnered considerable acclaim from certain critics, yet it has also encountered backlash and criticism for specific elements of its portrayal. Aditi Rao Hydari, a prominent presence in 'Heeramandi' featuring an all-female cast, recently recounted an incident where Bhansali rebuked her during filming and elicited an emotional reaction by withholding food. Aditi told Bollywood Hungama, “That happened during the shooting of the first mujra. We started our shoot with ‘Hath hojao‘, which was the first mujra I did. I had also just recovered from Covid at that time. By the end of the first day… the costume was heavy and my brain was not taking in anymore… I could see what he was telling me, I could understand it, but the firing wasn’t happening. But, trust me, what he was saying made complete sense. I was so disappointed in myself because I knew he didn’t get what he wanted. But, just before we wrapped, we got it. My thing here was that he believed so much in us so I never wanted to see him disappointed.”

Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and went down with the ship as the captain in "Titanic", has died. Hill, 79, passed away Sunday morning, agent Lou Coulson said. Hill joined "The Lord Of The Rings" franchise in the second film of the trilogy, 2002's "The Two Towers", as Théoden, King of Rohan.

Bollywood director Karan Johar expressed his disappointment after witnessing a comedian on a TV show imitate him in what he deemed "poor taste". Sharing a statement on his Instagram Stories, the filmmaker conveyed his dismay at the mimicry, noting that while he might expect such behavior from trolls, he hadn't anticipated it from individuals within the film industry. Although Karan Johar refrained from mentioning the show or the comedian by name, many social media users speculated that he was referring to Kettan Singh, who impersonated him on the show Madness Machayenge – India Ko Hasayenge. “I was sitting and watching television with my mom…and saw a promo of a reality comedy show on a supposedly respectable channel… a comic was mimicking me in exceptionally poor taste…I expect this from trolls and faceless and nameless people but when your own industry can disrespect someone who has been in the business for over 25 years it speaks volumes about the times we live in…this doesn’t even anger me it just makes me sad!” Karan wrote on his Instagram Stories.