Veteran actor Smriti Biswas, who worked in a number of Hindi, Marathi and Bengali films, has died at her residence in Maharashtra's Nashik city, sources said on Thursday. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; Biswas, 100, breathed her last late Wednesday night following age-related issues, they said. A noted yesteryear actor, she was living in a one-room-kitchen rented flat in Nashik Road area here. She started her career as a child artist and featured in movies of notable filmmakers like Guru Dutt, V Shantaram, Mrinal Sen, Bimal Roy, BR Chopra and Raj Kapoor. Biswas co-starred with actors like Dev Anand, Kishore Kumar and Balraj Sahni in various films. She debuted in the world of films with the Bengali movie "Sandhya" (1930). "Model Girl" (1960) was her last Hindi film. Biswas had quit acting after marrying filmmaker S D Narang. After her husband's death, she shifted to Nashik. Biswas celebrated her 100th birthday on February 17, 2024. She is survived by two sons Rajeev and Satyajeet, the sources said. PTI COR GK This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 July,2024 08:10 AM IST | Nashik | PTIThe third round of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding festivities kicked off with the sangeet ceremony at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) late Friday evening. The couple was spotted in Abu-Sandeep-designed outfits. He was seen in a midnight blue bandhgala, embroidered in real gold zari, kasab, and sequins. Her outfit was inspired by a chandelier and features a feast of pastel hues hand-embroidered with dazzling Swarovski crystals. B-Town’s top celebrities attended the musical celebrations hosted by Mukesh and Nita Ambani. Salman Khan received the loudest and longest applause as he sauntered on the stage to Sholay’s Yeh dosti song with the groom-to-be. They also shook a leg to the song, Aisa pehli baar hua hai, and Anant even perfected Salman’s hook-step in the chartbuster. Ranveer Singh danced to the senior superstar’s No Entry title track. Actor-wife Deepika Padukone, sporting a purple and silver saree, cheered for him. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, who twinned in black, were joined by Anant as they performed to the song Show me the thumka from Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (2023). Then it was Alia’s turn to showcase her dance moves. The final round of festivities will begin on July 12 with the wedding ceremony. The celebrations will culminate with a grand reception on July 14. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} };
07 July,2024 07:06 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThere is a lot on Aditya Seal’s plate—from Hardik Gajjar’s Amar Prem to the Kajol-starrer Maharagni: Queen of Queens. But nothing excites the actor more than sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar in the Mudassar Aziz-directed film Khel Khel Mein. Working on the comedy drama, especially with Kumar, was “an incredible experience,” says the actor, who is known for his performances in Tum Bin 2 (2016) and Student of the Year 2 (2019). Opening up on his experience, Seal says, “Akshay is not just a superstar but an industry stalwart whose work I have admired for years. His filmography, from romance and biopics to drama, sports, and action, is unparalleled. He has dabbled in almost every genre with remarkable ease and success.” Seal reveals that while working with his idol has been wonderful, his father is a bigger admirer of the actor. “My father has been a fan of Akshay’s action. To let me walk in Akshay’s footsteps, my father took me to Bangkok when I was young to stay and learn martial arts. Working with him now [feels like] a full-circle moment.”
07 July,2024 07:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuHis story is one that inspires generations. Being a rank outsider, Varun Sharma has managed to become a household name with his unbridled comedy. The actor is now gearing up for the release of his film, Wild Wild Punjab, scheduled to drop on Netflix in July. “It is the first drunken comedy film we have in the country. The script was fantastic,” he says. Explaining the premise of the film, Sharma, who plays a drunk man in it, said that Wild Wild Punjab is in reference to people moving on after a breakup. “There is a thin line between going overboard and doing it right when playing a drunk man. It can easily become caricaturish. Everyone on set was mostly Punjabi, so this is the sort of comedy that worked with us. It is the product of a few friends coming together and making a wild film. In real life, most of us don’t get the chance to say, ‘I am over you’. So here’s a film that has that sentiment,” explained Sharma, who came into the spotlight with his character Choocha in the hit Fukrey franchise. With the success of Fukrey 3 (2023), Sharma has established himself as a bankable star in the industry. The actor wears the idea of having made it lightly. “Being an outsider in this industry is like climbing a mountain without a map. But with every step, you find your path. I am grateful to have met some of the most wonderful filmmakers and collaborators. Making people laugh is my passion. My journey has been about believing in my dreams, working tirelessly, and turning every ‘no’ into a stepping stone,” said the actor.
