Katrina Kaif, a reigning Bollywood star who was last seen in Merry Christmas, recently revealed she had to decline a Hollywood offer due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite the setback, Kaif remains optimistic about prospects in the West. In an interview with Variety, Kaif expressed her belief that a Hollywood role is inevitable and will mark a significant turning point in her career.

In the interview, it was revealed that she received an offer from Hollywood but she had turned it down. “I do believe it will happen, and I think that will be a whole new leaf in my book, so to speak, and really exciting,” Kaif said.

Kaif’s filmography boasts numerous commercially successful Bollywood films, solidifying her position as a top actress. However, the actress acknowledges the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, where star-driven blockbusters are currently dominating the box office.

In the same interview, recounting her journey in film industry in India, she added, “I think my first foray was in a South Indian film, a Telugu film actually [2004 rom-com Malliswari where she plays the titular role of a wealthy heiress]. And from there, I started getting on-camera experience and then working my way slowly, meeting directors, producers. I felt that I had done what I wanted to do in the modeling industry, I felt ‘Okay, I’ve understood the scene.’ I had a few targets and goals and I’d achieved those. And for me, my desire and my heart was in the movies.”

“I’ve always put the audiences first and have tried to with my choices throughout my career. And now I think it’s about finding a balance, what story do I feel is going to connect with the audience? And what do I connect to personally and as an actor right now? What’s going to give me growth? What’s going to give me satisfaction? This is just exactly what I want to be doing right now,” Kaif said.

On the work front, Katrina Kaif was most recently seen in Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas with Vijay Sethupathi. She is yet to announce her next project.
ALSO READ: Katrina Kaif opens up about her beginnings in the industry; reveals that she used to learn Kathak in a non-AC room with seniors Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta

Can 2024 finally be the year we end toxic masculinity?

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Bollywood Hungama has been consistently reporting about the release schedule of Dev Patel’s acclaimed film Monkey Man in India. Initially scheduled for a release on April 19, it was pushed due to delay in getting a clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Meanwhile, reports came in that Monkey Man has been banned in the country. Bollywood Hungama debunked this rumour last week and added that the CBFC members are yet to see the film.

Monkey Man had a release in most markets on April 5 and earlier this week, it was made available on Amazon Prime Video in international markets on rent. As expected, high quality, pirated prints flooded the internet following the rental release. As per reports, Warner Bros and Universal Pictures, the local distributors of the film, tried their best to pull down links. X, formerly, Twitter, even sent copyright violation notices to those who shared the Google Drive link of the film.

But the damage is down. Monkey Man is freely available on illegal film websites and on the app Telegram. However, what has shocked the industry and exhibitors is that a prominent critic reviewed the film on a popular website. The critic also tweeted that he saw the film neither in cinemas or streaming but at a ‘secret third place’. A few websites have collated tweets of people who saw the film on pirated websites. Some prominent people on X with massive following have also recommended Monkey Man big time, adding that it has zero chance of releasing in India and hence, one must watch it ‘you know where’.

A source from the exhibition sector told Bollywood Hungama, “It is clear that these people didn’t fly down to Dubai or Bangkok to catch Monkey Man. They saw it illegally. There’s a lot of curiosity surrounding the film in India, especially with reports that it is very controversial. People want to know that ‘aisa kya hai film mein?’. It’s a case of forbidden fruit.”

A duty manager sighed, “People fear that it’ll never get a release in India. Hence, they have started watching it on torrent. This seemed like a film that would have pulled audience to the cinemas in the otherwise dry month of May. Now, we have lost hope. What’s saddening is apne log supporting piracy openly.”

Another exhibitor, meanwhile, also put the blame on the studio, “Firstly, they announced April 19 as the release date when it released worldwide on April 5. On top of that, they knew that the film has controversial content. They should have got the censor done in advance. I am sure they also knew that in three weeks, Monkey Man will be out on PVOD, from where pirated links will emerge. Hence, it’s a case of bad planning and we are going to suffer because there’s hardly anything exciting to play in cinemas. I doubt Monkey Man will now get the kind of footfalls it might have possibly got in April.”

When asked if it is fair on the part of critics and prominent industry members to watch Monkey Man and recommend it to their followers, film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi minced no words, “I don’t know whether it is fair or unfair. But what I do know is that as per the Indian laws, it is a criminal offence. If the film has been consumed through a pirated platform, then the authorities and law enforcement agencies need to take a note of it. Whatever are the charges and the penalties applicable for the consumption of piracy, need to be levied on them. We are in an industry where crores of rupees and jobs are lost due to piracy. And if people who are in the entertainment or media ecosystem are going to consume films on piracy and propagate it, then pardon my language, but these are parasites that need to be amputated.”

Meanwhile, as per sources, Monkey Man’s censor process is still on and hence, it’s still not clear when the film will release in India. An industry insider chose to be optimistic, “I haven’t seen the film but from what I heard, Monkey Man is meant for the big screen. So, people might still come in big numbers to catch the film.”

Also Read: Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man leaks online; Makers take down pirated links within 24 hours

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has been in the headlines as two assailants opened fire outside his Bandra residence on April 14th. The Mumbai Police have made significant progress in the case, arresting not only the shooters but also the alleged suppliers of the firearms.

