#second bollywood superstar

[latestnews69]

Bollywood superstar on why he secretly quit films

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[demigod-of-the-agni]

Spider-Man India, but... where from India?

A SUPER long post featuring talks of: cultural identity, characterisation, the caste system, and what makes Spider-Man Spider-Man.

I’m prefacing this by saying that I am a second-generation immigrant. I was born in Australia, but my cultural background is from South India. My experiences with what it means to be ��Indian” is going to be very different from the experiences of those who are born and brought up in India.

If you, reader, want to add anything, please reblog and add your thoughts. This is meant to be a post open for discussion — the more interaction we get, the better we become aware of these nuances.

So I made this poll asking folks to pick a region of India where I would draw Pavitr Prabhakar in their cultural wear. This idea had been on my mind for a long while now, as I had been inspired by Annie Hazarika’s Northeastern Spidey artwork in the wake of ATSV’s release, but never got the time to actually do it until now. I wanted to get a little interactive and made the poll so I could have people choose which of the different regions — North, Northeast, Central, East, West, South — to do first.

The outcome was not what I expected. As you can see, out of 83 votes:

THE RESULTS

South India takes up almost half of all votes (44.6%), followed by Northeast and Central (both 14.5%) and then East (13.3%). In all my life growing up, support towards or even just the awareness of South India was pretty low. Despite this being a very contained poll, why would nearly half of all voters pick South India in favour of other popular choices like Central or North India?

Then I thought about the layout of the poll: Title, Options, Context.

Title: "Tell us who you want to see…"

Options: North, Northeast, Central, East, West, South

Context: I want to make art of the boy again

At first I thought: ah geez. this is my fault. I didn't make the poll clear enough. do they think I want them to figure out where Pavitr came from? That's not what I wanted, maybe I should have added the context before the options.

Then I thought: ah geez. is it my fault for people not reading the entire damn thing before clicking a button? That's pretty stupid.

But regardless, the thought did prompt a line of thinking I know many of us desi folk have been considering since Spider-Man India was first conceived — or, at least, since the announcement that he was going to appear in ATSV. Hell, even I thought of it:

Where did Spider-Man India come from?

FROM A CULTURALLY DIVERSE INDIA

As we know, India is so culturally diverse, and no doubt ATSV creators had to take that into account. Because the ORIGINAL Spider-Man India came from Mumbai — most likely because Mumbai and Manhattan both started with the same letter.

But going beyond that, it’s also because Mumbai is one of the most recognisable cities in India - it’s also known as Bombay. It’s where Bollywood films are shot. It’s where superstar Hindi actors and actresses show up. Mumbai is synonymous with India in that regard, because the easiest way Western countries can interact with Indian culture is through BOLLYWOOD, through HINDI FILMS, through MUMBAI. Suddenly, India is Mumbai, India is a Hindi-only country, India is just this isolated thing we see through an infinitely narrow lens.

We’ve gotten a little better in recent years, but boy I will tell you how uncomfortable I’ve gotten when people (yes, even desi people) come up to me and tell me, Oh, you’re Indian right? Can you speak Hindi? Why don’t you speak Hindi? You’re not Indian if you don’t speak Hindi, that’s India’s national language!

I have been — still am — so afraid of telling people that I don’t speak Hindi, that I’m Tamil, that I don’t care that Hindi is India’s “national” language (it’s an administrative language, Kavin, get your fucking facts right). It’s weird, it’s isolating, and it has made me feel like I wasn’t “Indian” enough to be accepted into the group of “Indian” people.

So I am thankful that ATSV went out of their way to integrate as much variety of Indian culture into the Mumbattan sequence. Maybe that way, the younger generation of desi folk won’t feel so isolated, and that younger Western people will be more open to learning about all these cultural differences within such a vast country.

BUT WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH SPIDER-MAN INDIA?

Everything, actually. There’s a thing called supremacy. You might have heard of it. We all engaged with it at some point, and if you are Indian, no matter where you live, it is inescapable.

It happens the moment you are born — who your family is, where you are born, the language you speak, the colour of your skin; these will be bound to you for life, and it is nigh impossible to break down the stereotypes associated with them.

Certain ethnic groups will be more favourable than others (Centrals, and thus their cultures, will always be favoured over than Souths, as an example) and the same can be said for social groups (Brahmins are more likely to secure influential roles in politics or other areas like priesthood, while the lowers castes, especially Dalits, aren’t even given the decency of respect). Don’t even get me started on colourism, where obviously those of fairer skin will win the lottery while those of darker skin aren’t given the time of day. It’s even worse when morality ties into it — “lighter skinned Indians, like Brahmins, embody good qualities like justice and wisdom”, “dark skinned Indians are cunning and poor, they are untrustworthy”. It’s fucking nuts.

