Latest news with #RamLeela
NDTV
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Muzammil Ibrahim Says He Dated Deepika Padukone For 2 Years: "She Asked Me Out, I Broke Up With Her"
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Deepika Padukone moved to Mumbai in the 2000s to pursue modeling and acting. Muzammil Ibrahim revealed they dated for two years during her initial career phase. He stated that Deepika asked him out, but he ultimately ended their relationship. New Delhi: Deepika Padukone moved to Mumbai in the 2000s. She started out as a successful model and eventually debuted in Bollywood. Back then, the actress was in a relationship with Muzammil Ibrahim, who was also trying to establish himself in the modelling industry. In a recent conversation with TV host and podcaster Siddharth Kannan, Muzammil has now revealed elaborate details of his 2-year relationship with Deepika. She had asked him out, he says, and that eventually he broke up with her. He further added how they would go on dates in a rickshaw as they did not have a lot of money to spend. What Muzammil Ibrahim Said Model-turned-actor Muzammil Ibrahim recently spoke about his relationship with Deepika Padukone. The two dated for two years when Deepika had moved to Mumbai. Muzammil told Siddharth Kannan, "We were in a relationship for two years. She was very confident because she is Prakash Padukone's daughter so everyone knew about her." Furthermore he revealed that it was Deepika who had asked him out, but he was the one who broke up with her. He added, "I was a star at that time, she was not. She is a superstar now. Everyone knows her, nobody knows me. I am a big fan. I love watching her movies. She is a beautiful woman. She is doing so great but the fact is what it is. Before she got married, we would talk sometimes." Recalling how they did not have enough money, Muzammil shared they would go on "cute dates" in a rickshaw. He revealed, "We were kids then. We would go on dates in a rickshaw in the rain. That was very cute. I had more money than her because I had started earning better. Then I bought a car and she was very happy about that. These things are very memorable because I have not been on a date in a rickshaw since then, and we were so happy even though we had no money." He concluded by saying how on one of her birthdays, the DJ kept on playing her favourite song on loop. The reason was that the DJ was his friend, and hence Deepika's request was top priority. Deepika Padukone's Relationships Deepika Padukone's most-talked about relationship was with actor Ranbir Kapoor. The two dated from 2007 to 2010. She then fell in love with Ranveer Singh on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram Leela. The two got married in 2018 and welcomed their daughter Dua in September 2024. Work On the work front, Deepika Padukone, at the moment, is embroiled in a massive controversy over her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit. The actress was replaced by Triptii Dimri over "unprofessional" demands for reasonable work hours, refusal to film certain intimate scenes, and asking for a profit-sharing settlement.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Digant Sharma's Remarkable Day: Honoring Political Leadership and Fostering Public Discourse in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra, India
Honoured to have had the opportunity to participate in a truly memorable event where Shri Digant Sharma had the privilege to welcome and felicitate some of India's most respected political leaders. Gratitude and respect to: Dr. Bhagwat Karad Dr. Bhagwat Karad, a seasoned pediatric surgeon and BJP leader, served as Union Minister of State for Finance (2021–2024). A two-time Mayor of Aurangabad, he champions financial inclusion and national infrastructure development. Shri Ashokrao Chavan Ashokrao Chavan, former Maharashtra Chief Minister (2008–2010), transitioned from Congress to BJP in 2024. Son of ex-CM Shankarrao Chavan, he has held key portfolios, influencing state governance and policy reforms. Shri Atul Save Atul Save, BJP MLA from Aurangabad East, has held ministerial roles in Housing, OBC Welfare, and Co-operation. Shri Atul Save currently heads OBC Welfare, Dairy Development and Renewable Energy for Maharashtra government. His initiatives in urban development and housing have significantly impacted Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Shri Ambadas Danve Ambadas Danve, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, serves as Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council since Aurangabad-Jalna, he is known for advocating public accountability and democratic values. Alongside them, we had the pleasure of welcoming many other social entrepreneur , dignitaries and political representatives