BY SACNILK

The coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide lockdown has put a big halt in the entertainment industry as almost every film's release has been postponed indefinitely. While theater owners are waiting for the re-opening of cinemas, many filmmakers have already started opting for the OTT route whereas some are in advanced stage to announce their movies directly on the digital platforms. ## Gulabo Sitabo and Shakuntala Devi were one of the first movies to be announced for the direct OTT release with the former has already been premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Recently, late Sushant Singh Rajput and debutante Sanjana Sanghi's Dil Bechara had also been confirmed to release on 24 July on Disney Plus Hotstar. ## Now, Disney Plus Hotstar has confirmed 7 movies including Akshay Kumar's Laxmmi Bomb and Ajay Devgn starrer Bhuj: The Pride Of India. Late Sushant Singh Rajput's last movie Dil Bechara will be the first to release on July 24 while rest of the films will be premiered between July and October.## Here are movies which release directly on Disney+Hotstar -## Dil Bechara [24 July] -## Late Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi starrer which was earlier titled Kizie and Manny recently confirmed on Disney+Hotstar release. The film is the remake of Hollywood romance drama The Fault In Our Stars, which starred Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley. The film marks the directorial debut of casting director, Mukesh Chhabra. It will be the late actor's last film who passed away on June 14.## Laxmmi Bomb -## The remake of the Tamil movie Muni 2: Kanchana, Laxmi Bomb was supposed to release on Eid 2020 and was set to clash with Salman Khan’s Radhe – Your Most Wanted Bhai. Laxmi Bomb stars Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani in the leading roles. The upcoming horror-thriller is written and directed by Raghava Lawrence in his Hindi directorial debut while Cape of Good Films, Tushar Entertainment House, Shabinaa Entertainment, Fox Star Studios, and Bad-X Productions have co-produced the film. Akshay Kumar plays the role of a transgender.## Bhuj: The Pride Of India -## Ajay Devgn starrer Bhuj: The Pride Of India's story is set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in which Ajay Devgn plays IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik. Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Nora Fatehi, Sharad Kelkar, Ammy Virk, and Pranitha Subhash are also starring in key roles. It is being co-produced, written, and directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya. ## Sadak 2 [28 August] - ## The film marks the return of Mahesh Bhatt as a director after his 1999 film, Kartoos. The sequel of Sadak (1991) which was directed by Mahesh Bhatt will bring back the original actors Pooja Bhatt and Sanjay Dutt along with a new pair Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur. This is also the first time Alia is working with her father since her launch in Student Of The Year.## The Big Bull - ## The much-awaited Abhishek Bachchan starrer, which was set for theatrical release on 23rd October 2020, also seems to be acquired by the streaming giant. It is the story of a man who sold dreams to India. The film will also star Ileana D'Cruz, Nikita Dutta, and Soham Shah. It is directed by Kookie Gulati and produced by Ajay Devgn, Anand Pandit, and Vikrant Sharma, Kumar Mangat Pathak.## Khuda Haafiz [14 August] - Directed by Faruk Kabir, the film features Vidyut Jammwal and Shivaleeka Oberoi in the lead roles.## Lootcase [31 July] - The movie is directed by Rajesh Krishnan and produced by Fox Star Studios and Soda Films Productions and starring Kunal Kemmu along with Gajraj Rao, Rasika Duggal, Ranvir Shorey, and Vijay Raaz.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The chairman of the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC), Prasoon Joshi recently took to social media and expressed his disagreement with a few scenes in Amazon Prime's new web series 'Rasbhari' which starred Swara Bhaskar in the lead role. ## The web series is directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhatt and written by Shantanu Shrivastava talks about a small-town boy who falls in love with his teacher who is sex-obsessed. However, a scene where a little girl child dancing provocatively in front of men drinking didn't go well as the chairman raised an objection on this irresponsible content. ## Prasoon Joshi took to Twitter and wrote, "Saddened by web series #Rasbhari’s irresponsible content portraying a little girl child dancing provocatively in front of men drinking.Creators& audience need 2seriously rethink Freedom of expression or freedom of exploitation? Let’s spare children in the desperate need 4 entertainment".## Saddened byWebseries #Rasbhari’s irresponsible content portraying alittle girl child dancing provocatively in frontof men drinking.Creators& audience need 2seriously rethink Freedomof expression or freedom of exploitation?Let’s spare children in thedesperate need4 entertainment.— Prasoon Joshi (@prasoonjoshi_) June 26, 2020 ## दुःख हुआ।वेब सिरीज़ #rasbhari में असंवेदनशीलता से एक छोटी बच्ची को पुरुषों के सामने उत्तेजक नाच करते हुए एक वस्तु की तरह दिखाना निंदनीय है।आज रचनाकारों और दर्शक सोचें बात मनोरंजन की नहीं,यहाँ बच्चियों प्रति दृष्टिकोण का प्रश्न है,यह अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता है या शोषण की मनमानी।— Prasoon Joshi (@prasoonjoshi_) June 26, 2020 ## However, one of the producers of the web series Tanveer Bookwala clarified that the CBFC chairman had misunderstood the scene that he was referring to. In reply to Prasoon Joshi, the producer tweeted,## Sir, I feel like the scene has misrepresented itself to you. Or you’ve missed the glaring subtext and meta satire. We’ve all lived through the family circus and dance This isn’t a gender or age myopic exploitation, it’s the hypocrisy of the effects of pop culture on society.— Tanveer (@tansworld) June 26, 2020 ## Swara Bhasker also clarified that the scene doesn’t intend to objectify the little girl. She explained the scene that the chairman was referring to and informed him that he was getting it wrong. She said that it was the exact opposite of how he had perceived it. She further added that the small girl is dancing on her own wish and seeing her daughter dancing her father is embarrassed. The dance is not shameful. The girl is just dancing, she doesn’t know that society will sexualize her. This is what the scene shows.## आदर सहित सर, शायद आप scene ग़लत समझ रहे हैं। सीन जो वर्णन किया है उसके ठीक उल्टा है। बच्ची अपने मर्ज़ी से नाच रही है- पिता देख कर झेंप जाता है & शर्मिंदा होता है।नाच उत्तेजक नहीं है, बच्ची बस नाच रही है, वो नहीं जानती समाज उसे भी sexualise करेगा- scene यही दिखाता है। #Rashbhari https://t.co/xUAmRBHHjJ— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 26, 2020 ## The web series is co-created and produced by Applause Entertainment and Tanveer Bookwala and started streaming on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The director of Sushant Singh Rajput's Dil Bechara, Mukesh Chhabra on Thursday (June 25) got emotional after his debut directorial which also would be the last film of Sushant has been announced for its digital release by the makers of the film.## Mukesh Chhabra who shared a close friendship with Sushant post a heartfelt note on social media and stated that he along with the 'Dil Bechara' team, will celebrate the late actor through the release of the film which will be premiered on July 24, 2020, on Disney Plus Hotstar. ## Sushant Singh Rajput who claimed his life on June 14 at his residence in Mumbai had promised Mukesh Chhabra to be a part of the director's debut movie. Now, Mukesh Chhabra is overwhelmed by the decision of makers to release the movie and make it available to everyone. ## Chhabra shared the poster of the movie along with a note stating, "Sushant was not just a hero of my debut film as a director but he was a dear friend who stood by me through thick and thin. We had been close right from the Kai Po Che to Dil Bechara".## "He had promised me that he would be in my first film. So many plans were made together but never once did I ever imagine that I would be releasing this film without him. There can be no better way to celebrate him and his talent," the director added.## 🙏🏽🤗 pic.twitter.com/y8Z5xz2fmI— Mukesh Chhabra CSA (@CastingChhabra) June 25, 2020 ## He went to say, "He (Sushant) always showered immense love on me while I was making it and his love will guide us as we release it. And I'm glad that the producers have made available to watch. We are going to love and celebrate you my friend. I can visualize you with your beautiful smile blessing us from up above. Miss you," he concluded.## The movie is a coming-of-age romantic drama film which also stars debutante Sanjana Sanghi and Saif Ali Khan. AR Rahman has composed the film’s music and Amitabh Bhattacharya has penned it while Fox Star Studios has produced the movie. ## Dil Bechara is an adaptation of John Green’s 2013 bestseller novel 'The Fault In Our Stars' in which Sushant Singh Rajput plays Immanuel Rajkumar Junior aka Manny who falls in love with Kizie Basu (Sanjana Sanghi) and embarks on a sweet profound journey of life with his love.## Stay tuned... ##

