Latest news with #Anirudh
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
TG lensman's works featured in expo at Coca-Cola hqrs in US
Hyderabad: Anirudh Dhannayak, a documentary and fine art photographer from Karimnagar, Telangana, has garnered international recognition this year as his work was featured in a prestigious group exhibition at the global headquarters of Coca-Cola in Atlanta recently, as part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrations. Themed 'Roots to Resonance,' the exhibition spotlighted artists who explore the nuances of identity, heritage, and cultural continuity within the diaspora. Anirudh's journey into photography is as evocative as his art. What began as a childhood curiosity—capturing travel memories with a simple camera—transformed over the years into a passionate pursuit of truth, culture, and human emotion. Although initially steered toward engineering, a serendipitous moment during a family wedding, where his photographs won admiration from overseas guests, marked a turning point. That event not only affirmed his talent but also gifted him the tool that would shape his future: a camera. He later formalised his training with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Design, specialising in Photography, and is currently pursuing his Master's at the Savannah College of Art and Design, US. His ongoing project, 'Natya Shastra: The Science of Dance,' explores the evolution and spiritual significance of the classical Indian dance form, Kuchipudi, within the Indian-American diaspora. Blending traditional motifs with experimental formats like stop-motion and moving portraits, the project exemplifies Anirudh's commitment to storytelling that bridges generations and geographies.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tequila Isn't Popular In India. A Movie Star And Musician Are Trying To Change That
Actor Rana Daggubati and musician Anirudh have launched India's first celebrity tequila with Harsha Vadlamudi (not pictured). Traditionally, tequila hasn't been popular in India. The nation is the world's largest consumer of whiskey, which accounts for close to 70% of spirit sales in the country. Tequila sales have historically lagged, but interest in the Mexican spirit is increasing, and tequila is now the fastest-growing alcohol segment in India. Two of India's biggest stars are trying to intensify that trend with India's first celebrity tequila, Loca Loka, which is available in the U.S. and India. The brand is a partnership between actor Rana Daggubati and musician Anirudh. Daggubati is known for his roles in modern classics of Indian cinema including the Baahubali series of films, which are among the highest grossing Indian films of all time. He also stars in the Netflix series Rana Naidu, an adaptation of the show Ray Donovan. Meanwhile, Anirudh is one of Spotify's top-streamed artists, is known for viral hits like 'Why This Kolaveri Di' and 'Vaathi Coming.' The entertainment stars are also working with Harsha Vadlamudi, a brewery owner and entrepreneur. During a Zoom call, the trio told me how Loca Loka tequila is steeped in their passion for this spirit. 'Most of us are extreme consumers that have become creators,' Daggubati says. 'In my life I've watched a lot of films. So I'm making the films that I've watched and I like. Anirudh has heard so much music in his life, he's creating music. And we got someone like Harsha, who's living his dream in the manner of consuming and creating.' Daggubati adds, 'across each industry, film music, F&N [food and beverage] all of us came together, and we've all been fans of tequila, and we've understood that there is a niche, and we thought that this was a niche that we could build [on].' Traditionally, Anirudh says Indian drinking culture has been all about whiskey. 'Generation after generation, that's how it's been, but I feel like the new generation now, especially the younger people, are shifting to tequila.' The first step to creating Loca Loka was developing a quality product. 'We visited almost 10 to 12 distillers around us and also around Tequila and Guadalajara. In the highlands, lowlands, and everywhere,' Vadlamudi says. 'Each distiller actually created around 6 to 8 profiles for us. So we had to narrow that down. There were around 100 to 120 profiles, we tasted.' Actor Rana Daggubati and musician Anirudh (center) have launched India's first celebrity tequila with Harsha Vadlamudi (left). Anirudh says this process was intense and immersive by design. 'Rana and I also were lucky enough to go there to our distillery to go through the process to meet the family who is making it for us [and learn] how they produce it. So there was a lot of due diligence, which was done before we got into it, and I think that is the right way to do it as well. We don't want to be just the first Indian tequila brand out there. We had to make sure that we got to do this right.' The finished products are made from 100% pure agave that is naturally fermented with a special yeast strain. The reposado is aged on French and American oak barrels for several months. Both have wide complexities of flavor, and are sure appeal to tequila fans in both the U.S. and India. The blanco tequila recently won a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the reposado took home a silver medal. Daggubati is particularly proud of the reposado. 'There's never enough every time there's a party at home,' he says. He adds his favorite cocktail is now a reposado Old Fashioned and that the reposado is acting as a gateway for whiskey drinkers interested in exploring tequila. 'We've been able to convert a large set of whiskey drinkers into reposado drinkers,' Daggubati says. 'That happened very organically and quickly. There's always been a finesse associated with whiskey in some manner, artisanship in some form, which I think the reposado brings out very beautifully.'
