Latest news with #DilwaleDulhaniyaLeJayenge
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Abhijeet Bhattacharya isn't bothered by Chunari Chunari remake as it wasn't a great song: 'Jaldi gaao, bhaago studio se'
Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, much to the disappointment of fans, has said that his hit song Chunari Chunari "was not a great song, never". Speaking with Hindustan Times, Abhijeet categorised it as a "jaldi gaao aur bhaago studio se (sing fast and run away from the studio)" song. He also added that he never considered the track as one of his "great songs". (Also Read | Sushmita Sen reacts to her baby niece enjoying Chunari Chunari on TV, Charu Asopa Sen shares video. Watch) The singer said, "For me personally, Chunari Chunari was not a great song, never. It was one of those 'jaldi gaao aur bhaago studio se (sing fast and run away from the studio)' song. I never count it among my great songs. This was one of those where the makers just wanted the lyrics to become a hit somehow. For the past 25 years I have heard it being played at functions, parties, and would always think, 'What is it about the song, there was nothing that I remember from the time I sang it'. But I do realise it has become iconic for fans.' Composed by Anu Malik, the song is from the 1999 film Biwi No 1. It was originally picturised on Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen. Recently, a remake of the song for the upcoming film Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur, surfaced. In the same interview, when asked if the remake version of the song bothers him, he said, 'Mujhe farak nahi padhta itni chhoti cheez se (I don't get bothered by such trivial things). I don't get involved much. In the market, copies are sold more than the original. Only great people know the value of the original. Tuchhi cheez mein main padhta hi nahi hoon (I don't get involved in petty matters).' Abhijeet has sung many hit songs for films, including Baadshah, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Rakshak, Darr, Josh, Dhadkan, Raaz, Pyar To Hona Hi Tha, Khoobsurat, Na Tum Jano Na Hum, Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Tum Bin, and Jodi No 1.
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
This community is building a digital South Asian pop culture hub in UAE
Did you know that Jay, Veeru, Gabbar and Thakur, the infallible iconic characters from forever Bollywood blockbuster Sholay (The Amber, 1975), visited Hatta recently in their cutest funky avatar. There were also the star crossed Raj and Simran from the heartwarming Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (The Brave hearted will take away the Bride,1995) along with Simran's father Bauji waiting for a ride in the Dubai Metro; about to live a 'jee ley apni zindagi'(live your life, girl)! I gorged pleasingly into this fun post by Saanjh Dubai pondering how seamlessly these Hindi cinema characters blended with the rocky terrain of Hatta as if it was Ramgarh or with Dubai Metro Station vibe. What was most striking was the matchmaking of Dubai/UAE locations and Bollywood characters. Not a single scene fell out of place. Being an aficionado of retro Hindi cinema myself, I was kind of convinced that this must be by a content team who are not only knowledgeable about the subcontinent's desi culture but also really passionate in reaching its elements beyond their places of birth. Well Saanjh Dubai exactly does that and more; it gives South Asia a cognisant identity for both the Emiratis and the desis alike old and new who have made Dubai and UAE their home. Born out of a sublime experience during a visit to Prithvi Theatre (which was once helmed by actor, producer, Shashi Kapoor, built in memory of his father, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor), and Prithvi Café Mumbai; Saanjh is a community driven initiative that fosters desi culture, founded by Emirati husband-wife Bader Ali Habib and Sakina Suhail, a couple who have been always fascinated by Indian and Pakistani cultures. Over a free-flowing conversation, Bader shares what went on to the making of Saanjh, their purpose and big dreams for future. Speaking of Saanjh's genesis, he adds, 'It was born when Sakina and I visited Prithvi Café at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai last year. As we sat reading books, sipping masala chai and sharing keema pav, we found ourselves deeply moved by the conversations unfolding around us. Conversations that were thoughtful, artistic, and rooted in culture. We reflected on how Prithvi Theatre had inspired generations of film and theatre artists,fans. The aura of the space stayed with us, sparking a vision for something similar in Dubai — a place where desi arts, stories, pop culture, and food could come together under one roof.' Bader sounded excited as he opened up about his connect with 'desi' culture. After all, why is reviving and nurturing desi culture so important for him? 