The entourage culture is way too outstretched: Hansa Singh

Actress, tarot card reader, healer, and occultist Hansa Singh, who has been part of projects like Human, Criminal Justice 3, and the film Goodbye, feels the damage in promoting the entourage culture has already been done.Speaking in reference to Anurag Kashyap’s recent interview, where he opened up about the entourage culture that exists in the industry and said that actors come with their own team of 7-8 people, and they are allowed to do it because he or she is the actor of the film, she said, “I feel it’s a catch-22 situation. As of today, we are coming out in the open to talk about it after the damage has been done. I agree that the entourage culture is way too outstretched. Not all are needed, but once they are used to it, the production allows it. Then whom to blame and say?”
But when it comes to social media, she believes it’s the production house that first asks questions about reach and followers. She said, “When the demand is increasing by production houses, they ask ‘what’s your Instagram reach and followers’ before they cast you. It’s so brave of you to ask for that.” She calls herself a lone ranger and says she goes on the set alone. “I cook because I take home-cooked food because I'm responsible for my health. I am a makeup person; I do my own makeup until it's something needed by the character,” she said.
Hansa feels that if the actor is comfortable bringing his or her entourage, it’s their prerogative. “If the actor is professional and knows his work and worth, he might come with just one assistant. As the comfort of an actor is paramount to giving their best for the project, Until and unless the talent is taken care of and not a burden on the production house,” she ended.

Arjun Bijlani on fashion: It's all about feeling confident in what I wear

Actor Arjun Bijlani, who is shooting for two shows - Laughter chefs and Pyaar Ka Pehela Adhyay: Shiv Shakti, believes that fashion is all about expressing yourself creatively. He adds that, for him, it’s a very personal choice. "Fashion, to me, is a way to express myself creatively and also adapt to the current trends. It's all about feeling confident in what I wear and reflecting my personality through my style choices," he says.
When it comes to the style of his characters, the attention to detail in his character's outfit is crucial for him to get into character, he says, adding. "The outfit that my character wears is important because it helps me get into character. When I wear outfits that align with my character's personality, it enhances my performance by making me feel more connected to the role," he explains. He also adds that the audience's love for glamour and fashion, “The clothes they wear on set are always up to the mark and influence their performance,” he says.
When it comes to his wardrobe choices, Arjun maintains a balance between style and ease. "It's a balance between fashion and comfort for me. While I enjoy experimenting with new, different styles and trends, comfort is important to me, especially during long shooting hours. If I'm comfortable, I can focus better on my scenes," he says.
Arjun believes in evolving his style while staying true to what suits him best. “It's about adapting current trends in a way that compliments my personality. I enjoy adding my personal touch to outfits to make them uniquely mine. Also, I love adding some accessories to my look," he shares.
For Arjun, having different looks for different occasions is essential. “I try to dress according to the place I am. For example, if I am on vacation, I am mostly going to be in my PJs or sandos and shorts. If I am on a yacht, I would like to wear pants with a printed shirt or a simple jacket which I did wear recently. And obviously, for weddings or festivals, traditional attire works the best. Shades are a must (haha)," he concludes.

Shivangi Verma: Many of my casting opportunities have come directly from social media

