Have you heard? Maintaining distance

Deepika Padukone

Maintaining distance

Project K actor Deepika Padukone is set to miss the grand event organised for the film at the San Diego Comic-Con today. The development comes in the wake of the ongoing Hollywood strikes by SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). The actor will skip the event as a show of solidarity with the film, television and radio artistes in the US, who are on a strike to protest the increased dependency on artificial intelligence, and the decrease in residual incomes by the big Hollywood studios. Earlier, the other cast members of the film like Prabhas and Kamal Haasan, along with Rana Daggubati, landed up in San Diego to attend the grand launch event of the film at SDCC.

A special film

As the film Googly clocked a decade since its release yesterday, actor Kriti Kharbanda took to her Instagram to express her gratitude towards her fans. The Kannada romantic comedy was directed by Pawan Wadeyar, and featured the superstar Yash, who also headlined KGF. Kharbanda rubbed shoulders with Yash, who portrayed her love interest. "Ten years to this brilliant, satisfying, iconic movie. A movie I knew was magical in every sense while I was shooting it. Dr Swathi is my favourite character. And Sharath, (Yash) will always be my favourite on-screen boyfriend."

Taking time off from work

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is currently in Coimbatore on a spiritual retreat. The actor, who is battling an autoimmune condition called myositis, took to social media to share pictures of herself meditating among a crowd of yogis. "A while ago, sitting still-without thoughts flooding, without twitching, itching, twisting and turning-seemed almost impossible. But today, a meditative state is my most powerful source of strength, calm, connection, and clarity. Who would have thought that something so simple could be so powerful," she asked on social media.

In honour

Actor Anupam Kher and acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi will be honoured with cinematic retrospectives at the upcoming 11th edition of the Jagran Film Festival (JFF), starting August 3. The cinema extravaganza will begin with Kher's address on the present state of the Indian film industry, followed by the world premiere of his yet-to-release film, The Signature, in which the 68-year-old actor plays the protagonist. "It brings me immense pleasure to be part of the JFF, where I can not only share the captivating Indian retrospective of cinema but also represent my film as an opening film on such an incredible platform. Through such platforms, the industry aims to emphasise the significance of Indian cinema and discuss the need for better storytelling for aspiring filmmakers."

More trouble? Or the truth?

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri announced his upcoming non-fiction project, The Kashmir Files Unreported, that will release on the streamer, ZEE5. The filmmaker, who earlier directed the 2022 movie, The Kashmir Files, shared the news on his social media pages along with its official teaser, saying that it will present the "vulgar truth of Kashmir genocide of Hindus". "A lot of genocide deniers, terror supporters and enemies of Bharat questioned The Kashmir Files. Now, bringing to you the vulgar truth of Kashmir genocide of Hindus which only a devil can question," Agnihotri tweeted. Agnihotri's film had evoked strong reactions from the masses. While some had praised the director for showcasing what transpired, others accused him of instigating the masses by spreading misinformation.

Pak actor among The Marvels trio

Pakistani-Canadian actor Iman Vellani will be one of the three protagonists of The Marvels, which will release this Diwali. New photos from the MCU offering have been released. They feature Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan (Vellani) and Monica Rambeau/ Photon (Teyonah Parris), along with Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson).

Celebrating Karan's legacy

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) announced its tribute to Karan Johar as he completes 25 years as a filmmaker in 2023. The film gala will host a series of events and special screenings of Johar's films in its run from August 11 to 20, the organisers said in a press release. Johar made his directorial debut in 1998 with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and emerged to become an influential figure in the Indian film industry. The filmmaker, 51, said he is "deeply honoured" to be a part of the 14th edition of IFFM. "This year holds a special significance for me as I celebrate 25 years as a filmmaker, and I can't think of a better platform than this festival to commemorate this milestone in my career. Returning for the third time at the festival, I am overwhelmed by the love and support I have received from the Australian audience. The festival's curation of a special experience and celebrations to mark this momentous landmark in my journey, fills me with a sense of joy and gratitude," he said in a statement. Johar's upcoming offering, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kaahani, is set to release.