BY SACNILK

Actress Anushka Sharma and the streaming platform Amazon Prime Video got in the fresh trouble after Punjab and Haryana high court issued a notice against them for allegedly defaming Sikh Community in the web series Paatal Lok. The notice of motion was issued to the Union of India and 15 other respondents by the bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi. ## The petitioner has objected the episode number 3 on “A History of Violence” that was set in a village in Punjab. Petitioner-advocate Gurdeepinder Singh Dhillon said, “The respondents have purposely and maliciously within the intent of creating communal disharmony and caste-based clashes have shown two communities in a bad light."## It is not the first time the series got a notice for hurting particular community sentiments, a few days ago, ex MLA of Delhi and Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee president, Manjinder Singh Sirsa also raised questions over Paatal Lok and demand for its ban for presenting Sikh Community as rapists. On May 29, he tweeted, "We have sent a legal notice to Amazon & directors Mr. Avinash Arun and Mr. Prosit Roy for hurting the sentiments of Sikhs by showing Sikhs as rapists through their controversial serial #PatalLok."## We have sent a legal notice to Amazon & directors Mr Avinash Arun and Mr Prosit Roy for hurting the sentiments of Sikhs by showing Sikhs as rapists through their controversial serial #PatalLok@PrimeVideoIN @amazonIN @AnushkaSharma @prosit_roy @ANI @republic @thetribunechd pic.twitter.com/qbFnz0a4qv— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) May 29, 2020 ## Ever since the Pataal Lok started streaming on Amazon Prime Video from May 15, it has been in the controversy for various reasons. Not only the Sikh Community but concerned people have also objected on several sensitive issues such as eating beef in front of Goddess’s photo, allegedly promoting Hinduphobia, Hindus lynching Dalits, etc. ## However, despite being in the light for the wrong reasons, the makers of the series are planning for its second season. Anushka Sharma hinted at the possibility of Paatal Lok season 2 in an interview with PTI.## Pataal Lok is a crime thriller series that stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Gul Panag, Neeraj Kabi, Swastika Mukherjee, Ishwak Singh, and Abhishek Banerjee in prominent roles. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan unveils the first look of his digital debut web-series Breathe: Into The Shadows that is going to stream on Amazon Prime Video from July 10. Abhishek Bachchan will play the lead role in the second season of Amazon Prime Video's original 2018 series Breathe. ## The actor took to Twitter to make the announcement of the first look and the starting date of the series. Sharing the first look poster, in which a little girl can be seen lying on the floor and surrounded by pieces of a broken mask, the actor wrote: "She lies into the shadows, waiting to be found. Here is the first look of Breathe: Into The Shadows. New series, July 10 on Prime Video."## She lies into the shadows, waiting to be found. Here is the First Look of #BreatheIntoTheShadows. New Series, July 10 on @primevideoin@BreatheAmazon @MenenNithya @TheAmitSadh @SaiyamiKher @mayankvsharma @vikramix @Abundantia_Ent pic.twitter.com/9KLI4RfVRr— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) June 12, 2020 ## Along with Abhishek Bachchan, the South Indian actress Nithya Menen is also going to mark her digital debut. The series also stars Saiyami Kher and Amit Sadh, who will reprise his role as Inspector Kabir Sawant from the first season of the psychological-thriller series. ## Speaking about his digital debut, Abhishek Bachchan told PTI, "In Breathe, one of the things that attracted me the most to the story was the details and nuances that were built into the character I play. This is possible in the streaming medium since the time to engage with the audience is nearly four times that of a conventional feature film".## The series will be directed by Mayank Sharma, who also helmed the first part while Abundantia Entertainment will produce the series. R Madhavan played the lead role in the first part of Breathe in 2018. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan may soon seem to guide people through his voice on Google Maps. Big B has been approached by the searching giant for giving his voice for navigation on Google Maps and it said to have offered a huge amount to bring Big B on board. ## According to the Mid-Day report, Big B has been in talks with Google for providing his voice to Google Maps. Once he accepts the offer, the 77-year-old actor will record his voice from him. ## Big B has offered his voice in many films and documentaries in the past, including the Oscar-winning documentary "March of the Penguins" back in 2005. ## In 2018, Google partnered with the production house Yash Raj Films (YRF) to incorporate dialogues of the actor Aamir Khan's character Firangi from the movie Thugs Of Hindostan into Google Maps. That was the first major Bollywood deal by the Google for its mapping service.