Amitabh Bachchan unveils key updates on 'Kalki 2898 AD'

With less than two months until its release, the epic saga ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, helmed by visionary Nag Ashwin, has audiences eagerly anticipating every detail and update about the film. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani in key roles, a new update about the film has thrilled netizens. Sharing an important update regarding the much-anticipated sci-fi film, the film’s actor, Amitabh Bachchan, revealed that ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ is nearing completion. He shared that he is working late into the night on the project, as all is coming to an end, with production currently on the last leg of the shoot.
He wrote, “Late again .. but late from work last night .. as the completion of KALKI approaches .. and as has been informed it is May 9th of the release .. So last efforts to get all in shape and in order to bring to all an experience that promises the vision of the makers ..I must to the other workplace now .. the gym .. to mobilise the body .. to make it work in accordance with daily routines and routines that may come up in the future ..The future is ever the unknown .. but no harm in visualising it .. and to believe that if thought out shall sought out ..Ahh ! a new phrase earning in the best shape of the cerebrum.”Directed by Nag Ashwin and bankrolled by Vyjayanthi Movies, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ is a multilingual film, a mythology-inspired sci-fi spectacle set in the future. The film is set to hit the screens in India on May 9, 2024.

Namita Lal: Cinema and music surrounded me from a very young age

Actress-producer Namita Lal who is known for her projects Before Life After Death, Lihaaf: The Quilt, Country of Blind, Made In Heaven as well as Oxygen, says that she has always been enveloped in a world where cinema played a predominant role. She says that she was exposed to a lot of cinema while growing up.
“I was born and brought up in households in Lucknow, Calcutta, Delhi, and Jaipur where cinema, music, dancing, and theatre were part of the DNA. Both my parents are ardent cinema and theatre lovers; my mother is a trained singer who studied under Begum Akhtar and graduated from Bhatkhande University. My dad was a professor of English literature at Lucknow University before he became a government servant. Cinema and music surrounded me from a very young age, so I developed a fondness for the arts and music. In college, I developed a real love for theatre after participating in a big theatre production at Kamani in Delhi. Being part of St. Stephen reignited my passion for theatre, as the theatre scene is prevalent in Delhi. That's how I became very interested in the field of acting,” she says.
She adds, “Again, because my parents were ardent cinema lovers, I was exposed to a lot of the kind of films that they would watch in those days. So, whether it was Raj Kapoor's 'Barsaat', 'Ganga Jamuna', or films like 'Do Bigha Zamin' by Bimal Roy, Meena Kumari, and all of that cinema from that time. And then there was growing up with 'Bobby' and 'Sholay', and all of the wonderful stuff of the 80s and 90s. It was just wonderful cinema in those days, and I think that art was so ingrained in me. Just looking at the discussions we used to have at home after we came back from watching films, even a Dev Anand film like 'Manoranjan'. I watched 'Zeenat Aman' from a very young age, so we used to have discussions, and the family was very modern in their thinking. It was very inspiring to have serious debates with my dad and my mom. So yeah, that's how my love for cinema stayed very alive even through my banking career.”
Ask her what changes she feels have taken place in the film industry, she says, “There were lots of changes in the type of cinema. I recently participated in a panel discussion on female sensuality and the treatment of women's stature in Indian Cinema over the years, and I spoke about the genre, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, how they used to look at relationships and how it was, it was so open, liberated, and experimental in human relations. Then, it changed over the 80s and 90s. Today, again because of OTT and the exposure people have to the world of cinema, the style is changing. So yeah, it's an ever-changing medium, going through some rapid changes now with the whole paradigm shift in the way people watch content. That automatically changes the way cinema is being made as well. And of course, the ease of shooting a film makes it much different. You don't have to spend huge budgets and months into making a film; it's faster and reaches the audience faster. All kinds of age groups are being given an opportunity to do good characters and good roles.”

