Rupali Suri goes Bottoms Up playing Sonia Gandhi

Rupali Suri - Pic 4 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Katrina Kaif has done it in Bollywood before with Rajneeti. This time round, newbie Rupali Suri is doing it with a twist.

 

In Bharat Dabholkar’s directorial comic satire play Bottoms Up, the spunky 20-something Rupali is playing the Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi with a difference.

Rupali Suri as Sonia Gandhi in the play Bottoms Up. (Image Courtesy - AGP)

She grins, smiles, takes taunts chin up, and once in a while, even flips her hair in support of her son in those stylish spectacles and crisp articulately worn cotton sarees. Asked how a chirpy bouncy gal like her would be able to convincingly balance the act of playing the rather-serious-looking Ms Gandhi with that touch of chirpy undercurrent, Rupali winks as she counter-questions, “Isn’t that what being an actress is all about?”

Rupali Suri - Pic 5 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

The play is not actually a new one, but a refreshed reboot from its iconic super-successful 1980’s version with a new cast. Produced by Ashvin Gidwani Productions; a global theatre-producing company with a strong footprint in Asia, Africa, Middle East, UK and USA, the cast includes Ananth Mahadaven, Kunal Vijaykar, Amit Roy, Mohan Azaad, Kavita Kapur, Bhavna Pani and Sneha Chavan.

Rupali Suri - Pic 3 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

So does Rupali expect the ‘inadvertent’ controversy springing up with her characterization of Sonia Gandhi? She raises her eyebrows and prefers to stay mum at that question.

 

But her publicist Dale Bhagwagar chips in and says, “The Indian National Congress is well-known for being one of the world’s largest democratic political organizations. Moreover, it advocates tolerance all over our television sets every second day. Why would there be any controversy?”

Rupali Suri - Pic 1 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

We wonder if that could be taken as a typical PR answer, or if he really means it! More than that, we wonder about the play’s title tagline which screams ‘X-Rated’!

Fashionista Rupali Suri to debut with English film Dad… Hold My Hand

 

Rupali Suri - Pic 5 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Ramp showstopper and theatre actress Rupali Suri is all set to make her big screen debut playing a key role in director Arun Frank’s first feature film Dad… Hold My Hand. Being made entirely in English, the film shot in London and Mumbai, is expected to do the rounds of the festival circuit, apart from releasing in India and the West.

Rupali Suri - Pic 1 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Rupali plays the lead’s fiancé Ria in the film starring Denzil Smith, Ratna Pathak and Jayesh Kodwani. “Stepping into the world of movies is an interesting transition for me from ramp and theatre. Creativity needs new avenues to evolve. So it’s fun tapping newer platforms and challenging myself to different art forms,” she beams.

Rupali Suri - Pic 2 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Produced by Wet Grass Films and presented in association with Bad Girl Films (UK), Dad… Hold My Hand is written and directed by Arun Frank, who has spearheaded more than a dozen TV projects earlier, and was once dubbed ‘the most successful success machine’ for Indian television.

Rupali Suri - Pic 3 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

An appealing mix of oomph and the girl-next-door with a mesmerizing voice, Rupali started out winning the Gladrags MegaModel contest a few years ago. She also represented India at the Miss Tourism International and bagged the Best Personality title, competing with supermodels from 88 countries.

Rupali Suri - Pic 4 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

The gal who has been a favourite with leading designers on the national and international fashion scene, has also done theatre, anchoring, and commercials for top brands including Tata Indicom, Liril, Dettol, Sunsilk, Pediasure, Coke, Britannia and Bombay Dyeing.

Rupali Suri - Pic 7 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Housemates gang-up against Mandana Karimi on Bigg Boss

Mandana Karimi is once again at the receiving end on India’s No.1 reality show Bigg Boss. After being targeted in the first two weeks by most of the contestants on Bigg Boss 9, Housemates have once again ganged-up against the most beautiful contestant of the Season.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 3 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Mandana’s frank nature and forthright behaviour has made everyone from Yuvika Chaudhary, Rochelle Rao, Rimi Sen, Kishwer Merchant, Suyyash Rai and Prince Narula unite against her.

This is not the first time such targeting has happened with a girl on Bigg Boss. Since the first Season, it has happened with Rakhi Sawant, Kashmera Shah, Sambhavna Seth, Pooja Misrra and Sonali Raut. It has also happened with Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty.

Coincidentally, these names have also had one professional in common… Bollywood publicist Dale Bhagwagar. “Mandana is a target of Housemates because she speaks up, but trust me; contestants harrowing her, will not stop her from speaking her mind,” says the PR specialist.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 9 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

“Let’s not forget what Mandana had told Salman Khan just before she entered the house. She’d said: The Housemates can love me or hate me, but they won’t be able to ignore me.’ Whether they like it or not, they have to contend and compete with her.”