This means, of course, you have a billion people trying to make themselves heard in a system that tries to crush everyone who is not privileged. It only makes sense that people want to elevate themselves and break free from a society that refuses to acknowledge them. These frustrations manifest outwardly, like in protests, but other times — most times — it goes unheard, quietly shaping your way of life, your way of thinking. It becomes a fundamental part of you, and it can go unacknowledged for generations.

So when you have a character like Pavitr Prabhakar enter the scene, people immediately latch onto him and start asking questions many Western audiences don’t even consider. Who is he? What food does he eat? What does he do on Fridays? What’s his family like, his community? All these questions pop up, because, amidst all this turmoil going on in the background, you want a mainstream popular character to be like you, who knows your way of life so intimately, that he may as well be a part of your community.

BUT THAT'S THE THING — HE'S FICTIONAL

I am guilty of this. In fact, I’ve flaunted in numerous posts how I think he’s the perfect Tamil boy, how he dances bharatanatyam, how he does all these Tamil things that no one will understand except myself. All these niche things that only I, and maybe a few others, will understand.

I’ve seen other people do it, too. I’ve seen people geek out over his dark brown skin, his kalari dhoti, how he fights so effortlessly in the kalaripayattu martial arts style. I’ve seen people write him as Malayali, as Hindi, as every kind of Indian person imaginable.

I’ve also seen him be written where he’s subjected to typical Indian and broader Asian stereotypes. You know the ones I’m so fond of calling out. The thing is, I’ve seen so much of Pavitr being presented in so many different ways, and I worry how the rest of the desi folk will take it. 

You finally have a character who could be you, but now he’s someone else’s plaything. Your entire life is shaped by what you can and can’t do simply because you were born to an Indian family, and here’s the one person who could represent you now at the mercy of someone else’s whims. He’s off living a life that is so distant from yours, you can hardly recognise him.

It shouldn’t hurt as much as it does, yeah? But, again, you’re looking at it from that infinitely narrow lens Westerners use to look at India from Bollywood.

AND PAVITR PRABHAKAR DOESN'T LIVE IN INDIA

He lives in Mumbattan. He lives in a made-up, fictional world that doesn’t follow the way of life of our world. He lives in a city where Mumbai and Manhattan got fucking squashed together. There are so many memes about colonialism right there. Mumbattan isn’t real! Spider-Man India isn’t real!! He’s just a dude!! The logic of our world doesn’t apply to him!!!

“But his surname originates from ______” okay but does that matter?

“But he’s wearing a kalari dhoti so surely he’s ______” okay but does that matter?

“But his skin colour is darker so he must be ______” okay but does that matter?

“But he lives in Mumbai so he must be ______” okay but does that matter?

I sound insensitive and brash and annoying and it looks like I’m yapping just for the sake of riling you up, so direct that little burst of anger you got there at me, and keep reading.

Listen. I’m going to ask you a question that I’ve asked myself a million times over. I want you to answer honestly. I want you to ask this question to yourself and answer honestly:

Are you trying to convince me on who Pavitr Prabhakar should be?

... but why shouldn't i?

I’ll tell you this again — I did the same thing. You’re not at fault for this, but I want you to just...have a little think over. Just a little moment of self-reflection, to think about why you are so intent on boxing this guy.

It took me a while to reorganise my thinking and how to best approach a character like Pavitr, so I will give you all the time you need as well as a little springboard to focus your thoughts on.

SPIDER-MAN (INDIA) IS JUST A MASK

“What I like about the costume is that anybody reading Spider-Man in any part of the world can imagine that they themselves are under the costume. And that’s a good thing.”

Stan Lee said that. Remember how he was so intent on making sure that everybody got the idea that Spider-Man as an entity is fundamentally broken without Peter Parker there to put on the suit and save the day? That ultimately it was the person beneath the mask, no matter who they were, that mattered most?

Spider-Man India is no less different. You can argue with me that Peter Parker!Spidey is supposed to represent working class struggles in the face of leering corporate entities who endanger the regular folk like us, and so Pavitr Prabhakar should also function the same way. Pavitr should also be a working class guy of this specific social standing fighting people of this other social standing.

