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Lights, camera, little action: ‘Bell Bottom’, ‘Chehre’ yet to pull crowds

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Two back-to-back big releases — Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bell Bottom’ and the Amitabh Bachchan star vehicle, ‘Chehre’, both well-received by critics — may have buoyed the spirits of film exhibitors, but their box-office collections have been far from encouraging.

‘Bell Bottom’, which was released on August 19, according to trade analysts, has grossed Rs 18.55 crore till date. Compare this with the Rs 64.99 crore collected in its opening weekend by ‘Good Newzz’ (with Diljit Dosanjh), Akshay’s last film before the first nationwide Covid-19 lockdown. And that was far less than the extended opening weekend earnings — Rs 97.56 crore — of the other big 2019 film, ‘Mission Mangal’.

A number of factors have contributed to this significant drop in earnings: cinema theatres are still under lockdown in Mumbai and Pune, depriving Bollywood of 25 per cent of its revenues; the requirement in a number of malls for patrons to produce double vaccination certificates before being allowed in, which is affecting attendance in theatres located in malls; and, significantly, the closure of 1,500 single screens across India because of the pandemic-induced economic stress.

On ‘Chehre’, which opened on Friday, the analysts were not very bullish about box-office figures. Karan Taurani of Elara Capital predicted that it would make a “lifetime collection” of Rs 5-6 crore because of its “niche” storyline that only a “discerning audience” would appreciate.

Taurani also pointed out that collections have been low because of “very low occupancy in morning shows and night shows not being allowed”. He also blamed the low occupancies forced by social distancing norms being in force. Also, over the last eight days, barring this past Sunday, which did see a spike in Delhi as a result of Raksha Bandhan festivities, attendance in theatres was at an all-time low across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Exhibitors, however, are cautiously optimistic about their business coming back to life, even if partially, because of ‘Bell Bottom’ and ‘Chehre’.

Gautam Dutta, CEO, PVR Limited, said in a conversation with IANS: “Post the reopening of cinemas after the second wave, ‘Bell Bottom’ was the first big Bollywood movie to have hit the big screen. And it has done reasonably well within the restrictions in capacity, show limitations and weekend closures.”

He also emphasised the lockdown still in place for cinema theatres in “major markets such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.”

The sentiment was share by Rajender Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer, INOX Leisure.

Speaking to IANS, he said: “We have always said that the industry needed a couple of mass entertainers to kick off the recovery process, and we are glad that these have arrive and are doing phenomenally well, despite the restrictions.”

“We positively hope that the momentum built by the fantastic response to ‘Bell Bottom’ in the week gone by, and the hype around ‘Chehre’, would mark the onset of our revival journey.”

For Dutta, more than the initial numbers, it is the momentum that matters. He said to IANS: “We are encouraged by the release of the long-awaited ‘Chehre’ today. Hope this will encourage producers from the Bollywood fraternity to announce their big films for theatrical release and get movie-goers back to cinemas.”

Bollywood

Amitabh Bachchan gets emotional listening to late mother Teji Bachchan’s voice ahead of 84th birthday

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Mumbai, Oct 10: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was left visibly emotional on the sets of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati during a special birthday-week celebration, as the voice of his late mother, Teji Bachchan, filled the studio with cherished memories.

The emotional moment unfolded when a recording of Teji Bachchan reciting a poem penned by her husband and noted Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan was played on the show.

The poem, ‘Raat Aadhi Ho Gayi Hai’, evoked fond memories of the actor’s parents, leaving him overwhelmed with emotions.

Monochrome pictures of a young Amitabh with his mother appeared on the screen, accompanied by Teji Bachchan’s soulful recitation of the poem by Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Recognizing the familiar voice instantly, a visibly overwhelmed Big B paused to share with the audience, “Maa ki aawaaz hai yeh… Haan, woh Babuji ki ek kavita gaa rahi hain..” (This is my mother’s voice… Yes, she is singing a poem by Babuji)

Further a young child and dancer paid a tribute to the megastar stating, “Amitabh Bachchan ji sirf ek superstar, host ya pita nahi… balki ek emotion hain, Hindustan ka emotion” (Amitabh Bachchan ji is not just a superstar, a host or a father… he is an emotion, the emotion of India)

Amitabh bachchan has spoken a lot many times about his late.Mother and all the impact she has had on him throughout his life.