'The beauty of the word 'desi' is that it transcends borders, connecting people through shared heritage. Statistically, desis make up over 50 per cent of the UAE's population and have had a presence for centuries. Historical records narrate how spices and silk were imported from India. Indians and Pakistani traders, especially Sindhis and Gujaratis, made their way to Dubai almost five decades ago establishing their shops in Bur Dubai, many of which are still managed by third-generation Indian families. Having grown up amongst them, I see desi community as an essential part of modern Dubai. Saanjh has set on to nurture this desi culture by bringing them under one platform, so we can collectively shape a community anchored in shared pop-culture. There's no better place than Dubai—it's a city where desis from different parts of South Asia and the diaspora thrive and co-exist.' With such a deep rooted history between desis, the UAE's desi culture had sprouted long back. Bader offers a flashback,'Once the expat population grew Icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, and Feroze Khan became household names among Emiratis. Seizing the opportunity, Indian and Emirati businessmen launched single-screen theatres as early as the 1960s. These cinema halls played Bollywood, Hollywood, and even South Indian language films regularly. By the early 2000s, there were close to a dozen cinema halls dedicated to Hindi films in Dubai itself. Today, with the advent of multiplexes these theatres may have disappeared but Emiratis have held on to their legacy of watching Hindi films and listening to Hindi songs.' It isn't surprising and the bond between the UAE and South Asia has only grown over the years. 'South Asians consider Dubai their home and a place where they can preserve their traditions while being part of a cosmopolitan city representing over 200 nationalities.' One can sense how Saanjh may have come with these funky Bollywood characters in advancing their purpose, creating a recall for the newer generation as well as evoke nostalgia; after all the founders themselves have had a long tryst with Hindi cinema. 'I was fortunate to grow up in the 90s and early 2000s, a golden era that gave us timeless films and unforgettable characters. We wanted to recreate these ever-popular characters in a fun way and plant them in UAE's different locations. To do that we utilised Saanjh's Instagram channel (saanjh_dubai) and our upcoming YouTube platform which are designed to build a digital home for desis in the UAE.' So, how has Saanjh's journey been so far, and what is its goal in the coming years? 'It's been nothing short of inspiring. Our vision quickly resonated with other desis in Dubai, from long-time residents to newcomers. Saanjh has become a community space where people can freely discuss their favourite childhood shows, films, and music while also contributing to the future of desi pop culture through events, screenings, podcasts, and more,' he added. 'So far, we've hosted a talk-show format evening with Piyush Mishra, a storytelling Iftar event with Laksh Maheshwari, and a talent showcase event featuring Mustafa Zahid. All these are members-only events and anybody can become a member of SAANJH by joining our WhatsApp community. Apart from this, we have also hosted a bonfire night at Al Qudra with a resident artist singing unplugged versions of popular Hindi and Urdu songs, as well as a social evening for our members to get to know one another better. Our monthly 'Filmy Guftugu' gathering is another initiative we are proud of. Through this, we bring together select members to share their thoughts on desi cinema's evolution and how Dubai can position itself as a cultural anchor especially as more and more artists now call this city home.' The future has more to offer, Bader reveals, 'Saanjh aims to foster collaboration between Indian and Pakistani artists, showcasing the best of both cultures right here in Dubai. We soon plan to expand into film screenings, theatre productions, panel discussions, podcast sessions, artistic workshops, and more. Our long-term goal is to become the largest desi pop culture community outside of India and Pakistan; the go-to destination for Dubai-based community seeking their desi pop culture fix. Our aim is to position Dubai as the beating heart of the South Asian diaspora and Saanjh a cultural hub with physical space where pop culture is celebrated through gatherings, screenings, workshops, musical evenings, and creative collaborations uniting Indian and Pakistani artistry.' As we bid an adieu over masala chai and Suleimani, I am convinced that the juggernaut dream is in making and its name is Saanjh Dubai.
India.com
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet star who threatened Kangana Ranaut, worked with Shah Rukh Khan, left his first wife to marry....