But that takes away the authenticity of Spider-Man India. Looking at him through the Peter Parker lens forces you to look at him through the Western lens, and it significantly lessens what you can do with the character — suddenly, it’s a fight to be heard, to be seen, to be recognised. It’s yelling over each other that Pavitr Prabhakar is this ethnicity, is that caste, this or that, this or that, this or that.

There’s a reason why he’s called Spider-Man India, infuriatingly vague as it is. And that’s the point — the vagueness of his identity fulfils Lee’s purpose for a character that could theoretically be embodied by anyone. If he had been called “Spider-Man Mumbai”, you cut out a majority of the population (and in capitalist terms, you cut out a good chunk of the market).

And in the case of Spider-Man India? Whew — you’ve got about a billion people imagining a billion different versions of him.

Whoever you are, whatever you see in Pavitr, that is what is personal to you, and there is nothing wrong with that, and I will not fault you for it. I will not fault you for saying Pavitr is from Central due to the origins of his last name. I also will not fault you for saying Pavitr is from South due to him practising kalaripayattu. I also will not fault you for saying he is not Hindu. I also will not fault you for saying he is a particular ethnicity without any proof.

What I will fault you for is trying to convince me and the others around you that Pavitr Prabhakar should be this particular ethnicity/have this cultural background because of some specific reason. I literally don’t care and it is fundamentally going against his character, going against the “anyone can wear the mask” sentiment of Spider-Man. By doing this, you are strengthening the walls that first divided us. You’re feeding the stratification and segmentation of our cultures — something that is actually not present in the fictional world of Mumbattan.

Like I said before: Mumbattan isn’t real, so the divides between ethnicities and cultural backgrounds are practically nonexistent. The best thing is that it is visually there for all to see. My favourite piece of evidence is this:

It’s a marquee for a cinema in the Mumbattan sequence, in the “Quick tour: this is where the traffic is” section. It has four titles; the first two are written in Hindi. The third title is written in Bengali*, and the fourth title is written in Tamil. You go to Mumbai and you won’t see a single shred of Bengali nor Tamil there, much less any other language that's not common in Maharashtra (Western India). Seeing this for the first time, you know what went through my head?

Wow, the numerous cultures of India are so intermingled here in Mumbattan! Everyone and everything is welcome!

I was happy, not just because of Tamil representation, but because of the fact that the plethora of Indian cultures are showcased coexisting in such a short sequence. This is India embracing all the little parts that make up its grander identity. This scene literally opened my eyes seeing such beauty in all the diverse cultures thriving together. In a place where language and cultural backgrounds blend so easily, each one complementing one another.

It is so easy to believe that, from this colourful palette of a setting, Pavitr Prabhakar truly is Spider-Man India, no matter where he comes from.

It’s easy to believe that Pavitr can come from any part of India, and I won’t call you out if the origin you have for him is different from the origin I have. You don’t need to stake out territory and stand your ground — you’re entitled to that opinion, and I respect it. In fact, I encourage it!!!

Because there’s only so much you can show in a ten minute segment of a film about a country that has such a vast history and even greater number of cultures. I want to see all of it — I want him to be a Malayali boy, a Hindi boy, a Bengali boy, a Telugu boy, an Urdu boy, whatever!! I want you to write him or draw him immersed in your culture, so that I can see the beauty of your background, the wonderful little things that make your culture unique and different from mine!

And, as many friends have said, it’s so common for Indian folks to be migrating around within our own country. A person with a Maharashtrian surname might end up living in Punjab, and no one really minds that. I’m actually from Karnataka, my family speaks Kannada, but somewhere down the line my ancestors moved to Tamil Nadu and settled down and lived very fulfilling lives. So I don’t actually have the “pure Tamil” upbringing, contrary to popular belief; I’ve gotten a mix of both Kannada and Tamil lifestyles, and it’s made my life that much richer. 

So it’s common for people to “not” look like their surname, if that’s what you’re really afraid about. In fact, it just adds to that layer of nuance, that even despite these rigid identities between ethnicities we as Indian people still intermingle with one another, bringing slivers of our cultures to share with others. Pavitr could just as well have been born in one state and moved around the country, and he happens to live in Mumbattan now. It’s entirely possible and there’s nothing to disprove that.

We don’t need to clamber over one another declaring that only one ethnicity is the “right” ethnicity, because, again, you will be looking at Pavitr and the rest of India in that narrow Western lens — a country with such rich cultural variety reduced to a homogenous restrictive way of life.

THE POLL: REINTERPRETED

This whole thing started because I was wondering why my little poll was so skewed — I thought people assumed I was asking them where he came from, then paired his physical appearance with the most logical options available. I thought it was my fault, that I had somehow influenced this outcome without knowing.

