Janhvi Kapoor to star alongside Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew in Junglee Pictures’ next titled Ulajh

Junglee Pictures, known for Raazi and Badhaai Do, has announced the casting of their upcoming film titled Ulajh which expected to be a stylized international thriller, set in the prestigious and intriguing world of Indian Foreign Services (IFS). The makers have unveiled an ensemble cast headlined by Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, and Roshan Mathew. Besides them, the film also stars Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Sachin Khedekar, Rajendra Gupta and Jitendra Joshi. The patriotic thriller is to go on floors by end of this month.

To be by directed by National award-winner Sudhanshu Saria, the makers have released a poster which is a sneak peek into the high-stakes world of International Diplomacy and the pivotal characters in the film. Ulajh is said to follow the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf, at a career-defining post. Written by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria, with dialogues by Atika Chohan, this new-age thriller promises to be unlike anything else audiences have seen in this genre.

Expressing her excitement about being a part of Ulajh, Janhvi Kapoor said, “When I was approached with the script of Ulajh, it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone and portraying a character based in the celebrated world of the Indian Foreign Services was just that. Just as the name of the film suggests, my character and the story, has so many layers, emotions, and parameters, which is challenging and exciting at the same time. I am thrilled for the audience to see me in this new role envisioned by Sudhanshu, who has such a fresh approach towards dealing with this genre. I am also looking forward to work with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time.”

Director Sudhanshu Saria added, “In their typical fashion, Junglee Pictures has picked yet another original, bold and daring film to bring to audiences and I’m so thrilled they’ve entrusted me with the task of helming it. In Janhvi Kapoor, the film has found its beating heart and it’s going to be a treat for audiences to watch her spar with thespians like Rajesh Tailang and Sachin Khedekar, maverick actors like Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Matthews and Meiyang Chang. We have a rollercoaster of a ride planned for our audience and I can’t wait to start rolling cameras on Ulajh.”

 

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Amrita Pandey, CEO Junglee Pictures shared – “At Junglee Pictures, we strive to develop and create films in collaboration with creative minds who bring a fresh and distinct voice to provide an experience that will captivate and thrill our audience. Having Sudhanshu on board for a film like Ulajh is a perfect fit. His creative sensibilities are unmatched, he has added nuances and layers to each character which has made the story so gripping.  Getting together such a talented ensemble cast, in the unexplored world of IFS has been an invigorating experience. We also have a dynamic team of celebrated and experienced writers and technicians who are contributing their personal touch to the film, making it an incredible team effort”.

Ulajh is expected to go on floors by the end of May.

Also Read: Filmfare Awards 2023: Janhvi Kapoor spellbinds in strapless majestic purple gown by Gauri & Nainika

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Sobhita Dhulipala reacts to dating rumours with Naga Chaitanya; says, “I am not doing anything wrong”

The life of Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu came under much scrutiny after the couple decided to part ways in 2021. Followed by that, there have been many rumours doing the rounds about the former couple. Among them is the buzzing report about Chaitanya’s alleged relationship with the Ponniyin Selvan actress Sobhita Dhulipala. In fact, the speculations was fuelled further when a photo of the two at a restaurant in London went viral.

While Naga Chaitanya earlier addressed these rumours without taking names, Sobhita Dhulipala too seems to have reacted to these reports asserting that she is not doing anything wrong. As per statement to Filmibeat during the recent promotions of PS 2, Sobhita said, “For people who speak without knowledge, I don’t think I need to answer them. I don’t feel the urge to clarify things when I’m not doing anything wrong and it is not my business.”

Readers would be aware that followed by the rumours of Chaitanya and Sobhita dating, Samantha fans had started trolling the alleged couple on social media as they expressed hurt over the couple’s separation. Not too long ago, Naga Chaitanya too addressed these reports during a media interaction in which he had expressed disappointment over involving a third party in media reports reports adding that they have been creating awkward situations between estranged couple. “It is only when the media speculates that things get awkward between us. In the public eye, that mutual respect is taken away. That’s what I feel bad about. And you do what is worse? They bring in a third party, someone who is not connected to my past to create headlines out of that. It’s very disrespectful to the third party whom they are unnecessarily involving with my past,” he had said.

Also Read: Naga Chaitanya finds love again in Sobhita Dhulipala after divorce?

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NCB officer involved in Aryan Khan drug case gets dismissed

Readers would recall the high-profile case of Aryan Khan when he was arrested for the possession of drugs by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in 2021. Now, an officer named Vishwa Vijay Singh, who is the superintendent of NCB, is terminated. If reports are to be believed, Singh was a pivotal member of the team which conducted a raid in the Cordelia cruise in Mumbai wherein they allegedly busted a drug racket.

