Very much as expected, the frontrunner of this week was Neeraj Pandey’s Akshay Kumar starrer BABY. And quite like the team’s last hit, SPECIAL 26, the film did not embark upon a bombastic start (during the morning shows) but picked up substantially during the latter screenings. The first day appears to be in the 8-9 crore range, as per early estimations, which, given the start is quite satisfactory.
Coming to the nitty-gritty’s, BABY saw a reasonably good start in the multiplexes (40-45 percent) and showed a good jump during the afternoon and evening shows, based on a very positive word-of-mouth. But the film is not faring very well at the single screens and the collections are quite dull. Having said that, BABY is expected to get a good extended Republic Day weekend haul, given the intrinsic merits.
The other release of the week, the Malaika and Arbaaz Khan venture, DOLLY KI DOLI, featuring Sonam Kapoor in the title role, saw a below the mark start, maybe due to the lack of face/star value. On the opening day DOLLY KI DOLI has netted in the 2-3 crore range, which is a tad disappointing. However, the extended four day weekend may still turn DKD’s fortune around, fingers crossed.
Performing in India after 18 years, world famous music composer and instrumentalist Yanni enthralled audience at an event here which was telecast live in 156 countries.
He and his team of musicians left 9,000-Strong audience captivated at a concert in the majestic Lakshmi Palace last night. The event was organised as part of a four-day Vadodara International Art and Cultural Festival (Vadfest) 2015 that began yesterday.
The renowned Greek musician greeted the people by saying “Hello India, hello Vadodara and kem cho” (how are you? in Gujarati), drawing loud applause from the gathering, which consisted of fans from across India and nearly 20 countries.
“The palace is absolutely gorgeous. We are here only for few days but felt so comfortable. We got so much love, respect, warmth and hospitality that we felt we are part of your family…That is why I love coming to India,” said the 60-year-old pianist, keyboardist, composer and music producer.
He played about a dozen numbers with a team of talented musicians from diverse backgrounds. The concert lasted for more than two hours, spanning a mix of musical styles adapted to a flamboyant orchestra comprising brass, strings and drums. Most numbers were fast-paced and energetic.
Yanni was an absolute rock star – conducting, gesturing, hitting every one of his eight keyboards in tandem, running across the stage. Performing to a packed audience in grand style, he played all his classics from ‘Felita’ to ‘Nightingale’.
Saurabh Patel, Gujarat Finance Minister who attended the event, said the concert was telecast live in 156 countries. “Perhaps it is for the first time that Yanni’s concert has been telecast live in so many countries.”
This was a huge boost to the Gujarat Goverment’s efforts to promote Vadodara, through the festival, as a global hub for cultural events and tourism, he said.
The musical messiah, whose real name is Yiannis Chryssomallis, had last performed in India at the historic Taj Mahal in March 1997.
Freight rates for nine-tonne pay load section declined up to Rs 1,000 in the local truck transport market today following excess availability of trucks in the markets against restricted cargo movements.
Transporters said restricted cargo movements against huge position of trucks mainly pulled down freight rates for selective destinations.
Delhi to Guwahati, Pune, Kanpur, and Ahmedabad freight rates dropped by Rs 1,000 each to Rs 49,000, Rs 27,000, Rs 16,000 and Rs 20,000.
Rates to Mysore, Hyderabad, Ludhiana and Chandigarh also moved down by Rs 1,000 each to Rs 67,000, Rs 53,000, Rs 16,000 and Rs 15,000.
Following are today’s freights per nine-tonne load (in Rs):
Jaipur 14,000 Hyderabad 53,000 Chandigarh 15,000 Vijayawada 56,000 Ludhiana 16,000 Bangalore 63,000 Kanpur 16,000 Chennai 62,000 Indore 19,000 Mysore 67,000 Ahmedabad 20,000 Pondicherry 64,000 Baroda 23,000 Coimbatore 68,000 Patna 24,000 Kochi 73,000 Surat 25,000 Thiruvananthapuram 77,000 Mumbai 26,000 Goa 48,000 Pune 27,000 Gwalior 14,000 Kolkata 29,000 Guwahati 49,000.
Anticipation of what lies ahead is at its peak as Chanel announces Italian make-up artist Lucia Pica as the brand’s new Global Creative Make-up and Colour Designer. This collaboration trails the exit of make-up artist Peter Philips, who left the label about two years ago.