who are playing key roles in the upliftment of Maharashtra. The event was filled with inspiring discussions, shared visions for development, and the spirit of unity. We look forward to building more such bridges between leadership and grassroots action. The event was hosted by Lokshahi Marathi a leading Marathi News Channel in Maharashtra. Digant Sharma is a multifaceted Indian entrepreneur and social reformer known for his leadership across diverse sectors, including agriculture, energy, technology, and philanthropy. As Chairman of Torus Innotech Pvt. Ltd., he supports over 100,000+ farmers in Maharashtra and Telangana through agri-tech solutions like organic farming , regenerative agriculture, carbon credit , . He also leads Francture Brands Pvt. Ltd., specializing in brand expansion and digital consulting, and chairs companies like Intellipetrol and Hydrocarbonix in the oil and gas in Fujairah and Rotterdam , and Ophi Technologies in environmental sectors and landfill cleaning with base in Finland and Switzerland. Mr Digant Sharma has a Global network worldwide for raising funds globally from Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London and more. Sharma is the founder of the Undertrial Welfare Association, advocating for legal reforms and support for undertrial prisoners in India. His philanthropic efforts include to provide daily meals to children nationwide. Additionally, he has been involved in cultural initiatives, such as directing sponsorship and CSR for the first Shree Ram Leela in Ayodhya and fundraising for a video game based on Sanatana Dharma. His extensive portfolio reflects a commitment to social impact, innovation, and cross-sector leadership. 'This is a company press release that is not part of editorial content. No journalist of The Hindu was involved in the publication of this release.'
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
A 150-year-old celebration of Ram Leela back in action
The Performance While the birth of Lord Ram is celebrated in the local temple on Ram Navami, the performance begins a day later and ends with the death of demon king Ravana and Lord Ram returning from his exile, after 21 days. All the characters abstain from eating non-veg and give great emphasis on maintenance of sanctity during the 21 days. The cast includes people of all age groups, from a six-year-old child who plays the role of a young Ram to 86-year-old Subhas Chandra Sai who essays the character of an old boatman. All the characters are played by men including that of Devi Sita. Interestingly, the character of Lord Ram is played by Sailin Kumar Babu who is an executive assistant in the Watershed and Soil Conservation office and Ravana by Dr Rudra Narayan Patel, who is senior gynaecologist in a local government hospital. An interesting aspect of the Ram Leela here are the wooden masks, used by artistes during play. The masks are as old as the tradition and were prepared for the first show of Ram Leela 150 years back. Back then, except for Lord Ram, Devi Sita and Laxman, all the other characters including 'Banar Sena' and 'Asuras' had masks but today, only 20 of them exist including that of Hanuman. The mask of Hanuman is worshipped every day at the Jagannathpada temple. 'When Ram Leela was started, the king had got these masks prepared from Padmabati village in Nayagarh which had wood craftsmen. Over the years, many of the masks got damaged and became unusable. The remaining masks are repaired and coloured every year to be used in Ram Leela,' said the Natyaguru Behera. Unlike Behera who inherited the Ram Leela tradition from his father, his son isn't keen on doing so. But that doesn't worry him. To keep the tradition alive, Behera is now training a new generation of artistes. 'There are many other youngsters of Balangir who are willing to learn it. Hopefully, they will take forward this cherished cultural tradition in all its authenticity,' he said.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Casting director Shruti Mahajan reveals what gives Bollywood actors their edge in IMDb interview