Truth is, I will never really know. But I will be thankful for it, because it gave me the opportunity to finally broach this topic, something that many of us desi folk are hesitant to talk about. I hope you have learned something from this, whether you are desi or a casual Spider-Man fan or someone who just so happened to stumble upon this. 

So just…be a little more open. Recognise that India, like many many countries and nations, is made up of a plethora of smaller cultures. And remember, if you’re trying to convince Pavitr that he’s a particular ethnicity, he’s going to wave his hand at you and say, “Ha, me? No, I’m one of the people that live here in the best Indian city! I’m Spider-Man India, dost!”

(Regardless, he still considers you a friend, because to him, the people matter more to him than you trying to box him into something he’s not.)

*Note: thank you dear anon for letting me know that the third title was Bengali, twas my mistake for literally completely forgetting

[lyricsolution-com]

Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ Season 3 Brings Bollywood Magic With Malhari From Bajirao Mastani! | Movies News

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the maestro of grand Indian cinema, has once again made waves internationally! His iconic song “Malhari” from Bajirao Mastani has found its way into the Marvel Universe, recreating cinematic magic in What If…? Season 3. In the second episode of the animated series, Kumail Nanjiani returns as Kingo, the Bollywood-superstar-turned-superhero from Marvel’s Eternals. This time,…

[roydeezed]

for the reverse unpopular meme ask, what's the thing you love most about bollywood films?

There's so much I could say but I think I have to pick the earnestness for my favourite thing. So much of what's great about Bollywood comes from that. An industry that almost exclusively deals with musicals, though that's changing more and more with every poignant hit like the The Lunchbox(2013) or All we Imagine as light(2024), has to trade in earnestness. Otherwise none of the big moments or the time and relationbuilding-bending that goes on lands. But because Bollywood so believes in itself, we buy everything we see. We buy location and lens changes, we buy colour palette shifts and fantastical things happening. In contrast it's something you see very clearly with Superhero movies where they, at least a lot of the times, don't have faith in the fact that people will buy tights wearing superheroes. It's the whole Whedon-esque, holding the baby at the arms length, snarky type of humour. It keeps you at bay because it doesn't have faith in you as an audience. And also they don't have faith in themselves as storytellers. And going back to Bollywood, they have so much faith in themselves that they know that even when they go for big jokes or set pieces that don't land, the earnestness with which they dust themselves off and try again immediately wins you over. Like the Superstars of Bollywood became who they are now by making fools of themselves in such earnest ways because they believed in serving the film. And it's not just that, everything from the set design to the music to the choreography just goes all out in such an honest way. And because of that we find ourselves believing and living in a world where bursting out in song and dance is second nature, where physics are defied by what should be ordinary humans, and where people can fall in love in the length of a song.

[playermagic23]

EXCLUSIVE: When Mean Girls star Avantika Vandanapu admitted being a fan of Mahesh Babu: “He has a very down-to-earth and grounded nature about him”

Avantika Vandanapu, an emerging American-Indian actress, has captivated audiences in her portrayal of Karen Shetty in the latest Mean Girls installment, succeeding Amanda Seyfried's iconic role from 2004. The internet has been buzzing with praise, envisioning her as the brown Rapunzel and advocating for her presence in various projects. Prior to her Hollywood journey, Vandanapu marked her debut in the Indian film industry with a role in Mahesh Babu's 2016 release, Brahmotsavam.

While the 19-year-old is revelling in the newfound fame in Hollywood, she made her Telugu movie debut as a child actor and worked with Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu. Back in 2021, while promoting her film Spin for Disney channel which also stars Abhay Deol, Avantika admitted to being a huge fan of Mahesh Babu. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama at the time, she had said, “I am a big fan of him. If you watch Telugu movies, you are mostly like and inevitably going to be a fan of Mahesh Babu. So to have the first movie and to have worked with him was such an insane thing for me. I don’t know if many Indians in American, second-generation Indian-American kids can comprehend Mahesh Babu’s magnitude and the amount of work he has done. I grew up watching so many Telugu movies. My parents speak fluent Telugu at home. I was very ingrained in that culture. So when I went to India and worked with Mahesh Babu, I knew what was happening and it was a huge thing for me. To this day, I am still like ‘That’s so weird that it was my first opportunity.’ How insane is that.”

