Have you heard? Ranveer impresses international Marvel director

Ranveer Singh; (right Ali Selim. Pic/AFP

It appears that Ranveer Singh has found his groove again. Currently, his performance in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has reportedly impressed international director Ali Selim. The maker of Disney+ Hotstar's Marvel series, Secret Invasion, was all praise for Ranveer following their dinner meeting last week. Calling their tête-à-tête a great experience, Ali said that he would love to work with the actor someday. When probed if he had a particular role in mind, the filmmaker reportedly said, "I'm sure Ranveer and I will find something that is right for both of us." While there's no official word on the effercescent actor's next, buzz in B-Town is that he will be starring in Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Baiju Bawra, alongside Alia Bhatt.

Alia's new hero

A new hero will be cast opposite Alia Bhatt in her next film, directed by Vasan Bala. Vedang Raina, who is set to make his OTT debut with The Archies, has reportedly been finalised for a Karan Johar production. The two actors will begin prep for the yet-untitled movie in early August, before they begin shooting in September. "Alia and Vedang will start with multiple script-reading sessions to break the ice and get a better understanding of their characters' requirements," informed a source. He added that Vasan has also lined up some action workshops for the actors in keeping with the prison-break premise of the thriller.

Changes in the order

Rumours are rife that Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar won't be starring in the third instalment of Welcome. Instead, Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi are said to be joining the comedy franchise as Majnu and Uday Bhai. Industry sources attribute Anil and Nana's exit to disagreements over their remuneration. The two actors, known for their chemistry in the MunnaBhai franchise, are looking to explore their camaraderie in a new subject with a different treatment.

Nushrratt's new challenge

Nushrratt Bharuccha is pleased that the teaser of her next film, Akelli, is making the right noises. The soul-stirring film is about a girl, who falls into a dangerous world, owing to her circumstances, and her eventual struggle to escape. Calling it an overwhelming character, Nushrratt shares, "It was emotionally draining for me to portray a character like this. It makes you think of all the challenges that someone so young has to go through to provide for their loved ones." Optimistic that cinegoers will relate to Akelli, which releases on August 18, director Pranay Meshram says, "Our film is an ode to all the strong women out there who are braving it all alone."

Rawal and his dude skirts

Couturier Kunal Rawal takes a bow with showstopper Ranbir Kapoor; (below left) a model seen in one of the couturier's designs and wearing a dastar (Sikh turban)

The triumph of Kunal Rawal's show titled, Dhup Chao, is not about a norm-challenging work of gender-fluid tailoring, or new twists on the safa turban. Not even about actor Ranbir Kapoor making a brooding showstopper appearance in a skirt-and-trouser combo worn with bandhgala and shiny Louboutins. It will be the show's welcome audio note, narrated by the couturier in Punjabi: "Sat Sri Akaal, Adab, Namaskar…" One of the key aspects of the collection, Rawal writes in his press note, is that it pays homage to our country and the many cultures it houses.

The focus of the 20-minute show was on individuality and clothing's situational adaptability but also a mood that reflected the diversity and inclusivity of contemporary Indian couture and its community and people. All this, and more, was managed with a light hand thankfully, rather than savage confections of lace, embroidery and feathers.

Things began simply: classic sherwani and asymmetrical kurta sets in twill thread-work and mirrorwork followed by deconstructed versions of Nehru jackets, short suits, sherwanis, bandhgalas and loosely tapered trousers in black and champagne.

Remember the "skousers" or skirts over trousers trend of the '90s? While the combo has come into its own again in 2023, Rawal put his own spin by infusing dualism of a long skirt (or lungi) and trouser into one sartorial unit. This was followed by a series of sheer sharara-style trousers and dhotis for him, her and them. That each look could be worn with something sporty such as a sneaker or something formal like a strappy sandal or brogues, is a credit to the joy, universality and freedom that Rawal determinedly imbues in his garments.

He could be the only couturier to blur boundaries of culture and gender at the ongoing FDCI Hyundai India Couture Week in New Delhi. His collection combined masculine and feminine clothing traditions, as well as bringing a sense of agnosticism to age and size. This is significant not only because bridal couture is famously heteronormative, but also one of the stuffiest of all fashion weeks.