14 January,2022 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist Team
R Balki
The third wave has made R Balki adapt his production house office at Bandra to the changed scenario amid the rising scare of the Omicron variant of the virus. The filmmaker has self-test kits greet anyone who enters his office. Before staffers and guests step in, they have to test themselves, and only if the results are negative are they let in. His office-bearers are now so used to taking the test daily that they feel it is akin to swiping an attendance card. The filmmaker is busy with the post-production of his Dulquer Salmaan, Sunny Deol, Pooja Bhatt and Shreya Dhanwanthary-starrer Chup. Will self-test kits be the new normal at offices?
On Thursday, Ajay Devgn began shooting for Bholaa, the remake of the Tamil actioner Kaithi (2019). He reprises Karthi's role as an ex-convict in Lokesh Kanagaraj's film. The Hindi version is helmed by the actor's cousin Dharmendra Sharma, who has edited several of his productions, including Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020).Sharma had accompanied Devgn during his recent trip to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. It looks like the two were keen on divine intervention before beginning work on the thriller. There had been speculation about the remake as Devgn had confirmed in February 2020 that he was part of the project. Almost two years later, it's happening.
After starting the year with eating whatever her heart desired, Kareena Kapoor Khan is back on her yoga mat at her favourite place at her home - the terrace. Posing for the camera in her workout gear, Bebo posted, "Long road ahead but we can do this." She tagged celebrity fitness trainer Anshuka Parwani, who is an aerial yoga expert. Considering Bebo has been binging on her favourite food and desserts, she is keen to restart her fitness routine.
Twinkle Khanna was taken aback to see daughter Nitara dress up in "three pairs of tights and two jackets, one of which had a hoodie" for her virtual class. The kid was freezing in Mumbai's cold. "She makes her sartorial point like all Bombay crackpots who are pretending we actually experience any season besides hot and damp or warm and wet," wrote Khanna. She also took a jibe at people who say the city is experiencing "the winter" of north India.
Though Lata Mangeshkar, continues to remain in the ICU of the Breach Candy Hospital, "there has been a slight improvement in her health," said Dr Pratit Samdani, who is treating the legendary singer. Mangeshkar's family members also confirmed that she is responding to treatment. Her niece Rachana Shah reportedly said, "She is doing well. Everyone's prayers have worked. Kindly keep our privacy in mind." Mangeshkar will be under observation for 10 to 12 days.
Naga Chaitanya broke his silence about his divorce with Samantha Ruth Prabhu. "It's okay. It was a decision made for the good of both of us. If she is happy, I am happy. That was the best decision in that situation," he said. The actor opened up during the promotions of his Telugu supernatural drama, Bangarraju, co-starring father Nagarjuna. "My family stood by me during those difficult times," added Chaitanya, who makes his Bollywood debut with Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha. The actor couple parted ways last October.
Govinda is facing flak for his latest music video, Hello, which even die-hard fans find "cringe-worthy". It features him alongside Nisha Sharma, dancing around in a garden. "Hi guys, my third song, Hello, is out on my YouTube channel, Govinda Royalles," posted the actor. As soon as he released the track, he was trolled. "It's embarrassing to watch you do all this. You should have hung your cape and felt good about the amazing work you've done and not make a joke of yourself," said one user. Many also had advice for him. "Please come out of the 1990s. We are in 2022 now."
As soon as a photograph of Sushmita Sen with daughters, Renee and Alisah, and a baby boy did the rounds, there was speculation that the actor had adopted a third child. On Thursday, the actor took to her Instagram Story to quash the rumours. "Having a chat with godson Amadeus about the random news concerning him going viral," she posted. Amadeus is Sen's friend Shreejaya's son, who Renee and Alisah dote on.
On Thursday, Vidyut Jammwal began shooting for his first production, IB 71, helmed by Ghazi (2017) director Sankalp Reddy. The actor plays an intelligence officer in the film based on a true-life incident of how Indian intelligence officers outwitted the Pakistanis. "I'm thrilled about backing a film that revisits a glorious chapter in Indian history," says Jammwal, who has named his banner Action Hero Films.
Rohit Shetty makes his OTT debut with Mission Frontline. The filmmaker lives the life of a soldier on the discovery+ show. Shot in Srinagar, the Republic Day special episode premieres on January 20. Mission Frontline earlier featured Rana Daggubati and Sara Ali Khan.
