In a huge relief for Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, the Bombay High Court on Thursday set aside the demolition order passed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on September 9 directing demolition of alleged alterations carried at her Bandra office.

The case was being heard by the division bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and RI Chagla, who said that Ranaut is allowed to make the bungalow habitable. However, it also said that the extent of the demolished position requires planning permission from the BMC.

The Court also asked to appoint a valuer to determine the compensation payable to the actress for the demolition of her property, which is to be submitted before the court in March 2021.

The BMC had alleged that Ranaut had unauthorized constructions in her Mumbai office, a portion of which was razed. However, the court denied any unauthorized construction. “The BMC order actuated by legal malice. There is material in pleadings that smacks of a malfide and was done to cause substantial losses. We would be perfectly justified to order compensation against respondents,” the bench said while comparing photographs of the premises.

“We do not accept allegations made by the petitioner in view of the alleged atmosphere in the state of the film industry. The petitioner is suggested to maintain restrain on public platforms. Irresponsible statements made by the citizens are best ignored,” the bench stated.

“Whatever be her statements, no action can lie except within four corners of law. Manner in which action was carried out leaves hardly any doubt that it was against the law and sinister. BMC has done it with disregard to the rights of the citizen,” the bench added.

ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut and sister granted interim protection from arrest; to appear before the police on January 8

Shaheer Sheikh and Ruchikaa Kapoor recently confirmed their relationship on social media and while there were people insinuating their engagement, the couple has tied the knot in a simple court marriage. After the court marriage, the newlyweds flew to Shaheer’s hometown, Jammu where a small ceremony took place and on their return, they had a small function at Ruchikaa’s residence in Mumbai. Shaheer Sheikh and Ruchikaa Kapoor have decided to have a full-fledged traditional ceremony in June 2021.

Talking about tying the knot, Shaheer said that Ruchikaa is honest about her feelings. Being an actor, he has to pretend a lot when he’s in front of the camera but with Ruchikaa, Shaheer says he can be himself. The best part about their relationship, according to Shaheer is that they were friends first and since he’s a wanderer, he has finally found the right companion. Shaheer says he’s looking forward to his never-ending travels with her.

Ruchikaa Kapoor says it’s Shaheer’s simplicity and humility that drew her towards him. She further said that it’s rare to find someone who still believes in the good in people and while there are a lot of differences in the ways that they were brought up, they choose to celebrate those differences rather than question them. Concluding the conversation, Ruchikaa said that it makes very little sense to other people but it makes a lot of sense to them.

The couple had been dating for the last year and a half and the fans are ecstatic to know that they have tied the knot. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Also Read: Shaheer Sheikh gets engaged to girlfriend Ruchikaa Kapoor, says, “Excited for the rest of my life”

Suno Dekho Kaho is the noble campaign to deal with mental illness. And the extremely perceptive revealing and engaging conversation on mental health between mega-star Amitabh Bachchan and eminent philanthropist Neera Birla, now out on YouTube, is a part of Neerja Birla’s endeavour to create awareness on mental illness through her organization MPower.

In the outstanding 33-minute conversation, the two powerful celebrities with voices that carry weight discuss nearly every aspect of mental health including the impact it has on the physical and mental health of the caregiver and the stigma attached to mental health and how it can be eliminated. Mr Bachchan suggests a graceful word for mental illness such as ‘Vikaalta’ or ‘Adheer’. Uncannily, though this conversation was recorded before Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise, Mr Bachchan talks about how drugs and alcohol could be a smokescreen for acute depression.

Taking cognizance of the rising issues surrounding mental wellness in the country, Mpower Founder and Chairperson Mrs Neerja Birla and Bollywood Icon Shri Amitabh Bachchan have come together to address these concerns. In the freewheeling conversation, which was released as a video on Mpower’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram pages, the two leaders touched upon the harsh realities of mental health, the challenges people face because of it, and steps society can take to handle the situation with compassion. In order to give viewers valid responses, the conversation elucidated the differences between irrational fears and anxiety, and how one should handle the former, before it prevents them from carrying out routine tasks.

Mrs. Birla and Mr. Bachchan spoke about the importance of education, in helping identify, and understand the symptoms of mental illness. From school children to corporate professionals, from artists to politicians, it is never easy to understand what one might be going through, beneath the surface. The conversation approached the topic by talking about the stigma associated with ‘opening up’, and stressed upon the heightened need for awareness, especially among those who are prone to physical and substance abuse, leading to deteriorating mental health.

As the conversation progressed, they also sought to dispel common myths around mental health, the most pertinent being that it is unaffordable, which prevents people from seeking the help that they need. Mrs. Birla spoke about how, over the course of Mpower’s journey, they have counselled a wide cross section of society, so as to not deny anyone the chance to live with respect and dignity.

Speaking about the association with Mr. Bachchan, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder & Chairperson, Mpower, said, “Mr. Bachchan has been long associated with creating awareness on a variety of health issues that we Indians need to combat in our lives. Hence, we approached him if he could lend his support to amplify the conversations on a taboo topic like mental health. He graciously agreed to the cause. We are happy to collaborate with Mr. Bachchan for this campaign, which decodes the importance of mental well-being. It’s an honour to have a legend like him to discuss a topic which is sensitive and deep-rooted concern in our society. A powerful voice like his will help us highlight the issue of mental

health, which is the need of the hour. Amidst the challenging and competitive era that we are living in, it is extremely important to discuss mental health and bring it to the spotlight. With #SunoDekhoKaho, we aim to educate the citizens and make them aware of accessibility of mental health services in India. We truly hope with Mr. Bachchan addressing a wider audience through this communication, we will gradually be able to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health.”