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the makers to take the OTT route as theaters are closed indefinitely due to the pandemic and the lockdown. However, makers' new approach of going for the digital release instead of the conventional theatrical release has sparked a controversy between the film producers and theater owners. ## Recently, when Shoojit Sircar's Gulabo Sitabo was announced for its digital premiere, the multiplex chain owners expressed their disappointment over the decision taken. Now, the director of the film Shoojit Sircar opened up about the issue and said that the theater owners are right in protesting but we have to move on as there is nothing personal.## In an interview with Firstpost, he said, “Their resentment is right, and that is why I never retaliated to what they felt. I just told them, ‘Yes, you have every right to protest. You have every right to feel uncomfortable because this film is releasing digitally. But there is nothing personal. You will find your way to run your business, and I will find a way to release my films.”## “The Producers’ Guild also sent a statement to theatre owners saying how will the producers move on. Unless they move on, and films get made, the films will not get projected in the theatre. But I will always say that both cinema halls and OTT are going to co-exist. Their resentment is absolutely right but this is not the end of the world. We have to move on,” he added. ## Gulabo Sitabo which stars Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana for the first time together is not the only movie that announced for the OTT release. Vidya Balan and Sanya Malhotra starrer 'Shakuntala Devi' too will release worldwide digitally. Both films will be released on Amazon Prime Video. ## Now, one of the much talked about films, Janhvi Kapoor starrer Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl too has taken the digital route as its distribution rights have been acquired by the streaming giant Netflix and it will release worldwide very soon.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

After Gulabo Sitabo and Shakuntala Devi, Janhvi Kapoor starrer 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl' is also set to release directly on the digital platform as the streaming giant Netflix bagged one of the most talked-about films of the year.## Producer Karan Johar took to Twitter to announced the film's digital premiere.## #GunjanSaxena - #TheKargilGirl pic.twitter.com/jhgDlUSHeZ— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) June 9, 2020 ## Janhvi Kapoor shared a video on Instagram announcing the news. She wrote, "Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl. This isn’t just a film for me- it’s a journey that’s taught me to believe in myself. A journey I can’t wait to share with you all. About a girl who set out to do something simple, follow her dreams. #GunjanSaxena - #TheKargilGirl coming soon on Netflix. #GunjanSaxenaOnNetflix". ## View this post on Instagram This isn’t just a film for me- it’s a journey that’s taught me to believe in myself. A journey I can’t wait to share with you all. About a girl who set out to do something simple, follow her dreams. #GunjanSaxena - #TheKargilGirl coming soon on Netflix. #GunjanSaxenaOnNetflix @dharmamovies @zeestudiosofficial @karanjohar @apoorva1972 @pankajtripathi @angadbedi @itsviineetkumar @manavvij @sharansharma @netflix_in @zeemusiccompany A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor) on Jun 8, 2020 at 10:33pm PDT ## Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is a biopic directed by Sharan Sharma while it is produced by Dharma Productions and Zee Studios. The film stars Janhvi Kapoor in and as Gunjan Saxena while Pankaj Tripathi and Angad Bedi have also played an important role. ## The film is based on the first female and Indian woman airforce pilot, Gunjan Saxena. It was originally scheduled to release theatrically on 13 March 2020 before it postponed to 24 April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film again postponed indefinitely after the uncertainty over theaters to re-open. ## Now, Netflix has acquired the distribution rights and will release the film worldwide very soon.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Producer Ekta Kapoor came under the scanner after a police complaint filed against her web series 'Triple X-2' for disrespecting the Indian Army. Ekta addressed this issue and spoke up about the rape and death threats she is receiving after FIR lodged. ## In a chat with Shobha De, Ekta said that she is ready to apologize if the demand for it comes from ‘any bona fide army institution’ but won't bow down to cyberbullying. "As an individual and as an organization, we are deeply respectful towards the Indian Army. Their contribution to our well-being and security is immense. Yes, we shall readily tender an unconditional apology if such a demand comes from any bona fide army institution. But we won’t bow down to uncivilized cyberbullying and rape threats by random elements,” she said.## The rape and death threat came after Bigg Boss 13 contestant and Youtuber Hindustani Bhau aka Vikas Phatak filed a complaint against the producer. To which, Ekta Kapoor said, “This gentleman who thinks that he’s the ‘patriot of the year’ decided to come out there, abuse my mother and me. And now, he has openly put a rape threat on a social platform."## "This is now no longer about the army or sexual content because the idea of this is ‘rape a girl, rape her son, rape her 71-year-old mother’ for making sexual content. It means sex is bad but rape is okay.”