Latest news with #ChennaiExpress
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Kareena Kapoor's vacation in Greece comes with a Shah Rukh Khan twist
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan had fun doing the 'Lungi Dance' in Greece. She even recommended it to her social media followers. Taking to her Instagram account on Thursday, Kareena shared glimpses of her tempting vacation in Greece. She added text to a group of pictures and wrote a caption 'Did a lungi dance in Greece, had fun. must try.' She added a heart and Indian flag emoji to it. In a series of photos shared by Kareena, she is seen wearing a bikini top paired with a lungi-print skirt and a stylish cap. It is worth noting that 'Lungi Dance' is a popular song from the film Chennai Express, featuring Shahrukh Khan. The traditional Indian attire, the lungi, gained even more recognition following the song's release. In the first picture, Kareena can be seen standing on a sandy beach, posing in style. In the second picture, Kareena is standing in front of the beautiful sea. In the remaining three pictures, she poses in different styles Prior to this Kareena had shared multiple pictures from her London vacation in a bikini. She flaunted her toned body as she wore a nude coloured bikini with geometric patterns. The last picture in the carousel was a selfie taken by Kareena on the beach. She wrote in the caption, 'Learn to get candid on the beach from me baby'. Meanwhile, on the professional front, the actress recently clocked 25 years in Hindi cinema. She is set to join forces with Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran for the first time in 'Daayra.' The film is directed by Meghna Gulzar, and explores the dark subjects of crime and justice, delving into topical and unsettling societal truths. It is currently in pre-production and co-written by Meghna, Yash Keswani, and Sima Agarwal. Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor took to social media to send her best wishes to Rajkummar Rao ahead of the release of his upcoming film 'Maalik.' Taking to her Instagram stories, she shared the trailer of the film and wrote, 'Good luck the entire team. Kill it guys.. sending huge love watch it in cinemas tomorrow!' Bebo also tagged Rao and others in her post. It is worth noting that Kareena and Rajkummar have never shared screen space before. Her gesture of support ahead of the release of 'Maalik' highlights the mutual respect within the industry, even among actors who haven't yet collaborated. Interestingly, the 'Stree' actor underwent a striking physical transformation for his role. The actor grew his beard for more than 80 days to achieve a wild, rugged appearance that exudes raw intensity on screen. Pulkit had shared that the look was carefully planned, as the team wanted Rajkummar to reflect a strong and unfiltered sense of power through his appearance in the film. He said, 'We wanted Raj to embody a sense of raw power, something that feels lived-in, gritty, and unapologetically real. He committed to the process fully, both physically and emotionally. Rajkummar grew his beard for nearly three months to embody a character bursting with wild energy.' Indo-Asian News Service
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Stunt artists mourn death of SM Raju during ‘Vettuvam' shoot
Stunt artists, including veterans Sham Kaushal, Ram Shetty, and Aejaz Gulab, on Monday mourned the death of popular stuntman S. M. Raju during the shooting of an action scene for director Pa Ranjith's film Vettuvam. The 52-year-old stuntman, whose real name was Mohan Raj, was driving an SUV in an action sequence for the film in Nagapattinam on July 13 when he suddenly collapsed. His colleagues pulled him out of the vehicle and rushed him to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead. A video of the incident, now viral on social media, shows crew members frantically rushing to help him as he is extracted from the car. According to stunt directors and artists, car stunts in films are inherently more dangerous and unpredictable than most other action sequences, despite the precautions usually taken. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran offered his condolences, taking to Instagram to express his sorrow. 'Rest in peace Raju! So many moments of magic that would have been impossible to film without your skill and guts. You will be missed forever.' Veteran stunt director Sham Kaushal — known for his work on Dunki, Gadar 2, Ponniyin Selvan, Laxmii, Sanju, Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, Krrish 3, and Gangs of Wasseypur — called Raju's death 'unfortunate.' 'I read about it and I'm saddened to hear about his unfortunate demise. I haven't worked with him, but stunt people are like a close-knit fraternity,' Kaushal told PTI. 'When you do a stunt with a car, it's a combination of a human and a machine. In that case, if there's a misjudgment, then it can be dangerous. The nature of stunts is that they're risky.' Aejaz Gulab, general secretary of the Movie Stunt Artists Association, also expressed grief after seeing the video online. 'A car or motorcycle-related stunt is often risky... SM Raju was known for performing such stunts. Unfortunately, this incident has happened,' said Gulab, who has worked in films such as Baazi, Josh, Khiladi 420, and upcoming titles Dhurdandar and Battle of Galwan. The stunt artists' association, formed in 1959, currently has around 600 members. Silva, a stuntman and actor, also paid tribute via social media. 'One of our great car-jumping stunt artists, S. M. Raju, died while doing car stunts. RIP. Our stunt union and Indian film industry will be missing him,' he wrote. Stuntman Shankar, who sustained serious injuries during a stunt in Chennai Express, said he was saddened by the news. 