Recalling Mahesh Babu’s kind gesture of guiding her during the shoot, she added, “I did get to speak with him on set. He is an adult and he decided to speak to his young kid who was a really big fan on set. He is so nice. During the shoot, a lot of things got added and we travelled to Ooty and a lot of unplanned travels happened. When we were there, he was kind of helping me, guiding me through the process because all this was happening so fast at once. He is a great actor and amazing to be in person. He is very quiet and he has a very down-to-earth and grounded nature about him.” Meanwhile, Avantika Vandanapu stars in Tina Fey’s Mean Girls. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school. The film is currently running in theatres.

[salmankhanholics]

★ Salman Khan to construct 19-floor sea-facing hotel in Bandra with cafe, gym, swimming pool!

May 20, 2023

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is known to be one of the biggest investors in the city when it comes to hotels, restaurants and pubs. And looks like there is no stopping for Bhaijaan as he is now set to construct a swanky 19-storeyed hotel in a posh locality of Mumbai's suburban area of Bandra.

The hotel will be equipped with state-of-art amenities, right from a cafeteria and a gym to a huge swimming pool.

The hotel will reportedly be constructed under the name of Salman's mother, Salma Khan.

Salman Khan's 19-floor hotel in Mumbai

According to a report in Times of India, the plot where the hotel is being constructed once housed a residential building named Starlet CHS, in which the Khans had purchased several apartments.

Located at Carter Road in Bandra, the plot is a prime, sea-facing property, and a hotel there would sure attract hoards of customers.

The report stated that the proposal to build a hotel on the plot was submitted by the Khan-daan a year ago, and as per official papers, Salman's mother, Salma Khan, is the owner of the property.

As per the report, Khans' architect, Sapre & Associates, submitted a plan to authorities for a commercial building with a height of 69.90 metres which will be centrally air-conditioned.

The report also revealed that out of the 19 floors, the first and second floors will be occupied by a cafe and a restaurant, while the third floor has been reserved for a swanky gym and a swimming pool. The fourth floor will be used a service floor, and the fifth and sixth floors will house a convention centre.

From 7th to 19th floor, the building has been reserved for hotel use. Not just that, but there will also be a three-level basement at the property.

The actor and his family are yet to give out an official statement yet.

[autolivenewsin]

Ranveer Singh’s New Car Collection: Bollywood’s Energy King on Wheels

Ranveer Singh, Bollywood’s ultimate showman, is not just known for his electrifying performances and quirky fashion sense but also for his love for luxury cars. His car collection mirrors his larger-than-life personality, featuring some of the most luxurious and high-performance vehicles. Let’s dive into Ranveer Singh’s new car collection and explore the stunning rides that define his style.

1. Aston Martin Rapide S

One of the crown jewels in Ranveer Singh’s car collection is the Aston Martin Rapide S. This luxurious four-door sports car is the epitome of elegance and power, perfectly matching Ranveer’s dynamic persona. Priced at over ₹3.8 crore, the Rapide S is often his go-to car for red carpet events and special occasions.

Key Features:

6.0L V12 engine delivering 552 horsepower

Top speed of 327 km/h

Handcrafted interiors with premium leather upholstery

2. Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is a recent addition to Ranveer’s garage. This ultra-luxurious SUV offers unparalleled comfort and cutting-edge features, making it a favorite among Bollywood celebrities. Priced at approximately ₹2.92 crore, this car combines luxury with performance.

Key Features:

4.0L V8 engine with EQ Boost technology

Reclining rear seats with massage functionality

Burmester 3D surround sound system

3. Lamborghini Urus Pearl Capsule Edition

Ranveer Singh’s love for speed and style is evident in his choice of the Lamborghini Urus Pearl Capsule Edition. This high-performance SUV is not only a head-turner but also a beast on the road. With a price tag starting at ₹3.43 crore, the Urus is a perfect blend of sportiness and luxury.

Key Features:

4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds

Exclusive Pearl Capsule color options and Alcantara interiors

4. Jaguar XJ L

Another luxurious ride in Ranveer’s collection is the Jaguar XJ L, a full-size sedan that offers a seamless blend of sophistication and performance. Priced at around ₹1 crore, this car is ideal for both city commutes and long drives.

Key Features:

3.0L V6 diesel engine

Panoramic sunroof and premium leather interiors

Advanced infotainment system with touchscreen controls

5. Audi Q5

Ranveer also owns an Audi Q5, a versatile luxury SUV that perfectly complements his energetic lifestyle. With a starting price of ₹60 lakh, the Q5 is known for its smooth performance and stylish design.