Just like Shilpa Shetty on Big Brother, Mandana is a fighter on Bigg Boss, feels Dale. “Their natures and personas are completely different, but both are women of substance. Mandana might break down for a while, but she will fight back,” says the public relations expert. But she is also sensitive enough to admit a mistake, which is what makes her all the more interesting, he points out.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 11 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

True! After the girl blasted out at most Housemates for targeting her again this week, she felt she should not have used blunt words and a high-pitched tone. So Mandana took help from Aman Verma (coincidently, another PR client of Dale) to say sorry to the camera in proper Hindi. That was some humility and dignity; qualities Bigg Boss may look for in a winner.

Aman Verma beats Bigg Boss 9 housemates in sportiness!

Television superstar Aman Verma, currently on India’s number one television show Bigg Boss, has dared to do the unthinkable. As part of the Hotel BB task, on the request of fiery housemate Mandana Karimi, Aman has dared to shave off all the hair from his scalp and go bald. Whoa!

Aman Verma in his new bald avatar on Bigg Boss. (Image Courtesy - Colors)

When Mandana asked Aman to do this in the presence of ex-contestants and guests Sana Khan and Ali Quli Mirza, Aman said okay to it without even flinching an eyelid which surprised everyone in the House. “Agreeing to something like this just for a task, is such a big sacrifice for an actor,” quipped Ali.

“In a masterstroke, Aman has proved that he is undoubtedly the most sporting contestant on the show,” points out his publicist Dale Bhagwagar, who is coincidently, also the PR to Mandana Karimi and has handled the media for a full twenty contestants of Bigg Boss since the first season.

Aman Verma 5 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

True that! Aman has beaten fellow housemates Rimi Sen, Suyyash Rai,  Kishwer Merchant, Yuvika Chaudhary, Digangana Suryavanshi and Prince Narula hands down in sportiness. They need to learn a lesson or two from him in team spirit.

“Aman is a man of ethics, correctness and discipline. But what’s unique about him is that he also understands strategy and entertainment, two of the most important factors for survival on reality television,” adds the public relations expert, who thoroughly briefs his clients on reality TV maneuvers before they enter the show.

Aman Verma 2 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Dale adds that “new battle lines have been drawn between housemates after the Hotel BB task. Bigg Boss Season 9 is picking pace and how. First, the Wild Card entry Rishabh Sinha pepped things up and now, another Wild Card Puneet Vashisht may do more. The Boss is about to go full throttle once again.”

Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi gets a good opening

Fauzia Arshi’s rip-roaring comedy has received a good opening along with Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, reiterating the audience’s faith in smart and comic movies.

The film takes laughter to its original form with five great comedians Om Puri, Sanjay Mishra, Raajpal Yadav, Razzaq Khan and the veteran Kader Khan coming together. Plus, it has an ensemble of songs by varied singers like Mika Singh, Kailash Kher, Kunal Ganjawala, Ritu Pathak and Fauzia Arshi herself, who has also composed the music.

Kader Khan and Om Puri in Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi

In times of loud numbers, in a way, her music marks the return of melody, capturing the essence of rhythmical poetry, composed with mellifluous tunes. Moreover, with this movie, Mika Singh has become the first singer-caricature in a feature film to have an entire animated song to himself.

Bringing back memories of the time when comedies ruled Bollywood, the film is a rollercoaster ride that tickles and entertains on one hand, and brings forth the irony of the changing times on the other. It makes one laugh and think about life, without being preachy.

Composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi and Om Puri on the sets of Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi

Produced by Santosh Bhartiya and Fauzia Arshi, it has story, dialogues and direction by Fauzia Arshi, who is set to embark on two new film projects. The enterprising filmmaker also has grand plans to set up a state-of-the-art post-production studio to boost film production business in the industry.

Shahid, Sonam, Ayushmann praise Mandana Karimi on Bigg Boss

After a week of standing for what she believes in, Bigg Boss 9 housemate Mandana Karimi got loads of accolades for her looks too.

Actor Shahid Kapoor who entered the Bigg Boss House with Alia Bhatt for the promotion of Shaandaar, told the housemates that people outside are quite enamoured by Mandana’s looks. Akash Soni, senior anchor from IBN 7, Delhi, broke into a Persian poetry song for her and called Mandana “the only realistic and honest person in the House.”

