Interview: Cinematographer Santosh Sivan, An Analogue Man In The Digital World

Taapsee Pannu On How Challenging It Was To Portray Mithali Raj On Screen 

<p>Shruti Haasan has been a great crossover actress for the past two-decade now. She’s carved a niche for herself in the Tamil and Telugu film industry and has featured in superhit movies such as <i>Gabbar Singh, Balupu, Yevadu, Race Gurram</i> and <i>Premam</i> to name a few. Shruti is currently filming <i>Salaar</i>, in which she stars opposite Prabhas. The Prashanth Neel-directed film has become one of the much-awaited action films slated to release in 2023. Apart from <i>Salaar</i>, Shruti will also star alongside Chiranjeevi in KS Ravindra’s<i> Mega 154 </i>and Nandamuri Balakrishna in <i>NBK107</i>.</p><p>So Shruti has an impressive filmography down south and is pretty much packed this year with an interesting line-up of upcoming movies opposite South Indian superstars. In a candid conversation with <i>Zee Zest</i>, the actress talked about her experience of working with Prabhas, her relationship with Santanu Hazarika, her struggle with PCOS, and much more.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZVscoyB9be/?hl=en"></oembed></figure><h2>1. Tell us about your character Aadhya in <i>Salaar</i>.</h2><p>My character Aadhya in <i>Salaar</i> is really layered and she is a very interesting part of the story. All the characters I am playing of late are extremely different to each other and there is no exception to this one, so I am really excited for people to see the different shades that have come through in the character and specially because of the way our director Prashanth Neel conceptualised it. It was a pleasure working with someone who is so clear about the people in a film.</p><h2>2. How was it working with Prashanth and Prabhas? What are some of their best qualities?</h2><p>It's been wonderful working with both of them. Starting with the director I always been a fan of the fact that he creates these really intense world's which you get stuck in to and he’s got his signature style of narration and storytelling which I really like. I am really glad to be a part of that and it is a pleasure to work with a director who's so clear and responsible towards all that he is doing. It's been wonderful working with him.</p><p>Prabhas is wonderful as well. Genuinely nice human being and makes everyone feel it. When I go to the set I don't feel like I am going to work at all. It seems like hanging out with friends and doing something fun together. For that I am really thankful. </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ0TI7_hzu3/?hl=en"></oembed></figure><h2>3. You have opened up about dealing with PCOS and endometriosis lately. Do you struggle with body image issues? How do you deal with it?</h2><p>I have been speaking about PCOS for a long time because it's something that I had for a very long time. I don't really take it personally. I don't struggle with body image issues as I have worked hard to accept myself, know myself and kind of respect the rhythms of my body but being the profession I am into it’s definitely challenging because there are days I feel bloated or have issues with the weight or hormones and then I have to give my best for it to not show it on screen and that's really where it becomes challenging.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZw6pEbr7I2/?hl=en"></oembed></figure><h2>4. Have you been subjected to body-shaming? How do you cope?</h2><p>I haven't really been subjected to body shaming but there is a generalised mood on the internet to talk about anybody's appearance, opinions or bodies (male or female) that's just kind of an unhealthy trend.</p><h2>5. Going by your Instagram, you seem to do a lot of cooking. What are some of your most favourite dishes that you usually love to cook?</h2><p>I love cooking. It's really therapeutic to me. I really enjoy feeding people and having them enjoy the food. I cook, I bake, I like making cakes, I like making substitutes like gluten cakes. I also love cooking basic South Indian food which is my go-to. </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h2>6. What’s your go-to healthy meal?</h2><p>I really love keeping my food light, especially when I am working. Like good soup, salad or healthy sandwiches. I also enjoy my cheat meal which usually includes rice. I am not a big fan of breakfast, which is what everyone says it's horrible. You should value breakfast most, but I usually have a very light breakfast which is usually some boiled eggs and fruits.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV3ZpdtrOtQ/?hl=en"></oembed></figure><h2>7. You have been quite vocal about your relationship. How would you define it? What made you fall for Santanu?</h2><p>I have been vocal about my relationship because I am pretty much open about most things in my life. I didn't feel I wanted to hide this. I don't know how I would define it other than saying that he is really my best friend and supporter, understands certain parts of me and for that I am really thankful. I keep falling for him every day because he keeps surprising me with his kindness, and I am also a big fan of his talent and intelligence.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWu9HBjhtwC/?hl=en"></oembed></figure><h2>8. What makes him different from the rest?</h2><p>Shantanu is different from actually anybody I ever met. He is a mix of so many different things that make him really interesting to me. He is extremely witty, but he is also kind, super sarcastic. He is also really caring. He is very positive and very spiritual, but he also loves the dark side rather than the complications in life. He balances all his imperfections in a perfect way and that is what I really like about him.</p><h2>9. What’s your morning ritual like?</h2><p>I am not a very early morning person. I am usually not in a great mood very early in the morning. Waking up brushing my teeth, checking my phone and just trying to get into the day as quickly as possible. I don't have the energy to meditate or focus on the day. I just need to get into the day because I am not a morning person.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVKVCdDgvKs/?hl=en"></oembed></figure><h2>10. Take us through your beauty regime. Any age-old beauty tips/homemade beauty products that you use?</h2><p>My beauty regime has always been quite simple - hydrate the skin inside and outside. I really believe in cleaning all of my makeup and having a clean face to sleep at night. That's what gives you a clean canvas for the next day. We work in makeup and so much light pollutes so it's really important for us to clean our faces. I love good hydration. I use the Pulp aqueous hydration serum which I really love for hydration.</p><h2>11. What keeps you busy when not shooting?</h2><p>When I am not shooting, I am busy writing music and finishing that up and finding to expand my horizons into writing or production whatever else I can do. I like to have a large canvas.</p>