Sherleen Dutt: With fear and stress, people find themselves struggling with mental health concerns

Our lives today are replete with stress and anxiety, and this is what is causing multiple mental issues, says actress Sherleen Dutt. The actress, who was last seen in Honey Trap squad and KINK, says that it’s great to see that along with mental health issues, a certain awareness about mental health treatments has also cropped up.“Since the Covid outbreak and subsequent lockdowns, mental health and depression have become more prominent topics of discussion. With the challenges of isolation, uncertainty, and fear, many people have found themselves struggling with their mental well-being,” she says.
She adds, “The conversation around mental health has definitely expanded to include teenagers as well. Young people are increasingly recognizing the importance of mental wellness and are more willing to talk about their struggles openly. It's encouraging to see this shift in awareness and acceptance.” However, sharing your innermost feelings with anyone must be done with caution, she says. “While sharing can be therapeutic and helpful, it's important to maintain boundaries and be mindful of oversharing. Vulnerability is a strength, but it's also essential to protect oneself from exploitation or manipulation. Finding a balance between openness and self-protection is key,” she says.
Ask her how she takes care of her mental health, and she says, “Personally, I prioritise my mental health by practicing self-care routines such as meditation, exercise, spending time with loved ones, and seeking professional support when needed. It's crucial to listen to my own needs and take proactive steps to nurture my emotional well-being.”

Charrul Malik: I have never faced any confusion about my career path

Journalist-turned-actress Charrul Malik who is currently part of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai,  says that when it came to her career as a news anchor, she was very clear from the beginning that this is the line she wanted to go into. She says that she was always prepared to put in as much hard work as it took to get there.“I've been fortunate not to face any confusion about my career path. I always knew I wanted to be in the news industry since I was 7 or 8 years old. I started working at 15, and with the support of my parents, well-wishers, and by the grace of God, I became a news anchor at All India Radio, Chandigarh. I was clear about pursuing education simultaneously, so I graduated in law, inspired by my dad who is a lawyer,” she says.
She adds, “Nowadays, children often choose careers quite different from their parents, even though parents might prefer them to follow the same path for a stable foundation. Today's kids are a bit more stubborn; they know what they want, have a clear vision for their future, and possess the power to make decisions. Despite being tech-savvy and having numerous platforms for research and analysis, they sometimes feel confused due to the overwhelming options. With Google, Instagram, and other social media, there's an abundance of information, leading to comparisons and a sense of pressure within peer groups. Kids may make quick decisions, experimenting without much patience for the stability and consistency needed to pursue a particular path. This sometimes results in realising their choices weren't the right fit after a couple of years. The desire for experimentation and a lack of patience for sustained effort seem to be common challenges in today's dynamic environment.”
Talking about how she prepared herself for her career, she says, “I made the decision to pursue a career in news anchoring at the age of 7 or 8. My proficiency in Hindi, thanks to my mother being a Hindi professor, and the encouragement and education I received at home built my confidence. I was drawn to news reporting, both in Hindi and English. Despite people thinking it's a casual statement, I genuinely decided at that young age. With unwavering support from my parents, it wasn't a difficult choice. Engaging in extracurricular activities from a young age, I developed confidence on stage, excelled in grasping and delivering information, and had a knack for eloquent pronunciation. My grandfather, a former IAS officer and MP MLA, influenced me with his impressive speeches. While I may not be exactly like him, a bit of his essence might run in my blood. My mother, who taught me a lot, and my talented and supportive father played crucial roles in shaping me. I believe the inheritance from my family, along with hard work, enabled me to achieve what I have in life.”
She had to work very hard, says the actress, adding, “I didn't face any struggles, but hard work was a constant. There were challenging moments, like getting up at 3 am for news anchoring, especially during the ‘Pehli Khabar’ show on Star News, where we were the only channel broadcasting at 5 am. I started and consistently anchored the show, even when others left the channel. Waking up around 3:30 or 3:45 am, getting makeup done, and going through the script before going on air at 5 am was routine. Despite odd hours and non-stop work, I never had any issues, and I worked diligently without any complaints. I am grateful for my career and the choices I made, and I attribute my success to the hard work I've put in. I'd say I've worked hard, but I see it more as dedication than a struggle.”
Ask her what tips does she have for people who want to enter the media industry, and she says, “The advice that I would like to give to people is that if you aspire to enter the media industry, think carefully because it's not everyone's forte to go live for 8 to 9 hours daily. As a news anchor, you need to be confident, spontaneous, excellent in speaking skills, possess good diction, and be presentable 24/7. Being a news anchor means being prepared to go live anytime, facing questioning on various subjects, and staying aware of both national and international events. Even if you don't know something, you should have the ability to appear knowledgeable. My advice to those looking up to me is to be thoroughly prepared because every day is a learning experience. Never assume you know everything because live situations can reveal gaps in your knowledge. Be confident but not overconfident, patient rather than impatient, and avoid throwing tantrums. Find joy in your work; otherwise, it will reflect on your face when you are live. Remember, the world is watching you, but it doesn't know what's happening with you, so maintain inner peace, stay calm, be cool, and radiate positive energy.”

