Indian superstar Akshay Kumar's journey - One of grit and triumph

Akshay Kumar's real-life journey is a quintessential tale of the triumph of the human spirit. From his humble beginnings to becoming one of the biggest superstars of the Indian film industry, his story is an inspiration to millions. It's important to note that the actor's path to success was not paved with ease but marked by relentless hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in his abilities. His rise from a martial arts instructor to a global icon, even today, epitomizes the essence of defying odds to carve one’s destiny.
Akshay's early life was a blend of struggle and determination. After obtaining a black belt in Taekwondo in India, he ventured to Bangkok, Thailand, where he learned Muay Thai and worked as a chef and waiter. His journey continued through various jobs in Kolkata, Dhaka, and Delhi, including working at a travel agency, a hotel, and selling jewelry. These experiences not only tested his resilience but also fueled his dream of achieving something greater. Returning to Bombay, he began teaching martial arts, a decision that would inadvertently steer him towards his true calling.
Kumar's foray into modeling came through a serendipitous recommendation by a student's father, a model coordinator. He toiled as an unpaid assistant to a photographer for 18 months, crafted his first portfolio, and even worked as a background dancer in films. Later, his breakthrough came with the 1992 suspense thriller "Khiladi," directed by Abbas-Mustan. Akshay Kumar’s impressive screen presence and ease in the lead role caught the industry's attention, marking the beginning of an illustrious career with no looking back.
Over the past 33 years, Akshay Kumar has showcased an incredible range of talent, from action films like the "Khiladi" franchise and Mohra, comedic classics like "Hera Pheri" and "Singh is Kinng" to poignant dramas such as "Airlift," "OMG", "Padman," and "Mission Mangal." His discipline, hard work, and endless rigor have become legendary, inspiring countless fans across the globe.
Akshay Kumar's ability to adapt and excel in diverse roles highlights his dedication to his craft and his constant drive to stay relevant. His journey from a common man with big dreams to a celebrated superstar for over 3 decades is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

It’s been quite a roller coaster ride in these 30 years: Palash Dutta on his Bollywood journey

Actor, writer, and producer Palash Dutta, who has produced the award-winning short-film Thanks Mom, says this is his 30th year in the industry. He started as a model in 1994, and in 1996, he accidentally got into casting work, but he admits that it has been an interesting journey.“For the past 26 years, I've been casting and coordinating talent for ad films, web series, and films. I've also been doing theatre for 24 years, performing English plays and traveling globally for these performances. From 1994 to 2024, it's been nearly three decades in the industry, and it's been quite a roller coaster ride,” he said.
He pointed out that the industry was quite different when he started out. He added, “We knew most of the industry people, and it was easier to approach directors and producers. You could go to an office, get an appointment, and meet them. Now, things have changed. It's much harder to meet directors personally. Even if you know them, there's a system to follow. You have to go through casting directors who will test and audition you.”
He further said, “Earlier, only hero and heroine roles had managers, but character actors got work through managers and agents too. However, it was still difficult to get work because there were fewer mediums—only television, feature films, TV commercials, and Doordarshan. There was no social media or Internet.”
Palash believes that the industry has changed significantly, both for better and for worse. “On the positive side, there are many new content platforms now, like social media and Instagram, providing more opportunities for actors to earn money. Unlike when I started, there are more mediums available now. Although the supply of actors has increased, so has the demand, leading to stiff competition,” he said.
“In the past, actors had a good shelf life, lasting 10–12 years. Nowadays, there’s a high turnover of actors, with hundreds coming to Bombay daily to pursue acting and modeling,” he added.He mentioned that today everyone wants to be an actor because of the glitz and glamour of the Bollywood industry, however, not many are aware of the reality. “The reality is much darker. It's challenging for actors to survive and sustain themselves because their shelf life is very limited.An actor might have work today, but not tomorrow. Even if a show is a hit, it doesn’t guarantee more offers,” he said.
“I advice new actors to have a backup plan because it's difficult to sustain oneself solely through acting. There's no guarantee of an acting career. One day you could be at the top, and the next, you might fall. It also depends on what medium the actors are targeting—television, theater, or OTT platforms. Some actors have done theatre for years and now find good work in the OTT space, avoiding television because of its regressive nature. They prefer quality work in films, theatre, and OTT platforms, horning their skills and finding contentment in their craft,” he ended.

Sanjay Mishra and Vineet Kumar rescued Rohitashv Gour!

In the ever-glamorous world of Bollywood, moments of true heroism often occur behind the scenes. Such was the case for Rohitashv Gour, widely known for his portrayal of Manmohan Tiwari in &TV's popular show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai. Gour recently shared a harrowing experience from the early days of his career, highlighting the lifesaving actions of his close friends and esteemed actors, Sanjay Mishra and Vineet Kumar. Reflecting on the incident, Rohitashv Gour recounted, "It was the 1990s, and Sanjay, Vineet, and I were sharing a rented apartment in Santacruz, Mumbai, close to the airport. One sweltering summer night, we decided to sleep on the terrace due to ongoing birthday party of landlord’s son and seeking relief from the heat, unaware of a water spill from the tank above. Despite the constant noise from airplanes, we eventually fell asleep. The next morning, I woke up to a terrifying reality. I could barely move. Sensing something was wrong, Sanjay and Vineet sprang into action without hesitation. They struggled to help me stand and walk, but their determination was unwavering. They managed to get me to the hospital just in time. The doctor said that my spine had been exposed to the water throughout the night, leading to my near-paralyzed state. And if my friends had not acted so quickly, I could have suffered a severe injury. It was a terrifying experience, but I was grateful for Sanjay and Vineet’s quick actions and unwavering support. The actor adds further, "Following the incident, I faced a long and painful recovery, decided to leave Mumbai and return to my hometown, where I spent several months on bed rest. Once I regained my strength, I joined the National School of Drama Repertory Company in Delhi, dedicating six years to honing the craft before returning to Mumbai in 1997 to restart my journey. That experience left an indelible mark on me. What Sanjay and Vineet did for me during that difficult time is a memory I will forever be thankful for. I truly admire and appreciate them from the bottom of my heart. In an industry often dominated by stories of rivalry and competition, this tale of friendship and heroism serves as a reminder of the deep bonds that can form amidst the glittering lights of the entertainment industry."Keep watching Rohitashv Gour as Manmohan Tiwari in Bhabiji Ghar par Hai at 10:30 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV!

Nora has influenced a lot of dancers and through her I get to share my artistic skills work : Rajit Dev

Actress and dancing diva Nora Fatehi has recently released her latest song named after her. The song has been choreographed by the talented Rajit Dev.Nora and Rajit have given many popular music videos in the past. Talking about their newest collaboration Rajit says,”This is Nora’s first international song and introduction to a wider audience globally. The concept is about Nora who is a Moroccan by blood and was raised in Canada and then made her career in Indian film industry . She speaks about all these different cultures and how countries unite together through art. It’s about her journey how it started and what she wants to achieve.” The music video was shot in Morocco and It is directed by Abderafia.
Rajit also adds,”The song is very unique, it has a lot of Moroccan percussions. It’s more towards the morrocan culture, yet she wanted to integrate her Canadian and Indian styles. So my brief was to make a fusion of all the styles from these 3 countries. The choreography has 3 parts. Commercial hiphop depicting Canada, I’ve used a lot of Indian traditional styles to make the Indian sequence & Moroccan style. Specially in the hookstep I’ve used garba because the sound made me move like that.” In last few years the duo has given hits like ‘Zaalim’, ‘Pachtaoge', 'Chhod Denge', 'Dirty Little Secret', the 'FIFA World Cup anthem', ‘Pepeta’. When asked about their magic equation Rajit says,” Touchwood. The reason we been working together is because we both respect each others creativity. She has immense belief in my work. So whenever we do something it has a lot of positivity which makes our work special.” In the world full of music videos Rajit knows his challenges and is always well prepared. He says,”I grew up watching music videos from the West and was inclined towards the new stuff and that’s the challenge I like to take all the time. I also want to mention here the respect Nora and I have towards our dancers. We both care for the dancing community so everytime we do a song we both know that we want people to start dancing. Nora has influenced a lot of dancers and through her I get to share my artistic skills. she always does 100 percent justice to the movements. She makes the moves special. There’s some magic we both create and in the coming time we will create more innovative stuff.”

The lead actress who has ruled the television: Seema Kapoor talks about her journey

Who says that being choosy on screen can limit your options? Actress Seema Kapoor, who has been known for her projects such as Kurukshetra, Virasat, Silsila, Janam-janam, Knock-knock, Hasratein, Padosan, Lok-parlok, Sapnay, Navrang, says that being choosy helped her rise to the top.The actress, who is more recently seen in Bidaai, Saas Vs Bahu, Ek Hazaron Me Meri Behna Hain, Sukanya, Madhubala, Razia Sultan and currently in Udaariyaan, says that she remembers picking up only the best roles for herself. “All my projects have been prominent since they were No.1 shows with high TRPs. I have been often told that I have been the most sought-after actor of television, so I've selected my roles very cautiously. I have done maximum number of lead and centralised roles on television, in spite of being very choosy and refusing more than what I accepted. I was busy doing two shifts a day and what mattered the most was the choice of roles to me, at that time,” adds Seema, who has been part of Trikaal, Yug, Betaal Pachisi, Gul Sanobar, Inteqaam, Vilayti Babu, Miss India, Chandini, Apradh, Airhostess, Hum Hain Anari, Nagin, Saath-saath, Hum Saath Aath Hain, Gharwali- Uparwali and Hasi Toh Phasi.
Talking about her debut project Kismat, she says that she considers herself so lucky to have got a great launch. “My debut project was Kismat and I consider myself fortunate to be introduced by none other than Mr. Ramesh Sippy, the maker of Sholay. He was a school in himself and I learnt the finer nuances because of him and groomed into a seasoned actor,” she says. She adds that her theatre background helped her a great deal on screen as well. “I didn't have to struggle since I began with theatre. I have been part of so many plays including Aaram Haram Hai, Shirin Farhaad, Ki Dosh Si Loona Da, Heer Ranjha, Mirza Sahiban, Sassi Punnu, Ek Ghora Teen Sawaar, Six In A Fix, Main Zinda Hoon, Sharyantra, Made For Each Other, Meri Life Mein Uski Wife. In my play, A Suitable Bride, in which I played 12 roles and broke all records. Then I went into ads and television, and almost grew up in this industry,” she explains.

It’s actually not easy to be a TV actor: Saarvie Omana

Saarvie Omana, who is currently seen playing Meera in the show Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan, is proud to be a TV actor. She admits that people label TV actors so much that they can’t even try for movies or web because they think we TV actors do more drama.“They don't understand that without any rehearsal, or practice, we shoot our scenes. We get the script on the spot many times, and we have to prepare it on the spot, keeping everything in mind, like the emotions of the scene and the actor itself, to remember the lines so that we don't forget or fumble in between the shots, to keep the body language, to convey the exact feel of the scene that the writer has written for the character, etc. So it's actually not easy to be a TV actor; not everyone can do it,” she said.
“I just want to say that if we can perform the scene in one go, then for sure we can perform very well if we get a chance to act in web or movies because there we will practice and polish one scene for months. So just imagine we can perform so well in an on-the-spot given script; then what magic can we create if we perform after months of practice? Because practice makes man perfect, right? I just want to say that an actor is an actor; no one should label them. One has to start somewhere, and if we started with TV, that doesn't mean we only belong to TV,” she added.For Saarvie, keeping herself busy is the most important thing, and that’s why she loves to work for television.
“I'm young, and I can work hard right now. So I just want to work and keep myself busy with shoots, which I get from the television industry. I'm not sitting at home searching for another job; I'm just working daily, and that's what I love the most,” she ended.

Harleen Sethi leads power dynamics in her role as a sassy 'Bad Cop' in new series

Harleen Sethi is set to captivate audiences with her latest role as Devika, a powerful and dynamic senior police officer, in a gripping new series on Disney+ Hotstar. In this groundbreaking role, Sethi's character is not just breaking stereotypes but also leading the power dynamics within her marriage, as she commands respect both at home and in her professional life.Devika is a character who embodies strength, wit, and resilience. Her husband, Karan, played by Gulshan Devaiah in a double role, is junior to her, adding an intriguing layer to their relationship. This dynamic is poignantly highlighted in a pivotal moment from the recently launched trailer, where Devika commands Karan to address her as "Ma'am," showcasing the respect she commands in her professional life.
Reflecting on her role, Harleen shared, “This role is completely different from anything I have done before. It's refreshing to see a woman call the shots in male dominated cop world. Devika is a 'bad cop' who doesn't shy away from expressing her authority because she is proud of her professional achievements. She holds her own in the male-dominated police workforce and has an unwavering vision for what she wants. She controls the power dynamics, she is brave, resilient, and fights for her right in her personal life. I really enjoyed playing such a character.”
The series, which also stars Anurag Kashyap and Saurabh Sachdeva, has already started winning hearts with its recently launched trailer. Harleen Sethi's portrayal of Devika is a refreshing and inspiring representation of a woman in power, balancing her career and personal life with unwavering strength and grace. “I thoroughly enjoyed being directed by Aditya Datt sir and working alongside such a talented cast. And the best part was I got to do action sequences, that’s always been a dream,” Harleen added.
With its powerful narrative and strong performances, the series promises to be a must-watch. Harleen Sethi's role as Devika not only challenges traditional gender roles but also brings a fresh perspective to the dynamics between a husband and wife in a modern, professional setting. As viewers eagerly await the series' release, one thing is clear: Harleen Sethi is set to make a lasting impact with her portrayal of the sassy and formidable 'bad cop.'

First single from natural star Nani’s ‘Saripodhaa Sanivaaram’ to drop on 15th June

Touted as one of the most exciting releases of the year, Natural Star Nani’s upcoming action spectacle ‘Saripodhaa Sanivaaram’ has audiences eagerly awaiting every update. Helmed by Vivek Athreya and produced by D. V. V. Danayya under DVV Entertainment, the film marks Vivek Athreya and Nani’s second collaboration after ‘Ante Sundaraniki’ in 2022. Promising to be a full-blown action entertainer, the makers of the film have now made a big announcement, revealing the release date of the first single with a special video and a small audio clip of the song in the video. It looks like a solid grooving song is coming out after a very long time!
Announcing 15th June as the release date of the film’s first single, DVV Entertainment unveiled an exciting announcement video featuring Natural Star Nani in an electrifying, massy number. Sharing the video, the makers wrote on social media, “This time, he's here early to give you all a heads up about his rage this Saturday.Check it out here:

This time, he's here early to give you all a heads up about his rage this Saturday #SSFirstSingle will blast your speakers on June 15th #SaripodhaaSanivaaram#SuryasSaturday

Natural @NameIsNani @iam_SJSuryah @priyankaamohan #VivekAthreya @JxBe @muraligdop… pic.twitter.com/5WKZJjSFEq

— DVV Entertainment (@DVVMovies) June 10, 2024

Meanwhile, only recently, a crucial action-packed schedule featuring the climax was wrapped up in Hyderabad. A massive set had been created at an aluminium factory, highlighting the scale and grandeur of the production.An action drama, ‘Saripodhaa Sanivaaram’ written and directed by Vivek Athreya is scheduled for worldwide release on 29th August 2024. Produced by D. V. V. Danayya under DVV Entertainment, the film also stars S. J. Suryah, Priyanka Arul Mohan and S. J. Suryah Sai Kumar P. amongst more in pivotal roles. The film’s music is orchestrated by Jakes Bejoy, while editing is handled by Karthika Srinivas. Cinematography is managed by Murali G.