The actress gets candid about what made her fall in love with Santanu Hazarika. 

Shruti Haasan talks about her experience of working with Prabhas, her relationship with Santanu Hazarika, her struggles with PCOS, and more. 

Shruti Haasan on Working With Prabhas and Her Role in Salaar

Interview: Shruti Haasan Opens Up On Her Relationship, Love For Cooking, PCOS & More 

Shruti Haasan

Salaar

Prabhas

Being Humourless In Public Is Usually The Safer Path: Shashi Tharoor

<p>Reading is among the most beneficial hobbies you can have. For the greater part of two millennia, books have been mankind's most important source of information and enjoyment. Reading has long been associated with intelligence and it keeps your mind busy and enables you to be innovative, analytical, and imaginative. Reading can help you relieve stress, increase your interpretive skills, stimulate your creative side, and improve your sleep amongst many other things.</p><p>Regardless of what people say, it is never too late to build a reading habit. It doesn't take years to create a reading habit—you simply need to figure out which genre works best for you.</p><p>To find the best books to read for beginners, you'll need to develop the habit of active reading. Quick and amusing novels with comparatively smaller chapters are the best books to start a reading habit. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, for instance, is less than 100 pages and is an easy read for beginners. Here are some good books to read for beginners:</p><p><strong>Indian authors</strong></p><h2>1. <i>Malgudi Days </i>by RK Narayan</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_1_1657899836082.jpg"></figure><p><i>Malgudi Days</i> is a full-colour depiction of RK Narayan's fictitious town that captures the spirit of India and humanity. The book contains almost 40 narratives centred on Narayan's stunning and mystical images. This is one of the best books for beginners.</p><h2>2. <i>The Palace Of Illusions</i> by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni</h2><p>The <i>Palace of Illusions</i> transports us to a period that is part history, half mythology, and entirely fantastic. In the famous epic Mahabharata, the focus is Panchali, the bride of the Pandava siblings.</p><p>The story follows the queen Panchaali from her conception in a fire to her life as a woman with five husbands who had been tricked out of their father's land. Panchali is pulled into their quest to reclaim their history, joining them through years of exile and a horrific civil war involving all of India's major empires. If you are thinking about easy books to read as a beginner, this one is a complete mix of twists and turns that you will like.</p><h2>3. <i>The Interpreter Of Maladies</i> by Jhumpa Lahiri </h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_3_1657899864989.jpg"></figure><p>This is a great compilation of nine short tales by Jhumpa Lahiri. The stories are based on the lives of Indians and Native Americans caught between two civilizations. The novel was released in 1999 and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the Hemingway Foundation award. It has sold almost 15 million units worldwide.</p><h2>4. <i>Train to Pakistan</i> by Khushwant Singh</h2><p><i>Train to Pakistan </i>traces the story of a fictional village, Mano Majra, and how the Partition of India and Pakistan divided families here. The book is written by Khushwant Singh and is one of the classics, depicting the complexity of the time in clear detail.</p><p>AlsoRead0</p><p><strong>International authors</strong></p><h2>5. <i>A Thousand Splendid Suns</i> by Khalid Hosseini</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_4_1657899917632.jpg"></figure><p>Life's unexpected twists and turns can derail even the best-laid plans, but you must continue. Even when things take a dark turn and you can't picture a happy ending, you'll find it difficult to put this novel down making it one of the best books to read for beginners.</p><h2>6.  <i>Diary of A Young Girl</i> by Anne Frank</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_5_1657899940100.jpg"></figure><p>Throughout her journal, a young Anne Frank recalls the difficulties she and her family experienced as they attempt to flee Nazi Germany's totalitarian rule. The journal covers two years of her life at the hidden annexe, from the age of 13 to the age of 15, when it was discovered.</p><p>The diary is notable for its honesty and the naive perspective of a young Jewish girl who desired nothing more than to live a regular existence. This is an excellent place to begin if you want to widen your views and see the world through new eyes.</p><h2>7. <i>The Kite Runner</i> by Khaled Hosseini  </h2><p>This Khaled Hosseini book explores the deeply embedded class and culture divide that runs through different parts of the world. The book's story traces the lives of Amir and Hassan—two young boys who spend time together but are not alike. While Amir is a rich Pashtun boy, Hassan is his servant's child. </p><p>Their class divide is highlighted throughout the book, which also talks about redemption and a kite flying tournament that holds importance in the lives of Amir and Hassan. An emotional rollercoaster ride makes The Kite Runner a suitable read for first-timers.</p><h2>8. <i>The Alchemist</i> by Paolo Coehlo</h2><p><i>The Alchemist </i>is a book that questions the existence of human beings. It sheds light on morale, ethics, and physiology behind what society perceives as right and wrong. The plot narrates the story of Santiago, a shepherd who believes a recurring dream to be a prophecy. With the desire to uncover the mystical dream, he visits a fortuneteller, who directs him to find a treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. On his journey, he discovers the truth of life. This book by Paulo Coelho is an easy read for beginners because it uses simple language to narrate an eye-opening life story.</p><p>Reading is one of the most beneficial habits you can develop. This not only improves your vocabulary but also helps you think rationally. Books are a strong medium of knowledge, discoveries, imagination, and much more. So, get your hands on one of these books and start your journey of becoming an avid reader today! </p><blockquote><p>Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead. <br> </p></blockquote>