Freelancing since 2008, 38-year-old Pica has worked with independent style magazines, international publications and acclaimed photographers such as Willy Vanderperre and Alasdair Mclellan.
Vogue took a tour of Pica’s personal Instagram account, and it was hard not to share some of the vibrant, fearless art she’s pulled off in the beauty and fashion world. Go ahead and ogle — you’ll soon be a fan of thos 3D plum lips and metallic amethyst eyes.
Lucia Pica will be a part of the Chanel team from January 1, 2015.
2015’s edition of the Star Screen Awards had its fair share of great ensembles… and a few sartorial slips as well.
Some of the best dressed ladies of the evening: Deepika Padukone in a black Jade lehenga, Lisa Haydon shimmering in a Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna gown, and Priyanka Chopra in a buttery Gauri & Nainika number, a stark contrast to the punchy neon gown she wore earlier this week.
Others to ace it on the red carpet included Richa Chadda in an Anushka Khanna suit perfectly paired with bronzed skin and big hair, and Sophie Choudry, wearing a white and red Mayyur Girotra. Jacqueline Fernandez’s Giorgio Armani gown wasn’t too far behind.
Who made your favourites list? Browse the slideshow to pick a team.
Raima Sen, who plays an important role in Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Na, based on extra marital affairs, says it would be unwise to say such illicit love affairs don’t exist in society
Actress Raima Sen, who plays an important role in Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Na, based on extra marital affairs, says it would be unwise to say such illicit love affairs don’t exist in society.
Rana Bhatia has directed Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Na, which also features Prateik Babbar, and the actress is confidant about the film connecting well with viewers.
“Audiences are ready to accept such subjects, it also happens in reality. It would be stupid to say that extramarital affairs do not exist in our society,” she said.
“I feel people will relate to the film and they should come and watch the film.”
Raima, who has worked with actors like Sanjay Dutt and Rahul Bose, shares a good rapport with her co-star Prateik.
“I know Prateik personally. We are friends. He is a very good actor and we shared a good chemistry on-screen and it’s really good working with Prateik.”
Raima is playing a married woman, who is rich and madly in love with her husband and then Prateik’s character enters her life.
She says what happens when Prateik enters her life is a mystery.
“It’s a romantic thriller,” added Raima.
When photographer Dabboo Ratnani launches his annual calendar, all of Bollywood stops by for the first look.
This year, the photo pro unveiled his 2015 calendar on January 5 to a long list of star muses. There to see their pictures (all hanging on a wall of fame) were Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Bipasha Basu, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arjun Rampal and Abhishek Bachchan. From the fashion front, Nachiket Barve stopped by, along with jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali.
When they weren’t posing with their pictures and jamming Ratnani’s Twitter feed with doodles and selfies, the stars posed with Ratnani’s daughters (both in shimmering gowns that couldn’t be missed) and tried their hands at taking pictures with a professional camera.
What’s on the star-studded camera film? Pictures displayed at the party included an ecstatic Jacqueline Fernandez jumping in bed, Shah Rukh’s rock-hard Happy New Year abs, and Bipasha Basu flaunting that super-fit bikini body of hers.
A favourite lensman in the industry, Ratnani has worked with almost every star, upcoming and established, in the past, and began putting together calendars in 2000. His 15th edition consists of 24 images, 12 of Bollywood’s leading women, 12 of the industry’s male leads.
It’s a big day when Narendra Modi makes a visit to your wedding.
Sonakshi Sinha began her parade of party posts from her big brother Kussh Sinha’s big week on January 16 with this clip of her singing for guests, and the pictures haven’t stopped since.
Sister of the groom
Along with glimpses of the mandap and group selfies with friends, Sinha used her camera to document her different looks through the celebrations as well. Her picks: an ivory and gold Anita Dongre for the mehendi, mango yellow Manish Malhotra for the Mughal-theme sangeet, and a baby blue Pernia Qureshi Label for the wedding. By the reception, Sinha was back to Manish Malhotra, this time choosing a mirrorwork lehenga in soft pink.
The starry reception
Kussh Sinha’s wedding to NRI Tarunna Agarwal ended with a reception in Mumbai held on January 19. On the guest list were some of Shatrughan Sinha’s closest friends. From the Bollywood family, this included the Bachchans, Kajol and Tanisha Mukherjee, Rekha, Neetu and Rishi Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, singer Mika Singh and Hema Malini, whose youngest daughter tied the knot early last year. South Indian superstar Rajinikanth, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nita and Mukesh Ambani joined as well.
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