Have you heard? Ali Fazal-Gerard Butler bonding over films and food

From what we hear, Ali Fazal and Gerard Butler hit it off during the 45-day schedule in Abu Dhabi, exchanging notes about their respective industries, their favourite movies and filmmakers

After Death on the Nile, Ali Fazal’s tryst with international movies continues with Kandahar. Director Ric Roman Waugh’s stylised thriller, set in the Middle East, sees Ali share screen space with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler. From what we hear, the two hit it off during the 45-day schedule in Abu Dhabi, exchanging notes about their respective industries, their favourite movies and filmmakers. A source reveals, “On their days off, Ali and Gerard would sit together for hours, discussing cinema. Being foodies, the two were happy to explore the local cuisine. In fact, Richa Chadha joined Ali in Abu Dhabi in the last week of December. The three actors brought in the new year together.”

Salman-Ajay plan Eidi for fans

For Salman Khan’s fans, Eid is incomplete without his film. The superstar knows that all too well. Since he doesn’t have a movie lined up for the festival, he did the next best thing. Salman cheered on for fellow actor Ajay Devgn’s directorial venture, Runway 34, which arrives in cinemas on April 29. “I don’t have any film ready. Toh maine apne bhai Ajay Devgn se request ki hai if he can come on Eid, Eidi dene ke liye. Chalo, iss Eid hum sab celebrate karenge aur dekhenge Runway34 (sic),” he wrote. The two have been buddies since their Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) days.

Shabana’s West side story

It’s a frenetic fortnight ahead for Shabana Azmi, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. On Sunday, she flew out of Mumbai to attend the premiere of her series, Halo, which is backed by Steven Spielberg. The red-carpet event is lined up for next week in Los Angeles. Before being Hollywood-bound, she had a quick stopover in London, where she caught a preview of What’s Love Got to Do with It? “Emma [Thompson] is a riot in the film. We play neighbours in the movie,” she tells us, over a phone call. Next up, she is eager to reunite with Spielberg and Halo co-stars Natascha McElhone, Yerin Ha, Kate Kennedy and Jen Taylor for the glitzy premiere. “We’re all excited to get in touch again. We’ll stay at the same hotel, so hopefully, we will spend some time together. I can’t wait to watch Halo on the big screen,” she says.

Three Khans, one film

We’re not the only ones eager to catch a glimpse of Pathaan. Not too long ago, Shah Rukh Khan had revealed that close friend Aamir Khan had expressed his wish to watch the film. But it looks like the third Khan has beaten Aamir to the race. The buzz is that Aditya Chopra, who is producing SRK’s spy thriller, showed about 20 minutes of the film to Salman Khan. The Tiger 3 actor was so impressed that he immediately called SRK to gush about the movie. Is Aamir next in line?

Watch your step

Arslan Goni had one too many injuries during his recent shoot in Turkey. The actor was nursing a nose injury while filming Love Ek Tarfa in the country. Unfortunately, he met with another accident on the last day of the shoot — he tripped while getting out of the car and slipped on the snow, resulting in a bruised eye. Arslan returned to the bay last night, covering his bruises under his sunglasses.

With family’s blessings

Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday found love in each other after they met on the sets of Khaali Peeli (2020). Now, it looks like the Gehraiyaan actor has been welcomed into the fold. In a recent interview, Ishaan’s mother Neelima Azeem said that Ananya is a part of their inner circle. She added that the actor is not only an important part of Ishaan’s life, but is also friends with Shahid and Mira Kapoor.

21 years of togetherness

Back in town after completing the London schedule of An Action Hero, Ayushmann Khurrana whisked wife Tahira Kashyap to Ranthambore. The quick trip was to celebrate their 21 years of togetherness. Sharing a video online, the actor wrote, “It’s our dating anniversary. We had the best time with our childhood friends with whom we became the goofiest beasts in Ranthambore. The animals were happy to spot us.” It was the perfect opportunity for Tahira to take a walk down memory lane. “We still fight and love like we did in 2001! Only you bring out the best in me, even in the most testing situation,” she wrote.

Fast forward

Where there is a television show, there is a time leap. This time around, Simaran Kaur and Himanshu Soni-starrer Aggar Tum Na Hote has resorted to a six-year leap. While the current track depicts Simaran’s Niyati Mishra and Himanshu’s Abhimanyu Pandey finding happiness in each other, the story will soon hit the fast-forward button to show Niyati as a single mother. “The leap will be one of the most significant emotional sequences, and will give rise to exciting developments in the show. It will turn Abhimanyu and Niyati’s lives upside down,” says Simaran.

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