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Sony Pictures International Productions has acquired film adaptation rights to Chetan Bhagat’s 2016 acclaimed novel ‘One Indian Girl,' which broke pre-order records on Amazon India in just its first two hours and was the leading title on pre-orders the site has ever witnessed at the time since its inception in 2013.

“As the film market continues to boom in India, we’re continuously looking for exciting content that stands out from both a creative and cultural perspective, and we’re thrilled to adapt and produce Chetan Bhagat’s book for the big screen,” said Shebnem Askin, Co-Head of Sony Pictures International Productions.

Bhagat’s book revolves around an Indian girl who is intelligent and successful and finds it difficult to find love. An author of nine blockbuster novels, Bhagat was named by TIME magazine as one of the “100 most influential people in the world” in 2010, and Fast Company, the USA listed him as one of the world’s “100 most creative people in business.”

Bhagat has sold over 10 million books and is cited by The New York Times as “the biggest selling author in India’s history.” Previous film adaptations of his books include the blockbuster 3 Idiots, 2 States, and the award-winning hit Kai Po Che.

Author Chetan Bhagat adds, "It is always exciting when a story you have written is interpreted cinematically. The fact that Sony Pictures International Productions has acquired the film adaptation rights to 'One Indian Girl' is particularly promising because this is the studio behind some of the biggest films of our times and I cannot wait to begin this exciting journey with this energetic team. This story has both a national and international appeal and I cannot wait to see it on the big screen.”

The Hindi film based on the bestselling novel is one of the several films from Sony Pictures International Productions that go into development this year in India. The cast and crew for the film are still being finalized and more details will be released at a later date. Lada Singh, Director of Creative Affairs for the Indian arm of Sony Pictures International Productions, was instrumental in landing the deal.

A while back Runway 34 actor Ajay Devgn engaged south star Kiccha Sudeep on the social networking site Twitter, about the latter’s comment claiming that Tamil should be the national language. Correcting him Devgn had responded that Hindi was in fact, the national language. However, while the two resolved their differences, the nation went on a rampage in discussing the topic. Now at an event for FICCI Flo, singer Sonu Nigam was questioned about his views on the language debate. Responding to the query and also making a valid point, Nigam said, “Let’s not divide the people and country further.”

Revealing his views Sonu Nigam said, “First I don’t think that it is written anywhere in the constitution of India that Hindi is our national language. As far as I know and the experts I asked, nowhere is it written. But, Hindi is the most spoken language. Having said that, are we aware that Tamil is the world’s oldest language, there is a debate between Sanskrit and Tamil. Now, do we face fewer issues with other countries that we want to raise issues within our own country? Why do this? Why have these discussions? Why make enemies within your own country by classification? Let people speak in whichever language they want, let them chill. Our courts pass judgment in English, in flights the air hostess speaks English, and they do not speak Hindi. English has become part of our culture, we need to accept this. Let’s not divide people in this country; there are already enough issues to deal with, we don’t need more.”

Perfect response to Ajay Devgn by Sonu Nigam: Let's not divide people further in this country, where is it written that Hindi is our national language? ???? pic.twitter.com/hC9nHbXJHy

— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) May 2, 2022

For the uninitiated, the language debate started after Kiccha Sudeep tweeted saying, “Hindi is no longer the national language of India”. Responding to the same, Devgn had shared, “My brother, if according to you Hindi is not our national language then why do you release your movies by dubbing them in Hindi? Hindi was, is and always will be our mother tongue and national language. Jan Gan Man.” However, the two soon resolved their issues with Ajay Devgn posting, “Thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. I’ve always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation."

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut on Hindi language debate after Kichcha Sudeepa and Ajay Devgn’s comments: ‘Whatever Ajay sir said is right’

It's been more than a week since Shahid Kapoor starrer Jersey hit the screens and the film has carved a special place in everyone's hearts across the length and breadth of the country! Critics and fans have cannot stop gushing over Shahid Kapoor's performance bringing out the best in this emotional drama for all ages.

Fans cannot stop raving about the film being the most heart-warming story of the year that makes you feel every emotion in the book. Critics have been hailing his performance as his 'career-best'. Many are certain of Shahid walking away with multiple awards this season! Perfectly wearing the face of his character, Shahid brings out Arjun Talwar so well that you forget that you are watching a superstar in action. Gripping you with Arjun's story of triumph, Jersey has left fans with a feel-good factor. It’s one film that stays with you for the longest time even after you leave the theatres.

No wonder all the love has Jersey recovering costs at the speed of light! Jersey has been made on a moderate budget and the during the various waves of the pandemic the makers positioned the film well and got the best deals from an OTT platform and satellite channel which secured the cost of the film, hence allowing the audience to see the film on the big screen in theatres the way it was meant to be without any box office pressure!

The trade and industry are still talking about how well the film has been made and how it was positioned by recovering all costs before release, that this Shahid Kapoor performance is one for the ages which the fans will continue to cherish with an opening on other platforms. The love for Jersey continues to grow stronger from week to week.

