SCOOPS: Rajkummar Rao hikes his fee post 'Stree' success, Shahid Kapoor performs Ganga Aarti at Varanasi and more

Rajkummar Rao is being celebrated as the  man of the moment. With his latest horror-comedy Stree, in which he co-starred with Shraddha Kapoor, crossing the coveted Rs 100-cr mark, the actor has started being counted on as one of the more solid players in the industry. One knows of several makers who have scripts ready for him. Trade goss has it that in accordance to his new-found star-status, Rajkummar will also reportedly add some extra zeroes to his earlier remuneration. Like it is said — make hay, while the sun shines.

A scene from Shree Narayan Singh’s Batti Gul Meter Chalu required the film’s leading man, Shahid Kapoor, to participate in a Ganga aarti, which is performed each day at 4 am in Varanasi. The actor, who is known to be a stickler for perfection, ensured he was up and about in the wee hours and absolutely prepared to participate in the holy ritual that was filmed to precision by Shree. 

Shahid did a recce of the location and studied the entire aarti ceremony prior to filming. He also suggested reaching the location much earlier so he could take a dip in the holy river. The scene was shot after the actor did a Ganga snaan. Says a source associated with the film, “The scene was shot during the winters, so it was extremely cold at that early hour and the water was freezing. However, Shahid didn’t let that deter him and he went about the scene with gusto.”

Batti Gul Meter Chalu, which is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Nitin Chandrachud and Nishant Pitti, also stars Shraddha Kapoor, Yami Gautam and Divyendu Sharma in the lead. The social drama, which deals with the topic of electricity pilferage — a story concept by Vipul K Rawal — makes an important social statement and has been getting noticed for the right reasons. 

Batti Gul Meter Chalu, produced by T-Series and Kriti Pictures, releases on September 21.

Salman Khan took to social media to announce the new title of his upcoming production venture, LoveYatri, which was previously called LoveRatri. The superstar also shared a new poster that gives a glimpse of the blooming chemistry of the newcomers, Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain.

Salman tweeted, This is not a spelling mistake... #loveyatri #lovetakesover... (sic)” 

According to sources associated with the movie, “Considering the concerns of the Central Board Of Film Certification and the sensitivity of a couple of organisations protesting against the title, Salman decided to rename the romance musical keeping in mind the safety and best interests of the audience.”  

Set against the backdrop of Gujarat, the movie traces the love story of a young couple, essayed by Aayush and Warina, which unfolds over the nine-day festival of Navratri. Written by Bhavnagar-born Naren Bhatt, the film is helmed by Abhiraj Minawala. 

LoveYatri, produced by Salman Khan Films, releases on October 5.