Mandana Karimi - Pic 17 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Even Sonam Kapoor, who joined Salman for the promotion of their movie Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, judged Mandana her favourite. She praised the Iranian import for improving her Hindi and making good rajma (kidney beans) on the show.

As if that was not enough, actor Ayushmann Khurrana who was also a guest on the weekend episodes, applauded her for “understanding the Bigg Boss game and planning the best.” Salman retorted in jest that Ayushmann was calling her “manipulative” and “scheming”, but Mandana said that going by the format of the show, she takes Ayushmann’s comment as a compliment.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 11 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

“I have asked Mandana to be herself on the show; but expressive and assertive in difficult times. And that is exactly how she is facing the situations inside. Am proud of her grit and determination,” tweeted her publicist Dale Bhagwagar.

“We have seen the brainy and strong side of Mandana, but she also has a very emotional as well as glamourous side,” he revealed on social media, indicating that she is still an unexplored package on Bigg Boss.

Meanwhile, the highlights of the next episode showed the gutsy gal countering her partner Keith Sequeira, who she is tied up with. “I’m not going to get brainwashed by you,” she was heard telling Keith during a task.

हरफनमौला फ़िल्मकारों की सूची में फ़ौज़िया अर्शी

वो मैनेजमेंट और मार्केटिंग की किताबों की लेखिका हैं, अकदमीशियन हैं, बेहतरीन गिटारिस्ट हैं, गायिका हैं, संगीत निर्देशिका हैं, फिल्म निर्माता हैं, फिल्म की कहानी और डाइलॉग लेखिका भी हैं, और अब निर्देशिका भी बन गयी हैं, इस साल की कॉमेडी फिल्म ‘होगया दिमाग़ का दही’ से, जो इस हफ्ते रिलीस हो चुकी है।

Composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi with Kader Khan on the sets of Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi

फ़ौज़िया अर्शी, जिंहोने अपनी इस फिल्म के साथ अपना नाम बहुमुखी और हरफनमौला निर्देशकों में दर्ज कराया लिया है, उनकी फिल्म ‘होगया दिमाग़ का दही’ नए जमाने की फिल्म है जिसमे हिन्दी फिल्म जगत के पाँच महान कलाकार है, जैसे ओम पूरी, संजय मिश्रा, राजपाल यादव, रज़ाक खान और किंग ऑफ कॉमेडी कादर खान।

“इस फिल्म से हास्य की नवीनतम शैली प्रदर्शित की गयी है। ये फिल्म आपको खूब गुदगुदाएगी। इस फिल्म के किरदार वास्तविक ज़िंदगी के नजदीक है,” फ़ौज़िया बताती हैं। एक रोलर-कोस्टर सफारी, ‘होगया दिमाग़ का दही’ को फ़ौज़िया अर्शी और संतोष भारतीय ने अपने बैनर ‘डेलि मल्टिमीडिया लिमिटेड’ तले बनाया है।

Filmmaker-composer Fauzia Arshi with singer Kailash Kher.

मिका सिंह, कैलाश खेर, कुनाल गांजावाला जैसे गायकों से इस फिल्म के गाने सजे हैं, जिसमे से फ़ौज़िया अर्शी ने भी एक गाना गया है। गौरतलब है की इस फिल्म की संगीत निर्देशिका भी फ़ौज़िया ही हैं। आजकल के जमाने में जब मधुर संगीत की परिबशा बादल चुकी है, वही इस फिल्म का संगीत मधुरता को वापस लाया है जिसमे बेहतरीन शब्दों का उपयोग किया गया है।

इस फिल्म के बाद फ़ौज़िया अर्शी के आगे दो नए प्रोजेक्ट्स तयार हैं और प्लान है एक नयी तकनीक का पोस्ट-प्रॉडक्शन स्टुडियो बनाए, जिससे फिल्म बिज़नस को नए मुकाम मिलें।

Fauzia Arshi joins the league of multi-faceted filmmakers

She is an author of books on management and marketing, an academician, an expert guitarist, a singer, music composer, film producer, film story and dialogue writer and the director of the rip-roaring comedy Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi, released this week.

Composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi and Om Puri on the sets of Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi

Meet the talented Fauzia Arshi, who joins the list of multi-faceted filmmakers leading gen next into a new age with her movie, starring five great comedians of Bollywood — Om Puri, Sanjay Mishra, Raajpal Yadav, Razzaq Khan and the veteran Kader Khan.

Composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi on the sets of Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi

“The film takes laughter to its original form, with some of the characterizations based on real life people and instances,” informs Fauzia. Promising to be a rollercoaster ride with clean comedy, Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi is produced by Fauzia along with media maverick Santosh Bhartiya.