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan will feature in a full length role in Prabhas and Deepika Padukone starrer film

Kangana Ranaut’s place of birth Himachal Pradesh has completely mesmerized filmmaker Priyadarshan. Shooting in Himachal Pradesh for Hungama 2 with Meezan Jaffrey, Shilpa Shetty, Paresh Rawal and others Priyan sighs, “I’ve shot in some of the most beautiful spots of earth. But none to compare with Himachal. It is by far the most beautiful place I’ve seen. I want to come back here for every film I direct.”

Priyadarshan says we must learn to respect our own culture. “Here in Himachal Pradesh I’ve discovered the most stunning locations, far more picturesque than anything in Switzerland or France. No mountains on earth can rival the majesty of the Himalayas. We must learn to value our own culture and heritage. Stop worshipping the West as the best.”

Priyan strongly recommends that we stop shooting in the West. “It is an unnecessary waste of resources and foreign exchange. India has some of the most camera-friendly locations and landscapes in the world. Why do we need to waste so much money time and energy travelling and shooting in foreign countries when we have it all here?”

ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar to produce a comedy for Priyadarshan

While refusing to divulge details on the character that the Amitabh Bachchan will play in the Prabhas and Deepika Padukone starrer, the film’s producer Priyanka Dutta revealed to me that the Big B’s role would be no cameo.

“He is playing a full-length character, like Prabhas,” the producer asserts. She also reveals that the film will be in four languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Finding a voice to match the Big B’s baritone in the three South Indian languages is going to be problematic.

About the Big B’s character in the film, Ms Dutta says they are not revealing anything about any of the characters at the moment. But a source close to the project reveals to this writer that the plot will be set in contemporary times. “There will be plenty of action scenes for all the three protagonists, Bachchan Saab, Prabhas and Deepika,” reveals the source.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan mocks his flared fashion choices after dropping a throwback photo 

The virtual space is filled with stories of how India’s resident Nightingale was attempted to be poisoned in her prime. “It is true,” she reveals for the first time. “We Mangeshkars don’t talk about it, as it was a terrible phase in our life. The year was 1963. I began to feel very weak, and could barely get up from my bed. It came to a point where I couldn’t move on my own.”

Is it true that the doctors said Lataji may never be able to sing again? “Not true. This is a myth created around my slow poisoning. No doctor told me I won’t be able to sing. In fact our family doctor Dr R P Kapoor, who cured me, said he was determined to see me back on my feet. But let me clear the misunderstanding propagated over the years, I didn’t lose my voice.”

Thanks to Dr Kapoor’s treatment Lataji slowly recovered. “It was confirmed that I was being poisoned slowly. Dr Kapoor’s treatment and my own determination pulled me through. After being bedridden for three months I was ready to record again.”

The composer who got to record first with Lataji after her illness was Hemant Kumar. Recalls Lataji, “Hemantda came home to take my mother’s permission for the recording. He promised my mother that if I showed any signs of strain he would bring me back home immediately. Luckily the recording went well. I had not lost my voice.” The song which Lataji recorded for Hemant Kumar was ‘Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil’ in Bees Saal Baad. It won her a Filmfare award.

Her voice brims with emotion when she recalls the poet-lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri’s contribution to her recovery during that trying period of her life. “Majrooh Saab came home every evening and sat at my bedside regaling me with poetry and anecdotes. His days were full with work and he barely got time to get some sleep. But he came every day during my illness, even ate the simple bland dinner that was made for me, and kept me company. I don’t think I’d have been able to make it through that terrible period if it wasn’t for Majrooh Saab.”

Did they find out who had tried to poison Lataji? “Yes, we found out who it was. But we didn’t take action because we had no proof against that person,” Lataji says softly before lapsing into silence probably wondering what impels human beings to such extremes of cruelty.

Also Read: Diwali wishes from Lata Mangeshkar, the Bachchans & Shatrughan Sinha

SS Rajamouli’s period drama, RRR, starring Jr. NTR and Ram Charan is easily the most awaited films across the country and the team resumed shooting in October end after a seven month long gap due to coronavirus. The movie also features two Bollywood names, Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt, whose presence is expected to draw audiences in the Hindi belt. Bollywood Hungama has now discovered that SS Rajamouli has got another Bollywood name on board, thereby making the project even hotter.

“Aamir Khan has verbally agreed to give a voice-over all through the film to narrate the era and also introduce audiences to the world of Jr. NTR and Ram Charan. His voice over will be used not just in the film, but also in the trailer, thereby giving it a pan-Indian reach as far as Hindi belt is concerned. With Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt and Aamir Khan, it has just become a AAA project with 3 Bollywood A-Lister alongside south giants,” a source said.

Aamir Khan has been keen to make Mahabharata since last 10 years and has been in talks with SS Rajamouli and his father, KV Vijayendra Prasad to develop a screenplay and bring the epic to the big screen. Collaborating with just a voice-over might certainly be a step forward in right direction with the two giants of Hindi and Southern industry collaborating to make the biggest story in history of Indian cinema – Mahabharata – on a scale like never before.

Also Read: Team RRR shares some candid pictures of Jr. NTR and Ram Charan on the occasion of Diwali