EYE SPY – BOLLYWOOD GOSSIP WITH ASJAD NAZIR

AKSHAY’S A ROLE MODEL

WE MAY only be a few weeks into 2018, but Akshay Kumar should be given the celebrity man of the year title now. I don’t think any other A-list leading man in the history of Indian cinema would have taken on his role in soon to be released film Pad Man, which is based on the true-life tale of the man who created the world’s first low-cost machine for making sanitary pads. By playing the lead role in the inspirational story, the actor is delivering an entertaining film and opening the eyes of audiences, especially men, to an important issue that is rarely discussed. I am sure he will also inspire men to fight for female equality and make a real change.

MALLIKA: LOSING STREAK

WHENEVER Mallika Sherawat hits the headlines today, it is usually for a nonfilm related negative story like her being evicted from a luxury Paris apartment, which she denied. In 2005, I remember accompanying her to a major awards ceremony and appearing on television with her. She was a bright-eyed star on the rise who was gonna shake up Bollywood. But bad choices meant she never realised her potential and today she probably looks back at what might have been with regret.

BIGG FUSS OVER BOSS WIN

I HEARD on the grapevine last month it was planned that Shilpa Shinde would finish first and Hina Khan second on Bigg Boss 11. I revealed the news on social media six days before the final and that is exactly what happened. This caused a major uproar because the rankings are supposed to be based on a public vote and many were left wondering if the latest series of India’s answer to Celebrity Big Brother was fixed or if it was just a coincidence that I was right about the top two.

SUSHANT IN THE FRAME

ACE photographer Mario Testino has been accused of sexual misconduct by a number of male models and assistants, including subjecting them to unwanted advances. He has vehemently denied all the allegations, but that hasn’t stopped many top fashion magazines from suspending him. It also hasn’t stopped many Bollywood fans from looking at this rather raunchy photograph Testino took of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in a different way.

HOPING TO MAKE HISTORY

HOTLY ANTICIPATED historical series Prithvi Vallabh premieres on Sony TV this week and in my opinion, it will be a game-changer. I think the big-budget drama starring Ashish Sharma will expand the horizons of Indian television. Not surprisingly there are high expectations surrounding the finite series revolving around fearless warriors, which has been made on a grand scale. Leading lady Sonarika Bhadoria said she hoped it would exceed everybody’s expectations.