It doesn't take years to create a reading habit—you simply need to figure out which genre works best for you.

If you want to build a reading habit but don’t know where to begin, there here are some easy reads that are perfect for beginners.  

Books To Start A Reading Habit | Zee Zest

8 Books To Start A Reading Habit In 2022

Books

Literature

Indian Authors

Top 10

<p>Punjabi cinema is fast expanding. Not just that, many Bollywood films are centred on Punjabi culture, and often feature some form of the language in the film—then be it  through dialogues or songs. Now, several Bollywood actors are also appearing in “Pollywood” films. Every year, there are a slew of excellent Punjabi films being released, and if you're a cinema buff, these top-rated Punjabi comedies are a must-watch! Take a look:</p><h2>1.  Jatt Brothers (IMDB rating of 9.4)</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9DoATjDQMc"></oembed></figure><p><i>Jatt Brothers</i> is a Punjabi film that released on February 25, 2022 in cinemas. The new comedy Punjabi movie stars Guri, Jass Manak, and Nikeet Dhillon in lead roles. The film tells the story of Pamma and Jaggi, high school best friends, who compete with each other to win the hearts of women. Pamma appoints Jaggi as his wingman to impress a woman, unaware that Jaggi has been quietly making his girlfriend leave him. However, when she dumps Pamma shortly before the wedding, the film takes many twists and turns leaving the two best friends in difficult situations.</p><h2>2. Highway 5 (IMDB rating of 8.7)</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhyXVWcxEJQ"></oembed></figure><p>This funny Punjabi movie revolves around four Punjab-born Canadians who take the road journey from British Columbia to Mexico and come to some life-changing conclusions along the way. Kavi Raz's 2016 Indian film <i>Highway 5 stars</i> Aman Dhaliwal, Baaz Lalia, Raj Sandhu, and Sunny Boparai in lead roles. The film garnered heaps of praise from fans and viewers for its storyline and the lead cast’s acting skills.</p><h2>3. Carry on Jatta (IMDB rating of 8.3)</h2><p>This top Punjabi comedy film is about a man who lies to his girlfriend about being an orphan to marry her. However, what follows are amusing scenarios in which he does everything he can to conceal his reality. The film <i>Carry On Jatta,</i> created by Smeep Kang stars Gippy Grewal and Mahie Gill in pivotal roles. The film was released on July 27, 2012. This film was adapted in Odia as <i>Pilata Bigidigala</i> in 2015, <i>Eedo Rakam Aado Rakam</i> in Telugu, <i>Dhat Teri Ki </i>in Bangladesh, and <i>Jamai Badal</i> in Bengali. The central plot was based on the 1989 film <i>Chakkikotha Chankaran</i>.</p><h2>4. Bambukat (IMDB rating of 7.6)</h2><p><i>Bambukat</i> is a 2016 Punjabi-language period drama film created by Pankaj Batra and written by Jass Grewal. The movie stars Ammy Virk, Binnu Dhillon, Simi Chahal, and Sheetal Thakur in crucial roles. The plot revolves around a man riding a bicycle around with his romantic interest until a wealthy man arrives on a motorcycle. He realises he needs to improve his vehicle or potentially lose the woman he loves.</p><h2>5. Nikka Zaildar 2 (IMDB rating of 7.5)</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQE5uX2Htoc"></oembed></figure><p><i>Nikka Zaildar 2</i> is a 2017 Punjabi comedy-drama film directed by Simerjit Singh and scripted by Jagdeep Sidhu, featuring Ammy Virk, Sonam Bajwa, and Wamiqa Gabbi. The movie revolves around Nikka's love for Saawan, however, events compel him to marry his longtime buddy Roop. The plot subsequently shifts to his efforts to remarry Saawan, but later he realises he actually loves Roop.