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Monica Chaudhary gains 20 kg for her role in ‘Salt City’

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 Actress Monica Chaudhary talks about gaining 20 kilos for her role in the web series ‘Salt City’, which also stars Piyush Mishra, Gauahar Khan, Divyendu Sharma, and Eisha Chopra, among others.

She talks about her role as Ela Bajpai and says: “It was one of the toughest decisions I have made in my entire life. The first and foremost requirement for me to play Ela was to put on 20 Kilos more weight.”

“Ela is stereotyped and fat-shamed throughout the series. There are scenes where she is running on the treadmill just to lose those extra pounds for her wedding so that she can look like the conventional pretty bride. In the series, we show how society’s harsh judgement affects and traumatises her,” adds the actress who was seen in ‘Apharan’, ‘Dark 7 White’ and ‘Rudrakaal’.

She continues: “For me at this stage of my career, putting on 20 kilos meant losing out on a lot of other work that was coming my way. But I decided to go ahead regardless as I fell in love with Ela’s character. Director Rishabh told me they will show different stages in her weight gain and weight loss journey and I’d have to prepare for the same.”

“I realised that it isn’t easy because it impacts your health negatively and you become lethargic. Now I’m back to being my normal fit self but have got stretch marks for life.”

Sharing about what prompted her to take the role, she reveals: “It was the ensemble cast as I have grown up watching movies of Piyush sir. When I met him, I told him how much I’d learnt from watching his performances.”

“Working with him was one item checked off my bucket list. And then there was Divyenndu whom I absolutely loved as Liquid in ‘Pyaar ka Punchnama’ and Munna Bhaiya in ‘Mirzapur’. I have always been a fan of Gauahar as well. When I met the director Rishabh, his narration of the series intrigued me and I wanted to explore this genre of family drama. So I said yes.”

Talking about her work experience with the entire cast, she says: “Working with an ensemble always gives you a lot to learn because every actor works using their own noteworthy style and method. And I’m that curious student who is looking to learn from everyone. I have been extremely fortunate that I have acted alongside some brilliant performers.”

“They have all been so helpful as well. I remember once I was in my own zone and wasn’t aware if my look was right for the scene. Guahar made sure of that, she fixed my hair. She is such an amazing and humble actor to work with. Also Divyenndu has helped me in every scene to bring out a fine performance. With Piyush sir, I used to ask him a lot of questions about his approach. So it’s always a learning experience,” she concludes.

Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan lauds Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic act: You stood strong when it mattered the most

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Mumbai, Oct 3: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind that ended up saving many lives during the horrific mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight.

Wishing the Captain a speedy recovery, SRK shared that the entire country was extremely proud of him as he managed to show courage during extreme circumstances.

Taking to his X (Formerly known as Twitter) timeline, Salman wrote, “Captain Smit Machchhar, you stood strong when it mattered the most!! It’s not easy to stare adversity in the face and put one’s safety on the line… but you did just that to protect those onboard and showed us what being a Captain entails. A true display of courage and duty. Wishing you a speedy recovery, the country is proud of you…(sic).”

Prior to this, Salman Khan also applauded Captain Smit Machchhar, saying that it would be a pleasure to fly with him.

Salman’s Tweet read, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.”

For the unversed, Captain Machchhar was seriously injured on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board, after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.

Despite being seriously injured, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Many prominent names from the world of entertainment used social media to pay tribute to Captain Machchhar.

Actor Anil Kapoor revealed that he shares a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal. He shared that Jalal had known Captain Machchhar ever since his days in flying school and had always considered him as someone he would want by his side in a difficult situation.

His post read, “What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first.”

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Salman Khan ‘salutes’ Captain Smit Machchhar for heroic act, says ‘Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, will be a pleasure to fly with you’

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Mumbai, Oct 3: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has lauded Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind during the terrifying mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight.

He said it would be a pleasure to fly with him as he took to his X (formerly Twitter account) , Salman wrote, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.”

Salman’s opening phrase, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji”, also has the familiar playful tonality associated with his iconic Dabangg dialogue “Kamaal karte ho, Pandey ji”, making the tribute sound the quintessential like a Salman-style salute.

The actor’s message comes after a dramatic incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board. Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.

Despite deep his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

The brave act has been lauded by millions with a lot of Bollywood stars lauding the captain.

Actor Anil Kapoor also shared a heartfelt tribute to Captain Machchhar, revealing a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal.

Anil Kapoor recalled that Jalal had known Smit since flying school and had always considered him someone he would want by his side in a difficult situation.

In his post, Kapoor wrote in part, “What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first…” He went on to express his respect for the captain and wished him a speedy recovery.

Many Bollywood celebrities have also taken to social media to salute Machchhar’s courage.

Vicky Kaushal shared a picture of the pilot in the cockpit and wrote, “Braveheart! Capt Smit Machchhar.”

Sunny Deol praised Machchhar’s “extraordinary courage and presence of mind”, saying he had helped avert a disaster and save lives, while wishing him a speedy recovery.

Tamannaah Bhatia highlighted the extraordinary responsibility Machchhar carried during the crisis.

R. Madhavan also joined the tributes, praying for the speedy recovery of what he described as a true hero.

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BB 20: Rhiti Tiwari pens sweet note for Qazi post elimination, says ‘I’ve got your back’

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Mumbai, Oct 3: After mid-week elimination from Bigg Boss 20, Rhiti Tiwari penned a heartfelt note for fellow contestant Qazi Touqeer.

Signalling a warmer equation between the two after their much-talked-about feud inside the house, Rhiti took to her social media account and shared a series of pictures from her final days inside the Bigg Boss 20 house, including a picture of herself hugging Qazi.

Along with the pictures, she wrote, “I’ve got your back. And when I am back, I’ll have it again.” She also tagged Qazi and added hashtags including #RhitiTiwari, #RhitiInBB20, #BB20, #BiggBoss20 and #QaziTouqeer.

Qazi’s team responded to Rhiti’s post with a message of support, writing, “Sending you lots of love and Respect , Everyone is so proud of you. Wishing you endless success and happiness—keep rising and shining! All the very best! -Team Qazi”

The post comes after Rhiti and Qazi’s equation went through a turbulent phase on the reality show.

During a diss battle task, their argument escalated, with Rhiti using abusive language against Qazi and Uditi Singh.

The matter was addressed by host Salman Khan during Weekend Ka Vaar. Salman reprimanded Rhiti over her language and aggressive behaviour, questioning her remarks towards Qazi and telling her that she had crossed the line of disrespect.

Following Salman’s schooling, Rhiti apologised to Qazi and Uditi and was seen making efforts to mend her equations with the housemates.

Her journey came to an abrupt end when she was eliminated mid-week after Mahhi Vij, Uditi Singh and Yung DSA chose her during a captaincy-related task that resulted in her losing her final lifeline.

For the uninitiated, Rhiti Tiwari is the daughter of Bhojpuri superstar and politician Manoj Tiwari.

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