Have you heard? Ajay Devgn on the spiritual path

Ajay Devgn with Balu Munnangi

With a slew of films lined up for release, including RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Maidaan, Thank God, and his directorial venture Runway 34, some divine intervention can go a long way for Ajay Devgn. He visited the Sabarimala temple in Kerala with Bollywood's go-to astrologer Balu Munnangi. The star is amazed by Munnangi's way with numbers and predictions for film projects. The Hyderabad-based palmist has a long list of star clients, including Karan Johar, Kajol, Sanjay Dutt and several South film folk.

On the pitch

Last seen in Aanand L Rai's Zero (2018) starring Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma is back on the big screen with Chakda Xpress. On Thursday, she unveiled her look in cricketer Jhulan Goswami biopic, which drops on Netflix. "It is a special film because it is a story of tremendous sacrifice. Chakda Xpress will be an eye-opener into the world of women's cricket," said Sharma. A section of netizens felt she did not physically match Goswami and her Bengali accent was cringe-worthy. "Nothing against Anushka, she is a brilliant actress, but as a Bengali, I have issues with the weird accent," read a tweet. Another social media user posted, "There are some fine actors in Bengal who could have played Jhulan. But we still have to get a popular actor of Bollywood, put on a layer of dusky makeup and still not look the part."

Biopic mode

Rajkummar Rao features in a biopic on Srikanth Bolla, a visually-impaired industrialist who didn't let adversities come in the way of his ambition and laid the foundation for Bollant Industries, which produces eco-friendly disposable products. "It's a privilege to play a person who has been through hardships and risen like a phoenix," said Rao. The film, backed by Bhushan Kumar and Nidhi Parmar Hiranandani, is written by Sumit Purohit and Jagdeep Sidhu. Saand Ki Aankh (2019) director Tushar Hiranandani helms the film.

Play it again

Sushmita Sen is playing Danyal Zafar's track Udh chaliye on loop. It is daughter Alisah's favourite number too. The actor posted that it is a "vibe kind of song." The Pakistani crooner and younger brother of actor-singer Ali Zafar replied, "OMG! What? It was what I dreamt for the track to do, and you've made it come true." In 2017, Danyal was Bollywood-bound, but Indo-Pak tensions affected his plan.

Superhero message

On Thursday, AR Rahman turned 55. The musician's son, AR Ameen, took to Instagram to wish dad on his big day by taking a reference from the Robert Downey Jr-starrer Avengers: Endgame (2019) in his post. "Happy birthday to the world's best dad. I love you 3000," Ameen wrote. The dialogue, "I love you 3000," is the most-remembered line from the superhero movie. Tony Stark puts daughter Morgan (Lexi Rabe) to bed. Just before he closes the door, he says, "I love you tons," and Morgan replies, "I love you 3000." As Ameen, a budding singer, shares his birthday with dad, it is always a double celebration at home.

In advance

Shruti Haasan, who turns a year older on January 28, began receiving messages from fans as soon as her birthday month began. The actor enjoys an enviable following on social media, and her interaction with fans regularly makes her one of the most loved celebrities among netizens. "The year couldn't have started on a better note. I have received the sweetest messages, and reading them makes each day special," she says.

For a cause

Vaani Kapoor is a front-runner to bag laurels this awards season for her role as a transgender in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui. If she wins, the actor wants to dedicate the honour to the transgender community who have been discriminated against for ages. "It is rare to find a project like Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui that can consume you. I am blessed to play the character with all my heart and soul," says Kapoor.

Final act

It's curtains for the Ranveer Singh-hosted game show, The Big Picture, this weekend. The final episode features Karan Johar and Kajol. The two reminisce special moments from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). KJo revealed how Kads was forced to wear a headband in the film due to some issues with her wig, and how the look went on to become popular at that time. "Kuch kuch galtiyaan iconic bann jaati hai," said the filmmaker.

Back on the scene

Angad Hasija is the latest addition to Ziddi Dil Mane Na. He plays Kundan, a small-town guy. "I have returned to a daily soap after over two years. After the lockdown restrictions eased, I was doing a Punjabi show, Tera Rang Chadeya," he says. He was keen to do something that would "help me grow as an actor and learn from it," adds Hasija, who runs an interior business as designing and architecture are his passions.