SCOOPS: Mithun Chakraborty's health update, Esha Gupta to 'Get Dirty' and more...

Two days ago, rumours flew thick and fast about Mithun Chakraborty’s health deteriorating, stating that it had actually taken a serious turn. Fans of the 66-year-old actor and the Bollywood film fraternity hung on for health updates.

We tried reaching a member of the Chakraborty family. However, as everyone close to him, including one of his sons and wife, Yogita Bali, were in attendance at the medical care centre in Los Angeles (where the actor was being treated for his severe back pain as well as other niggling health issues), we had to be content with a source close to the kin assuring us that ‘Mithunda’ was okay. The source said, “A family member told us that Dada was making progress and he will return to India when he is in a position to travel.”

The three-time National Award winner has been lying fairly low for a few years now. In between, he even moved lock, stock and barrel to Ooty because he wanted some solitude and felt his health needed his complete attention, while his family continued to reside at his Madh Island bungalow. In fact, the former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, who was last seen on the small screen in 2017 as Shambhu Dada in the comedy show The Drama Company, was not even answering his phone. It was his wife, Yogita, who assured well-wishers and industry colleagues of his health condition.

We wish the veteran actor a speedy recovery.

Most B-Town celebs who headed overseas for a holiday to ring in the New Year, are back in the bay. And many of them have also resumed their work commitments. Alia Bhatt, who had gone to New York with Ranbir Kapoor and also met his parents, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, as well as Sonakshi Sinha, who brought in 2019 with her girlfriends in Sri Lanka, are not only back, but have also gone for the outdoor schedule of their movie. 

The Raazi star and the Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi actress, who are collaborating for the first time in Kalank, are already in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, for the period drama’s next outdoor schedule. The Abhishek Varman-helmed ensemble film has generated plenty of curiosity, given that it also stars Varun Dhawan, Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Aditya Roy Kapur and Kunal Kemmu. 

Not only did 2018 end with a bang for the Simmba team, but 2019 also began on a high note for everyone associated with the masala entertainer. With the Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan-starrer set to cross the Rs 200 crore mark shortly, Karan decided to host Rohit, his key unit and some friends at his residence last night. 

Ranveer, who was away on a holiday with wife Deepika Padukone in Sri Lanka returned the day before. And, he was expected to be the ‘star-attraction’ of the evening along with his fiery co-actor Sara Ali Khan. 

At the time of going to press, there was a lot of curiosity about what Ranveer would wear for the bash especially because the invite read ‘Dress as you please’. Actually, Ranveer is the only one in showbiz who never needs to be told what to wear. He is a trendsetter! 

Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP is currently basking in the success of Kedarnath. Now, the production house is all set to treat audiences with the year’s first content-driven film, Uri: The Surgical Strike on January 11. 

Starring Vicky Kaushal, the war drama, directed by Aditya Dhar, has created immense buzz ever since its trailer released. It is based on the Indian Army’s surgical strike on Pakistan’s militant bases in 2016, in retaliation of a terror  attack. 

Ronnie started RSVP with a focus on storytelling backed by strong content and produced Karwaan last year. Apart from that, their first release of 2018 was Love Per Square Foot, which was launched on an OTT platform given the demand. Now with Uri, which also features Mohit Raina, Paresh Rawal, Yami Gautam and Kirti Kulhari, Ronnie’s goal is to present the content authentically on the big screen. The producer shares, “RSVP, in its new avatar, is much more of a passion project. I love the way storytelling is going, how the audiences have evolved, and 2018 was a good testimony to this. I also wanted to take full ownership of the creative process of filmmaking, tell the stories I think needed to be told and those that everyone goes to the movies for. A real balance of realism coupled with entertainment has allowed us to bring forth Uri: The Surgical Strike, Kedarnath, Sonchiriya, Lust Stories, Love Per Square Foot, Karwaan and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota with a great set of directors and talent. I hope to have more fun pushing the envelope as we go forward at RSVP.”

Madhuri Dixit- Nene will be appearing on a dance show which will have a special episode on her. The Dhak Dhak diva has been invited by Remo D’souza to be part of Dance Plus 4, the theme of which is Bollywood dance legends. Remo and Madhuri had earlier judged another dance reality show and for the first time, he will be choreographing her in the upcoming period drama Kalank. A source says that besides all the contestants performing on Madhuri’s songs, the actress herself will be doing a medley of her hit numbers from Ek Do Teen (Tezaab) to Aaja Nachle title track. She is slated to shoot for the episode today. 

The official announcement has come and Shraddha Kapoor has indeed replaced Katrina Kaif in Remo D’souza’s next dance flick, which is toplined by Varun Dhawan. The producers (Bhushan Kumar of T-Series) along with the actor and the filmmaker locked in the Stree heroine as she suited the role to the T. Remo had previously cast the duo in ABCD 2 (2015), which went on to rake in over Rs 100 crore at the box office. Although speculations were rife that Shraddha might have to push the schedule for Saina by a month or so to accommodate this dance project, the truth is far from that. Says a source from the production, “It was an easy decision taken by the banner. 

Saina is also produced by T-Series. Shraddha’s dates have been blocked from May onwards for the sports biopic whereas she needs to shoot in London in March and April for Remo’s film. So, there is no date clash between the two movies.” Meanwhile, the Batti Gul Meter Chalu actress is currently wrapping up work on her other two projects — Saaho and Chhichhore.

National Award-winning playback singer Monali Thakur’s latest song O Re Naseeba depicts the journey of millions of women in the country. The heart-rending number marks the directorial debut of Krishika Lulla, who has produced films like Raanjhanaa, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi. Sensitively shot, the melodious track attempts to voice the state of women who have suffered abuse or sexual harassment in their day-to-day lives. 

Reflecting varied emotions, from confusion, angst and pain to joy and love, the video exhibits the many shades of a woman’s relationship with her closed ones, how her trust is betrayed and the helpless state she finds herself in. The struggle to survive and achieve success has been showcased through vigorous dance forms like a tandav and ballet, performed by women in different phases of life; as a child, a teenager and an aspiring actress. 

O Re Naseeba is available on streaming platform Eros Now. 

Esha Gupta has, in the past, made headlines for her bold photo-shoots and lifestyle. Now, we hear that a sizzling dance video, for which the Baadshaho actress shot recently, releases today. Titled Get Dirty, the sexy dance track features Esha performing some really sensuous moves. Infused with some Punjabi and English lyrics with a crazy drop, rendered by Gourov Dasgupta and newbie Ishika Bakshi, this racy number also marks the Commando 2 actress’ maiden collaboration with Raj Kundra, Manj Musik and Sumit Mehra. 

An excited Esha tells us, “Get Dirty had fresh energy because the music company is all for promoting fresh talent and new singers. I enjoyed working with them. It was fabulous grooving to the sexy vibe of this song. Once it’s out, every dance floor is surely going to get dirty.”