07 July,2024 07:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAnant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's upcoming wedding on July 12 is already making headlines. Their grand sangeet ceremony on July 5, held at the Jio World Convention Center in Bandra Kurla Complex, was attended by many top celebrities. Varun Grover pokes fun at Mumbai police's traffic plan To manage traffic for the event, Mumbai Police announced new traffic arrangements on X (formerly known as Twitter). Writer and filmmaker Varun Grover humorously reshared the Mumbai Police's post. Varun Grover, known for writing films like Masaan and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, and directing All India Rank, shared his thoughts on X about Mumbai Police's traffic notice. This notice was related to the sangeet ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant at the Jio World Convention Center in BKC. The Mumbai Police's tweet read, "Due to a public event at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex on July 5th & from July 12th to 15th, 2024, the following traffic arrangements will be in place for the smooth flow of traffic." Quoting the tweet, Varun wrote, "Monarchy creating anarchy." Highlighting the words "public event" in the Mumbai Police's tweet and adding a hashtag, he wrote, "lol." Monarchy creating anarchy. #PublicEvent lol. https://t.co/dHjMup3n9Q — वरुण 🇮🇳 (@varungrover) July 6, 2024 Latest update on Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding The much-awaited wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant is set to take place on July 12 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. The wedding festivities are meticulously planned, adhering to traditional Hindu Vedic customs. On Wednesday, the Ambanis held the mameru or mausalu ceremony. It is a Gujarati wedding tradition where the maternal side of the bride visits her with sweets and gifts. The main ceremonies will commence on Friday, July 12, with the auspicious Shubh Vivah, or wedding function. According to sources, guests are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the occasion by dressing in traditional Indian attire. Earlier Ambani family hosted a series of pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar, followed by a European cruise, which saw a star-studded guest list from around the globe. The two events also witnessed performances by Rihanna, Diljit Dosanjh, Katy Perry, and the Backstreet Boys.
06 July,2024 09:07 PM IST | MumbaiBefore a star kid is launched in Bollywood, you will see him/her everywhere—at promotional events, on your TV screens and billboards across the city. In refreshing contrast, Junaid Khan made one of the quietest acting debuts in recent times with Maharaj. When most newbies are launched with rom-coms or action dramas, his choice of maiden film was equally unconventional. Director Siddharth P Malhotra’s movie offered a retelling of the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; “Maharaj is a sensitive story, and I trusted Siddharth sir and YRF to tell the story in a sensitive way. They felt I suited this role. I guess they didn’t see me in a rom-com or an action drama. Adi [Aditya Chopra, YRF head honcho] sir called me after he saw a screen test I had done for another film [and cast me]. He has clarity of vision. After watching Maharaj, he told me that he really liked it,” he says. Although the Netflix movie has received mixed reviews, Junaid has been largely praised for his restrained performance. The actor, however, knows his strengths and weaknesses. He candidly admits, “I’m a terrible dancer. So, shooting the Holi song was challenging. The [confrontation] scene in the rain with Jaideep [Ahlawat] sir was shot in difficult conditions, and I wasn’t prepared for that.” The audience’s verdict regarding Maharaj is out, but we’re more interested in the verdict at home. What were his superstar-father Aamir Khan and mother Reena Dutta’s reactions? “Papa really liked the film, but he is an easy audience. Mama liked it more, and she is definitely a tough audience.” It’s interesting to note that Aamir, one of the biggest Bollywood stars and with a successful production house to boot, did not launch his son. “Neither of us look at films that way,” says Junaid, who believes he put in the work—from studying acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, to honing his craft in theatre, and serving as an assistant director on PK (2014) and short film To Remember Me By (2019)—before facing the camera. As a star kid, he is aware of his privileges. That fuels him to forge his own path in the movies. “I have a supportive family and a parent who has been through all of this before. I have access to a tremendous knowledge base of professionals within the family as well as colleagues from the industry. I have had the opportunity to spend three years studying the craft.” He also has the best in the business guiding him. Did Aamir give him any acting tips? “Papa doesn’t give advice or tips unless asked for. If you go to him with a specific query, he is incredibly helpful. There is a lot to learn from him.” atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} };
