SCOOPS: No Birthday party for Shraddha Kapoor, Malaika Arora - Arbaaz Khan to judge 'Nach Baliye 9'?

Shraddha Kapoor turns 32 today. And, the pretty actress, who has been juggling three film projects — Saaho, Street Dancer and Chhichhore, landed in Mumbai from London around 6.15 am. Since time is of essence here, she decided to fight off the jet lag and go straight to the set of Sajid Nadiadwala’s Chhichhore. Obviously, the unit of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, in turn, had a cake and a treat in store waiting for the leading lady.

Kangana Ranaut, who was to throw a bash for the success of her film Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, on February 16, had cancelled it in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack to show solidarity with the martyrs. However, now with the return of India’s hero, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was in Pakistan’s captivity for two days, Kangana has decided to hold a party at her home today. The actress, in fact, is making it a double celebration. The do will be both, for her hit film, which she directed and starred in, as well as the Indian Air Force pilot’s return to India, says a source.

The USP of the upcoming season of Nach Baliye will be exes pairing up to compete in the show. In keeping with the theme, we hear that the makers are keen on getting the divorced celebrity couple Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan as judges. A source says that while Arbaaz has given his nod, Malaika is yet to take a call. She had judged the first two seasons of the show. “The reason the makers are focussing on exes this season is they feel that through the course of the show, if even one couple gets back together, it will be a great achievement,” adds the source.

Sheetal Mafatlal seems to be making news and at the same time, soaking in the glamour of classic London, timeless and immersive. She was in her element when she was spotted on the BAFTA red carpet and after parties, hosted by British Vogue and Tiffany & Co and led by the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Edward Enninful, Contributing Editor, Naomi Campbell and the dapper actor Eddie Redmayne. The party was a dazzling union of the worlds of film and fashion, an extravaganza suited to Sheetal’s indulgences. 

However, what is important to note is that Sheetal also marked her presence at a crème de la crème fundraiser in Battersea Park, which was also attended by the British Prime Minister, Theresa May and MPs of the ruling Conservative Party. If that wasn’t enough, there was also a dinner with the Prince of Wales, Royal founding patron of the British Asian Trust, at the Buckingham Palace, where Sheetal dazzled everyone with her usual charisma. Having always appreciated His Royal Highness, Prince Charles and the British family’s efforts to transform lives across the globe, she recognised his engagement with the entrepreneurs of British Asian diaspora whose community links could be used to bring about a change and tackle global problems. The Trust has become a trusted driving force to bring about a change ranging from education, women empowerment, healthcare, human trafficking and several other causes. The Trust has made a commendable difference to more than three million people all over South Asia in a short span of only 10 years. Sheetal, with all her philanthropy, appreciates its commendable efforts.

In keeping with PM Narendra Modi’s initiative to spread literacy across villages in India, social entrepreneur Pradeep Lokhande launched over 1,000 libraries in as many Gramin Madhaymik Shalas (schools) in the Satara district of Maharashtra on Friday (March 1). Noted actor Sayaji Shinde was one of the honourary guests at this event directed at inculcating reading in children, particularly the girls, to help them academically and get ahead in life. Lokhande, who has been successfully launching and running Gyan-Key libraries in the Gramin Madhamik schools, is sparing no effort in ensuring these libraries reach the maximum number of school children.

To take this initiative far and wide across Maharashtra and India, he has also reportedly written to Hindi film superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan, who are associated with a number of social causes, to help spread this message wider.

Going by their public appearances together, Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora aren’t keeping their relationship under wraps any more. And it looks like the Kapoor khandaan, too, has given a green signal to the couple. Recently, the former model openly professed her love for the Namaste England actor on Koffee With Karan when she called him the best male performer. “I like Arjun, this way or that,” she said. Speculation has been rife that the couple is contemplating taking their relationship to the next level and walk down the aisle this year. While many have claimed that the two are likely to tie the knot with an intimate ceremony in April, our source tells us that it might be a white wedding. “Malaika wants a Christian wedding. So, she and Arjun are likely to take their vows sometime in the first week of April. This will be followed by a big bash for the film industry and their associates,” says our informer. Now, that sounds like a plan!