According to a report in India Today, police tracked down two individuals, Sonu Subhash Chander (37) and Anuj Thapan (32), in the northern state of Punjab. These men are believed to be the suppliers of the weapons used in the attack.

The Mumbai Police, working with their counterparts in Gujarat, apprehended the two gunmen, Vicky Sahab Gupta and Sagar Shrijogendra Pal, shortly after the incident. Further investigation led the Mumbai Police to recover two pistols, magazines, and bullets from Gujarat’s Tapi River, believed to be the weapons used in the attack.

On April 25, PTI reported that the two men arrested in connection with the recent firing incident have been remanded in police custody until April 29. Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), both hailing from Bihar, were produced before a metropolitan magistrate court after their initial remand period concluded. The report stated that the Mumbai Police requested a four-day extension of their custody, citing the need for further investigation into the motive behind the attack.

Advocate Amit Mishra, representing the accused, argued against the extension, stating that the weapon used in the firing had already been recovered and his clients were cooperating fully with the investigation. Following arguments from both sides, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate L S Padhen granted the police request, extending Gupta and Pal’s custody until April 29.

The responsibility for the firing was claimed by Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The Bishnoi gang has reportedly been involved in a long-standing feud with Salman Khan, stemming from a blackbuck poaching case from 1998.

Following the incident, authorities enhanced his existing Y-plus category security, one of the highest security details offered in India. Additionally, Khan was granted permission to carry a personal firearm and reportedly acquired an armoured vehicle for further protection.
ALSO READ: Salman Khan returns to Mumbai after Dubai event surrounded by heavy security personnel after firing incident, watch video

This Diwali, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is all set to take you on a thrilling and laughter-filled rollercoaster ride. Led by Kartik Aaryan, the film promises to be a successor to its wildly popular predecessors. The audience will witness a dance face-off between Madhuri Dixit and the Vidya Balan. A week ago, it was reported that the movie will feature a spectacular dance sequence between these two powerhouses, recreating the iconic song ‘Ami Je Tomar’ from the franchise.  In the sequel, Kartik Aaryan also performed on the song as Rooh Baba with Tabu’s dual characters. Now, all three will join the revamped version along with Triptii Dimri.

Now, according to a report in Mid-day, the third schedule of the film is in full swing at Film City in Mumbai, with actors like Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, and Triptii Dimri gracing the sets. Director Anees Bazmee has planned a thrilling 15-day shoot, with a mix of horror and action sequences alongside the highly anticipated dance number.

Remember the captivating performance by Vidya Balan in the 2007 original, where she embodied Manjulika and danced to ‘Ami Je Tomar’. The song has become synonymous with the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise, and this time around, it’s getting a fresh twist. Composer Amaal Mallik has reinterpreted the track, promising a new take on this beloved classic.

A source told the publication, “In Film City, art director Rajat Poddarr and his team have built a massive set of a vintage mansion as found in West Bengal. Choreographer Chinni Prakash has set the song against this backdrop, visualising it as a classical dance number featuring Kartik, Vidya, Madhuri and Triptii. Like in the last two instalments, the track will come at a critical juncture in the narrative.”

Meanwhile, following the 15-day schedule in Mumbai, the team will take a short break. The plan is to wrap the shoot by May 10 and then head to Europe for a romantic song shoot featuring Kartik Aaryan and Triptii Dimri.

The team recently wrapped the shoot in the vibrant city of Kolkata. Earlier reports mentioned director Anees Bazmee scouting for the perfect spooky location in Kolkata! The film is scheduled for Diwali 2024 release.
ALSO READ: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 to have a dance face-off between Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan?

Filmmaker Priyadarshan has confirmed that he is reuniting with Akshay Kumar after 14 years. The duo had worked together on Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The filmmaker said that they will be working on a horror fantasy film with elements of humour. The project will be backed by Ektaa R Kapoor.

Priyadarshan told Hindustan Times, “Now that I am done with my docu-series on the Ram Mandir’s history, my most important film on which I am beginning work is the one with Akshay, produced by Ekta Kapoor. It is a horror fantasy with humour.”

When asked if it’s like Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the filmmaker said,  “That was a psychological thriller, but this one will be fantasy, in the backdrop of black magic, the oldest superstition of India. It is always a pleasure collaborating with Akshay. From our first film to this one, it has always turned out well with him, he handles the emotions so well. I was waiting for a good subject to get back with him, and this one I feel will be that.”

Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar has an array of films including Sky Force, Singham Again cameo, Welcome to the Jungle, C Shankaran Nair biopic called and a few more.
ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar’s niece Simar Bhatia to debut opposite Agastya Nanda in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis? Here’s what we know

1. Garena Free Fire Max redeem codes for April 26, 2024: Win free diamonds, skins, weapons and more | Mint  Mint
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1. WhatsApp’s Passwordless future unfolds with iOS Passkey introduction  Techloy
2. WhatsApp for iOS now supports passkeys: What it is, how to set up, and more  Business Standard
3. WhatsApp’s new passkey feature boosts security on iOS: How it works  Mint
4. WhatsApp brings passkeys to iPhones: Here’s how the feature will work  The Times of India
5. WhatsApp rollouts passkey support for iOS: Here’s how to enable it  India TV News

“Anxiety hives before every event.”

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