06 July,2024 08:32 PM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRIn recent months, there have been many rumours about Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma possibly moving to the UK. These rumours gained more traction yesterday when Kohli flew to London right after the victory parade in Mumbai to be with his family. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli shifted to London? Since then, many people on social media, mainly a group on Reddit, have started speculating again about whether Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are planning to leave India and move to the UK after Virat retires from cricket. In a post on Reddit, one user wrote, "Yes. I got the hint back when he made that “ I will be gone for a while” statement. He also started following a london play school/residential area type of a thing on Instagram very recently . They’ve at least temporarily moved their base to the UK, he’ll obviously have to travel during the matches and be in india for ipl. But after he’s done with cricket, they’ll permanently live there (sic.)" Another fan penned, "They can't live a normal life here. London is a good city.. It's pretty and good education is available. I remember once virat and anushka(2-3 years ago) were riding a scooty and everyone was following them . Then virat's hotel room video. People are crazy after them. Their kids photo will be leaked one day Or the other (which they don't want). They can't have their privacy here. He's going to retire in 3-4 years and anushka has already taken a halt in her career. He already said he will disappear for a while. Which isn't possible in India. So probably settling in uk only (sic.)" Virat and Anushka have settled in London.byu/Icy_Discipline_6975 inBollyBlindsNGossip About T20 World Cup Finale India emerged victorious against South Africa by seven runs on Saturday, claiming their second T20 World Cup title. The star of the show was none other than Virat Kohli, who played a match-winning knock of 76 runs off 59 balls. The final, held at a packed stadium with fans from all corners of the world, was a nerve-wracking encounter. Kohli, who has been a pillar of strength for the Indian team for over a decade, walked to the crease with determination. His innings, filled with exquisite strokes and sheer grit, anchored India's total, setting a formidable target for South Africa. As the final delivery was bowled and India clinched the victory, the crowd erupted in jubilation.
06 July,2024 06:54 PM IST | MumbaiAnant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's sangeet ceremony featured a performance by Justin Bieber. Many videos and pictures from the event are circulating on social media. One special video, shared by Jaaved Jaaferi's daughter, shows her excitedly meeting the singer. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; Jaaved Jaaferi's daughter gets a hug from Justin Bieber at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant's sangeet Alaavia Jaaferi, Jaaved Jaaferi's daughter, shared a heartwarming video on Instagram from Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's sangeet ceremony. The video captures Alaavia enjoying Justin Bieber's performance when he suddenly holds her hand, invites her on stage, and gives her a warm hug. Alaavia Jaaferi hugs Justin Bieber at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant's sangeet: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alaviaa (@alaviaajaaferi) Highlights from Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant's Sangeet After Rihanna and Katy Perry's performances at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding festivities, Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber enthralled guests at the sangeet ceremony held on Friday. Clad in a white shirt, trousers, and a cap, Justin performed some of his iconic tracks like ‘Baby’, ‘Boyfriend’, and ‘Sorry’. Check out the videos below. The bride and groom stunned everyone with their glamorous look. The couple were all smiles as they posed for the camera. Radhika Merchant looked beautiful in a lehenga and an off-the-shoulder blouse that just seemed perfect for the grand evening. Anant also complemented her with his royal attire. The event was attended by Madhuri Dixit, Khushi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, MS Dhoni, Aditya Roy Kapur, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and many other celebs. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; Salman Khan stole the spotlight with his dapper presence. Dressed in a black suit paired with a black shirt and pants, Salman gave an electrifying performance by dancing alongside Anant on the song 'Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai'. Siblings Janhvi Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor also set the stage ablaze by dancing to Salman’s song ‘Maria Maria’. Her boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya on the other hand danced to ‘Race’ song ‘Race Saanson Ki - Allah Duhai Hai’. On July 3, Ambanis organised a spectacular Mameru ceremony- a Gujarati wedding tradition where the maternal side of the bride visits her with sweets and gifts. Anant and Radhika’s wedding festivities are meticulously planned, adhering to traditional Hindu Vedic customs. The main ceremonies will commence on Friday, July 12, with the auspicious Shubh Vivah, or wedding function and according to sources, guests are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the occasion by dressing in traditional Indian attire.
