Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Waheeda Rehman reminisces Guide days as she returns to Udaipur

More than 50 years after shooting for classic Guide in Udaipur, veteran actor Waheeda Rehman is taking a trip back to the city of lakes.

The 81-year-old actor is in the city to shoot for her upcoming feature Desert Dolphin, being directed by Los Angeles-based debutante filmmaker Manjari Makijany.


"I've come to Udaipur after a very long time. I was last here when we were shooting for Guide and we had stayed at the Lake Palace Hotel. I was pleasantly surprised when the filmmakers organised a memorable trip to the Palace where I could relive those memories," Rehman said in a statement.

Desert Dolphin is a coming-of-age story of Prerna, a teenage girl, who finds freedom on the skateboard and Jessica, an NRI, played by Amrit Maghera, who gains purpose when she builds Rajasthan's first skatepark for the local community.

The film is set in the rustic village of Khempur near Udaipur, Rajasthan, where the filmmakers have built one of India's largest skateparks.

Rehman, who was last seen in Kamal Haasan's "Vishwaroopam II", said that in her over 60-year-long career, she has never measured a project on the basis of its budget as she believes in experimenting.

"I never think of project as big or small. From the very beginning, I wanted to and have been experimenting. But in my 60 years of career, I have never said yes to a project so quickly.

"Before this, I hadn't heard much about skateboarding or seen a skatepark in India. But when I heard the story of the film and its unique concept, I felt so inspired that I immediately agreed to do the film," Rehman said, adding that the film also marks her first collaboration with a female director.

Producer Emmanuel P of Skatepark Films said, "It was such a relief when she said yes because we were trying to connect with her for a while and knew going in that she usually doesn't say yes to projects easily."

Manjari and her sister, Vinati Makijany, are the daughters of late Bollywood actor Mac Mohan, who was famous for his various villain roles in films such as Zanjeer, Don, Sholay and Shaan, among others.

Vinati is the co-writer and co-producer of Desert Dolphin, which is slated to release in 2020.

More For You

Priyanka Chopra turns heads at brother’s wedding with £1.2M necklace

Priyanka Chopra shares a heartfelt moment with brother Siddharth Chopra on Sangeet night, dazzling in a stunning Rahul Mishra ensemble and exquisite Bvlgari jewelry.

Instagram/priyankachopra

Priyanka Chopra turns heads at brother’s wedding with £1.2M necklace

Priyanka Chopra, Bollywood’s reigning queen who’s taking the world by storm, is currently basking in the joy of her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding to actress Neelam Upadhyaya in India. The pre-wedding celebrations have been a glittering spectacle, and Priyanka, as always, has been the epitome of elegance and poise. At the Mehendi-cum-Sangeet bash, she was truly a vision in a bespoke floral masterpiece by designer Rahul Mishra, but it was her jaw-dropping jewelry that truly stole the spotlight.

Priyanka slipped into a strapless, gem-encrusted gown dripping with intricate floral patterns, exuding pure charm and sophistication. But the real showstopper? A breathtaking Bvlgari necklace that could make even the stars jealous. Crafted in pink gold and encrusted with diamonds, the necklace featured seven pear-shaped morganites, six cushion-cut mandarin garnets, and nine cabochon amethysts. Fashion experts over at Diet Sabya pegged its value at a jaw-dropping 11,04,346.44 pounds basically wearing a fortune around her neck!

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix’s 'Apple Cider Vinegar' exposes influencer who faked illness for fame and fortune

Kaitlyn Dever stars as Belle Gibson in Apple Cider Vinegar, Netflix’s gripping series that exposes the dangerous lies behind a wellness influencer’s rise to fame.

Instagram/netflixanz

Netflix’s 'Apple Cider Vinegar' exposes influencer who faked illness for fame and fortune

Netflix’s latest series, Apple Cider Vinegar, dives into the shocking story of Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who built an empire on lies. Created by Samantha Strauss, the six-part drama explores how Gibson falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through natural remedies, amassing a massive following before her deceit was exposed.

The series stars Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson, a young woman who rises to fame by sharing her fabricated cancer journey. Her story of overcoming the disease through clean eating and alternative therapies influence thousands, leading to a bestselling cookbook, a popular app, and even a deal with Apple. However, her success unravels when investigations reveal she never had cancer and misused funds meant for charity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ajith's Vidaamuyarchi: Reviewers call movie a mixed bag of thrills and missed opportunities

Vidaamuyarchi: A thrilling ride that has sparked diverse reactions.

Instagram/lycaproductions

Ajith's Vidaamuyarchi: Reviewers call movie a mixed bag of thrills and missed opportunities

Ajith Kumar’s Vidaamuyarchi, directed by Magizh Thirumeni, has sparked a mixed bag of contrasting reactions since hitting theatres. The film attempts to fuse the nerve-wracking tension of Hollywood thrillers with the high-energy appeal of Tamil cinema, resulting in what can be called a cinematic cocktail that’s as intriguing as it is polarising. While many viewers praise its departure from formulaic storytelling, others find its execution uneven and even overly ambitious.



The praise
Many reviewers have applauded Vidaamuyarchi for breaking away from the typical “mass hero” template that we saw in Ajith’s recent films like Valimai and Thunivu. Gone are the days of over-the-top family sentiments, forced comedy, and preachy dialogues. Vidaamuyarchi opts for a slower, more atmospheric narrative, drawing comparisons to Western thrillers. The deliberate pacing, though again divisive, has been commended for its ability to build tension and offer a refreshing change from the usual high-octane Tamil blockbusters.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rekesh Chauhan brings Indian classical-jazz fusion to Liverpool International Jazz Festival

Rekesh Chauhan

Rekesh Chauhan brings Indian classical-jazz fusion to Liverpool International Jazz Festival

ALTHOUGH he is an accomplished composer, British pianist Rekesh Chauhan BEM is at his very best in front of a live audience.

The multi-award-winning music maestro joins top tabla player Kousic Sen for a concert at this year’s Liverpool International Jazz Festival, taking place at The Capstone Theatre in Liverpool on February 22. The versatile duo will explore the dynamic intersection of Indian classical music and jazz in the culturally rich Beyond Roots show.

Keep ReadingShow less
Black Sabbath announces final show

Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs at Ozzfest 2016 at San Manuel Amphitheater

Getty Images

Black Sabbath announces final show in Birmingham with metal legends

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath are set to reunite for their final concert at Birmingham's Villa Park on July 5, marking the end of a legendary era in heavy metal history. The event, titled Back to the Beginning, will feature the band’s original lineup—Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—reuniting for the first time in 20 years.

The reunion concert is not just a farewell to the band’s iconic legacy but also a fundraiser for important causes. Proceeds from the show will benefit Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. A star-studded lineup will join Black Sabbath for this once-in-a-lifetime performance, including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Halestorm, and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less