It boasts of an ensemble of songs by varied singers like Mika Singh, Kailash Kher, Kunal Ganjawala, Ritu Pathak and Fauzia Arshi herself, who has also composed the music. In times of loud numbers, in a way, her music marks the return of melody, capturing the essence of rhythmical poetry, composed with mellifluous tunes.

What’s more! Fauzia is a woman on the move. She is already set to embark on two new film projects, and has grand plans to set up a state-of-the-art post-production studio, to boost film production business in the industry. Way to go!

अमिताभ बच्चन के बाद शाहिद कपूर ने किया क़ादर ख़ान की वापसी का स्वागत 

Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi - Poster 1कॉमेडी के बादशाह क़ादर ख़ान तकरीबन एक दशक बाद फिल्मों में वापसी कर रहे हैं. उनकी वापसी को लेकर आम और खास सभी में उत्साह है. उनकी वापसी का स्वागत करने वालों में युवा दिलों की धड़कन शाहिद कपूर भी शामिल हो गए हैं.
Composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi and media maverick Santosh Bhartiya with veteran actor Kader Khan.
हाल ही में शाहिद की फेसबुक वॉल पर एक प्रशंसक ने फिल्म निर्देशिका फ़ौज़िया अर्शी की ‘होगया दिमाग़ का दही’ फिल्म का क़ादर ख़ान के डायलॉग्स वाला वीडियो पेस्ट किया. इसके बाद शाहिद ने इस पोस्ट को लाइक करके उनकी फिल्मों में वापसी का स्वागत किया.
Kader Khan and composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi on the sets of Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi
इससे पहले बॉलीवुड के शंहशाह अमिताभ बच्चन भी क़ादर खान की फिल्मों में वापसी पर ट्वीट करके अपनी खुशी का इज़हार कर चुके हैं.
गौरतलब है कि क़ादर खान और अमिताभ बच्चन की जोड़ी का जादू लोगों के सिर चढ़कर बोलता था. क़ादर खान के डायलॉग्स और अमिताभ बच्चन की आवाज़ की जोड़ी को आजतक नहीं भूल पाए हैं.

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इसके साथ ही क़ादर खान को पद्म श्री से नवाज़े जाने की मांग ने भी जोर पकड़ लिया है. फिल्म जगत की नामचीन हस्तियों के साथ-साथ आम जनता भी इस मांग का समर्थन कर रही है. फिल्म ‘होगया दिमाग का दही’ 16 अक्टूबर को रिलीज हो रही है. इस फिल्म में क़ादर ख़ान के साथ ओम पुरी, राजपाल यादव, संजय मिश्रा और रज्जाक़ खान जैसे फिल्म जगत के जाने-माने कॉमेडियन हैं.

Mandana Karimi emerges a woman of substance with Bigg Boss 9

In a surprising turn of events, the third day at Bigg Boss 9 House turned out to be the day of the lady. And what a lady she has turned out to be. Iranian import Mandana Karimi who has begun her innings in Bollywood, unexpectedly emerged the new woman of substance.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 1 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

The hottest face of BB9, subtly put everyone from Suyyash Rai and his girlfriend Kishwar Merchant, her tied-up partner Keith Sequeira’s girlfriend Rochelle Rao, Aman Verma and Prince Narula in place just in a day.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 2 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

She reminded Keith and Suyyash to converse in Hindi (as per the rule of Bigg Boss) and requested Keith to ask his girlfriend to “chill” about their partnership. All this prompted Keith to caringly tell her that she may make enemies in the House if she continues to put her foot down. But that hardly stopped a strong Mandana, who immediately confronted Suyyash for taunting about her foreign accent.

“I have always maintained that one should expect the unexpected from Mandana. She may be a lovely and ravishing looking lady, but those are not the only qualities she has. Mandana is gritty, gutsy, emotional, sharp and intelligent — a lethal mix for Bigg Boss,” says her publicist Dale Bhagwagar, who has earlier handled the hype and hoopla for Shilpa Shetty during the international racism controversy in UK’s Big Brother.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 3 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

So was his brief to Mandana similar to that of Shilpa? “It is not at all fair to compare two individuals. Their minds, backgrounds and personalities are very different. However, I have to admit that I’ve given certain similar tips,” says the PR specialist who has looked after promotions and crisis management for a full 20 controversial names which have appeared on Bigg Boss since the first Season.

Mandana Karimi - Pic 4 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Dale reveals, “I’ve asked Mandana to always stand for whatever she believes in and stand firmly. Bigg Boss is a reality show where everything gets magnified manifold. Mandana’s thoughts are clear, but she is still working on her Hindi, and her accent. So to make up for that drawback, I’ve asked her to never shy from expressing her thoughts and emotions.”

