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Alia on ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’: She’s sunshine but there’s sadness in her

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Every time she comes on screen she gives her all to the role she plays. Actress Alia Bhatt, who currently awaits the release of her upcoming film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, has talked about how emotionally draining it was to play an intense character like Gangubai in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial and described her as “sunshine” but with “sadness”.

‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ tells the tale a young girl named Ganga who becomes Gangubai, a madame in the red light area of Kamathipura. It is loosely based on the true story of Gangubai Harjivandas, popularly known as Gangubai Kothewali, whose life was documented in the book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’ written by S. Hussain Zaidi.

In a conversation with IANS, Alia spoke about the emotionally draining part of playing a real life character like Gangubai, who was sold by her suitor to a brothel.

Alia said in the candid chat: “One of the things that maybe you’ll also get to see in the trailer that there is a constant anger in her eyes so that comes with what happened to her and the situation she was put in. I remember whenever we used to play out scenes and there would always be that layer sir would ask me to bring in the character and maybe I didn’t understand it while I was doing it and bringing it I was understanding it but when I saw the film in a flow I understood what he was trying to do and that is something … that all adds up.”

“That was one of her biggest sensitive points that what happened to her was not fair and which world she had to enter is not fair but the beauty is what she does with that anger… She has it in her body and soul but how she turns it around.”

So how would you describe Gangubai?

“She is sunshine but there is sadness in her that is emotionally draining…to that to do what she did… “

The 28-year-old actress added: “Her picture was on every girl’s wall in Kamathipura for 50 years. That was the impact she had for women so put yourself out for other people and not really be there for yourself that is another weight to carry. Even when I was dancing, walking or laughing… Sanjay sir said ‘weight’. ‘Weight’ doesn’t mean physical weight… It means in the heart and head and that’s what translates hopefully in the screen.

Asked how much is too much an actor to invest in intense roles, Alia, who has given power-packed performances in films such as ‘Highway’, ‘Raazi’ and ‘Udta Punjab’ to name a few, said: “Well, it depends in your personality I am that kind of a person where I will give everything.”

“That’s how I think sir and I connected. I kind of feel we had a sould connect by the end of it. We are both number 6… I could hear him without him saying things to me.. That’s the kind of connect we have formed and I have seen how he gives everything.”

Alia added: “He does not even rest even when his back was hurting he would be standing in pain and would not let his crew down. It is a very soldier like attitude. You have to soldier on there is no excuse. So, I am that kind of person and so is sir.”

Bollywood

Allu Arjun welcomes sister-in-law Nayanika to the family after engagement with brother Allu Sirish

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Mumbai, Nov 1: Allu Arjun welcomed his sister-in-law Nayanika to the family after her engagement with his brother Allu Sirish on Friday.

Uploading a couple of photos of the lovebirds from the engagement ceremony, the ‘Pushpa’ actor penned on his X (Previously known as Twitter), “Grand celebrations at home begin! A new addition to the family! We’ve been waiting for this joyful moment for a while…(sic).”

Congratulating his brother on his new journey, AA added, “Congratulations to my sweetest brother, @AlluSirish, and a warm welcome to the family, #Nayanika! Wishing you both a beautiful new beginning filled with love and happiness! (black heart emoji).”

On Friday, Allu Sirish used social media to share the happiest news of his life – his engagement with Nayanika with the netizens.

He posted some dreamy photographs from the engagement ceremony and penned, “I am finally & happily engaged to the love of my life, Nayanika (sic).”

The post immediately went viral, garnering a lot of love from the cybercitizens.

The engagement – an intimate yet elegant family affair was attended by the various members of the Allu and Konidela families.

The festivities were graced by Allu Arjun with his family, Megastar Chiranjeevi and his family, Ram Charan and his wife Upasana, and Varun Tej with Lavanya, along with others.

Both Sirish and Nayanika made for a beautiful couple on the occasion. While Sirish wore a customised Manish Malhotra outfit for his special day, Nayanika was all elegant in a Sabyasachi lehenga.

On October 1, Allu Sirish announced his engagement to Nayanika on the birth anniversary of his grandfather, the legendary actor and comedian Allu Ramalingaiah.

He took to social media and dropped a picture of himself holding Nayanika’s hand during their romantic getaway in Paris.

Sharing the personal update, Allu Sirish penned a heartfelt note that read, “Today on the birth anniversary of my grandfather, Allu Ramalingaiah garu, I feel blessed to share something very close to my heart- my engagement to Nayanika. (sic)”

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Vivek Oberoi to play Aurangzeb in Rishab Shetty’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, say reports

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Mumbai Oct 31: Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi has been roped in to play Aurangzeb opposite Rishab Shetty’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sandeep Singh’s upcoming historical epic, ‘The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’, according to reports on Friday.

While there is no official confirmation as of yet.

The film will depict the journey of history’s greatest warrior king, highlighting the courage, strategy, and devotion that shaped the foundation of Swarajya.

With Rishab Shetty as Shivaji Maharaj, Shefali Shah as Jijamata, and now Vivek Oberoi stepping into the role of Aurangzeb, the stage is set for a compelling narrative that explores both conflict and conviction at an epic scale.

Vivek Oberoi’s inclusion will add another remarkable chapter to his strong slate of upcoming projects, which includes Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’ with Prabhas and Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’.

Helmed by Sandeep Singh, ‘The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious historical productions, with a team comprising multiple National and Academy Award-winning technicians.

The magnum opus is slated for a never-seen-before mega global release in more than 40 countries worldwide on January 21, 2027, in Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali and English.

Talking about Vivek, the actor is all set for his upcoming movie ‘Mastiii 4’. The movie also stars Aftab Shivdasani and Ritesh Deshmukh in the lead.

Talking about Rishab Shetty, the actor is currently riding high with the humongous success of his recently released movie, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’. The movie also stars Rukmini Vasanth.

‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ released last month on October 2.

It competed with Janhvi Kapoor-starrer ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ at the box office.

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Bollywood actor Mukesh Rishi watches J&K Assembly proceedings from Speaker’s Gallery

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Srinagar, Oct 29: Bollywood actor Mukesh Rishi on Wednesday watched the proceedings of J&K Assembly from the Speaker’s Gallery as members cutting across party lines welcomed his presence.

The Assembly warmly welcomed Rishi, who was present in the Speaker’s Gallery during the ongoing session.

Members across party lines greeted the actor with applause as Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather announced his presence in the House.

Rishi belongs to J&K and was born on April 19, 1956, in a Gujjar Chaudhary family in Kathua district.

Growing up in Jammu, graduating from Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, and working for two years in Mumbai, Rishi moved to Fiji for work, where he met his future wife, who is of Indo-Fijian ancestry. Her family ran a traditional departmental store. He has a lucrative investment portfolio, including warehouse investments.

He later worked as a model in New Zealand before beginning his acting career in India.

An actor known for playing villainous and supporting roles and a film producer, he has worked in Hindi, Telugu, and other films. Among his better-known Bollywood movies are “Gunda” (1998), “Sarfarosh” (1999), and “Koi… Mil Gaya” (2003).

The Autumn Session of the J&K Assembly will end on October 31. With its conclusion, all the top offices of government, including those of the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues, the Chief Secretary, administrative secretaries and the Director General of Police (DGP) will move to the winter capital Jammu.

The move is called the “Dabar Move” and will see the offices functioning for six months from the winter capital, Jammu.

The over one and a half century old practice of shuttling offices between Srinagar and Jammu was stopped by the Lt Governor in 2021, but has been restored by the elected government headed by Omar Abdullah.

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