RITA HAS FAITH IN MUSIC

SINGER Rita Morar told me a love for devotional music has inspired her new single Hari Hari Bol, which will be out next Thursday (30) and is available now on pre-sale.

The singer/songwriter said she found her voice through spirituality at an early age. The video for the song was shot during a pilgrimage with her family to India. This track is very different from Rita’s previous releases and is her way of showing a dominant side to her personality.

“I hope the song connects with all who need some sort of uplifting emotionally. There has been a lot of negativity in the world lately. I wanted to release something positive through music. Music is a very powerful source of energy and I hope this devotional chant reminds all that we are not alone; that music and faith can guide us,” said Rita.

HALLE’S SECRET VISIT

HOLLYWOOD star Halle Berry made a trip to India earlier this month but managed to go unnoticed by the media. After spending a few days in Mumbai, the Oscar-winning actress headed to Kochi for ayurveda treatment. She also reportedly enjoyed a houseboat cruise and visited the Kanichukulangara Devi temple near Cherthala in Alappuzha.

 

REMEMBERING SHYAMA

TAKE a moment to remember Indian actress Shyama, who has died in Mumbai aged 82. She wasn’t the biggest star in the 1950s and 1960s, but lit up the screen in classic films that are still loved today, including one of my favourites Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), where she features in a legendary qawwali battle. Real name Khurshid Akhtar, she acted in over 175 movies across more than 40 years. Sadly, the current generation in Bollywood will forget her, because they don’t seem to respect history and the journey Indian cinema has taken.

HINA: BIGG BOSS FLOP

ACTRESS Hina Khan built up an impressive reputation with her lead performance in TV series Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and enhanced it with a brave turn in reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi. But she has undone much of that work as part of the latest series of Bigg Boss. She hasn’t come across well in the Indian answer to Celebrity Big Brother and received heavy criticism. Thankfully she is looking to get back to acting next year and has some interesting offers lined up, including a movie.

TIGER TRIMS HIS STYLE

RISING star Tiger Shroff has shown off a chiselled physique and incredible fighting abilities, but what has prevented people from taking him seriously as a hero has been his ridiculous haircut with the long wavy curls. Thankfully he has now cut that hair and got himself a style that belongs in this century for his role in Baaghi 2 and other future projects.

 

MEERA SETS THE STAGE

ALTHOUGH she is known to many as a comedian and an acclaimed writer, for me Meera Syal is at her best on stage and that is why I am excited about seeing her play Miss Hannigan in West End musical Annie. She joins the cast of the hugely popular family friendly musical, about an orphan girl in 1930s New York, at Picadilly Theatre, London on November 27 and will remain until the run concludes on February 18 next year. Meera described Annie as the greatest family show around and said it was full of hope. Visit Twitter and Facebook: @AnnieMusicalUK and www.AnnieWestEnd.com for more.