Bollywood
Imtiaz Ali: Wanted Diljit Dosanjh in ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ because he is a live performer
Mumbai, March 17: Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has revealed that he chose Punjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh in his streaming hit film “Amar Singh Chamkila” because he is a live performer and knows about the kind of energy that comes when performing in front of the audiences.
Ali talked about the film and the actor on Komal Nahta’s Game Changers Podcast. He revealed how he meticulously crafted the film’s musical sequences, particularly the songs sung by Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra.
Asked about picturising the original Chamkila songs, Ali explained how he was inspired by live performances.
He stated, “When I used to watch Chamkila’s videos, which you can still find on YouTube, Chamkila and Amar Jyot’s videos, because they used to sing and also speak in between the songs.”
“Because they are singers, they’re singing or they said something in between or changed the singing style a little, which is the joy of a live performance. And a recorded performance is a fixed thing. But I wanted to shoot a live performance.”
Ali went on to express why he specifically chose Diljit for the role.
“I wanted Diljit Dosanjh in this film because he is a live performer. He knows that when you’re singing live with an audience, the kind of energy that comes, you change it accordingly. And he has done such a fabulous job. Because he not only made the live performances live but also made it live how Chamkila used to do it.”
“Amar Singh Chamkila” is a biographical drama film based on the life of musician Amar Singh Chamkila. Komal Nahta’s “Game Changers” streams on YouTube.
Imtiaz latest release is a short titled “Jules”, which features in the anthology “My Melbourne”.
“My Melbourne” has four stories about identity and belonging, inspired by true incidents in Melbourne, Australia. The film addresses themes of diversity, sexuality, gender, disability, and race, with each directed by Indian filmmakers Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan.
Bollywood
BB 20: Qazi Touqeer reveals Arijit Singh can play sitar for 7 hours straight, talks about singer’s obsession with music

Mumbai, Sep 12: Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer opened up about his longstanding friendship with star singer Arijit Singh.
While chatting with his fellow housemates in an episode of BB 20, Qazi showered praise on the playback singer for his passion, fighting spirit and down-to-earth nature.
Qazi, who shares a friendship with Arijit dating back to their days on the 2005 singing reality show Fame Gurukul, spoke about the singer with immense affection and admiration.
“Bro, I’m telling you. That guy is my life,” Qazi said while talking about Arijit.
Qazi also spoke about Arijit’s passion for music and recalled how the singer could remain completely absorbed in his musical world for hours.
“That guy is my life. Uska fighting spirit crazy hai. Woh 8 ghante tak nahi thakta.” “Sitar leke baithta hai.” (He sits down with his sitar.) “Shuru jab kiya usne toh time ka kuch pata nahi chal raha hai. Saat ghanta, chhe ghanta, constant. Usi cheez mein khoya hua hai.”
(His fighting spirit is crazy. He doesn’t get tired even after eight hours. Once he starts, he loses track of time. Seven hours, six hours, constantly. He is completely lost in it)
Qazi went on to praise Arijit’s love for the process of creating music, saying that for his friend, the joy lies in the process and the music itself.
“Mereko kapdon ka shauk hai, mereko aisa hai. Uske liye maza kya hai? Process. Uska sangeet.” (I have a fascination for clothes and such things. But for him, what matters is the process. His music.)
When asked about his favourite Arijit Singh song, Qazi became emotional and chose “Tum Hi Ho” from the 2013 film Aashiqui 2. He dedicated the song to his friend, saying he shared a very close bond with him and respected him so much that “alfaz kam padh jaaye”. (Out of words)
Qazi then added, “I love you, Arijit bhai. We love Arijit. Arijit bhai, I love you so much. The whole country loves him, bhai. Kuch bolne ki baat hi nahi hai.”
For the uninitiated, Qazi and Arijit’s friendship goes back more than two decades. The two met as young contestants on Fame Gurukul in 2005 and have remained close despite their careers taking very different paths.
Their friendship received another public endorsement after Qazi entered Bigg Boss 20. Arijit took to X and revealed that Qazi had given him a reason to watch the reality show for the first time.
“I will have to watch BIG BOSS for the first time in my life cz Apna Rockstar QAZI hai udhar,” Arijit wrote.
Bollywood
Akshaye Khanna enjoys a lunch date with longtime friend Rajat Rawail, latter shares rare pic