BY SACNILK

Filmmaker Siddharth Roy Kapur's production house Roy Kapur Films has acquired the rights of the Scottish historian and writer, William Dalrymple's bestseller book 'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of The East India Company' that will be adapted it into a tv series. ## The book 'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company' by William Dalrymple was originally published on 10 September 2019 and it recounts the unprecedented rise of the East India Company and how Britain's ruthless looted India in the 18th century when India used to be an industrial powerhouse. ## Talking about the book, Siddharth Roy Kapur said in a statement, "I believe that stories that are compelling, relevant, and authentic have the potential to resonate with audiences across all nationalities and cultures. William Dalrymple''s epic tale of The East India Company is one such story".## #Update: #SiddharthRoyKapur's production house #RoyKapurFilms acquires rights of #WilliamDalrymple's bestseller #TheAnarchy: The Relentless Rise Of The East India Company... Will adapt the book into a series. pic.twitter.com/xBFWJx5YYR— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 23, 2020 ## Roy Kapur, who backed films such as 'The Sky is Pink' and 'Yeh Ballet' under RKF, said that adaptation of the book is relevant in the current times as there is a debate around corporations and individuals amassing power to "wield control over minds and nations".## "What could be more relevant to global viewers than the true story of the takeover of an entire subcontinent by a small trading company," the producer added.## The pre-production work of the series is expected to begin soon.## Stay tuned...

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...