Who doesn't know Aditya Chopra, a name that neither became a part of the media buzz nor ran after followers on social media, but he gave a new identity to Indian cinema with films like 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', 'Mohabbatein' and that too in his own way, quietly and humbly. However, there is an interesting story behind the making of the iconic film DDLJ, which surprisingly took 23 in make and managed to rope in Shah Rukh Khan in a pivotal role. This star threatened to ruin Kangana Ranaut's career Aditya came into the limelight when his name was linked with Rani Mukerji. However, he preferred to remain silent on the rumours of their relationship going on in the film circles. Aditya's dispute with Kangana Ranaut was also common. Kangana had claimed that Aditya had once threatened to ruin her career if she rejected the film Sultan. Aditya made Shah Rukh Khan a 'romantic hero' Aditya Chopra, who has been looking at the profit and loss of the film world from a young age, did such a feat at the age of 23, which even many reputed filmmakers could not do. In 1995, he made a film that is still running in Mumbai's Maratha Mandir theater even after 30 years. The name of that film is 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'. Aditya made his Bollywood debut as a director with this film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Aditya Chopra married his childhood friend Aditya Chopra's first marriage was with Payal Khanna, who was his childhood friend and an interior designer. The two got married in a private ceremony in 2001, but with time, their relationship started facing problems. During the production of the film Veer-Zaara, news of Aditya-Rani's closeness became common. When this news reached Aditya's family, they were very angry. They liked Payal a lot and were not sure about Rani. Due to this, there was tension in the family and Aditya had to leave his house and stay in a hotel for some time until the situation became normal. Aditya Chopra's love life Talking about the love story of Aditya Chopra and Rani Mukherji, the two first met through Karan Johar, when Rani was shooting for 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'. However, before this Aditya had first seen Rani in a restaurant after 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat'. After becoming popular, Rani appeared in many films of Yash Raj Films like 'Hum-Tum', 'Saathiya', 'Bunty Aur Babli', but the relationship between the two remained professional. At that time, Aditya was married to Payal. Many people speculated that Rani Mukerji was one of the reasons for Aditya Chopra and Payal Khanna's divorce. However, the actress denied being romantically involved with Aditya. According to reports, Aditya Chopra started dating Rani Mukerji after officially divorcing his first wife Payal Khanna. Aditya reportedly visited Rani's house and asked her parents for permission to date her. After Aditya Chopra's divorce, the couple got secretly married in Italy in 2014.
India Today
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
SRK meets new Raj and Simran from DDLJ-inspired musical, Come Fall In Love. Pics
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan met the new Raj and Simran from the 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge'-inspired musical 'Come Fall In Love'. The actor met the leads, Jena Pandya and Ashley Day, who play Simran and Roger, respectively, along with the crew of the Rukh, who became a global household name as Raj in the 1995 original film, dropped by ahead of the musical's UK premiere, which opens at the Manchester Opera House on May 29. Dressed casually in a white T-shirt and denims, the actor was all smiles as he posed for a photo with the musical's visit was kept under wraps until the musical's official Instagram account shared the pictures. Shah Rukh Khan meets Dilwale Dulhaniya Lejayenge - inspired musical, 'Come Fall In Love' cast and crew in London. (Photo Credit: comefallinlovemusical) Jena Pandya, stepping into the role originally made famous by Bollywood actor Kajol, spoke of her admiration after meeting the legendary actor. 'Meeting Shah Rukh Khan and having him in the rehearsal room was such an honour. He was so generous with his time and support for the show. Being able to show him some of the iconic scenes that he and Kajol originally established was an incredible feeling and will be a long-lasting memory for me. I can't wait to head to Manchester next week and put this story on stage!," she Day, who plays Roger, a reimagined version of Raj, described the moment, saying, 'When he arrived in our rehearsal room and met the full company, it was a moment that quietly landed on all of us, especially in a way that didn't need words,' he said. 