Key Features:

Quattro all-wheel drive system

Virtual cockpit with customizable displays

Spacious interiors with top-notch comfort features

Ranveer’s Love for Luxury Cars

Ranveer Singh’s car collection is a testament to his vibrant personality and love for luxury. From the opulent Aston Martin Rapide S to the sporty Lamborghini Urus, each car in his garage reflects his unique taste and flair. As the superstar continues to rule Bollywood, fans can expect even more extravagant additions to his collection.

Stay tuned for more updates on your favorite celebrities and their luxurious lifestyles!

[bhaskarlive]

Ranbir Kapoor looks dapper in new haircut by Aalim Hakim, fans say ‘for Dhoom 4’

Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor looked-every-inch dapper after he got a new haircut by celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim.

Hakim on Tuesday took to Instagram, where he dropped three pictures with the superstar. The first was a picture of Ranbir’s side profile as sported short slick hair. The second was a close up on the actor.

Source: bhaskarlive.in

[allthenewzworld]

Shah Rukh Khan, took the top spot on the list of the highest tax-paying Indian celebrity, contributing a staggering Rs 92 crore for the financial year 2024.

He was followed by Thalapathy Vijay. The Tamil superstar outpaced several Bollywood heavyweights, ranking second with a tax payment of Rs 80 crore. SalmanKhan, who had a lukewarm year at the box office, still came in third as he shelled out Rs 75 crore in tax. #allthenews #allthenewz #bollywood

[the-trend-tales]

Indian fashion icons make spectacular appearances at the Met Gala that left us speechless

The Met Gala one of the most anticipated fashion events, took place on Monday 6th of may inspired by J.G. Ballard “Garden of Time” featuring the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion'exhibition displayed at the Costume Institute in New York” celebrities from all around the world have put on their most prestigious attire. Although some appearances were controversial some others were extremely praised by the public and went viral.

Mystery guest catches everyone’s attention as she makes an outstanding debut on her first Met Gala red carpet. So, who is she?

Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mona Patel, born in Gujarat India, now based in the United States, Founder of eight companies throughout her career fashion, property, and tech ventures. Patel was featured on Forbes next CEOs, and an alumnus of Harvard, Stanford and MIT. The young entrepreneur built multiple business including couture for cause, a nonprofit that raise donations by auctioning one-of-a-kind couture items many of which come from her personal collection. Couture for cause raises funds and awareness for organizations that advocate for girls around the world like pencils of promise and rescue foundation

Patel made a spectacular appearance wearing a custom couture Iris Van Herpen gown and styled by Zendaya’s former stylist Law Roach. The team made an excellent collaborative work and assembled a masterpiece that will then be donated to the Met Museum.

Patel's form was embraced by the nude colored dress, which then widened at the ankles. The gown's front featured a high-low effect achieved by a scooped cut-out, while the back featured a floor-length skirt accented with huge ruffles fashioned like wings.It featured a strapless neckline, and the corset bodice's shape and the details covering the gown were intended to resemble butterfly wings. The sides of the dress were designed with semi-sheer, textured lace. According to Vogue India, “some of the embroidery on the gown was done in India”.

 “I wanted my debut look to be something that celebrates my heritage and also combines my love couture, and when I heard of the theme, Iris Van Herpen seemed like the obvious choice,” Patel told the Vogue India team in March earlier this year. “The native Indian stood out in honor of the "Garden of Time" theme, with a beautifully sculpted outfit that hugged her body and a corset shaped like a butterfly.

But what do you think truly made the appearance go viral? you guessed it right! The slow-motion, artistically embroidered butterflies fluttering across the sleeves. Which Casey Curran just a month ahead designed to resemble a swarm of butterflies fluttering down Patel’s arms as she walked the red carpet.

It is no doubt that Iris Van Herpen is a true pioneer of what is referred to as "high-tech" fashion, especially working with scientists and architects to develop ever-more cutting-edge methods and materials for her designs. In addition, she takes most of his inspiration from nature to create unique artwork making her the best choice for this this year’s Met theme, this masterpiece indeed couldn’t have gotten any more gorgeous than this!

Certainly the Indian presence this Met, made a spectacular impact on the red carpet like never before, celebrities like Mindy kaling, Simone Ashley, Natasha poonawalla ,…etc made Indian representation shine. Speaking of Indian representation, quickly comes to our mind beautiful colorful sarees and of course there is no one that can rock the Indian saree like Aliaa Bhatt did this Met. The Bollywood superstar marks her second appearance this year at the Met with an astonishing saree that gave such a beautiful representation of the Indian culture.

Handcrafted by the renowned fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherje and styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania , Bhatt claimed when asked about the look choice: “It needed something timeless and there is  nothing more timeless than a saree.”

