Have you heard? Let the thrills begin!

Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan began her second film with Anu Menon. The actor and the director kicked off Neeyat, a nail-biting thriller, on the outskirts of London. The two women previously collaborated on Shakuntala Devi (2021), the biopic on the mathematics genius who was also known as India's ‘human computer'. In her next, the National Award-winning actor plays detective Meera Rao, who is called in to investigate when guests start dropping dead at an exiled billionaire's birthday getaway. She is sure to keep cinegoers on the edge of their seats as she unravels the devious motives of the suspects, who are the billionaire's family and close friends.

Pay in kind

Over the last two years, Sonu Sood has emerged as a real-life hero for the common man with his philanthropic acts. The Simmba actor recently revealed his modus operandi when he was approached by a member of a hospital chain for collaboration to help people with their medical needs. Sonu offered to promote the hospital chain for a specific period of time. As his remuneration, he asked the hospital chain to perform 50 liver transplants. "That is almost Rs. 12 crore in value," he said, adding that this way he can ensure help for those who would otherwise never be able to afford such expensive surgeries.

Permission please

Jacqueline Fernandez has been under the ED's radar for her association with alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekar, who has been arrested in a Rs. 200 crore money laundering case. The latest is that she has moved an application in a Delhi court seeking permission to travel abroad for 15 days. Apart from Abu Dhabi, where the Bachchhan Paandey actor is slated to attend an awards show on May 20-21, Jacqueline also sought the court's permission to travel to France and Nepal. Recently, the ED attached fixed deposits worth Rs 7.27 crore in Jacqueline's name.

Singing to the little angel

Priyanka Chopra Jonas loves how Nick Jonas sings to their daughter Malti Marie all day. Apparently, his brothers advised him to sing to calm her down when she is fussy, and it has become a part of the father-daughter bonding. A source said, "It melts Priyanka's heart to see Nick singing to her all day. He rocks her back and forth and creates little songs for her. His family thinks that they might have another musician on their hands because she absolutely loves it."

Temple wedding for Nayanthara and Vignesh

Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, who got engaged last year, are set to get married in the Tirumala Tirupati temple on June 9. Incidentally, they visited the temple post the success of their recent release, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal. The actor and the director, who have been together for over six years, had planned a destination wedding, but had to cancel it. The wedding will be an intimate affair with only their families in attendance. Post the wedding, the couple is said to host a grand reception for their friends and industry colleagues in Chennai.

Telling real stories

While his acting career didn't go great guns, Harman Baweja isn't letting that deter him in his journey as a producer. Even as his remake of The Great Indian Kitchen with Sanya Malhotra and reality-inspired Captain India with Kartik Aaryan are slated to start soon, he has finalised his next production venture. Harman has acquired the life rights of Dr Rukmani Krishnamurthy, India's first female forensic scientist, who played a key role during the investigations of the 1993 Bombay Bomb Blasts as the Head of the Explosives Department at Forensic Science Laboratory.

A memorable decade

Arjun Kapoor completed a decade as an actor yesterday. Marking the 10th anniversary of his debut film, Ishaqzaade, he shared a long post along with a picture with his first co-star, Parineeti Chopra. Thanking "everyone for making an under-confident kid believe in himself," the actor said he is proud to be a "#WorkInProgress," with each film giving him an opportunity to learn new lessons and better his craft. He added, "Fortunate to have got producers and directors who have punted on me time and time again. It has been one hell of a ride. Many ups, many downs. Counting my blessings along the way." Parineeti commented, "Celebrating a decade of not being polite to each other."

Deepika bags a new deal

It has now been officially announced. Deepika Padukone has been signed on as the House Ambassador for Louis Vuitton. The Gehraiyaan actor joins Oscar-winning actor Emma Stone and Zhou Dongyu, known as the pillar of Chinese cinema, in the international luxury brand's new Dauphine bag campaign shot by Ethan James Green. On Monday night, Deepika left for the 75th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where she is a part of the eight-member jury.