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jhanak: Fans express disappointment as new promo features separation between Jhanak and Anirudh
Hiba Nawab and Krushal Ahuja 's Jhanak has been one of the most loved TV shows recently. For its story telling and dramatic turns of events, the show has always held viewers in suspense. But all is not well these days. Recent events have left fans disheartened. The producers have officially confirmed a generation leap , which implies that both lead actors—Hiba Nawab and Krushal Ahuja—will be leaving the show. Prior to this dramatic change, a new promo was released on the official social media account of the show, giving away the surprise plot twist. However, rather than eagerness, the promo unleashed fury among fans, as it again threatens to break up the favorite couple, Jhanak and Anirudh . In the promo, Jhanak (Hiba Nawab) dreams of living a blissful life with Anirudh (Krushal Ahuja) and two kids. But the dream vanishes, and reality hits—Jhanak is with a new-born, and Anirudh is living independently with their daughter. Both the characters are missing one another yet living apart, bearing heavy emotions in silence. The caption to the promo read: 'Kuch rishte pal bhar ke hote hain… par unka intezaar, zindagi bhar rehta hai. Jhanak aur Anirudh—ek kahani jo adhuri reh gayi… Par kya is baar takraayegi taqdeer se jeet?' The promo's emotional tone was not palatable to netizens, who poured criticism and disappointment into the comment section. Lots of long-time viewers, who had been anticipating a reunion and a stable romance between Jhanak and Anirudh, felt disappointed. One viewer commented, "Bestest jodi, awesome chemistry. Krushi's emotional scene was amazing but worst story writing. We want to see you both together in a lovely love story. Vaise bhi is show se hume kuch nahi mila…" Another said, "Fabulous actors but worst storyline ever. We wanted to see Jhanak as a developing woman and Anirudh-Jhanak remaining together." In spite of the backlash, the show continues to make its way towards its scheduled 20-year time jump. New faces will be incorporated to continue the story, while the original stars will say goodbye to their characters. Jhanak's cast includes Hiba Nawab, Krushal Ahuja, Chandni Sharma, Dolly Sohi, and more in lead roles. Although the upcoming season of the show will have a new story, the fans still miss the original cast and plot that had captured their hearts earlier.
Pink Villa
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Netizens are angry with Jhanak's upcoming twist; WATCH to know why
Jhanak, starring Hiba Nawab and Krushal Ahuja, has been a highly watched daily soap on Indian Television screens. The show often kept the audience hooked with its interesting twists and turns. Now, Jhanak is set to take a generation leap, and both lead actors will be taking an exit from the show. However, before this, the makers dropped a new promo offering fans a glimpse of the upcoming twist in the show. But netizens quickly expressed their anger at the new promo because, again, they are witnessing Jhanak and Anirudh's separation. Star Plus dropped a new promo of Jhanak on their official social media handle. In this promo, Jhanak (played by Hiba Nawab) dreams about her happy life with Anirudh (played by Krushal Ahuja) and their two kids. When she wakes up, she gets disappointed as her family is separated. While Jhanak is with the newborn, Anirudh lives separately with their daughter. Anirudh also dreams about being with Jhanak but lives in denial. The caption of this promo read, "uch rishte pal bhar ke hote hain… par unka intezaar, zindagi bhar rehta hai. Jhanak aur Anirudh—ek kahani jo adhuri reh gayi…Par kya is baar takraayegi taqdeer se jeet?" Watch Jhanak's promo here- After this promo was shared, fans quickly took over the comment section to express their anger and disappointment. It has been a long time since fans have been eagerly waiting to see Jhanak and Anirudh's love story and peaceful life. However, the makers have constantly introduced a storyline which disappointed fans. A fan commented on this post, "Bestest jodi awesome chemistry krushi 's emotional scene was amazing but worst story want to see you together in the beautiful love bhi is show se hume kuch nahi mila..." another fan also expressed anger on the storyline and wrote, "Fabulous actors. but worst storyline ever We wanted to see Jhanak as progressing lady and ani and jhanak to stay together" and many other netizens commented. Jhanak stars Hiba Nawab, Krushal Ahuja, Chandni Sharma, Dolly Sohi, and others in key roles. The show will soon take a 20-year generation leap and fresh lead actors will be introduced.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vijay Deverakonda listened to Anirudh Ravichander songs while getting MRI: ‘I'd kidnap him if I could'
Actor Vijay Deverakonda is on cloud nine that he finally gets to collaborate with the music composer of his dreams, Anirudh Ravichander. In an interview with Cinema Vikatan about his upcoming film Kingdom, the actor revealed that he has been waiting for years to collaborate with Anirudh and even heard his music while undergoing an MRI scan. (Also Read: Vijay Deverakonda's Kingdom release delayed due to India-Pakistan tensions: 'Current atmosphere makes it difficult') When asked what it was like to collaborate with Anirudh, Vijay said that he had loved the composer's music since before he got into films. He said, 'I fell in love with Anirudh when I saw VIP and 3. I was like, who is this genius? This guy is not normal. The love I have for him is something else. That time, I wasn't an actor. But, I felt like if I ever become an actor, this is the kind of music I want. In my head, sometimes when I'm performing, I'm performing to his music. When it comes finally, it's very different. I've wanted him for so many films, it never worked out.' He also claimed that if he were a king, he would 'kidnap' Anirudh and other artistes he liked so they would work only on his films. 'Once, I was getting a shoulder scan done in an MRI machine. It takes around 40 minutes, and you're in that machine alone. I was like, can I listen to some music, and they agreed. I put on Anirudh Ravichander hits, listening and chilling for 40 minutes. If I were a king, I would kidnap him, other artistes I like. They only make music for all my films,' said Vijay. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, Kingdom stars Vijay and Bhagyashree Borse in the lead roles. The film's release has been postponed from May 30 to July 4. A song titled Hridayam Lopala has been released from the film and was received well. In the interview, Vijay described the song as something he'd be 'jealous' of had some other actor gotten it for their film.