Indeed, the saree perfectly embodied the aesthetics of the theme with its ethereal hues of nature making her look extremely angelic, but what took this look to a whole new level is its delicate handcraft and how the flowers gorgeously were embraided looking almost like a bouquet accentuated by the soft white tulle.

Splendid real gems with the shade of green crafted on the saree along with a magnificent headpiece made Bhatt look like a gorgeous garden princess. Vogue reported “the actor’s ethereal look featured a 23-foot-long train detailed with florals delicately hand-embroidered using silk floss, glass beading, and semiprecious gemstones.”

This masterpiece definitely took an enormous amount of effort and dedication, can you imagine how long it took to create this look? As Bhatt mentioned on her Instagram post appreciating all the hard work done to bring this artwork to life that she herself describes as “an ode to art and eternity”, “The saree took 163 people working together for a total of 1965 hours showing their dedication and passion to bring it to life”. Moreover, she ended her post by saying:” Timelessness is endless, and we acknowledge that things crafted with time and care, can last forever. In our journey for an Indian interpretation of this universal theme, the outfit took on a life of its own.”

And we can’t think of a more beautiful way to appreciate and recognize the Indian culture.

It is no doubt that Indian celebrities this Met stole the show with their spectacular appearances. They definitely set the bar too high for all designers around the world when it comes to true effort, teamwork, dedication and commitment. I personally was always fascinated by their artistic creations in all industries, but most importantly appreciative they are towards their culture and how they do their best to interpret it in the most beautiful way to the rest of the world. I hope all celebrities can stick to their roots, culture, traditions, values and beliefs and to never be ashamed of them because these are the things that give us our identity and should make us feel proud to be part of it

By: Malak Habib

[lyricsolution-com]

Salman Khan Drops Pics With Father Salim Khan’s First Bike | People News

Mumbai: The Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who was recently seen in a cameo role in the theatrical film ‘Singham Again’, has shared a picture with his father, legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, and the latter’s first bike. On Thursday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared two pictures. The first picture shows Salman looking at his father as the latter sat on his bike. The second picture…

[playermagic23]

Dil Se turns 26: Manisha Koirala REVEALS why she and Shah Rukh Khan never reunited after Mani Ratnam directorial; says, “Heroes decide whom they want to work with”

As Dil Se, a 1998 Bollywood film, celebrates its 26th anniversary, fans are reminded of its storytelling, memorable soundtrack, and the outstanding on-screen combination of Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala. Despite the film's critical success and lasting significance, the couple never collaborated on another project. In a recent interview with Zoom, Manisha Koirala finally explained why she did not reunite with SRK.

Manisha Koirala Explains: 'Heroes Decide Whom They Want to Work With' During her open talk, Koirala shared a little-known fact: following Dil Se, she and Shah Rukh Khan collaborated on another film called Guddu. However, the film did not receive the same level of attention. Koirala reflected on the dynamics of the film industry, saying, "In this industry, the heroes decide whom they want to work with, not the heroines."

A Look at Manisha Koirala's Experiences in Bollywood

In the same interview, Manisha Koirala discussed some of her early industry experiences that influenced her career. One such occurrence occurred when a prominent photographer asked her to pose in a two-piece bikini. Koirala recalled the event, saying, "Very early in my career, I was asked to go and take photographs with a very famous photographer." I went with my mother, and the photographer first said things like, 'You are the future superstar.' But then he pulled out a two-piece bikini and instructed me to wear it. I informed him,'Sir, I wear this when I go to the beach or for a swim, but if this is the way I have to go into the movies, I don't want it. and I am not wearing that.’

Koirala held firm and insisted on being taken fully clothed, prompting a dramatic response from the photographer: "He said, 'Jo mitti pighalne se sharmati ho uske murti kaise banaye (The clay that refuses to melt, how do I make a statue from it).'"

On the professional front, Manisha recently appeared in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi, a Netflix original series. It was renewed for a second season.

[salmankhanholics]

★ Salman Khan, Arijit Singh Unite for ‘Tiger 3’ Songs: ‘A Collaboration That Was Waiting to Happen’!

October 19, 2023

The talents of Bollywood megastar Salman Khan and leading singer Arijit Singh will finally be united in Yash Raj Films’ “Tiger 3.” 

Singh has sung two numbers for the film. “Leke Prabhu Ka Naam,” a dance number featuring Salman and Katrina Kaif releases next week, while the second song is a romantic track.