Mandana Karimi - Pic 5 (Image Courtesy - Dale Bhagwagar Media Group)

Apart from Mandana, the public relations man has handled the media for some of the most controversial Bigg Boss names like Rakhi Sawant, Kashmera Shah, Sambhavna Seth, Sherlyn Chopra, Pooja Misrra, Diana Hayden, Shamita Shetty, Vindu Dara Singh, Zulfi Syed, Ashmit Patel, Salil Ankola, Upen Patel, Anita Advani, Amar Upadhyay, Aarya Babbar, Sonali Raut, Rahul Mahajan. This Season, he is also looking after the publicity for Vikas Bhalla and Aman Verma.

Five comedians come together for Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi

Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi - Poster 1
There was a time comedies ruled Bollywood. From Hrishikesh Mukherjee to Govinda, makers and actors entertained us like crazy for a few decades.

As if to replicate the time and bring in more laughs, filmmaker Fauzia Arshi has managed to rope in not one, or two…. but five comedians for her upcoming venture Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi.
Om Puri, Sanjay Mishra, Razzaq Khan and Raajpal Yadav in Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi
The film takes laughter to its original form with the laughter aces Om Puri, Sanjay Mishra, Raajpal Yadav, Razzaq Khan and the veteran Kader Khan coming together.

Fauzia informs that “the film is a rollercoaster ride with clean comedy. While it tickles and entertains on one hand, it also brings forth the irony of the changing times. It will make you laugh and think about life, without being preachy.”
Razzaq Khan, Om Puri, Sanjay Mishra and Raajpal Yadav in Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi
Produced by Santosh Bhartiya and Fauzia Arshi, Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi is releasing on October 16, has music, story, dialogues and direction by Fauzia Arshi.
Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi - Poster 2

होगया दिमाग़ का दही में पाँच हास्ये कलाकार!

एक समय था जब हास्ये कलाकारों ने बॉलीवुड पर राज किया है। ऋषिकेश मुखर्जी से गोविंदा तक, निर्देशकों ने और कलाकारों ने हम सभी को सदियों तक खूब हसाया और गुदगुगया।
Kader Khan and composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi on the sets of Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi
उसी तरह से हसने और हसने के लिए, फिल्म निर्देशिका फ़ौज़िया अर्शी ने एक नहीं, दो नहीं… बल्कि 5 हास्ये कलाकारों के समिश्रण से बनाई है ‘होगया दिमाग़ का दही’।

ये फिल्म हसी को नए स्तर पर लेजाने में सक्षम है, अपने साफ सुथरे अंदाज़ में और पाँच महान हास्ये कलाकारों के साथ। ओम पूरी, राजपाल यादव, संजय मिश्रा, रज़ाक खान और हसी के बादशाह कदर खान।
Composer-filmmaker Fauzia Arshi and Om Puri on the sets of Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi
फ़ौज़िया का कहना है, “ये फिल्म रोलर कोस्टर सफारी की तरह है, जिसमे डबल मीनिंग कुछ भी नहीं है। ये फिल्म आपको बदलते वक़्त की सच्चाई भी बताएगी। ‘होगया दिमाग़ का दही’ आपको हसाएगी भी और जीवन के बारे में सोचने पर मजबूर भी करेगी, मगर बिना किसी उपदेश के”।

संतोष भारतीय और फ़ौज़िया अर्शी इस फिल्म के निर्माता है। होगया दिमाग़ का दही 16 अक्टोबर 2015 को रिलीस होने वाली है।

No ticket faking at Falguni Pathak’s Navratri event this year

When it comes to the famous Dandiya nights during Navratri season, there is no singer that matches the craze and gusto of Falguni Pathak. Dubbed as the undisputed Queen of Dandiya, Falguni is a hot favourite this year too.

Falguni Pathak - Pic 1

Moreover, Falguni’s Navratri events have gotten bigger and flashier over the years. While most organizers have a field day, they also face the dark reality of duplicators making fake ticket replicas and trying to gate-crash her events.

So this year, her show organizers have introduced a unique way to avoid fake ticketing and control gate-crashing with a fool-proof method.

A technology solutions company ‘NoFake.In’, run by tech entrepreneur Mr Paresh Thakkar has come up with radio-frequency-based ticketing that is secure from duplication. Already used in many sporting events such as the Asian Games and IPL, the technology has been proven to prevent fake entrants.

Falguni Pathak - Pic 3

Though the technology is being used for the first time at a cultural festival, the ‘NoFake.In’ team has already started working with other topline Navratri organizers to enable secure ticketing. A good beginning, especially for musical events.