Mumbai, Sep 10: Actor Akshaye Khanna recently caught up with his good friend and filmmaker Rajat Rawail over a relaxed lunch in Mumbai.
Rajat Rawail, on Wednesday, sharing a candid glimpse of their get-together on his social media account, wrote, “super luncheon with my best best buddy, the super talented acting juggernaut akshaye khanna & rajat rawail bandra © wed 9/9/36 © friends for ever n ever.”
In the picture, the two friends can be seen seated across a table at a restaurant, posing for the camera.
Talking about Akshaye Khanna, the actor meanwhile, continues to be in the spotlight for his choice of different roles.
After making an impact with his recent performance in Dhurandhar, the actor is now preparing to surprise audiences with another striking transformation in the upcoming mythological film ‘Mahakali’.
In the film, reportedly Akshaye Khanna will be seen as Shukracharya, the guru of the Asuras. The makers had recently unveiled the first extended glimpse, titled ‘Shukracharya’s War Cry’, showcasing the actor in an intense and dramatically transformed avatar.
Directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru and written by Prasanth Varma, Mahakali is part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe. The film also stars Sriya Reddy, Bhoomi Shetty and Rohit Saraf. It is slated to release in theatres on January 8, 2027.
For the uninitiated, Akshaye Khanna has also been riding high on the success of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, in which he delivered a performance as Rehman Dakait which received widespread appreciation.
The action thriller, headlined by Ranveer Singh and featuring Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal, released in theatres on December 5, 2025. Akshaye Khanna enjoys a lunch date with longtime friend Rajat Rawail, latter shares rare pics Khanna reprised his role in the franchise’s sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which released on March 19, 2026.
Bollywood
Suniel Shetty wishes ‘Hera Pher’ co-star Akshay Kumar as he turns 59

Mumbai, Sep 9: Actor Suniel Shetty wished his ‘Hera Pher’ co-star Akshay Kumar with a special social media post as he turned 59 years old on Wednesday.
He wrote on his X (Previously known as Twitter) timeline, “Some bonds don’t need too many words. Years go by, life gets busier, but the warmth respect and affection remain exactly the same. So many memories behind us… and plenty more ahead. Happy happy Birthday Akkii…have a great one. @akshaykumar (sic).”
Suniel even dropped a picture where he was seen posing alongside the birthday star.
Talking about the ‘Hera Pheri’ franchise, the primary instalment made under the direction of Priyadarshan, starring Akshay Kumar (Raju), Suniel Shetty (Shyam), and Paresh Rawal (Baburao), reached the audience back in 2000.
‘Hera Pheri’ was initially a sleeper hit, but later turned into one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedies, gaining cult status.
6 years later, in 2006, the makers released ‘Phir Hera Pheri’, bringing back the beloved trio of Akshay, Suniel and Paresh.
Now, the third instalment, ‘Hera Pheri 3’, is in the works, featuring both Akshay and Suniel.
It must be noted that apart from the ‘Hera Pheri’ franchise, Akshay and Suniel have shared the screen in various other projects such as ‘Mohra (1994)’, ‘Waqt Hamara Hai (1993)’, ‘Sapoot (1996)’, ‘Dhadkan (2000)’, ‘Awara Paagal Deewana (2002)’, ‘Aan: Men at Work (2004)’, Deewane Huye Paagal (2005), and ‘De Dana Dan (2009)’.
Talking about Akshay’s promising lineup, he will be seen reuniting with Saif Ali Khan after a long gap in Priyadarshan’s forthcoming thriller, ‘Haiwaan’. The project that will also see Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami in crucial roles is a remake of the Malayalam drama ‘Oppam’.
In addition to this, Akshay has also joined the ensemble cast of Rohit Shetty’s ‘Golmaal 5’, alongside Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Kemmu, and Sharman Joshi.
Akshay has further been roped in for Anees Bazmee’s untitled next. Touted to be a family comedy, the movie will also see Vidya Balan and Raashi Khanna in important roles.
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