## "It was ‘no big deal’ for her to issue an apology for the controversial scene, but now, I have decided to take the route of standing up to this cyberbullying”. She said, “If they can decide to take my nudes out, put out my nudes on the net, call me r****, then tomorrow, they can do this to any girl.” she added. ## FYI, the scene which led to the controversy has been removed from the series which is streaming on ALT Balaji. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Director and producer Ekta Kapoor's new web series 'Triple X-2' has sparked controversy after some ex-army personnel lodged a complaint in Gurugram's Palam Vihar police station for disrespecting army officers and showing vulgar content.## Raising some strong objection on the web series which is based on the lives of army personnel, Martyrs Welfare Foundation (MWF) chairman Major T.C. Rao said that the producer and director have disrespected shoulders who sacrifice their lives, by showing that army men's wives are intimate with other men when their husbands are away from home serving on the borders.## "This content is highly objectionable and it could demoralize our armed forces. Triple X-2 also has scenes where uniforms of military men, having symbols of Ashoka statue and Taj are torn apart. This is an insult to our armed forces and military personnel," T.C. Rao said.## MWF has warned Ekta Kapoor that if she will not remove the objectionable scenes from the web series, then they will intensify their agitation.## Rajender Kumar, SHO of Palam Vihar police station, confirmed receiving a complaint in this regard and said the matter is under investigation.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 28 (IANS) Actor Priyanshu Painyuli made his international debut with the Chris Hemsworth-starrer digital film "Extraction", and he says he got a special memento from the set.## He got a customized jacket that was made for his character Amir Asif, as a gift from the team. "The memories made in the film, the things I learned will all last a lifetime. But this is the best gift they could have given me. The jacket is gorgeous. It was customized by Indian craftsmen and has detailed work on it," Priyanshu said.## "It celebrates our rich culture of craftsmanship and it's the most beautiful gift I could have received. ‘Extraction' has been such a special experience and with the role of 'Amir Asif,' I have been able to show my range as an actor. This jacket will be a reminder of all the good praises coming my way. Post this film, I feel enthused and motivated to do even better. Being a part of an international film is such great exposure for any young actor and this character has made people see me in an entirely different light," he added.## In "Extraction", Priyanshu is seen as a powerful drug lord of Bangladesh. Originally titled "Dhaka", the film also stars Indian actors Randeep Hooda, Pankaj Tripathi, and Rudraksha Jaiswal.## It revolves around Tyler Rake (essayed by Chris Hemsworth), a fearless, black market mercenary, who embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he is enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. Hemsworth shot for the Netflix film in India in 2018. In India, he shot in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The film released on Netflix on April 24.## Stay tuned...

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New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) Fun chat shows to informative sessions, actors like Kartik Aaryan, Sunny Leone, Shruti Haasan, and Rashami Desai are flaunting their hosting skills in the digital space to while away their lockdown hours and fans are loving it.## Kartik's talk show on YouTube, "Koki Poochega", is surely among the most popular efforts. On the show, he interacts with frontline warriors in the COVID-19 battle, including doctors and health workers, and also with survivors of the novel coronavirus pandemic.## Kartik's trademark humorous style, at the same time engaging and informative, has already won the show a huge fan base, including Bollywood stars such as Alia Bhatt and Janhvi Kapoor, who have heaped praises on Kartik's effort on social media.## In his first episode of "Koki Poochega", Kartik interviewed India's first COVID-19 survivor Sumit Singh. The interaction gave an insight into what a person with symptoms of the virus should do and not do.## Shruti, who has been sharing recipes along with hair and skincare tips on social media, also goes live on Instagram for interactions with select guests.## Ways to stay strong, maintain mental balance, and keeping patience have been some of the topics of discussion.## "I have a close group of women who are my friends, but I also have a larger circle of women whom I have been interacting with that have been inspiring me. They are from different walks of life," said Shruti.## "I thought it would be lovely to interact with them on various topics and I like that they are from different places, different topics, and different professions," she added.## Sunny Leone has also started her chat show on Instagram.## Titled "Lockdown with Sunny", it sees Sunny in conversation with several celebrities, including Daboo Ratnani and Mandana Karimi.## "It was my idea to just have fun with our fans and people on Insta. It is all about light-hearted conversations with funny things and details about the guest," Sunny said.## "Bigg Boss 13" contestant Rashami Desai has also started her own digital show titled "The RDShhow".