Shruti Mahajan, one of Bollywood's most respected casting directors, has offered a rare insight into the craft of discovering on-screen talent, speaking exclusively to IMDb about her career, her approach to casting, and what she believes sets certain actors apart. With over a decade of experience and credits on films such as Ram Leela, Mary Kom, and Bajirao Mastani, Mahajan has collaborated with some of India's most prominent filmmakers. Discussing her upcoming projects, she mentioned working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War, Prakash Jha's series Laal Batti, and R Balki's next film, among others. Mahajan described casting as a process that begins long before auditions. 'It all starts with aligning yourself with the director's vision,' she explained. 'The script guides everything—it determines the tone, the characters, and what kind of performer each role demands.' Actors, she said, are typically grouped by the weight of their roles, with lead parts undergoing a far more detailed and layered selection process. 'It's not just about acting ability,' she noted. 'It's about screen presence, chemistry with other actors, and whether they bring that indescribable spark—the X Factor.' Mahajan shared that this elusive quality is what often sets memorable performers apart. 'It's not something you can train or manufacture. You feel it—it stays with you,' she said. Recalling a casting moment from her early days, Mahajan spoke of spotting Gulshan Devaiah by chance outside a café in Mumbai. 'I didn't know who he was at the time, but he had this distinct presence,' she recalled. Intrigued, she approached him and asked whether he was an actor. That spontaneous encounter eventually led to his role in Ram Leela, cast without an audition after director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was equally convinced. She also praised actors like Richa Chadha, known for her idiosyncratic performances, and Pratibha Ranta, whose early audition for Heeramandi left a lasting impression. 'She had exactly the kind of youthful energy we were looking for. You could sense her potential,' Mahajan said, noting how her career later blossomed following Laapataa Ladies. Mahajan finds particular satisfaction in challenging audience expectations through unconventional casting. One such example was Supriya Pathak in Ram Leela, whose reputation for comedy roles initially raised eyebrows. 'She was eager to break out of that image and completely committed to the audition. Her performance proved she was capable of so much more,' said Mahajan. Similarly, she cited Bobby Deol's reinvention in Aashram as another rewarding moment, as well as casting Manisha Koirala in Heeramandi. 'That role needed elegance, gravitas, and authenticity. Manisha had all of that and more. When I suggested her to Mr Bhansali, he was instantly intrigued. Their past collaboration helped make it an easy decision.' Mahajan's experience underscores the instinctive nature of casting and the importance of trusting both the process and a performer's potential. 'Some qualities can't be explained—but they shine through,' she said.
India.com
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This boy once worked a background dancer for Rs 50, he's behind blockbusters like Jawan, Dangal and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, now, he works as..., he is...
This boy, seen in the photo, once became a background dancer for 50 rupees. But fate changed, and a time came when Bollywood's blockbuster films could not be imagined without him. This boy has a big hand in the success of Jawaan, Dangal, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. We are talking about casting director Mukesh Chhabra. In an exciting crossover episode, the star cast of 'Chamak: The Conclusion' lit up the stage of Indian Idol Season 15 with their energy and brilliant performance. This special episode gave the brilliant musical talent of the film world a chance to show their skills. During the episode, Mukesh Chhabra and Mika Singh had a fun conversation while reliving old memories. Mukesh Chhabra, who played a key role in Chamak: The Conclusion, shared an interesting story from his early days with Mika Singh. He said, 'I worked with Mika Singh as a background dancer for Rs 50. He gave me my first break, and I will always be grateful to him for that. It is incredible to see where we both have reached today, and it is a pleasure for me to share the screen with him again.' At the same time, Mika Singh praised Mukesh Chhabra and said, 'It is very interesting to see Mukesh Chhabra's brilliant acting. I recommend everyone watch this show. I remember when Mukesh started as a background dancer, then he also became a choreographer. From that time till today, he has seen everything in life. His success is the result of his hard work and passion. I am proud of his journey – from performing in Ram Leela, where I sang, to today. I would just say that one should not lose courage, keep working hard.' The episode epitomised the friendship and respect between the actors and musicians. With a unique blend of music, mystery, and drama, Chamak: The Conclusion is on its way to becoming a memorable musical thriller. Directed and produced by Rohit Jugraj, the series is produced by Geetanjali Mehalva Chauhan, Rohit Jugraj and Sumeet Dubey. It stars Mohit Malik, Manoj Pahwa, Paramveer Singh Cheema, Isha Talwar, Mukesh Chhabra, Prince Kanwaljit Singh and Akasa Singh, along with a special appearance by Gippy Grewal.