India deploys a practice known as playback singing where singers render songs that actors lip-sync to on screen. Via this method, Singh has been the on-screen singing voice of most of Bollywood’s top male stars including Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor among many others. He had yet to sing for Salman Khan, perhaps because of an alleged disagreement during an awards ceremony in 2014.

Since then Singh has expressed publicly that he wants “to retire with at least one song of you [Salman Khan] in my library” and that has now happened.

“Tiger 3” director Maneesh Sharma said: “We can’t wait for ‘Leke Prabhu Ka Naam’ to drop next week. It’s an out and out party track and having Arijit’s voice on top of Salman’s swag, is the cherry on top. Katrina’s ethereal beauty and the chemistry between the two makes it the perfect formula to have everyone dancing. We had a lot of fun filming in Cappadocia, Turkey, and this will be another huge dance chartbuster to add to the already enviable list of successes that Salman and Katrina have had together.”

Composer Pritam added: “It was a collaboration that was waiting to happen. Salman Khan is one of the biggest superstars and Arijit Singh, our generation’s top singing sensation. These two stalwarts coming together for a song was long overdue and we are thrilled that it is happening for ‘Tiger 3.’”

“Tiger 3” is the latest instalment in producer Aditya Chopra‘s spy universe that kicked off with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, beginning with “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012) and “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017) and continued with “War” (2019), starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. “Pathaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, released in January and is the second biggest Indian hit of the year with $130 million. The four films have together grossed some $300 million.

In “Tiger 3,” Tiger is in peril after being framed as enemy number one and goes on a life-threatening mission to hunt down his enemies. Tiger wants to clear his name for his country, for his family and he won’t stop at anything.

[pavitrtimes]

The Deol Brothers' Resurgence: An Epitome of Resilience

Hailing from the iconic Deol lineage, Sunny and Bobby Deol have held a special place in the Indian film industry. While they remained a formidable force throughout the latter part of the 20th century with several successful films, there were phases when their presence on the silver screen ebbed. However, in the true Deol spirit, these two powerhouses of talent made a stunning and noteworthy comeback, proving that their connection with audiences is far from over.

Bobby Deol’s Steadfast Comeback

For Bobby Deol, who rose to fame with films like 'Barsaat', 'Gupt', and 'Soldier' in the 90s, the early 2000s saw a slowdown in his career. However, his resilience shone through as he made a triumphant return with 'Poster Boys in 2017. Bobby's second wind became even more significant with his praise-worthy performance in the 2018 blockbuster 'Race 3', where he shared screen space with superstar Salman Khan.

But what truly marked his stellar comeback was his plunge into the digital platform. Portraying the role of ‘Kashipur Waale Baba Nirala’ in the web series 'Aashram', Bobby showed his acting prowess, earning accolades from critics and audiences alike. This venture not only marked a new phase in his career but also affirmed his versatility and adaptability to the evolving trends in the entertainment industry.

Bobby Deol’s career trajectory took a novel turn with his involvement in "Animal", a film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Known for his chocolate-boy charm and a knack for action-packed roles in the 90s, Bobby's choice of "Animal" reflects his readiness to explore complex characters and narratives beyond the conventional Bollywood formula.

Sunny Deol's Remarkable Resurgence

Much like his younger brother, Sunny Deol, too, had faced a phase of career slump following the early 2000s. Known for his powerful performances in films like 'Ghayal', 'Damini', and 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', Sunny carved a niche for himself in the industry. However, he made a remarkable resurgence in 2016 with his directorial venture 'Ghayal Once Again', continuing the narrative of his 1990 blockbuster 'Ghayal'. The film, with Sunny in the lead role, was well-received, marking a successful comeback for the actor.

With his comeback with "Gadar 2", a sequel to the 2001 blockbuster "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha", Sunny reprised his role as Tara Singh, a character that has become iconic in Indian cinema history. The original film, celebrated for its intense emotion, gripping narrative, and Sunny’s compelling performance, left a lasting impression. "Gadar 2" continues this saga with a monumental performance by Sunny.

Furthermore, the Deol brothers joined hands again for the sequel 'Apne 2', cementing their multi-decade presence in the industry. The movie is a much-anticipated sequel to their 2007 family sports drama, 'Apne', and has been a buzz in the Bollywood circuit, promising another testament to their unending talent and charm.

In conclusion, the Deol brothers, Bobby and Sunny, have shown that perseverance and talent are the cornerstones of enduring success. Their remarkable comeback in the industry is a testament to their resilience and indomitable spirit, inspiring a new generation of actors to never lose heart, no matter the adversities they face in the unpredictable world of cinema.