Have you heard? Demand to withdraw Kangana Ranaut's Padma Shri

The NCP leader condemned the actor’s statement that India got “real freedom in 2014”, apparently referring to the year Narendra Modi became the prime minister

On Friday, state minister Nawab Malik demanded that the Centre recall Kangana Ranaut’s Padma Shri honour for her controversial remarks on the country’s independence and sought her immediate arrest. The NCP leader condemned the actor’s statement that India got “real freedom in 2014”, apparently referring to the year Narendra Modi became the prime minister. Malik said, “It looks like Kangana Ranaut took a heavy dose of Malana cream before making such a statement.” Malana cream is a particular variety of hashish, which grows in her home state Himachal Pradesh. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma also termed her remarks “outrageous” and said the President should take back the Padma award given to her. Delhi BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor demanded the judiciary take action against her.

New title

Amid wedding rumours at a Sawai Madhopur resort in Rajasthan, Vicky Kaushal prefers to immerse himself in work. On Friday, he announced the title of his upcoming film co-starring Kiara Advani and Bhumi Pednekar. Shashank Khaitan’s directorial venture, which was earlier called Mr Lele, is now Govinda Naam Mera. Karan Johar’s production hits theatres in June 2022. Pednekar plays his wife, and Advani, his girlfriend in the comic caper. In January 2020, Mr Lele was announced with Varun Dhawan in the lead, who later backed out. 

Guns, gangs and gore

After courting controversy for his web series, Tandav, earlier this year, filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar is back in action. On Friday, he began shooting for an action-thriller starring Shahid Kapoor, which marks their first collaboration. “Day one...  blood, crime and lots of action. Here we go... better get your game face on,” the actor posted. Zafar added, “Are you ready for a crazy, quirky, mad ride of guns and gangs?” The buzz is that it is an adaptation of the French film, Nuit Blanche (2011), which was made in Tamil as Thoongaa Vanam (2015) and in Telugu as Cheekati Rajyam (2015) starring Kamal Haasan. Wonder what happened to Zafar’s film with buddy Katrina Kaif, touted to be B-Town’s first superhero flick led by a female actor.

Also Read: Have you heard? Kangana Ranaut's comments spark outrage

The gold man and some golden memories

During the Bappi Lahiri special episode on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, contestants rendered his chartbusters, leaving the veteran composer-singer nostalgic. Bhopal’s Sharad Sharma sang Pagh ghungroo baandh from the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Namak Halal (1982), helmed by Prakash Mehra. Sharma impressed Lahiri and judges Himesh Reshammiya, Shankar Mahadevan and Vishal Dadlani on the reality show. The youngster also took the disco king down memory lane. Lahiri reminisced that the track took three days to record with Kishore Kumar and Satyanarayan Mishra.

Red alert

Sushmita Sen is back, reprising her role as Aarya Sareen and taking on her worst demons in the second outing of the web series, Aarya. The actor shared the teaser in which she appears ferocious, covered in raging red colour. The first glimpse brings back the lioness, fighting the odds to save her family in Ram Madhvani’s directorial venture. “Sherni is back. This time, deadlier than ever, Aarya’ll ready?” posted Sush.

It begins

Sanjay and Maheep Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya has begun shooting for her Bollywood debut, produced by Karan Johar. The buzz is that Dharma talent, Gurfateh Pirzada and Lakshya Lalwani, are her co-actors in the romantic drama. Sanjay shared the news and wrote, “New beginnings, so proud of you, work hard, focus, the sky is the limit.” In March, Johar had announced that he would be launching Shanaya amid severe backlash for backing another “product of nepotism”.

Building confidence

Neetu Kapoor on Friday said she has completed shooting for Jug Jugg Jeeyo. Raj Mehta’s comedy marks her return to the big screen after Besharam (2013), which featured son Ranbir and late husband Rishi. Neetu posted a picture from the make-up room and said, “Working on the film helped me regain confidence, so needed at that time.”

Ready for thrills and chills

There is no stopping Taapsee Pannu. As soon as she wrapped up the shoot of Srijit Mukherji’s Shabaash Mithu, she dived into her next, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? The actor posted a selfie from a car and wrote, “Happiness is moving towards new beginnings.” She shares screen space with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020) actor Pratik Gandhi in the investigative thriller. Arshad Syed’s directorial venture sees Pannu essay a cop, and Gandhi, a chauvinistic brat. A major chunk of the film, which revolves around a missing girl, will be shot in Rajasthan.

Also Read: Have you heard? Rajkummar and long-time girlfriend Patralekhaa getting hitched?

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