Srikanth makers' installed beeper audio signalling device for visually impaired

In a heartwarming display of empathy and inclusivity, the creators behind the much-anticipated film "Srikanth - Aa Raha Hai Sabki Aankhein Kholne" are extending their narrative beyond the silver screen. Taking inspiration from the remarkable journey of Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired entrepreneur who defied the odds, the film's makers are spearheading a transformative initiative at the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind in Mumbai. Gulshan Kumar Initiative installing a beeper audio signaling device at the nearby traffic signal, they aim to provide crucial auditory cues and descriptions for individuals with visual impairments, ensuring their safe navigation across the bustling streets. This is the first ever step taken in the automation towards inclusivity.
This thoughtful endeavor seamlessly aligns with the ethos of the film, which promises to resonate deeply with audiences. "Srikanth - Aa Raha Hai Sabki Aankhein Kholne" embarks on a moving exploration of resilience, determination, and the power of the human spirit. Led by the stellar performances of Rajkummar Rao, Jyotika, Alaya F, and Sharad Kelkar, the movie offers more than just entertainment—it serves as an encouragement to embrace life's challenges with courage and optimism.Gulshan Kumar and T-Series Presents a T-Series Films & Chalk N Cheese Films Production LLP, SRI is directed by Tushar Hiranandani, is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar & Nidhi Parmar Hiranandani. The film releases nationwide on the 10th May 2024.

TV definitely gives you sustainability: Sayantani Ghosh

Sayantani Ghosh, who plays Vindhya Devi ,the antagonist in Ravindra Gautam and Raghuvir Shekhawat’s Dahej Daasi, which is produced under their banner Do Dooni 4 Films, is happy to be a part of the TV industry, and says it provides a regular source of income too. “Daily soaps mean constant work, of course, but like every other aspect of life, everything has its plus and minus points. A lot of people complain about the continuous work or the number of working hours, but that also comes with its advantages and perks. It's a regular source of income. Its more like constant employment, and thus provides a bit more financial security !It's sustainability, because when it comes to any other format, you do a project and then there's a downtime. But when you're associated with the daily soap, It runs for a fair bit of time. So for me, l think it's an advantage,” she said.
“I'm not an experimental person by nature, and I like certain consistency in my life. After working really hard for 20 years ,I like comfort at this stage of my life. Ofcourse I need to have creative satisfaction as well .So if I'm happy with a particular show and a role, and if the show sustains and runs for many years, I am very happy,” she added.Sayantani believes that it’s not just about a show, it’s about a whole team that an actor works with, and who becomes their work family.
“It's just not your role or your show. It's also the unit you work with that matters .It's everybody, whether it's your makeup, your hair team, the spot dada, the directors, or the co-actors, those people become like a family. And if you're happy in that family, then if it continues for years, I think it's a great situation for me because it gives me consistency,” she says . Starting off again and again is exhausting. And then you also don't know what's in store for you on the next journey? What sort of hardships are there? Would you gel with people ,will the show work? So if it's a running train and if I am happy with this journey, I am not complaining about it at all.

Let’s keep laughing: Celebrities on World Laughter Day

World Laughter Day is observed every year on the first Sunday of May, and this year it will be celebrated on May 5. Laughter brings people together. A good laugh is the best cure for a rough day. But is it just limited to that? Laughter also increases the intake of oxygen in our body, and forces the stale air out of the body, and it also enhances the endorphins released to the brain.
Gulfam Khan Hussain:
We often hear "Laughter is the best medicine" indeed, nothing lifts up the mood like a good laugh. I laugh a lot and so does Ali, we are the clowns of the group. We laugh a lot, whether it is on a joke or a smart quip. We believe the curve of a smile sets all things straight.
Varsha Hegde:
I am the most crazy person. I just keep roasting people, which I love doing in a very good way. I never try to hurt anybody. I just enter a place and I make people laugh with my sense of humor and the way I act. I just want people around me to laugh. That is the reason I used to be a Zumba instructor, which is to share smiles, make people laugh and happy, and I actually radiate laughter around me and for myself. I love laughing because it makes you feel better, makes you feel lighter, makes you forget your stress, and also makes you feel mentally healthy. So we all should laugh at least 15 minutes a day.
Deepali Pansare:
I laugh a lot even at silly things on a bad day, and I laugh all day. I somehow feel if you are feeling low and even if you just put a fake smile for a minute it will uplift your mood. I make sure if someone isn’t feeling okay, I make them laugh.
Shubhnagi Atre:
I've got a confession to make - I have a bit of a giggling problem. It's been with me since I was young, and my daughter, Ashi, has inherited the same quirk. But it just means we're best buds with an unbreakable bond! I may be a strict mom, but I also know how to bring laughs. One time, Ashi had a school assignment due the next day, but she hadn't finished it yet. I was a little taken aback, but then I realized - she was pulling a prank on me! I was on her case, giving her the "importance of time" talk, and suddenly she started smiling and laughing. That incident taught me that humour can be an amazing tool for parenting. It can diffuse tense situations and make even the grumpiest person smile. So let's keep laughing, my friends! Happy World Laughter Day, everyone! Laughter is the best medicine and a great way to bond with your loved ones. Humesha Haste Rahiye Aur Hasate Rahiye!
Ankit Bathla:
Laughter I don't know, but a smile definitely brings people together, and for me, laughter comes from within, so if you are happy getting up in the morning and being alive, as Sadhguru says, that's enough to laugh, smile, and celebrate life.
Namita Lal:
Oh, I love laughing. And I just wish I could laugh a lot more than I do. And everybody, every time everybody, like you, reminded me of the world's laughter day. And I'm thinking, why don't I laugh a lot more? I wish I could laugh a lot more. And I wish I would laugh a lot more. And seriously, when I'm with my friends, I've got some amazing friends and an amazing family. And we laugh a lot when we are together. It's just that we are not together that much because everybody is so busy these days. But I just love laughing, and I have a very hearty laugh, and I have a very hearty laugh, and get cramps when I laugh. And I just think that it's so, so important.Laughing, along with the singing and dancing are my favorite pastimes.