Recent reports have suggested that the NCB authorities ordered an inquiry against Vishwa Vijay Singh pertaining to a different case in April 2022 and he was suspended. As per an NCB officer, the inquiry findings led to the dismissal of the officer. Coming to the Aryan Khan case, Singh played an important role in the arrest of the star kid. Singh had not only accompanied Sameer Wankhede during the raid operation in Cordelia cruise but he also led a team of officers when they visited the palatial residence of Shah Rukh Khan in Mumbai, Mannat, in connection with the drug raid investigation.

As for the case, readers would recall that Sameer Wankhede and his team had arrested seventeen high-profile names in connection to the case and had alleged seized 13 gms of cocaine, 22 pills of Ecstasy (MDMA), 21 gms of marijuana, and 5 gms of mephedrone along with Rs. 1.33 lakhs during their raid. Among them was also Aryan Khan who eventually received bail on October 28. The star kid was later given clean chit because of insufficient evidence. Followed by certain discrepancies during the raid as well as for providing witnesses with prior crime records, the NCB Mumbai team was placed under vigilance inquiry in November 2022. Post the inquiry, department ordered action against seven officers, retaining their anonymity.

Also Read: #AskSRK Shah Rukh Khan says “Kuch karta hoon” after a fan requests him to lower the rates of Aryan Khan’s D’YAVOL X jackets

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Photos: Rhea Chakraborty snapped in Bandra

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The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen speaks on battling aggressive protests; says, “My film deals with terrorism and has nothing to do with any religion”

The Kerala Story opened to full houses on Friday do you feel vindicated? It has been an arduous battle to get the film into theatres how did you cope?
It has indeed been an arduous battle to take the film to the theaters. For The Kerala Story finding funds was difficult. But once Vipul Shahji took it over the journey was pretty smooth and didn’t find any kind of difficulties in the release of the film. During the process, the only difficult parts were shooting permissions and extreme weather .

Tell me about how you thought of putting this story forward?
I have enough research material with me. Hundreds of hours of video testimonies, hundreds of pages of documents .Again it was not difficult to zero in to the story. In 2018, I had shot a documentary on the same subject and that got the best film award in London International Film Festival. The Kerala Story started taking shape from there.

Were you aware of the dangers and pitfalls ahead?
Yes, yes. I was completely aware about that and mentally prepared for any eventuality. Nevertheless, I also believe, my film deals with terrorism and has nothing to do with any religion. And, I mean it

What do you have to say about the cynics who say you and Vipul Shah are trying to do your own The Kashmir Files?
I started working on the subject much before The Kashmir Files. And, I don’t find any reason of bringing The Kashmir Files up when you talk about my film. The comparison is just stupidity. You agree or disagree with it, but The Kashmir Files has shaken the minds of India and shown the power of cinema. My film belongs to different genre… completely different narrative.

Your film is not anti-Islam, it is anti-conversion and anti- terrorism. What do you have to say to those who can’t tell the difference?
I am sure, all will agree with us. Let them see the film first. Nowadays we all are restless. We are impatient. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have made us more impatient. Earlier we used to think ten times before abusing someone. But these days, we can abuse instantly on social media. When the teaser and later when the trailer of our film released, many thought it is ‘anti-Islam’… so many jumped on and started shouting at and abusing us. Now, the film is released. People are watching the film and the same people are showering praise on us. The misunderstandings will continue only until the point you do not watch the film. Watch it and then judge it.

How much research and investigation did the film entail? 
Seven years, hundreds of hours of video testimony and hundreds of pages of documents and information collected from all over the world. That speaks for itself, doesn’t it?

To those who say the numbers are grossly exaggerated, what is your response?
After watching the film they will not say that. Already Twitter and Instagram have stopped discussing numbers.

At a time when films with big stars are, falling by the wayside what is your take on your film with no major star opening so well?
Stars are over-rated, over-priced and over-hyped. Stardom is a psychological disease. I am not affected by that. Thank God! To my producer and me the script is the star. Right now, all my actors in our film are superstars of the country. We gave them opportunity and they proved, they are the best.

Do you feel the future of Indian cinema lies in embracing politics as an integral component of storytelling?
It should be. That what is cinema is all about. Most of our seniors didn’t do justice to cinema and the country. They thought that the crores of poor, exploited, denied have-nots are stupid so they sold them cheap dreams, cheap romance, cheap violence, cheap ideas. The role of cinema is to awaken the generations through entertainment and help to build nation. Indian cinema must celebrate India. We filmmakers must celebrate our thousands of years old Indian history and ethos.