'I know that Raju performed car stunts like me. We worked together on two South Indian movies about 20 years ago. He is like my brother, and I feel very sad,' he said. Shankar continues to perform stunts today, despite suffering severe burn injuries when a car caught fire on set. 'It's been 13 years since I suffered injuries. Car stunts are the most dangerous. You need daring and physical fitness,' he said. 'After Chennai Express, I continued with car stunts in Total Dhamaal and for a Himesh Reshammiya music video.' Veteran stunt director Ram Shetty — who has worked on Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dharmatma, Vaastav, Sadak, Tezaab, and Laadla — said his heart goes out to Raju's family. 'Such incidents are unfortunate. I've never worked with him, but many take up this job due to financial necessity. Some specialise in car and motorcycle stunts — they are very risky to perform.' Stunt artist Parvez Shaikh said Raju had performed some of the biggest stunts in his career. 'The accident occurred while he was performing a car stunt... I pray for his family. Stunts are risky, and every stuntman's family knows there's a chance of injury on the job. Everyone tries to ensure safety, but accidents do happen.' Arvind Gupta, who has performed stunts in Maalik and Adipurush, echoed similar sentiments. 'Performing a car stunt is risky. It's heartbreaking to know about him. I didn't know him personally, but many of us are here for financial reasons,' he said. Ranjith's Vettuvam stars Arya in the lead. According to reports, the film also features Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashok Selvan and Dinesh among others. Earlier, Ranjith told PTI that his film revolves around a notorious gangster, Cholan, a modern-day Robin Hood, who establishes his control over the Ponni region of Tamil Nadu. As he fights to protect his people, he makes many enemies but also legions of supporters who swear by him. When his rivals realise that Cholan is too powerful for them, they harness the power of the state in an attempt to bring him down.
Mint
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Priyamani on Shah Rukh Khan, Good Wife Season 2, Revathy and more: ‘A good story always makes my heart race'
When National Award-winning actress Priyamani talks, you listen. Behind every word is two decades of grit, grace and game-changing performances. In an exclusive conversation with Sounak Mukhopadhyay, the Good Wife star opens up like never before. Q: The Good Wife Season 1 finishes with many questions unanswered. Will Tarunika's courtroom drama have a Season 2? A: Well, I'm definitely hoping for a sequel. There's so much more left to explore in Tarunika's journey. Good Wife Season 1 ended on such an intriguing note, and it would be amazing to dive back into that layered, complex world. Fingers crossed! Q: How was working with Revathy, a spectacular actress herself? How does her acting expertise help your performance? A: Working with Revathy ma'am was an absolute breeze. She brings so much clarity to the set, not just as a director but as an actor who truly understands performance from the inside out. She knows exactly what she wants from a scene. But, she also gives us the space to bring our own interpretation. If she's happy with a take, her face lights up. And, that validation means a lot. She creates such a warm, encouraging environment. I genuinely hope I get to work with her again. 'Working with Revathy ma'am was an absolute breeze,' says Good Wife actress Priyamani Q: Good Wife in Tamil is an adaptation of The Good Wife. Which iconic movie is on your wishlist for a remake, where you want to play the protagonist? A: Just to clarify: it's not a direct remake, it's an adaptation, which gives it its own cultural and emotional depth. If I had to pick a dream project, I'd absolutely love to do something like Money Heist. The energy, the intensity, the mind games. it's the kind of role I'd be thrilled to take on. Q: After twenty years on screen, which genre still scares you enough that your heartbeat races before the first take? A: Honestly, a good story – regardless of the genre – always makes my heart race. If the writing is powerful and the character is challenging, that excitement and nervousness before the first take never goes away. And I love that feeling! Q: From a special appearance in Chennai Express to a substantial role in Jawan, how has your SRK experience been? A: I'm an ardent SRK fan, always have been. So, just sharing screen space with him, not once but twice, has been surreal. He's an absolute darling, genuinely thoughtful and so respectful towards his co-actors. What truly sets him apart is how he prioritises your comfort on set and makes everyone feel seen and valued. I'd love to work with him again and again. It's always a joy. Tamil web series Good Wife is now streaming on JioHotstar.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- The Hindu
Author Prajwal Parajuly's newly minted fondness for train journeys