Teji bachchan passed away in 2007.

Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan will turn 84 years on October 11.

The actor has been working round the clock, despite his senior age and has multiple projects in the pipeline along with KBC.

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Bollywood

Faisal Shaikh aka Faisu drops dreamy photos from his wedding in Madinah: A blessing beyond words

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Mumbai, Oct 10: Popular social media influencer Faisal Shaikh, popularly known as Mr Faisu, announced his wedding on Saturday.

Taking to his official Insta handle, he uploaded a string of dreamy pictures from the nikah ceremony which took place in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

While Faisu opted for a white sherwani for his special day, the bride looked gorgeous in a red and white sharara.

Sharing the beautiful pictures on his official handle, Faisu wrote in the caption, “And We created you in pairs” (Quran 78:8) Alhamdulillah for a dream turned into reality. Nikah in the beautiful city of Madinah, with my entire family by my side. A blessing beyond words (sic).”

“Please keep us in your duas as we begin this beautiful journey together. May Allah bless our marriage with endless love and barakah. Ameen,” he added.

As the announcement reached social media, many members from the entertainment industry congratulated the newlyweds in the comment section.

Actress Rubina Dilaik shared, “Big Congratulations… God Bless you”.

Influencer Abhishek Malhan aka Fukra Insaan remarked, “So happy for you broski…Congratulations”.

Dhanashree Verma shared, “Congratulations (blue hearts) Blessings”.

Prince Narula added, “congratulations brother”.

Actress Urvashi Dholakia penned, “Bahut Bahut Mubarak…stay blessed.. happiness always & forever”.

Actor Gaurav Khanna commented, “Bahut bahut shubh kamnayein mere bhai .. congratulations for the new life ahead .. miltein hain aap dono se jald .”

Actress Ridhi Dogra wrote, “Buhut Mubaarak be blessed always”.

Not too long ago, a wedding card announcing Faisu’s marriage went viral on social media. It featured the names Faisu and Tanya, bringing her name into the public eye for the first time.

In the photos shared by Faisu on his handle, the two were seen signing the wedding register. Another pic had him kissing his bride on the forehead.

The newlyweds were also seen catching a glimpse of Madinah through the wedding hall.

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Shehnaaz Gill recalls Mahhi Vij giving her clothes during tough times, calls her ‘pure and clean-hearted’

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Mumbai, October 10: Actress Shehnaaz Gill has expressed her support for Mahhi Vij amid the latter’s Bigg Boss 20 journey.

Shehnaaz recalled how the latter stood by her during difficult times and even helped her when she did not have clothes.

Taking to her social media account, Shehnaaz clarified that she has not been following Bigg Boss and, therefore, does not know whether Mahhi is playing the game well or badly.

She said that her support for Mahhi remains unwavering, and further recalled the bond they shared and the kindness Mahhi showed her during her struggling days.

“I am not following Bigg Boss so I don’t know how Mahhi is playing good or bad. But I’m still supporting her,” Shehnaaz wrote.

Recalling the difficult phase of her life when Mahhi came forward to help her, Shehnaaz added, “I was also in the same platform that Mahhi is in today and I remember how difficult it was. There was a time when I did not even have clothes. Mahhi stepped in and supported me a lot.”

Shehnaaz also spoke about the emotional support she received from Mahhi. “When I laughed she laughed with me. When I cried she cried with me,” she wrote. “She is genuinely such a pure and clean hearted person. I have seen that side of her and that’s why no matter how she plays inside the house I will always support Mahhi.”

Shehnaaz’s statement also offers a glimpse into the bond the two share beyond the reality show.

In fact, during an earlier episode of Bigg Boss 20, the contestants were shown some of the most memorable moments from the show’s history. One of the most emotional moments came when Mahhi Vij broke down in tears while watching happy and joyful memories of Shehnaaz Gill and Sidharth Shukla.

As the clips played on screen, Mahhi struggled to hold back her emotions, with tears rolling down her cheeks every time Sidharth and Shehnaaz appeared.

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