Manasi Scott & Metastar media redefine music in the virtual realm

Manasi Scott and Metastar Media are set to premiere their groundbreaking virtual space, MANASIVERSE, a fully immersive Metaverse platform that will allow fans and followers to engage and interact with Manasi’s world like never before. As a multi-faceted artist, her interests and endeavours keep evolving, and this unique virtual world extends beyond her music to every aspect of her career.
With over 3000 live concerts to her credit, Manasi Scott has been called ‘The Ultimate Entertainer’ by Citadel, ‘The Mistress of Music’ by Maxim and is the only Indian artiste to have graced the cover of The Week. She seamlessly traverses different paths in the entertainment industry, from singing playback in Hindi and Tamil, acting in Bollywood films & OTT serials, to being a fashion icon & showstopper for some of the top designers in India. Undoubtedly the number one choice for any live performance, Manasi has several accolades to her name including The Femina Powerlist Award, Numero Uno WOW Award & the INCA – the last to recognise her 179 back-to-back online concerts over 145 days during the Covid lockdown. And she was the only artiste invited to perform at the high-profile Nick Jonas – Priyanka Chopra wedding.
“I love this beautiful, new journey I am on with Metastar and that too in the metaverse!! Web 3 is an extremely exciting space for me to interact more with my fans and in a radical, new way and vice versa” said Manasi Scott.The vibrant personality, creative adaptability, and distinctive place she has gained in the entertainment world will all be reflected in her virtual world, which will serve as an innovative & interactive space for her millions of followers to digitally connect and delve further into her legacy.
“My followers get an actual peek into not only my space but also new business ventures, access to more products and have my life’s work always a click away, in a single spot. I am also entering the big world of NFTs and so looking forward to creating my own brand while collaborating with other NFT artists as well.” she adds."We are incredibly excited to collaborate with Manasi Scott on our Artisteverse project" added Shatadru Sarkar, Co-founder of Metastar Media. “She is one of the most multifaceted artistes I know and the metaverse is the perfect vehicle for her to shine a light on the different aspects of her career & her various accomplishments – from music to martial arts!”    

Bigg Boss 17 : Rinku Dhawan had a heated argument with Khanzaadi, she wanted to break her face 

One more heated argument turned out into a bad fight in the Bigg Boss house. The latest episode witnessed an ugly fight between Khanzaadi, Aishwarya Sharma and Rinku Dhawan. Initially it was only between Aishwarya and Khanzaadi which started during the task. While performing the task, Samarth Jurel, although unintentionally, had actually inappropriately touched Aishwarya.
But for obvious reasons, that triggered Aishwarya and she started shouting. Khanzaadi escalated the fight by saying that Aishwarya was doing all of this to seek attention and referred her as attention seeker. Aishwarya lost her calm and yelled at Khanzaadi for using such cheap words against her. Rinku, who was sitting next to Aishwarya, lost her patience and bashed Khanzaadi for placing wrong allegations against Aishwarya. Rinku rightly said, "No woman would make such false claims for attention.” 
Aishwarya broke down in tears and Neil came to console her. At that moment, all the contestants stood against Khanzaadi for her comment but she was too adamant to listen. Rinku was extremely agitated and was ready to leave the show after hitting Khanzaadi. It was her good friend Munawar who told her that even if you hit Khanzaadi, that wouldn't  console Aishwarya. After sometime Rinku cooled down. Khanzaadi’s constant ugly behaviour is definitely ruining BB house’s atmosphere. We all hope Salman Khan takes this point up during the Weekend Ka Vaar.

Somy Ali: Rejection is a huge part of the acting world

Actress Somy Ali, who has been part of numerous films, says that surviving in the industry is not easy. Somy says that people need to be aware of the struggle required to survive here, before they decide to join the industry.“I believe that if an individual is solely passionate about being in the entertainment industry, he or she is also hopefully prepared and comprehends that the chances of making it big are significantly low. It could be one with immense talent, but unfortunately, there are politics and luck and both play a huge role in anyone succeeding or tasting the inevitable failure. I am not being pessimistic here, rather saying that in any profession it's difficult to immediately gain success and even Brad Pitt started out as an extra. But particularly actors should be wary of the fact that rejection is a huge part of the acting world,” she says.
She adds, “It doesn't mean you won't make it and must quit because I am all for never giving up, but I am also pragmatic enough to know when to bow down and look for an exit sign. Thus, my advice is to give oneself a deadline that I will try for so many years and if nothing good comes my way, I will go to plan B. Let's not forget that Subhash Ghai wanted to be an actor, but he ended up becoming one of the best directors in the Hindi film industry and we deem him to be a huge asset.”
She says that, for her, acting was never a priority. “For me, I have always since I was a child wanted to help others. Thus, acting was never a thought nor a goal and I don't need to explain why I ended up in Bollywood and why I took off as it's all redundant at this point. However, I will say the euphoria and gratitude I have received via my NGO is not only indescribable, but a feeling only one who has seen and experienced immense trauma will comprehend. It's as if a former alcoholic is now running an NGO to help alcoholics quit for good,” she says.
She adds, “Only those who experience specific misfortunes can ascertain the feeling of bringing joy and the end to another's suffering that he/she had suffered themselves. My profession for the past 16 years has been working alongside with the law enforcement and given it takes a huge toll on my psyche, my training helps me a great deal because I know for certain that conclusively the people we rescue be it a woman, child or a man will be safe and abuse free once under our care. There's nothing more unique when it comes to a reward after putting your own life in danger for others and then seeing the ones you have rescued thrive and live a stable happy life.” she says.

On-screen Kavya's graph is growing and there is ample scope for good performance- Sumbul Touqeer

Sumbul Toqueer, who is playing Kavya, is overwhelmed with the response the show is getting. Her on-screen character Kavya, who is an IAS officer, is falling in love with Miskhat Verma's character Adiraj Pradhan. She says," On-screen Kavya's graph is growing  and there is ample scope for good performance." Her on-screen chemistry with Mikhkat Verma has been appreciated a lot. Speaking about it she says," He is a spontaneous actor like me, and he goes into detail for the scenes. He is a good co-star". 
On being asked about getting compliments from fans, she said," My fans are very happy; one of the fans gifted me a star on my birthday; another fan told me that they can only imagine me in Kavya's role and another one keeps sending clips of my scenes.  Frankly, it is the adulation that inspires me to work hard." On being asked what she does when she gets off, she says," I eat good food and sleep well. Good sleep is very important for an actor. I love my work, I love my home, I am a happy person and I take life as it comes. My family means the world to me. I agree with the saying that life is all about loving your family and living in the present." Well, Sumbul we must say as a 20-year-old you have fantastic wisdom and you represent the youth of India too.

Sheezan Khan makes a comeback with Chand Jalne Laga!

Sheezan Khan has returned to the fiction genre with Chand Jalne Laga after almost a year: Happy to make a comeback, he says, "Initially, I had reservations about accepting the offer to join the show midway, especially as the paral-Iel lead. However, my fears vanished when I heard the narration. Sheezan, who has started shooting for Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Chand Jalne Laga, is grateful for the opportunity He says, "One should know his reality and I understand mine. At a time when people hesitated to offer me work, someone dared to do so. Securing the top position is within my control but for that. I need to be part of the race first. Aap mujhe dasve number par ra-kho, pehle number par aana mujhe aata hai. For now, I am glad to be back," he says, adding, "Most of my learnings have come from watching my mother single-handedly raise my sisters and me. I have seen her fail and succeed as she set up several small-scale businesses to support us."Sheezan, who was seen in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi a few months ago, is excited about returning to daily soaps. He says, "The best thing about being part of a daily soap is that an actor gets to connect with his audience instantly and learn on the job. I am fine with starting again from zero because, at least, I have the guts to restart. Besides, I have not changed my approach to work. I still consider myself a newcomer, and I will see myself as one until the end because life teaches you something new every day." He adds,“ Being on a TV show set is my happy place, and it was nice to hear the action and 'cut after almost a year. Daily soaps always keep you on your toes because there is no scope for error”.