Back in the day when I was a Sri City newbie, I'd book a cab to and from Chennai. After trying out a few drivers, I settled on Senthil. Senthil is everything I want in a Man Friday: he picks up the phone well past midnight, likes the chutneys at Murugan Idli almost as much as I do and pretends he has his road rage under control when I am in the car. But he also has issues. He has the weakest eyesight I have encountered in a human: when I call him to fact-check this column, he says he wears between -10 and -11 glasses. I understand he can do nothing about that but often wonder how he'd drive me if his glasses flew off mid-journey. He also is that rare Indian driver who cannot function without AC. I think air-conditioning is evil, and excessive air-conditioning an American barbarity that's becoming ubiquitous in India. That I must go to every hotel, mall and theatre with an extra jacket even when it is 43 degrees outside should tell you how dire things have become. Senthil and I play a game where I ask him to switch off the AC, which he does … for about 15 minutes. He switches it back on thinking I won't notice. I call attention to the cold. Off. On. Off. On. The cycle is endless. It's exasperating. Senthil charges me ₹2,700 per trip. The first two times, I tipped him an additional 300. He now thinks the fare is 3,000 rupees. Neither of us has spoken about it. Now that I am a Sri City veteran, I have eschewed Senthil's Tundra-like Toyota Etios for the more tropical — and pocket-friendly —Chennai Express. Sure, I still call Senthil when I need to go to the airport or have more than one suitcase. But on other trips, the train serves my purpose just fine. You will not find an air-conditioned train that stops at Tada — the closest railhead from Sri City — en route to Chennai. What's not idyllic about leaf-plate food, cross ventilation and the forced camaraderie of a commuter train? You will accuse me of romanticising train travel, and you'd have a point. I grew up in Sikkim, in the Himalayan foothills, the one place in India unpenetrated by railway lines. I should be forgiven for getting stoked at the sound of a train whistle in the same way you'd excuse a Chennaite for squealing at the sight of a mountain. Frequent two-hour rail voyages in my adulthood are just the catharsis needed to compensate for the daily absence of trains in my youth. The general fare from Tada to Chennai is 10 rupees, the first-class fare a whopping 18 times that. The women's buggy shares its borders with the first-class compartment but isn't as much of a free-for-all as our cabin. I have ridden the train about two dozen times but am yet to see a ticket collector. As we weave through lyrically named towns — Anuppambattu, Nandiabakkam, Kathivakkam — tittering school kids join us. The clamour heightens. On one trip, an office goer — blessed with an Iphone 13, a Lenovo tablet and a jargon-heavy tongue — gets on at Attipattu. I owe him my knowledge of the difference between a station and a junction. He's unhappy, though. He declares that hardly anyone in the cabin has first-class tickets. I ask him to live and let live. Outside, the industrial air in Ennore is rancid. 'That's why this country will never make progress,' he says. 'It's not like you don't have a seat,' I reply. The stench of Ennore gives way to the scent of sea at Wimco Nagar. On another trip, my colleague Joya and I are treated to repeated decibel-shattering flatulence from a man who joins us in shameless mirth when he realises we noticed. That alone snags him a cameo in a future Parajuly novel. A rainy day, I eye the lunch of a young man travelling in a three-generational group. Each family member has a lunchbox. 'It smells like the gods descended on your tiffin carrier,' I tell my new friend. I need to be slapped. He confers with his family, who decide that one of them will forego lunch. Feeling equal parts proud and ashamed, I accept the unopened box. I dunk a dosa in the sambar and declare it one of the best meals of my life. I reciprocate the family's generosity by offering them dark chocolate. They pronounce it inedible. I am nervous that Senthil suspects me of cheating on him. He often calls me when I am smack-dab in the middle of Chennai. 'When are you coming next, sir?' he asks. I splutter platitudes. One day I'll muster the courage to tell him about the delights of temperate train travel. Prajwal Parajuly is the author of The Gurkha's Daughter and Land Where I Flee. He loves idli, loathes naan, and is indifferent to coffee. He teaches Creative Writing at Krea University and oscillates between New York City and Sri City.
News18
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Jonita Gandhi Recalls Harrowing Cyberflash Incident: ‘D**k Pic With My Photo…'
Last Updated: Jonita Gandhi shared a deeply unsettling cyberflashing incident, and recalled that a person posted a picture of his genitals with her photo in the background. Singer Jonita Gandhi recently opened up about a disturbing experience of cyberflashing on Instagram. She recalled that someone had once added her to their Close Friends story, and shared an explicit image of their genitals with her picture in the background. She said that it was 'disgusting' and that it clearly constituted harassment. While speaking with Hauterrfly, Jonita Gandhi said, 'Some things are kind of traumatic. On Instagram, you can check your mentions, and I'd see that I'd been added to someone's Close Friends stories. Then I'm seeing it's a d**k pic. It has a watermark with their thing with my photo in the background. It's a new thing now. It's disgusting. It's harassment. But I keep ignoring such things." She further added, 'I don't check my DM. I only check my primary now. So I don't bother. I think they just want attention. People are just jobless. I block so many people." In the same interview, the singer, who was raised in Canada, discussed her struggles with racism, body shaming, and internalized insecurities during her early years. Born in Delhi and growing up in Canada, Jonita shared the traumatic experiences she faced in school, where she was constantly bullied for her facial hair. She recounted being called 'Godzilla' by her classmates, noting that the hurtful comments mainly came from Punjabi boys. The bullying wasn't confined to her peers; even members of her own community made her feel like she didn't belong. Since her Bollywood debut in playback singing with Chennai Express (2013), Jonita has lent her voice to some of Indian cinema's biggest hits, including The Breakup Song (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), Gilehriyaan (Dangal), and What Jhuka (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani). First Published:
