FOR FRATERNITY

Actor and producer Shayan Khan — who has produced Money Back Guarantee (MBG) — has said in an interview that his message to other producers is that “We’re all part of the same fraternity.” That’s how things should be in our film industry. He claimed his idea was to release MBG on Eid in 2020 but, at that time, Bilal Lashari was preparing to release The Legend of Maula Jatt so he told them to go ahead and he’d wait for the “next slot.” Isn’t that considerate! By the way, three other films are getting released this Eid apart from MBG. Just saying.

ARTISTS AND BORDERS

While Indian and Pakistani governments are not on cordial terms with each other, the artist community seems unbothered about it. Last week, Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, celebrated his 28th birthday at one of Dubai’s swankiest recreational spots. Apart from the Bollywood celebs who took part in the joyous occasion, our very own Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam were two of the star performers. Both can be seen singing in video clips released from an account following Anant A’s sister Isha. Well, that’s the power of friendship, camaraderie… and a little bit of money.

PATHAAN VS AQUAMAN?

Ever since Indian production house YRF announced that a Pathaan vs Tiger (SRK vs Salman Khan) film as part of its Spy Universe project — which is to see the light of day in 2025 — is on the anvil, expectations have soared sky high. The makers of the film haven’t stopped there — they’re trying to take things a notch up by thinking of roping in Hollywood big gun Jason Momoa (Aquaman) as the villain in the movie. Till last reports came in, negotiations were on. Well,

Jason M is a six-foot-four-inch tall guy; he for sure will need two vertically challenged heroes to tackle him.

MOTHERLY MESSAGES

A long, long time ago, in a far away galaxy, Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor went out. Then they got married to different spouses. Recently, Ranbir K’s mother Neetu posted the following on Instagram: “Just because he dated you for seven years, it doesn’t mean he will marry you. My uncle studied medicine for six years, now he is a DJ.” To which Katrina K’s mother Suzanne Turquotte responded: “I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO.” Catty! Just when netizens began taking it like a feud of sorts, Suzanne T cleared the air: “[My post] was in no way aimed at anyone or at any comments that may have been said on social media.” Yep, it was aimed at janitors and CEOs.  

ANOTHER THEORY

The super hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, which captured the entire world’s attention from 2007 to 2019 and then had a spinoff that is still on air in the shape of Young Sheldon — based on one its characters Sheldon Cooper’s early life — is going to have another spinoff on HBO. The details of the show haven’t been forthcoming. All we know is that it will have hour-long episodes with its main characters — Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Howard (Simon Helberg) and Amy (Mayim Bialik)  — going in and out of them. Now that’s huge bang for sitcom lovers’ buck!

PROUD PRIYANKA

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy hasn’t just made us, Pakistanis, proud by getting a chance to direct the upcoming Star Wars edition; Priyanka Chopra is also cock-a-hoop about it. In her Instagram message, the Citadel star wrote for Sharmeen OC: “First person of colour and first woman to direct a Star Wars film — and she’s South Asian! What a historic moment, Sharmeen. So so proud of you, my friend. May the force be with you!” That’s a good gesture from you, Priyanka C, though it wouldn’t have hurt to call Sharmeen OC a Pakistani. After your tirade against your Bollywood colleagues’ behaviour that drove you out of Bollywood, may the force be with you, too!

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 23rd, 2023