Tera Ishq Mera Fitoor actress Shivangi Verma, says that social media has played a significant role in her life and career. Shivangi views social media as a game-changer and a blessing for artists like herself.“Social media plays a very important role in my life. It's a game changer. If used right, it can take someone from zero to a hundred in terms of fame and recognition. For artists like me, who might not have received the respect they deserve solely based on their talent, social media has been a blessing. Initially, I was hesitant about it, but my mother encouraged me to showcase my work and personality online. As a result, things started working in my favour. I've even been cast in significant projects through social media, such as the biggest music album of my career with Himesh Reshammiya and other projects in 2021,” she says.
She adds, “I'm in touch with many influential casting directors and people in the industry through my social media connections. However, while I believe social media is like a godsend, I also understand the importance of setting boundaries. Too much of anything can be harmful. Social media can expose us to all kinds of people, both good and bad, and sometimes inappropriate content. Despite its downsides, I personally find social media to be the best thing.”
However, Shivangi Verma also acknowledges the importance of setting boundaries and recognizes that social media can expose users to inappropriate content. "Social media has enhanced my career significantly, adding more stars to it. Through social media, people have come to know me better and more deeply. Many of my casting opportunities have come directly from social media, and I believe it will continue to play a crucial role in my career's growth,” she says, adding, “Unfortunately, social media platforms themselves don't directly support monetization for content creators like me, but it still serves as a great way to engage with people and involve them in daily activities. When I'm not acting, I focus on creating content, planning my makeup, and thinking about what to share next. This engagement indirectly provides a sense of employment and motivation, especially when I see support from fans in the form of likes and comments. These interactions mean a lot to me and contributed a lot to my journey.”
When asked about the credibility of social media popularity, Shivangi shares that she was initially criticized by her friends and family for using social media to showcase her talent. “Unfortunately, among all my friends and extended family, I was the first one to start using social media and find success on it. I had to prove myself because many of them didn't support me, whether openly or behind my back. They used to criticise me, saying that talent doesn't show on social media. They felt that they had worked hard in the industry and were now seeing people on social media gaining fame easily.
Now, ironically, I see that many of them have also joined social media and are doing exactly what I did before. I feel proud that I've indirectly or directly motivated them to follow my path,” she says.Regarding the algorithm changes and fluctuations in views on reels, Shivangi says that she takes social media seriously but does not get frustrated when her reels do not receive views. Instead, she works harder to improve her content and increase its circulation. "See, because for me, social media is really serious. I don't take it lightly. So, when I don't get views on reels, I work on it. I do not get frustrated at all because it is for my own good. I know the more views I'll get, the more my reels are going to circulate. So I don't get frustrated at all. In fact, I work more towards it," she said.

Singer Alok Singh shares his take on social media's impact

Singer Alok Singh, who has sung the song Rang Ishq Da, says that social media can be both a bane and a boon. He says that it has given a platform to so many talented people.“Social media is a vast game with countless creators and creations. While it offers a great platform to showcase talents, I never call anyone my competitor, and I don't see myself that way either. Everyone has talent, and the Instagram algorithm works based on people's interests. Some realities we can't change, and it's not sad but a fact that I have accepted. For me, social media is about sharing my work and connecting with like-minded people. I draw the line when it comes to compromising my values or authenticity for the sake of views and followers,” he says.
Talking about how the platform has helped him, he says, “Social media is the first thing people ask about, making it a powerful tool in today's world. Whenever I meet someone new, the first question they ask is, 'What's your social media handle?' So yes, it has been a significant help and a blessing for me.” Ask him if he has felt overwhelmed by how quickly those around him have got popular on social media, and he says, “The more we view things as a competition, the more we get stuck in our own struggles. I feel happy for those around me who have cracked the social media algorithm. My growth is slow and steady, and I prefer it that way, adding more energetic and entertaining content over time. I take my own pace, believing in daily progress rather than a sudden boom. I believe in consistent growth, not just one-time success.”
He adds, “The graph goes up and down, but it doesn't affect my emotional state. Social media teaches you a lot of things. Sometimes, you put your heart and soul into content, and it doesn't perform as well as you hoped. However, it still works in terms of reaching a more targeted audience. Just like life has its ups and downs, so does social media. For me, engagement and interactions with my posts are far more important than just views and likes.”

PAN-India Film 'Double Ismart' starring Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt shoot completed!

Double Ismart in the blockbuster combination of Ustaad Ram Pothineni and Director Puri Jagannadh is getting ready for its theatrical release on 15th August as Independence Day special. Meanwhile, the entire shoot of the movie has been completed. The post-production works are also underway.
The movie is a highly anticipated action-packed entertainer. It is is going to be double the madness to the prequel in 'Ismart Shankar'. The movie stars Ustaad Ram Pothineni, Sanjay Dutt in a powerful role and Kavya Thapar as the leading lady opposite Ram.Produced by Puri Jagannadh and Charmee Kaur on Puri Connects banner. Double ISMART will be released in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi worldwide on 15th August 2024.