06 July,2024 06:51 PM IST | MumbaiVeteran Bollywood actress and social media sensation Zeenat Aman took a stroll down memory lane, recalling her school days after posting a picture of herself dressed as a "70+ schoolgirl." Zeenat took to Instagram and shared a picture of herself in a long black cotton dress paired with a white full-sleeve shirt. The actress completed her look with sunglasses, black socks, and Mary Jane heels. For the caption, Zeenat shared an anecdote from her school days. “A friend of mine likes to joke that a wonderful childhood only sets you up for disappointment later in life. They’re being silly, of course, but there is a grain of truth in the statement. If those early years are filled with love, insulated from cruelty, and soaked in camaraderie, the inevitable realities of adulthood can come as a shock!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman) The actress added that, despite being separated from her school days by many decades, the memories remain clear. “Don’t we all know someone who was the very best version of themself in school and then struggled uncharacteristically later on? I am separated from my schooldays by so many decades, but the memories remain sublime.” The 72-year-old star reminisced about playing hockey, picking strawberries, and being called to the parlour. “Playing hockey on tableland (I was usually the goalie), strawberry-picking field trips to Mahabaleshwar, clandestine midnight feasts in our dorm, the thrill of being called to the “parlour” because I had a visitor (usually mummy and uncle Heinz, laden with tuck)… there must have been squabbles and gossip too, but truth be told I can’t remember a single slight from those years,” she said. She praised her school’s routine and discipline. “St. Joseph’s was run by the Daughters of the Cross and they were wonderful, compassionate and firm mentors. Routine and discipline were paramount and this rigour advices my work ethic till date.” The actress talked about growing innocently wayward in her teens. “In my teens, when I grew innocently wayward - sneaking out of campus to go to town with my friends and other such antics - they countered in the most delightful way. Instead of punishing me, they gave me more respect and responsibility! It was an invite to rise that I happily accepted.” Zeenat also spoke about making international friends at her school. “My school friends came from an international milieu. Girls from India, Australia, the Middle East… I’ve lost touch with them all, but such a diverse crowd taught me so much about respecting differences and finding commonalities.” Zeenat Aman became a household name during the 70s and 80s after bagging the title Miss Asia Pacific International pageant in 1970, is known for her bold personality and was one of the actors who set the fashion trend with her satirical choices. Zeenat has given several hits such as 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', 'Don', 'Yaadon ki Baraat', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', 'Qurbani, Dostana', 'Dharam Veer', among others. Zeenat is all set to make her comeback with 'Bun Tikki' directed by Faraz Arif Ansari. It also stars Shabana Azmi and Abhay Deol. (With inputs from Agencies)
06 July,2024 03:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe much-awaited love saga, ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’, will have its theatrical release on 2nd August 2024. The anticipation for the film has been increasing each day as fans eagerly await the chance to witness the chemistry between Ajay Devgn and Tabu in this heartfelt story by Neeraj Pandey. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’ is a musical romantic drama spanning 23 years, set between 2000 and 2023. The story chronicles the life of Krishna and Vasudha as their fledgling relationship faces a lot of hardship and eventually, they separate as Krishna ends up committing multiple murders and is sentenced to life imprisonment. After 22 years Krishna is granted pardon and released from jail and his final meeting with Vasudha forms the crux of the movie. Will they end up together? Will their love survive the test of time? Ajay and Tabu have shared screen space in films including 'Vijaypath', 'Haqeeqat', 'Thakshak', 'Fitoor', 'Drishyam', 'Golmaal Again', 'De De Pyaar De', 'Drishyam 2' and 