It’s been a long struggle for you to get here What are your thoughts at the moment?
I always believe, the journey is more exciting than the destination. After this I shall continue doing my work. Nothing will change. I am happy that now more people will listen to my words

Also Read: Shabana Azmi compares The Kerala Story to Laal Singh Chaddha; says films should not be banned after it is passed by CBFC

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Sonam Kapoor Ahuja takes centre stage at Prince Charles III’s Coronation ceremony; mother Sunita Kapoor shares the ‘proud’ moment

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her fashionista look while attending the Prince Charles III’s Coronation ceremony in United Kingdom. The actress, along with attending the function, also took centre stage to introduce performers at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. The honour obviously left mother Sunita Kapoor touched who took to social media to express pride over her daughter’s achievements. Furthermore, she also received a lot of love from the Kapoor family over the same.

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, who has been staying away from Bollywood after she gave birth to her son Vayu in 2022, has been making some grand appearances. After she attended the lavish two-day inaugural ceremony of NMACC in Mumbai, the actress has now taken off to the United Kingdom to attend the Prince Charles III’s Coronation Ceremony. In the latest video posted by Sunita Kapoor, Sonam introduced herself with a ‘Namaste’ as the crowd cheered for the actress, and went on to announce the choir performers for the Commonwealth Games 2023. Sharing the clip which was recorded on her television, mother Sunita Kapoor captioned the post on Instagram, saying, “So proud ! Such an honour”.

 

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Expressing her gratitude towards the post, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja thanked her mother by dropping many heart emojis and commenting ‘love you’ on the post. Sunita also got a lot of love for the post from her family members too. Arjun Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor, dropped heart and clap emojis, showering their love on the post. Sanjay Kapoor called it ‘great honour’ whereas Sonam’s brother-in-law Karan Boolani (Rhea Kapoor’s husband) also dropped a clap emoji. Friends of the family like Neelam Kothari Soni and Bhavana Pandey also cheered for the actress.

On the work front, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja is expected to make her comeback with the film Blind, which is a remake of a Korean film by the same name. The film is expected to release on an OTT platform.

Also Read: Sonam Kapoor blossoms in a floral masterpiece by Anamika Khanna X Emilia Wickstead for Prince Charles III’s coronation ceremony

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Lal Salaam: Rajinikanth turns Moideen Bhai for his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s upcoming directorial

Aishwarya Rajinikanth, who will be returning to her director’s chair with Lal Salaam, has got her father and the Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on board for a special appearance in her film. The filmmaker’s upcoming venture will feature Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth in lead roles whereas the cameo appearance of Rajini is expected to be a pivotal one. Now, the makers have dropped the first look poster of the superstar in his new avatar for the film as Moideen Bhai.

Rajinikanth looks dapper in his bandhgala kurta and a cap as he sports a bearded look along with his trademark sunglasses. The superstar’s look was unveiled on May 8, Monday on social media and along with that the makers had captioned it saying, “Everyone’s favourite BHAI is back in Mumbai… Make way for #Thalaivar… SuperStar… #Rajinikanth as #MoideenBhai in #LalSalaam இன்று முதல் #மொய்தீன்பாய் ஆட்டம் ஆரம்பம்…! (#Moideenbhai’s reign begins today)”. Aishwarya Rajinikanth too took to the platform to share the glimpse as she added, “Honoured and blessed appa ! the entire team of #LalSalaam always needs your blessings!”

Everyone’s favourite BHAI is back in Mumbai ???? Make way for #Thalaivar ???? SuperStar ???? #Rajinikanth as #MoideenBhai in #LalSalaam ????

இன்று முதல் #மொய்தீன்பாய் ஆட்டம் ஆரம்பம்…! ????

???? @ash_rajinikanth
???? @arrahman
???? @rajinikanth @TheVishnuVishal & @vikranth_offl
????… pic.twitter.com/OE3iP4rezK

— Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) May 7, 2023

With music composed by A R Rahman, Lal Salaam is expected to be set against the backdrop of cricket. Aishwarya Rajinikanth, who made her directorial debut with the Dhanush starrer 3, has directed films like Vai Raja Vai (2015) and a documentary titled Cinema Veeran (2017).

On the other hand, while this will feature the superstar only in a special appearance, Rajinikanth, who last appeared in Annaatthe (2021), will next feature in Jailer as the leading man. The Nelson Dilipkumar directorial also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishnan, among others and is slated to release on August 10, 2023. As for Lal Salaam, while the film is expected to release this year, the release date is yet to be locked.

Also Read: Rajinikanth to make a special appearance in his daughter Aishwarya’s directorial Lal Salaam

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