Preity Zinta has always been my crush: Chetan Bhagat

April 26, 2015

Mumbai, Apr 26: Writer Chetan Bhagat is looking forward to sharing judging duties on reality dance show "Nach Baliye" with Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, on whom he had a huge crush in college.

Chetan BhagatThe 41-year-old "2 States" author said Preity has been a huge influence on the female characters in his books and he is thrilled to sit next to the "Kal Ho Na Ho" actress.

"It is great to work with her. She has been my crush, since I first saw in "Dil Se". There was no actress like her at that time. In fact she has almost shaped the female characters in my books. She has been a huge influence. The women in my novels are all bubbly, talkative and bold, like Preity.

"And she makes for a great reality show judge because she talks a lot. I, sometimes, also feel she is too lenient with the contestants," Chetan told PTI.

The writer said he would judge the compatibility of couples on the basis of different tasks and challenges on the seventh season of the show.

"They wanted a person, who could see how real these couples are. It is not a solo dance competition, it's a couple show. But I have been a reality show sceptic, I have often thought if they are real after a certain point.

"So I am there as a sceptic, I am there to make sure they are on track and they are the real couples and not reality show couples. There have been rumours during previous seasons that some people just pretend to be couple on the show, so I will see to it that audience gets what is real. It will be interesting to see how these couples are beyond their two-minute act on stage," he said.

When asked if "Nach Baliye" will give way to more TV shows for him, the "Kai Po Che!" writer said, "There is a novelty attached to this season as makers have revamped it and added interesting things but after this do I want to make a career out of reality TV? I am not sure. But if people like me this time, I would love to come back for the next season.

Choreographer Marzi Pestonji will be third judge on the show, which will premiere tomorrow.

The show will see celebrity couples Jay Soni-Pooja Shah, Smiley Suri-Vineet Bangera, Mrunal Thakur-Sharad Chandra, Neha Saxena-Shakti Arora, Himmanshoo Malhotra-Amruta Khanvilkar, Rashami Desai-Nandish Sandhu, Sana Saeed-Dipesh Patel, Nidhi-Arpit Ranka, Karishma Tanna-Upen Patel, Aishwarya Sakhuja-Rohit Nag and Payal Rohtagi and Sangram Singh competing for the coveted title.

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News Network
January 9,2020

Mumbai, Jan 9: Actor Juhi Chawla on Wednesday said instead of constantly criticising the government, one should reflect on own conduct and talk about uniting rather than dividing.

The actor attended an event which aimed to counter "Free Kashmir (narrative), anti-India slogans, false propaganda and clear the misconception."

Juhi said as artistes, it's unfair to be questioned about incidents "just for a reaction" when they should be given time to truly understand the situation.

"We are going to work, thinking how to execute our task, then some incident happens somewhere and suddenly the media asks, 'what do you think about this?' We haven't understood the matter, people haven't understood the matter but you need a reaction.

"Let people understand, whether it's NRC or CAA, and what's is it about, why is this being talked about," Juhi told reporters.

The actor said it is sad that people talk about division more than unity.

"Everyone is quick to talk about dividing. Why don't we talk about uniting? Why does everyone say 'what is the government doing, why is it doing this?' but I say if you point one finger there then three fingers are at you.

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News Network
January 27,2020

Los Angeles, Jan 27: Pop-rock innovator Billie Eilish on Sunday bested a packed field to win the Grammy for Song of the Year -- which honors songwriters -- for her hit "Bad Guy."

The 18-year-old beat veteran acts Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey along with newcomers Lewis Capaldi and Lizzo to take home the coveted honor.

She shares the prize with her older brother Finneas O'Connell, her primary creative collaborator.

The pair were gracious onstage, with Eilish telling her fellow nominees: "I grew up watching all of you."

"We just make music in a bedroom together," said O'Connell. "We still do that and they let us do that. (...) This is to all of the kids making music in your bedrooms today -- you're going to get one of these."

Eilish was among this year's most nominated artists with six nods, and is the youngest person ever nominated in all four of the top categories.

Best song was her second award of the night. She won earlier for best pop vocal album for "when we all fall asleep, where do we go?"

Before she released the album in March 2019, Eilish had already assembled a fervent online following for her bold, often haunting pop sound.

In August, Eilish became the first musician born in the 2000s to top the Billboard Hot 100, when she dethroned Lil Nas X, who spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at the top with viral hit "Old Town Road."

The artist named Billboard's 2019 Woman of the Year has also written and will perform the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film "No Time To Die."

"I feel like I'm not supposed to be here," she told E! television on the red carpet before the gala. "Life is weird."

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News Network
April 29,2020

Mumbai, Apr 29: Irrfan Khan, one of India's finest and most versatile actors, lost his battle with a rare form of cancer and died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday, a statement from his family said. He was 54

Irrfan, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, is survived by his wife Sutapa and his sons Babil and Ayaan.

It is the second tragedy for the family in less than a week. The ?Maqbool? actor lost his mother, 95-year-old Saeeda Begum, in Jaipur just four days ago and could not attend the funeral because of the nationwide lockdown.

Irrfan, that rare actor who straddled multiple worlds, making his mark in both international and Indian cinema in roles intense and light-hearted, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital with a colon infection

?It's saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away. Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him. After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it,? the statement from his family said

?Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heavenly abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own. We all pray and hope that he is at peace. And to resonate and part with his words he had said, 'As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it',? it added.

The news of his death was first confirmed by his "Piku" director Shoojit Sircar who sent his condolences to the family and doffed his hat to the actor's fighting spirit

"My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again.. condolences to Sutapa and Babil.. you too fought, Sutapa you gave everything possible in this fight. Peace and Om shanti. Irfaan Khan salute," the director said on Twitter.

Irrfan's death came the morning after news that he had been admitted to the ICU with a colon infection.

The self-effacing National Award winner, who acted in films as diverse as ?Life of Pi?, ?The Namesake? and ?Haasil?, had stayed away from the public eye after his diagnosis in 2018 when he went to the UK for treatment.

He returned home in 2019 and shot for "Angrezi Medium", the sequel to his 2017 hit "Hindi Medium". However, his health condition prevented him from promoting the movie, which hit the theatres in March just before the lockdown that began on March 25.

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