Latest news with #FilmiBeat
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Kingfisher calendar helped Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif become Bollywood stars, says Vijay Mallya. What was the formula?
In a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, businessman Vijay Mallya spoke about the impact of the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar, launched in 2003. He credited the calendar for identifying future stars like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif at a young age, saying, 'We chose the right girls.' Mallya described the calendar as a successful marketing tool that boosted the Kingfisher brand but brought him no personal gain. He also dismissed any speculation about personal ties with the models. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Platform for Future Stars Deepika's Acknowledgment Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Vijay Mallya, the former liquor baron and founder of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines , recently discussed the legacy of the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar in a podcast interview with YouTuber Raj Shamani. The four-hour conversation shed light on how the calendar, launched in 2003 under the Kingfisher brand and shot by renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar, helped shape the careers of many Bollywood to Mallya, the calendar was not just a bold branding exercise, but also a talent-spotting platform. 'We chose the right girls, whether it was Deepika Padukone Katrina Kaif . We had all the heroines and the stars on the calendar at a younger age. We picked the right talent,' Mallya said during the models featured in the calendar went on to become household names in the film industry. Katrina Kaif appeared in the first edition in 2003, while Deepika Padukone was showcased in the 2006 version. Mallya attributed their success to the selection process. When asked why many of the calendar girls went on to have flourishing acting careers, he simply stated, 'Because we chose the right girls.'He further emphasized that the project was a strategic branding move. 'I did it because it was a fantastic marketing tool. Did not bring anything to me personally. But it did wonders to the brand,' he a 2009 interview with FilmiBeat, Deepika Padukone acknowledged the importance of the calendar in her early career. She said, 'At the beginning of my career, I was part of the calendar, and it's getting better every year. The girls in this calendar have done a fantastic job. It's of international standards and one of the best calendars in the world.'Inspiration for BollywoodThe Kingfisher Calendar not only spotlighted rising models but also made a cultural impact significant enough to inspire Madhur Bhandarkar's 2015 film Calendar Girls, which explored the lives of aspiring models after appearing in such glamorous the years, the calendar featured several notable names beyond Deepika and Katrina—Yana Gupta (2003), Nargis Fakhri (2009), Esha Gupta (2010), Lisa Haydon (2011), Angela Jonsson (2011), Saiyami Kher (2012), and Aishwarya Sushmita (2016) all graced its pages. Many of them made their foray into Bollywood and the fashion industry shortly after.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kingfisher calendar helped Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif become Bollywood stars, says Vijay Mallya. What was the formula?
Vijay Mallya, the former liquor baron and founder of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines , recently discussed the legacy of the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar in a podcast interview with YouTuber Raj Shamani. The four-hour conversation shed light on how the calendar, launched in 2003 under the Kingfisher brand and shot by renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar, helped shape the careers of many Bollywood stars. According to Mallya, the calendar was not just a bold branding exercise, but also a talent-spotting platform. 'We chose the right girls, whether it was Deepika Padukone , Katrina Kaif . We had all the heroines and the stars on the calendar at a younger age. We picked the right talent,' Mallya said during the podcast. Platform for Future Stars Several models featured in the calendar went on to become household names in the film industry. Katrina Kaif appeared in the first edition in 2003, while Deepika Padukone was showcased in the 2006 version. Mallya attributed their success to the selection process. When asked why many of the calendar girls went on to have flourishing acting careers, he simply stated, 'Because we chose the right girls.' He further emphasized that the project was a strategic branding move. 'I did it because it was a fantastic marketing tool. Did not bring anything to me personally. But it did wonders to the brand,' he added. Deepika's Acknowledgment In a 2009 interview with FilmiBeat, Deepika Padukone acknowledged the importance of the calendar in her early career. She said, 'At the beginning of my career, I was part of the calendar, and it's getting better every year. The girls in this calendar have done a fantastic job. It's of international standards and one of the best calendars in the world.' Inspiration for Bollywood The Kingfisher Calendar not only spotlighted rising models but also made a cultural impact significant enough to inspire Madhur Bhandarkar's 2015 film Calendar Girls, which explored the lives of aspiring models after appearing in such glamorous showcases. Over the years, the calendar featured several notable names beyond Deepika and Katrina—Yana Gupta (2003), Nargis Fakhri (2009), Esha Gupta (2010), Lisa Haydon (2011), Angela Jonsson (2011), Saiyami Kher (2012), and Aishwarya Sushmita (2016) all graced its pages. Many of them made their foray into Bollywood and the fashion industry shortly after.
Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Deepika Padukone to Katrina Kaif': Vijay Mallya on how they chose Kingfisher calendar girls and why it worked
Embattled businessman Vijay Mallya recently spoke about the Kingfisher calendar models he selected, mentioning Bollywood stars like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif among them. Vijay Mallya's calendars were a key part of his public image and have been widely covered in the media. The Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar, launched in 2003 by United Breweries Group and photographed annually by Atul Kasbekar, has been a key platform for aspiring Indian models. When asked why the careers of the models featured in the Kingfisher calendar took off, Vijay Mallya replied, 'Because we chose the right girls.' In a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, Mallya said, 'We chose the right girls, Whether it was Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif. We had all the heroines and the stars on the calendar at a younger age. We picked the right talent.' Mallya further said, 'I did it because it was a fantastic marketing tool. Did not bring anything to me personally. But it did wonders to the brand.' Katrina Kaif appeared in the first 2003 edition, and Deepika Padukone featured in 2006. Both went on to become major Bollywood stars, with Deepika crediting the calendar for giving her early exposure and opportunities. According to a report by FilmiBeat, Deepika Padukone said in 2009, 'At the beginning of my career, I was part of the calendar, and it's getting better every year. The girls in this calendar have done a fantastic job.' Referring to her appearance in the 2006 edition, she added, 'It's of international standards and one of the best calendars in the world.' The Kingfisher Calendar was launched in 2003 by Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher brand, with photographer Atul Kasbekar leading the shoots. It was an annual swimsuit calendar featuring Indian models. Madhur Bhandarkar's 2015 film Calendar Girls was inspired by these calendars, portraying the lives of models who rose to fame after featuring in them. Katrina Kaif (2003)– Her appearance marked the beginning of her Bollywood career. Deepika Padukone (2006)– Featured in the calendar before her film debut. Nargis Fakhri (2009)–Her participation led to a Bollywood debut in Rockstar (2011). Esha Gupta (2010) – Entered Bollywood following her calendar appearance. Saiyami Kher (2012) – Featured in the calendar before her film debut. Lisa Haydon (2011) – Gained prominence through her calendar shoot. Angela Jonsson (2011) – Won the Kingfisher Calendar Girl Hunt and appeared in the calendar the same year. Sonali Raut (2010) – Featured in the calendar and later appeared in Bigg Boss 8. Aishwarya Sushmita (2016) – Won the Kingfisher Supermodels competition and appeared on the calendar before entering acting.