Kirti Sualy on being part of Kumkum Bhagya: It’s a role that I have been yearning to do

Actress Kirti Sualy, who is back on the cast of a TV show after four years, says that she loves being part of Kumkum Bhagya. The actress says that the role is very different from what she has played before.“Relatively speaking, I haven't been off the television screen as such. Some of the previous projects have been repeatedly telecast. Hence, my presence hasn't been missed as such. But, yes it's almost four years since I last worked in a show,” she says.
She adds, “I portray the character of a Grandmother, she is sweet, positive and lively. And, of course, the creative team incorporates usual elements that spice up the character. The ‘tadka’ is there to make her interesting and entertaining. My Character in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai was that of an strict old school woman, an authoritarian! The dadi in Kumkum Bhagya is a world apart. It is something I have been yearning to do.”
Meanwhile, she says that she loves working with Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms. “A healthy work environment is an absolute necessity no matter what your profession is. Since our job is time bound, at times it does get stressful, but there are no qualms about it, as it is like a party otherwise. I have been fortunate and privileged to have been associated with Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms. My association with them goes back to ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, my part in the series was cut short. It was a creative call, and my role was collateral damage that they could not avoid. Thereafter I did Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar, but again, the series ran only for about a year - 2014-2015. Coincidentally, I was offered a part in Kumkum Bhagya soon after, but due to my commitment with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai back then, I couldn't take  up the offer. But it was destined if I may say so,” she says.
She adds that with OTT coming along, TV has also evolved. “With the advent of OTT platforms, creative content has seen a sea change. With so many options available for the viewers, one has to be aware of the people's preferences. Coming up with new ideas and creating interesting concepts has always been and will be the need of the hour,” she says.

Falaq Naaz: Networking and references don’t matter much

Actress Falaq Naaz, who has been part of shows such as Sasural Simar Ka, says that getting that big break in the industry required a constant struggle. However, she adds that this struggle was not one that was based on connections.“Honestly, when I first came here, I didn’t have any direct connections. Yes Masterji, encouraged me to give it a shot. After arriving, I looked up production houses on Google and found numbers in the telephone directory. I would go directly to the production house, introduce myself, and gradually build connections. It wasn’t about having someone vouch for me; it was about proving myself through auditions. I believe that networking and references don’t matter much because if you have talent, it speaks for itself,” she says.
She adds, “I don't think it's just about having contacts or depending on references. It seems like a jackpot when both talent and a strong reference align, leading to potential opportunities. However, I've observed that even with a powerful reference, if one lacks the required talent, they won't be able to deliver what the industry demands. In essence, without the ability to perform, having influential contacts might not lead to success in the acting field.”
Talking about nepotism, she says, “Nepotism is common, but I believe that today's audience, whether on the big screen or on television, is pretty discerning. They value talent, as shown by actors such as Ranbir Kapoor, who, despite being from a film family, gained recognition worldwide for his performances. It's not fair to blame success purely on nepotism, because many actors come from strong families. Family connections play an important part in many fields, such as having a family of doctors or advocates. Criticising nepotism in the entertainment industry is easy because there's little opposition, but in reality, success hinges on individual talent.”
She adds, “It does happen that sometimes you don’t get the opportunities you desire. There are instances when you’re interested in something, but you can’t progress further. However, there are also times when people say that maybe God has something even better in mind. They advise you to wait patiently; good things will come. In reality, what we think is good for us might not always turn out that way, and something better might come along eventually. It’s just a matter of time and requires patience. Personally, I believe that if you find a strong character or opportunity that you like, it’s worth taking a bit of a risk. I’ve experienced this myself; sometimes, actors face budget constraints or uncertainties, but if the character is compelling, I take the chance and agree. For instance, in my role on Sasural Simar Ka, I initially had a negative and cameo part for a two-month shoot. However, my track extended, and Janvi’s character lasted until the end of the show. Such things happen, and you should trust your instincts. Assess how strong the character is, and your performance can transform it into a great opportunity.”
Success depends on how you work, says the actress, adding, “I feel that when you have a passion for your work, passion to perform, you tend to focus on performance-oriented aspects. It's important to maintain the enthusiasm for working, unlike some who get stuck in a mindset like, "I'll work in this particular way; this is my budget, and I won't compromise." This is when the person goes from hero to zero. If someone handles success with humility, respects others, and avoids throwing tantrums, they won't become a zero. The key is to stay grounded, treating everyone with love and respect from top to bottom. In this industry or anywhere, being grounded matters. When people inquire about your behaviour from previous production houses, how you work becomes important .A single negative remark can impact your career. So, it's essential to manage your character and attitude carefully. If you do that, you'll undoubtedly go far in the industry.”