## "It's not your regular chat show. It's being made with an intent to educate people on different fields of career. I'll be inviting eminent personalities from various fields as guests on my show. We'll be discussing each field, with its possible career opportunities and the skills required to be successful in those particular fields," said Rashami.## Also making good use of the digital platform, actor Karanvir Bohra has started a fun-filled and informative live series titled "Lockdown with KV".## "The idea right now is to keep people engaged, talking, and importantly listening and watching good content to keep their minds diverted from the ongoing stressful situation," he said.## "So that's what my second live series 'Lockdown with KV' is aiming at. The first main idea which is to just talk to people from different walks of life and understand their lives and routines and importantly coping skills during these trying and testing times" added the actor, who had earlier brought in his celebrity friends for a 21-question series on Instagram.## Actress-producer Dia Mirza's digital session, "#DownToEarthWithDee", features celebrity guests who share a common love for nature. The session is held every Wednesday.## Dia's first conversation with filmmaker Zoya Akhtar dwelt on a number of things, from their shared love for nature to how they are both dealing with the lockdown.## "I hope these conversations on '#DownToEarthWithDee' every Wednesday will help all those seeking ways to live in better harmony with nature despite living in cities. I hope they find some magic, inspiration, and solutions in our conversations,'' Dia said.## Joining the list is actress Urvashi Dholakia, who has a digital chat show called "Trending Now".## Through the course of the show, Urvashi will be seen chatting up with personalities from diverse fields.## She has interviewed celebrities like Tony Kakkar, Sriti Jha, and Sumona Chakravarti.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani starrer Laxmmi Bomb might not release in theaters now as some reports suggest that the movie can directly go to digital platforms due to coronavirus pandemic and extended lockdown in India. However, the official announcement yet to happen but it is highly to release on OTT platform.## Movie critic and trade analyst Joginder Tuteja also gives a hint that one of the most awaited movies of the year may not release in theaters. ## Yes, it is highly probable now that @akshaykumar and @advani_kiara starrer #LaxmmiBomb will release straight on OTT.Sad (for people like me who love to watch the smallest of films on the big screen) but true! pic.twitter.com/AbMAyhZpXN— Joginder Tuteja (@Tutejajoginder) April 26, 2020 ## Laxmmi Bomb was originally slated to release on Eid (22 May) along with Salman Khan's Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai but the coronavirus pandemic and the extended lockdown till May 3 in India has ruined all the plans of the makers to get an original release date.## Laxmmi Bomb is a Hindi remake of 2011 Tamil horror comedy Muni 2: Kanchana. Akshay Kumar plays the role of timid-natured Raghav, who suffers from a fear of ghosts and undergoes a personality transformation after being possessed by the spirit of a transgender named Laxmmi in the film. Laxmmi Bomb is directed by Raghava Lawrence who also directed and played a lead role in Tamil film Muni 2: Kanchana. ## Due to the pandemic, many film projects have been postponed indefinitely including Salman Khan's Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai which was slated to release along with Akshay's Laxmmi Bomb on Eid (22 May), 2020.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Actor Rajeev Khandelwal says his role in his debut play "Court Martial" is an ode to his father.## "Growing up in an army family, I've always seen my father and brother proudly don their uniforms and it's no news to people that I also had aspirations to join the army," Rajeev said.## "In my career, I've played characters in uniforms before and I decided to keep this one of Capt. Bikash Roy. My role in ‘Court Martial' I'd like to believe is an ode to my father," he added.## The Zee Theatre teleplay "Court Martial" follows the unusual trial of a junior-ranked army man convicted of murdering his senior officer. Rajeev plays the role of Bikash Roy, an extremely sharp defense lawyer who goes deep into the shocking truth behind the assault.## Written by Swadesh Deepak, the play also stars Govind Pandey, Bhagwan Tiwari, Saksham Dayma and Swapnil Kotiwar.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Actor Pankaj Tripathi has found an interesting way of engaging with fans during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.## In a series started by the actor on his Facebook page, Pankaj narrates slice-of-life stories from his own experiences that changed his perspective of life. He talks about memories of his growing-up years.## In one of the stories he narrated, the actor spoke about how the train and its sounds evoke in him bittersweet childhood memories.## "I didn't start it with a script in mind. It's a conversational series where I talk to my fans about the things that matter to me. It's more often than not the simple things in life that we end up caring for the most," said Pankaj.## "Locked down at home, waiting for these tough times to pass should remind people where their priorities lie," he added.## As for films, he has projects like "Ludo" and "Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl" in his kitty.## Stay tuned...