'He greeted us all with such love and genuine excitement about what we've been building. I can't imagine what it must feel like to see a project - beloved by millions - being reimagined as a musical 30 years later. And yet, he kept asking to see more!," Day added. Shah Rukh Khan meets new Raj and Simran along with the DDLJ musical crew (Photo Credit: Instagram/comefallinlovemusical) 'Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical' is directed by the original film director Aditya Chopra and reimagines the cross-cultural love story across the UK and India. It retains the heart of the film while offering a fresh take with an all-new English score composed by musical duo Vishal and Shekhar, following in the footsteps of the original's music legends musical features a cast including Irvine Iqbal, Kara Lane, Harveen Mann-Neary, Amonik Melaco, Millie O'Connel, Ankur Sabharwal, Kinshuk Sen, and Russel Reel IN THIS STORY#Kajol Devgan
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Aditya Chopra never stepped on the sets of Badmaash Company, said ‘Isko kaha se likhne ka shaukh chadh gaya': Parmeet Sethi
Actor Parmeet Sethi was at the peak of his career when he decided to step away from the spotlight and pursue screenwriting. He penned a love story titled The Prince of Lahore set against the backdrop of India-Pakistan relations and the first person who came to mind was his Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge director Aditya Chopra. However, Aditya was not very keen to meet Parmeet, thinking 'Isko kaha se writing ka shaukh aagaya.' In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Parmeet recalled how he approached Aditya with the script for The Prince of Lahore, which eventually led to the making of Badmaash Company, starring Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma in the lead roles. Parmeet recalled meeting Aditya after writing his first script, The Prince of Lahore. He said, 'Adi and I didn't meet a lot after DDLJ, but we had developed a bond. And after all those years when I approached him with a script, he was all like, 'Arey yaar, Parmeet ko likhne ka shaukh kaha se aagaya, ab isse bhi milna padega. (When did Parmeet start writing, now will have to meet him.)' He met me only to not come out as a badtameez. But when he finally met me and heard the storyline of my first film, he suddenly showed interest in my film. Creatively, we were both on the same page.' Unfortunately, Prince of Lahore couldn't see the light of day due to the 26/11 attacks, which made it impossible for an Indian crew to travel to Lahore for the shoot. Parmeet Sethi then wrote another script in just six days, Badmaash Company, which Aditya Chopra loved and and immediately gave Parmeet the green light, insisting that he direct the film himself. Watch full interview here: 'I told Adtiya that I have never assisted anybody. He told me, 'Mujhe maloom hai tu karlega (I know you can do it).'' Parmeet began the shoot of the film with Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Vir Das. While they shot for quite some time and even faced difficulties due to constant rain, Aditya never cared to visit them on set. ALSO READ | Diljit Dosanjh beats Zendaya, Rihanna to secure the top spot in Best Dressed poll at Met Gala; Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra fail to make it Parmeet Sethi said, 'Aditya Chopra never visited my set. On the first day of shoot, Yash Chopra had come to my set for muhurat rituals. Post that none of them cared to be on my set. Aditya never even interfered in the editing room. He blindly trusted me and apparently, it was the first time when Aditya didn't bother to be part of any film's editing. This sort of worried me. I went to Adi and said, 'Adi yaar, kam se kam dekh toh le mai kya shoot kar raha hu (Adi, at least look at what I have shot).' And he would say, 'Don't worry, I know you are doing a good job.' He said, 'I did ask the editor about your shoots and he called it kadak. I didn't bother to interfere post that.'' He added, 'Aditya was completely behind the scenes. However, he gave me everything I ever wanted to shoot the film. He passed the budget, gave me an open offer to shoot wherever I wanted, New York, Bangkok. I haven't ever seen a producer like him. He only had an involvement in the music as I had no experience.' Badmaash Company went on to become one of the most successful films of 2010. Jyothi Jha works as a Copy Editor at the Indian Express. She brings in more than 5 years of experience where she has covered Entertainment majorly for TV9, NDTV and Republic Media. Apart from Entertainment, she has been an anchor, copy editor and managed production team under the Politics and Daily News segment. She's passionate about Journalism and it has always been her first choice, she believes in what George Orwell had once said, " Journalism is printing what someone else does not want you to do, rest everything is public relations". ... Read More