Sandeep Anand on May I Come In Madam: Sajan Agarwal is just for entertainment purpose; cannot be a real person

Actor Sandeep Anand, who is part of the show May I Come In Madam season 2, produced by Sanjay and Binaffer kohli's Edit II Production, says that his character is not someone he relates to. He says that people should also not try to emulate Sajan Agarwal.“Sajan Agrwal can’t be a real person, and one should never be like Sajan Agrwal for the sake of a happy married life. This character is for fun and people should just watch it for the purpose of pure entertainment. Yes, as an actor, I try to put nuances into the character from the real world to make it relatable and contemporary. Our team does the same but our purpose is comedy. I take off the mask of Sajan Agrwal and his mindset when I remove my makeup for the day. I have few positive people around bless fully yet I am single though but completely focused on work nowadays with a hardworking team,” he says.
Talking about his preparation for the show, he says, “Avineshwar Gaddam has made up for me since the first season of May I Come In Madam. He is very passionate about his work too. I trust him for my character looks and also, I trust my cinematographer, Raja Dada (Raja Satankar ). I have been working with him for a few days, I never go and see the monitor after my shot unless it is required for some technical reasons. There’s a lot to do at May I come to Madam set. It's fun. I never feel time.”
Meanwhile he says that he loves working on TV. “TV has a wide reach. TV actors are frequently in touch with the audience for years, creating and delivering contemporary content on a daily basis. That automatically evolves one as an actor,” he says, adding, “However, I make sure of that fact that the roles that I play don’t affect my personal self. I learnt this process of detachment in my theatre days, I observe and deliver the character with the help of my director, writers and the team.

Mithoon dedicates ITA award to wife Palak Muchhal, says ‘Kyunki tum hi ho!’

Melodious power couple composer Mithoon and singer Palak Muchhal took to stage together again as winners at the recent Indian Television Awards (ITA) at Filmcity with super-excited fans cheering for their favourite celebs walking the red carpet. Mithoon, whose Gadar 2 songs are still making waves the world over, dedicated the award to his wife Palak, who dedicated her special award to him and sang Ghar Aaja Pardesi from Gadar 2 and Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2.
“I am blessed that Gadar 2 is so loved by the audiences. Saeed Quadri sahab’s lyrics were so amazing that they stood up to the original Anand Bakshi ji’s lyrics. He is as much a recipient of the award as me. It was a great responsibility and I am glad I could do justice to it. Aashiqui 2, earlier, was as big a responsibility.”
The soft-spoken Mithoon also took this musical opportunity to express his love for his wife Palak.  “I dedicate my success to Palak as she is my life partner;  my credit and happiness are as much hers as they are mine. Kyunki tum hi ho...” Palak beamed at the compliment.