Actors Sushant Rajput and Ankita Lokhande, who essay the roles of Manav and Archana in Zee’s numero uno show Pavitra Rishta, recreated the Guzaarish number Udi for the Zee Rishtey Awards to be aired on December 19.
Turning ultra-glam, Ankita donned a dress similar to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s from the film while Sushant sported Hrithik’s magician garb. A member of the audience revealed that the act was not just a dance number but an elaborate magic sequence with Sushant making Ankita disappear into thin air at times and levitate like a fairy at other times.
“The rehearsals for this act were particularly tricky as they required us to perform magic tricks that we’d never attempted. But the overwhelming response from the audience made it all completely worthwhile!” said Ankita.
Jay Bhanushali opts out of Geet for DID
Hui Sabse Parayi on Star One, has decided to opt out of it and concentrate instead on DID Doubles, which he will be anchoring. “I have hosted two seasons of DID and I had a prior commitment to the show, which is why I took it up. Right now, I am doing the mega audition rounds in Mumbai,” says the actor, who found it difficult to manage his dates with the Star One show. “I used to be with them only for eight days and that didn’t do justice to the way my character was to build up,” he informs. Consequently, the production house and he mutually decided to part ways. Jay, however, points out that there is a possibility of his re-entering the show if there’s a need and he has the time. "
Mrinal Kulkarni in Kaali - Ek Agni Pariksha
Mrinal Kulkarni is all set to make an entry in Star Plus’ Kaali - Ek Agni Pariksha as Thakral’s (Ashutosh Rana) ex-wife. “It’s an interesting role with lots of shades to it,” says Mrinal, who is just back from a two-month vacation during which she did some trekking and mountaineering.
Mrinal was recently seen in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in a negative role. In fact, she is grateful to Star for giving her a variety of roles starting with Sonpari, a fantasy serial which had her playing an angel followed by a vampish role in Raja.. and now a strong role in Kaali..
“In the serial, she is a terrified lady as Thakral has destroyed her family. But this girl Rachna comes to her and motivates her to take revenge on her husband, which is how she agrees to fight the case for Rachna and the two take on Thakral,” reveals Mrinal, who is also doing a bi-lingual film Kashala Udyachi Baat that also marks the debut of actor Anupam Kher in Marathi, while in Hindi it is called Chhoda Kal Ki Baatein.
Big Star Entertainment Awards on Star Plus
Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and Star India Private Limited have entered into a tie-up to launch the Big Star Entertainment Awards, an annual property starting this year. To be spread across four categories that include movies, sports, television and theatre, the unique thing about these awards is that the nominees as well as the winners will be decided by the audience. The event will be aired on Star Plus on December 31 replacing the annual police event. The tie-up is a synergy between the different capabilities of both the companies, while Reliance has a huge digital and radio presence, Star is the leading broadcast network.
Rushad Rana ties the knot
Rushad Rana, best remembered for his roles in films like Dor and Veer Zara and is currently seen in the serial Rang Badalti Odani had a Parsi wedding in a fire temple with Khushnum followed by a wedding reception. Everything was done in traditional Parsi style with the bride as well as the bridegroom dressed in full white. Even the cuisine was Parsi and was served on banana leaves. The entire team of his serial was present to wish the couple.
Niret Alva at the Asia Summit
Niret Alva is just back from Asia Society’s fifth annual Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit,that was held in Jakarta between December 3 - 5. “It was a great experience meeting leaders from different walks of life including military service, doctors and people from the media,” gushes Niret, who has been part of the Summit since the last five years. He spoke on what leadership is all about and also was part of the discussion on freedom of press, which also had Monica Shergill, Senior Creative Director, Star Plus, participating in it. The Asia Society’s Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit is part of a larger initiative desig-ned to help emerging leaders from across the region to develop common approaches to meet its shared challenges. It is supported by founding international sponsor Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Incidentally, next year the Summit will be held in India. Niret Alva, who is the Co-Founder and Chairman, Miditech Pvt. Ltd. Miditech has along with brother Nikhil produced many shows including Indian Idol, Galli Galli Sim Sim (Sesame Street), Wheels, Living On The Edge and Top Drive. The company is currently producing two shows, MTV Girls Night Out and Adam Vs Madam on Channel [V]. Niret says that a big-ticket reality show is on the anvil and he is also working on high-end documentaries for NatGeo.
Sanskaar Laxmi likely to replace Mera Naam Karegi Roshan
Vivaan Bathena is all set to play one of the lead roles in Zee’s upcoming prime-time show Sanskar Laxmi that will, in all probability, replace Mera Naam Karegi Roshan, which is ending soon. Based in a Gujarati joint family, Sanskar Laxmi is about the clash between two generations.
Vivaan plays a modern Gujarati boy who wants to be independent and pursue his dreams in America. “I’m super-excited about my character called Parag. From the first narration that Rajesh Joshi (the writer) gave me, I feel this role has been scripted just for me,” says Vivaan. The other two main leads include Aamir Dalvi and Rohit Purohit alongwith Anang Desai and Devyani Thacker. The girl who will play the title- role of Laxmi is yet to be finalised. She is the protagonist who will bring about a understanding between the two generations. Incidentally, Rajesh Joshi has to his credit many popular shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kkusum,
Kumkum, and now Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV.
Besides writing, he will also be producing Sanskar Laxmi.
Pratigya team wants a raise
Pratigya, that is aired on Star Plus, is currently doing very well and is among the top five shows of the channel. The serial has completed a year on air and the cast including the main lead Pooja Gor are demanding a hike in their salaries.
Says Pooja, “We have been working very hard and I think we deserve a raise. I have put in long hours of work, sometimes even beyond 24 hours when as per the Cine Artistes’ Association, we are supposed to work only for 12 hours. We have discussed the issue with the production house, but so far we haven’t got a positive response about a hike.”
There were reports that Pooja had threatened to stop working till the demands are met but the actress denies it. “I am hardcore professional and I will never do that. I have worked 92 hours at a stretch at one time, so that is not an issue,” she maintains.
Interestingly, when contacted, Gurudev Bhalla of Walkwater Media, which is producing the show, denied that there were any problems.
Good friends !!
For those who thought that Sara Khan and Ashmit Patel shared a very special relationship that went beyond just being friends, here's the buzz. The television actress, who was eliminated from the house, clears the air.
She says, “Ashmit Patel is like a brother to me. Just because I let him close to me does not mean that I'm in love with him. We shared a special bond that people have hugely misunderstood.”
When told about what the inmates thought of Ashmit and her relationship, she adds, “I have just got married and that's not a nice thing to say about a married woman.” Unlike the other elminated contestants, Khan is very pleased to be out of the house as her husband Ali Merchant's birthday is around the corner.
She says, “I wanted to be with Ali as this is his first birthday after our marriage. I'm planning a surprise for him. But, before that I plan to visit my hometown as I just got to know that my grandmother has passed away. I believe that she passed away while I was at the house but nobody bothered to inform me. As for my honeymoon plans, I will plan it after a visit to my late grandmother's house.”
With Anita Aikara