Just a couple of days back we had reported that veteran actor Dharmendra had been admitted to a south Mumbai hospital. In fact, as per reports the actor had been shifted out of the ICU and would be under observation. Yesterday, Dharmendra shared a video on social media thanking fans and well-wishers for their thoughts and prayers. In fact, Dharmendra also spoke about the reason for his hospitalization saying, “Friends, don’t do anything over. I did it and suffered a big muscle pull at the back. So I had to go to the hospital for two-four days.” Simultaneously, the veteran actor’s wife Hema Malini too shared a post on Twitter thanking fans.

Tweeting her thanks Hema posted, “I would like to thank thousands of well-wishers who have been enquiring about Dharam ji’s health. Yes, he was in the hospital for a few days but he is ok now and thankfully back home. Thank you all once again for your anxious calls and enquiries about his health????God has been kind????”. As for the actor, Dharmendra was admitted to the hospital, earlier this week, and a statement from Breach Candy Hospital read, “Actor Dharmendra had a backache during shooting, after which he was admitted four days ago. He has now been discharged.”

Back on the work front, the veteran actor who has been missing from the big screen will be making a comeback of sorts with the Karan Johar film Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh film also stars Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi alongside Dharmendra and is scheduled for release on February 10, 2023. Besides this, Dharmendra will be seen collaborating with sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol in Apne 2. Interestingly, the said film will also feature his grandson Karan Deol.

Also Read: Dharmendra shares the lesson he has learnt after being discharged from ICU: ‘I’ll be very careful’

Fans of 90s movies will vouch for the fun camaraderie Anil Kapoor shared on screen with Anupam Kher in several movies like Lamhe, Ram Lakhan etc. The two actors have always close friends in real life as well and recently the duo decided to catch up on a movie together. Anupam Kher posted a video of him and Anil Kapoor having a fun conversation in one of the multiplexes right before they were going to watch the multi lingual blockbuster RRR starring Ram Charan, Junior NTR, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn among others.

The Kashmir Files actor posted the video on Instagram saying, “Went to the theatre after many many years with my dearest friend @anilskapoor to watch @ssrajamouli #RRR. This hilarious conversation is before the film. Have fun & Enjoy. #Friends #JoyOfCinema.” In the video, the fun banter of Anupam Kher and Anil Kapoor involved them not only discussing RRR but also promoting the latter’s upcoming films Thar and JugJugg Jeeyo.

The two actors were seen discussing if they were really on a movie date. Anil Kapoor said, "I am feeling as if I have come out for a date." But Anupam did not agree to it and replied, "I would not like to say that." But it seems Anil was quite insistent on calling it a ‘date’ as he added, "No but a date with Anupam Kher. We are watching Rajamouli's RRR. Are you looking forward to the film?"

What followed was Anupam Kher’s interesting twist about Anil's upcoming film Thar, also starring the latter’s son Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor, Fatima Sheikh, and Satish Kaushik. He said, "I am very looking forward to RRR. I thought I have to have a conversation with him on the 6th." To which Anil immediately added, "But on 6th even Thar is releasing, so not only RRR publicity a little bit of Thar publicity should also be done."

Anupam also made a reference to his popular film titled The Kashmir Files, saying, "I will 100% talk about it. One thing common between Mr. Rajamouli and me is that we are all in 300 crore club maybe he is a little more than that."

 

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A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher)

To which, Anil humbly replied with his hands folded saying, "Sir if at least I can beat ?30 crores in my other films I would be very happy sir. Please give blessings sir." Giving his blessings, Anupam added another reference to one of Anil Kapoor’s upcoming films saying, "JugJugg Jeeyo," The film features Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, and Neetu Kapoor.

Also Read: Throwback: Anil Kapoor shares a heart-warming photo of Krishna Raj Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor and Sunita Kapoor

A scene out of Marvel’s highly-anticipated sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has sparked a backlash in China and potentially dashed hopes that it could become one of the rare Marvel films to be released in the country.

According to Deadline, Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen starrer multiverse madness has made waves on local social media upsetting few in China over a scene in the opening bit of the sequel where a newspaper kiosk bears the Chinese characters for The Epoch Times, an international multi-language newspaper and media company which opposes the Chinese Communist Party.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has also been banned in Middle Eastern countries for depiction of the gay character American Chavez. China has also not approved releases for Marvel's latest films that include Eternals, Shang-Chi, Black Widow, and Sony's Spider-Man: No Way Home partly due to Black Widow’s depiction of communism and critical comments about Beijing made by Eternals director Chloé Zhao. No Marvel films have been released in China since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

Directed by Sam Raimi, the film brings back Benedict Cumberbatch’s character for the first Marvel film since Spider-Man: No Way Home. It will also mark the return of Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) for the first time since the Disney Plus series WandaVision. The sequel also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams with Kevin Feige as the producer.

The official description for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse reads, "Now that Iron Man and Captain America have left after a fierce battle in Avengers: Endgame, former genius surgeon and the strongest magician of them all, Doctor Strange, is expected to play an active role as a central figure in the Avengers. However, using his magic to manipulate time and space at will with a forbidden spell that is considered the most dangerous has opened the door to a mysterious madness called 'the Multiverse.'"

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will release in theatres in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam on May 6, 2022.

Also Read: Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness theatrical release banned in Saudi Arabia over inclusion of queer character