Nazia speaks about her role in Deepak Tijori’s 'Tipppsy'

Actress Nazia, who made her acting debut in the Hindi film ‘Say Yes to Love’,and later rose to fame through her role in Telugu film ‘Nee Jathaga Nenundali’,will be next seen in Deepak Tijori’s ‘Tipppsy’. Nazia shares her special connection with the director and what prompted her to take up the role of Iris. She says, "I was part of  Deepak Tijori’s earlier film "Tom, Dick and Harry Returns". We had shot a significant portion of the film, and for someone who was just venturing into movies, the experience was an absolute bliss. The minute he came and spoke to me about Tipppsy, I just jumped in because the experience of working with him on ‘Tom, Dick and Harry Returns’ was so good. In fact, without even knowing details of my character, I accepted Tipppsy.”
Sharing more about her role in Tipppsy, Nazia says, "My character's name is Iris and she is a very bold girl. Iris  comes across as someone who is not just loud in her persona but also in her presence. There are scenes in this film where I had to come out of my own inhibitions and cocoon because she is very outspoken. She is a woman, but she is step-to-step with a man and can do anything if she has to. The look of the character was very special. I had tattoos that were especially designed and selected by my director for Iris. It was a very well-thought-out role, and it did stand out. It took hours to get ready, but the experience of getting into the skin of the character was just phenomenal. It really pushed me.”
How did director Deepak Tijori help her get ready for Iris? Nazia explains, "I would describe him as an actor's director. He is a very renowned actor and has been directing for quite a few years now. His take on set is to give a lot of creative license to his actors. He also comes from a theatre background; thus he conducted a number of workshops where we used to sit and talk about the script and at the same time give our inputs. He gave us a lot of space and comfort to embed our creativity into the character. That freedom helped us perform and give our best. I must say the experience was very different. Now when I sit and look at it, I would say that it really pushed me to a point where I thought I could not go. There were restraints concerning dates and locations, and our schedules used to be extremely hectic. Sometimes, we would get only 4 hours of sleep, and then we would go back on set. The days used to be blurry in front of us. I have worked with other heroines, parallel leads, but here, we were 5 girls put into these 5 characters, and our director had given us the restraints of our characters to quite an extent. There was a lot of space for us to improvise. All of us had clashes of differences and opinions, and that was something that we had to figure out on our own. Deepak Sir was always available for us if we needed any assurance or had doubts in our minds. We were told to sort out our own issues, and at that point in time, personally, I didn’t like it because I felt that we could have avoided the friction. But today when I sit here, it was amazing freedom given to us. Many actors aren’t given the freedom to play and express the character, and all in all, I have come out as a better actor. We had a lot of fun and made really great connections and friendships."
Tipppsy means intoxicated or drunk, but here is a message from Nazia on the topic, "Our film is a reference to hangovers. It is about girls who are going on a bachelorette, and the drinks get spiked. We have to be very responsible in our drinking habits and vigilant and know our limits and who we are surrounded by because such situations happen. The young ones who are just coming out of college, take care of yourself.”When asked about her focus in her career Nazia says,"As an actor, I am very greedy, and I don’t have a limitation in my head that I only want to do certain kinds of roles. I want to do every role and everything, so whatever comes my way, at this point in time, being seasoned, I feel any challenge I can accept so the sky's the limit.” Tipppsy will be releasing on 10th May in theatres which also stars Alankrita Sahai, Natasha Suri, Kainaat Arora, Harjinder Singh, Sonia Birje.

In these times, even thinking of a long family break is next to impossible: Herumb Khot

Ace producer Herumb Khot, who co-founded Invictus T Mediaworks along with Nilanjana Purkayasstha, feels it’s very important to take breaks. However, he believes that in the current times, it’s not feasible for everyone to take long holidays. “Taking a break from routine is a big challenge in these times, but where there is a will, there is a way. It's very easy to squeeze in breaks. A good break refreshes and distressed effectively. We have forgotten that we are humans and not automatons,” he said.
“There was something right done by our previous generations while taking a break in the summers. I think in those times it was easier to take a break with parents. Yes, it's just a childhood thing now. But in these times, even thinking of a long family break is next to impossible,” he added.
Herumb mentioned that, though his work is a priority, breaks are more important for him. He said that he takes regular breaks and added, “I make it a point to drive down or ride down for work. So either it's the north or south where I travel for work; I drive rather than flying and keep a day free, so it becomes a break of sorts.”And how important is it to take a break from gadgets during this time? “I feel a break should be complete and total. It helps us connect to the universe. But in our hectic work schedules, it's tough, so I schedule a particular time in the morning and evening that I'm available on the phone; rest, I keep my phone away,” Herumb ended.