Have you heard? Seeking southern directors

Ranveer Singh

Thanks to the unprecedented success of Atlee's Jawan with Shah Rukh Khan and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal with Ranbir Kapoor last year, Ranveer Singh is looking to team up with south directors. He had signed on for S Shankar's Hindi adaptation of his 2005 thriller, Anniyan. However, controversy over its legal rights jeopardised the Jayantilal Gada production. While Ranveer is waiting for the director to come up with another subject, he has reportedly met Atlee for a possible collaboration. Ghajini and Holiday director AR Murugadoss is also said to have narrated an action thriller to the actor. Ranveer has met Rajinikanth's Jailer director Nelson Dilipkumar too, hoping to work with him. The actor is apparently is looking to accommodate a project with a south director in his date-diary after Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Baiju Bawra fell through due to its high cost. In the coming days, Ranveer is also expected meet Hanu-Man director Prasanth Varma, who recently announced his next, Jai Hanuman.

War drama next

Vikramaditya Motwane is set to retell the story of Indian Navy's Operation Trident during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Nikhil Dwivedi, who is producing the film titled Trident, is in talks with IMAX to come on board as a partner and ensure a grand cinematic experience to do justice to the magnitude of this epic saga. Two superstars have reportedly given their consent to portray Commander Babrubhan Yadav and Admiral Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda, who led the operation that changed the course of the war. However, the makers are planning to reveal the casting only after the paperwork is complete, with a proper announcement.

Mythological moves

It is known that Suriya is teaming up with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for his two-part film on Karna, the glorious character from the Mahabharata. Now, rumours are rife that Janhvi Kapoor is being roped in to play the leading lady in the movie. Mehra has begun pre-production on the magnum opus that is slated to go on floors later this year. By then, Janhvi will wrap up her work on Junior NTR's two-part film, Devara, which also marks her Telugu debut. Suriya, who is gearing up for the release of Kanguva, will complete his next with his Soorarai Pottru director, Sundha Kongara.

Powerful play

Over 30 years ago, Sunny Deol's film titled Bajrang was shelved due to unforeseen circumstances. Now, the actor is set to play Bajrangbali, as Hanuman is also known, in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayan trilogy. After a series of discussions with the makers, the actor has reportedly committed to the epic adaptation. Apparently, the makers felt that Sunny is the perfect embodiment of strength and perseverance that is synonymous with the monkey god. We're curious to see the equation the Gadar actor will share with Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram in the trilogy. Moreso after witnessing Ranbir's camaraderie with Sunny's younger brother Bobby Deol, during the promotions of Animal, in which the latter played the antagonist.

Caring for his team

Considering that their entourage is at their beck and call, stars are known to help their staff in their time of need. Recently, Kartik Aaryan went the extra mile for his bodyguard who had suffered injuries in a road accident. Besides helping him get the best treatment in one of the reputed hospitals in Mumbai, Kartik visited him regularly, to spend time with and cheer him up. The security personnel, who got discharged from the hospital recently, is thankful to Kartik for ensuring he was taken good care of, and also being such a strong pillar of support.

Anguished

On Saturday night, during a jagrata at the Kalkaji temple in Delhi, the stage gave away. Consequently, one woman died and about 15 others suffered injuries. B Praak, who was also performing at the venue, expressed anguish at the turn of events. In a social media post, the singer said, "Going forward, we have to be very careful and take utmost care of the kids, the elderly and everyone else." Stating that he was extremely saddened by the loss of life and people suffering injuries, Praak added, "I wish all those injured a speedy recovery. The management will have to be very careful in the future." Reportedly, the police has registered an FIR against the organisers and investigation is underway.

Smile please!

Rashmika Mandanna recently completed shooting her portions of Yesubai, wife of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Laxman Utekar's Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal as the protagonist. Praising her co-star on social media, she wrote, "I will always wish the best for you, man. It was such a pleasure. Mom has told me to convey regards to you." Vicky reshared her post, saying, "The whole set is missing your warmth and energy immensely. People don't know that the smile you have on your worst days is bigger and better than the smile most have on their best days. Major inspiration! Thank you for being our Yesubai and my regards to aunty as well."