'Bholaa'. The original soundtrack for the film has been composed by the Oscar-winning music director M.M. Keeravani. The film also features a stellar ensemble cast including Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar, and Shantanu Maheshwari. Ever since the trailer release of ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’, the film has generated immense intrigue and excitement among audiences and industry insiders alike. Each song from the movie has become an instant favorite, topping trending charts and captivating listeners. Despite the initial disappointment among fans regarding the postponement, distributors and exhibitors across the industry have praised the makers' decision to delay the release date from July 5th. They believe this strategic move will ultimately benefit the film and the exhibition centers. The production company earlier stated, "Dear Friends, on request of the exhibitors and the distribution fraternity, we have collectively decided to shift the release date of our film, ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’. New Release date to be announced soon.” NH Studioz presents, A Friday Filmworks Production, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha is produced by Narendra Hirawat, Kumar Mangat Pathak (Panorama Studios), Sangeeta Ahir & Shital Bhatia. The film is set for a theatrical release on 2nd August 2024.
06 July,2024 02:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood’s power couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor opted to wear color-coordinated outfits for the sangeet ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Alia and Ranbir dished out fashion goals in black attire. Alia wore a black lehenga. To complement his wife, Ranbir was seen dressed up in a bandh gala suit. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; Alia's sister Shaheen also joined the couple. In the paparazzi images, fans can also spot Aditya Roy Kapur posing with Ranbir, Alia, and Shaheen. They all flashed their million-dollar smiles on the red carpet. Furthermore, Alia and Ranbir took center stage and danced to the latter’s song ‘Show Me The Thumka’ from his film ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ alongside Shraddha Kapoor. Check out the video below. Ranbir and Alia dancing along with Akash and shloka Ambani on “Show me the thumka” 🔥#RanbirKapoor #AliaBhatt pic.twitter.com/MiJsXO5cxI — ritika ❤️🔥 | L&W ERA (@ritikatweetssx) July 6, 2024 Radhika and Anant’s festivities are meticulously planned, adhering to traditional Hindu Vedic customs. The main ceremonies will commence on Friday, July 12, with the auspicious Shubh Vivah, or wedding function and according to sources, guests are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the occasion by dressing in traditional Indian attire. The celebrations will continue on Saturday, July 13, with Shubh Aashirwad. The final event, Mangal Utsav, or the wedding reception, is scheduled for Sunday, July 14. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranbir was last seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Animal', receiving wholesome praise for his performance as Ranvijay Singh. He will play Aziz in the sequel to Animal, called 'Animal Park', which is yet to go on floors. Ranbir is also prepping for Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious project, 'Ramayana', a cinematic adaptation of the epic. Billed as a trilogy, it also stars Sai Pallavi, Yash, Arun Govil, and Lara Dutta. atOptions = { 'key' : 'd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; Alia, on the other hand, will be seen in Vasan Bala's 'Jigra', which is co-produced by Karan Johar and Alia herself. It is all set to hit theatres on September 27, this year and also features Vedang Raina. The film is a tale of a sister's love for her brother and how she would do anything to protect him. She is also set to play the lead in a Spy Universe film titled ‘Alpha’ which features Sharvari Wagh and Anil Kapoor. Ranbir and Alia will also share screen space in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Love & War’. The two have previously worked with the movie maverick in ‘Saawariya’ and ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ respectively. (With inputs from Agencies)
06 July,2024 12:38 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
