Scoops: Rekha-Jeetendra to reunite on screen, Pankaj Tripathi to take center stage in 'Sacred Games 2'

Rekha and Jeetendra, who were romantically paired in over 20 films including Judaai, Ek Hi Bhool, Prem Tapasya and Mehendi Rang Layegi are all set to reunite on screen for a dance show. The yesteryear hit jodi will also perform together in the finale of Dance Plus 4. 

A source says that the finale will be divided into different segments, one of which will be about ‘nostalgia’. Jeetendra and Rekha will be the special guests on this segment. “The contestants will dance to the pair’s hit songs. Jeetendra and Rekha, too, have consented to shake a leg, and everyone is looking forward to it.” 

This is the second time Jeetendra, who was also called Jumping Jack, will be appearing on the show. Earlier, he had accompanied Anil Kapoor for a special episode on Sridevi.

— Chaya Unnikrishnan

Remo D’Souza, who is judging the show, Dance Plus 4, has invited Jacqueline Fernandez for the finale of the show. “Jacqueline will be part of the celebrations and will show her support for the finalists. She will also perform with Remo for the first time on stage. They will dance on two songs from Remo’s directorial Race 3. One is the title track and the other is Hiriye that was filmed on Salman Khan and Jacqueline.” 

The duo will be shooting at the end of this week.

— Chaya Unnikrishnan

Disha Patani, who will be seen next in Bharat as a trapeze artiste, keeps posting her workout videos and high-octane action stunts on Instagram. What’s interesting is that the actress receives more messages from girls than boys on the picture sharing site. A source close to the actor says, “Disha, who is quite popular on social media, was surprised to see her popularity amongst female fans. She has been receiving a lot of DMs (direct messages) not only from male fans but also from all her female ones who are in awe of her fitness and lifestyle. Girls are curious to know about Disha’s fitness regime and the routine she follows.”

Business tycoon Vijay Mallya is currently in exile in London. Even as the legal wrangle on whether he will return to India to face the various charges levelled  against him continues, work on one of his pet projects — the Kingfisher Calendar — is underway. Ace fashion photographer and Bollywood producer Atul Kasbekar, who has been its architect since the beginning, has shot some of the most exotic models at famous locales.

This year, the Kingfisher Calendar marks its 17th year and has been shot in Sardinia, a picturesque island in the Mediterranean Sea. Featuring Shubra Aiyappa, Priyanka Karunakaran, Mitali Rannorey, Priyanka Moodley, Ishika Sharma, Sushrii Mishraa and many more, Atul has captured the sexy girls elegantly. 

He says, “I don’t think there has been a longer association between a brand and a photographer that comes to my mind. These 17 years have been remarkable. It’s a tough job, but what’s the fun without hurdles. Each shoot has its own challenges. There is a lot of hard work behind the scenes that rarely gets documented, but the end result is worth every bit of the struggle.”

Yesterday, the team of Uri: The Surgical Strike, comprising lead actors Vicky Kaushal and Yami Gautam, director Aditya Dhar and producer Ronnie Screwvala, participated in the annual Army Day parade in Delhi. Moreover, as a tribute to the armed forces on their special day, the producer’s company, RSVP made a donation of Rs 1 crore towards Welfare Fund For Army Widows.

He said, “We take each day in our lives for granted  and yet these brave women and men in our army, navy and air force stay committed, disciplined and resolute to protect us and stand in front of us. They are the true inspiration of modern-day India and we all need to draw examples from the selfless lives they lead and the pride with which they carry themselves. It’s humbling for all of us at RSVP and Uri to make this small token donation for their massive contribution and sacrifice for our country. May the josh be with them. Jai Hind.”

Vicky says, “While working on the prep for the film, I realised the sacrifices our Indian armed forces make to keep our country and people safe. I’m immensely proud that team Uri has decided to make this donation for the welfare of army widows”

Director Aditya Dhar sums up, “My main motive to make the film was to pay a tribute to our brave men in uniform who sacrifice their lives for the betterment and safety of our nation each day. I’m really glad Ronnie is making this contribution to the welfare fund for army widows on behalf of our team.” 

From the time of its announcement, Kangana Ranaut has played a major role in the making of Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi. The actress, who essays the title role, had to take over the reins of the historical drama after director Radha Krishna Jagalamundi had to return to South to fulfill his prior commitments. 

Kangana, who roped in Zeeshan Ayyub to play Sadashiv Rao, was instrumental in casting certain key characters as well. For the role of Sangram Singh, the Queen actress brought in Taher Shabbir (Fan, Naam Shabana). Incidentally, their friendship goes back a long way when Taher was the assisting director Milan Luthria on Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai, in which she played the leading lady. Also, to prep as Rani Laxmibai part, she trained in horse-riding along with Taher and co-director Ashutosh. 

So, when she took over the direction of the pending portions, she cast Taher to play Sangram. He says, “One thing that both Kangana and I have in common is that we’re both very patriotic. I guess because of our love for the country and horse-riding, she called me for this role. It’s a privilege working with her on such an important film like Manikarnika.”

The shoot for the second season of Sacred Games is underway in South Africa with Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Now, Pankaj Tripathi has joined them for a month-long schedule in Cape Town. A source says that the makers are currently shooting for the back stories of the characters and taking off from where it  ended in the first season. “The intent to move to South Africa was also to make the show go bigger and on an international scale. Also, in the first season, Pankaj only had three scenes and a voiceover, but in the second one, his role as Guruji will be central since he will be shown as the mastermind behind the events. He will be there throughout the series,” adds the source. Pankaj will sport a new look, which is being worked upon, in the second half of the shoot.