Happu Ki Ultan Paltan marks 5 years of laughter and entertainment

&TV's gharelu comedy Happu Ki Ultan Paltan celebrates its five-year milestone. The show, which narrates the escapades of Daroga Happu Singh (Yogesh Tripathi), his Dabangg Dulhaniya Rajesh (Geetanjali Mishra), an obstinate mother, Katori Amma (Himani Shivpuri), and his nine notorious children, has been successfully entertaining the audiences with its rib-tickling tracks. The team celebrated the show milestone by cutting a cake on the set and dancing to music together.
Speaking about the show's success, producer Sanjay Kohli from Edit II Productions shared, "The show Happu Ki Ultan Paltan has successfully achieved the idea of creating a show that can instantly lift anyone's mood. Today, as we mark five years of its completion, our ongoing commitment remains to deliver laughter and share the delight of comedy year after year. Moments like this hold significance and reaffirm our dedication to entertaining our audience while staying true to our values. I am immensely proud and extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Edit II and &TV for their tireless efforts and achievements. Above all, I thank our audience for their unwavering love, support, and appreciation."
Geetanjali Mishra, essaying Rajesh, added, “I am delighted to be a part of a show that has brought joy and laughter to its viewers for the past five years. Although I only joined the show last year, the strong bond between everyone on the set makes me feel like I have been a part of it forever. To kickstart our celebration of five years, we first visited Ujjain to express our gratitude to Mahadev at the Shri Mahakaleshwar temple. We also had the opportunity to meet and interact with our fans in Indore, and the overwhelming response I received from them truly touched me. People called me Rajjo, which shows how they graciously accepted me in this role. I hope to continue entertaining them and staying with the show until the end. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the channel and the producer for their belief in me and for making me a part of this incredible journey.”
Himani Shivpuri, essayed by Katori Amma, says, “The unity and companionship we share as a team have gotten us to this moment, which we will cherish forever. My journey as Katori Amma has been more enduring and has changed with the trend, fulfilling the demands of the Indian audience. I have been in this industry for almost four decades and have played numerous characters, but Katori Amma will always be my most cherished role. These amazing five years would not have been possible without our producers, writers, directors, actors, and technicians, who have worked towards making this show so successful and for so long. Cheers to five years of laughter and madness.”
Yogesh Tripathi, aka Daroga Happu Singh, concluded, “I am grateful to the channel, producer, and our audience for the show's success. I must say the show has given me a new identity in the industry, and people’s love for the character of Happu Singh is boundless. To celebrate this milestone and the Mahashivratri festival, I visited Indore and Ujjain with my on-screen wife, Rajesh (Geetanjali Mishra), to seek blessings at Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain. Upon returning, the celebrations continued with a cake-cutting ceremony on our sets with the cast and crew, who worked tirelessly day and night to make the show successful. I hope the audience’s love for the show continues for many years.” Keep watching your favourite Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, airing every Monday to Friday at 10:00 pm only on &TV!