News18
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Vihaan Samat Lauds Radhika Madan's ‘Fantastic' Work Amid Dating Rumours
Last Updated: A viral photo showed rumoured couple Vihaan Samat and Radhika Madan walking hand-in-hand in a mall in Mumbai. Actors Radhika Madan and Vihaan Samat are rumoured to be dating, however, neither of them has publicly addressed the speculations. Recently, a photo of them walking hand-in-hand through a mall in Mumbai went viral on Reddit, further fuelling speculation about their relationship. In a recent interview, Vihaan was asked about the actresses he admires, and The Royals actor mentioned Radhika Madan among them. He praised her talent, describing her as one of the 'really good actors', and commended her impressive body of work, calling her filmography 'fantastic.' In an interview with FilmiBeat, Vihaan Samat was shown his recent viral picture with Radhika Madan. He chose not to comment, responding with a composed expression and a subtle smile on his face. He was then asked about the about actresses he admires the most, to which he said, 'Alia Bhatt. Absolutely phenomenal. Radhika Madan. Has fantastic work. I think she is one of the really really good actors. Deepika. Kiara. All of them." Further, when asked to name his favourite films of Radhika Madan, Vihaan instantly replied, 'All of them." When asked if he has watched all of them, he replied, 'I have seen some." He then praised Radhika, and said, 'I think all of her work is fantastic, right from Pataakha to Angrezi Medium, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, Sarfira, a lot of stuff." Meanwhile, when asked about his thoughts on marriage, he said, 'Pehle mujhe girlfriend milni chahiye na, phir main shaadi ka sochunga." However, sharing his views about marriage as a concept, he said, 'I think there is something interesting to marriage as a concept. It's not as opposed to it being restrictive, it can be freeing in a way, I think." When asked if he is single, Vihaan replied, 'Yes." Rumours of Vihaan Samat dating Radhika Madan have been making headlines since last year. It all started after the latter was spotted at the screening of Vihaan's film CTRL. However, later in an earlier interview with ETimes, Radhika reacted to rumours of dating Vihaan when she said, 'I will comment when I have to. For now, I want to keep my personal life private." Meanwhile, recently, a photo of the two actors surfaced on social media, further adding to speculations about a possible romantic relationship. In the viral picture, Vihaan and Radhika are seen walking hand-in-hand in a mall. While Vihaan kept it casual in an olive-green shirt and trouser pants, Radhika sported a red oversized hoodie, which she paired with black shorts. On the work front, Vihaan Samat was recently seen in the Netflix series 'The Royals' starring Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar. Radhika, who was last seen in Sarfira, has Subedaar and Rumi Ki Sharafat in the pipeline. First Published:
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Not Aishwarya Rai, not Priyanka Chopra—This is the only Bollywood actress followed by Qatar's princess
In the glittering world of royalty, few faces shine brighter than that of Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, a prominent figure in Qatar's ruling family. Born into power and prestige, she is the daughter of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the sister of the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. A symbol of cultural leadership and influence in the Middle East, Sheikha Al-Mayassa has carved a distinct identity beyond royal duties, emerging as a global tastemaker, philanthropist, and advocate for art and culture. Digital Royalty: Selective Yet Influential on Social Media Despite her royal status, Sheikha Al-Mayassa maintains a visible and curated presence online. With over a million followers on Instagram, she has built a platform that reflects her refined tastes and international connections. However, unlike most influencers or public figures, her 'following' list is remarkably exclusive. She follows fewer than 500 accounts — a list composed of global dignitaries, cultural icons, European and Arab royals… and, quite surprisingly, just one Bollywood star. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo A Surprising Choice: Mallika Sherawat Makes the Cut Amid the expected profiles of statesmen and aristocrats, one name stands out in Sheikha Al-Mayassa's following list — Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat. Notably, the Qatari princess does not follow Bollywood heavyweights like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Instead, her solitary pick from the Indian film industry is Mallika, an actress known for breaking stereotypes with her bold screen persona, particularly in the 2004 film Murder, which became her claim to fame. An Unlikely Friendship Born in the U.S. The connection between the royal and the actress dates back over a decade. As per a 2010 report by FilmiBeat, the two women first met in the United States during an international conference, where both were among the high-profile invitees. What began as a casual meeting soon turned into a unique friendship. Despite coming from vastly different worlds, the Qatari royal and the Indian actress stayed in touch and forged a genuine bond. A Royal Invitation: Mallika Attends the Princess's Wedding Such was the strength of their friendship that when Sheikha Al-Mayassa tied the knot in 2006 with her second cousin, Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Mallika Sherawat was the sole Bollywood celebrity to receive an invitation. Their camaraderie continued beyond the wedding, with Mallika making an appearance at the prestigious launch of the Doha Film Institute in Cannes in 2010 — an event heavily associated with Sheikha Al-Mayassa's cultural endeavors.