</p><h2>6. Jatt & Juliet 2 (IMDB rating of 7.5)</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Eq8wCyrJB8"></oembed></figure><p><i>Jatt & Juliet</i> is a romantic comedy film directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Darshan Singh Grewal and Gunbir Singh Sidhu. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa in lead roles. The movie is about Fateh Singh and Pooja, two opposites who arrive in Canada with high hopes. When they meet their worlds collide and they start coming closer, but fate has a different plan for both of them.</p><h2>7. Chal Mera Putt (IMDB rating of 7.3)</h2><p><i>Chal Mera Putt</i> is a 2019 Indian comedy Punjabi movie directed by Janjot Singh and co-produced by Rhythm Boyz Entertainment, Gillz Network, and Omjee Star Studios. The film stars Amrinder Gill, Simi Chahal, Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinyoti, Akram Udas, Hardeep Gill, and Gurshabad. A comedy about a bunch of undocumented immigrants residing in Birmingham, the movie examines their hardships, the long-lasting connections they form, and the obstacles they encounter while attempting to acquire a Public Residency (PR) in London.</p><h2>8. Kala Shah Kala (IMDB rating of 7.3)</h2><p>Amarjit Singh wrote and directed this 2019 Indian Punjabi-language romantic comedy film <i>Kala Shah Kala</i>. Infantry Pictures and Naughty Men Productions, in collaboration with Dreamityata Entertainment, produced this film. The film revolves around Lovely (Binnu Dhillon) a positive person who struggles finding love because of his complexion. Pammi (Sargun Mehta), on the other hand, is everything he always wanted. However, before marrying, Lovely must demonstrate that skin colour and looks are not everything—the only things that counts are the heart and spirit.</p><blockquote><p>Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead. The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication only. </p></blockquote>

If you're a cinema buff, these top-rated Punjabi comedies are a must-watch!

If you're a cinema enthusiast, then check out this list of funny Punjabi movies with the highest ratings on IMDb. 

Funny Comedy Punjabi Movies to Add To Your Watch-List | Zee Zest

8 Hilarious Punjabi Movies To Add To Your Watch-list

Movies 

Punjabi

Films

<p>I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. There’s no one quite like Ranveer Singh. No, this is not me having a ‘fangirl’ moment, though I definitely am. <br>Be it his sartorial choices, his movie picks, his public display of affection for his wife, Deepika, and his family and friends, or his million-watt smile—he’s all about the extra, the literal definition of over-the-top. This man wears his heart on his sleeve, well, when he’s wearing one at least. This brings us to this current media storm he’s managed to kick up with a risqué shoot.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgR7Va_Pn3_/"></oembed></figure><p>He’s posed nude, flaunting his bronzed body in all its glory for the latest cover for <i>Paper </i>magazine. (To jog your memory, this is the same magazine that sent the Internet into a tizzy with the famous Kim Kardashian champagne photoshoot in 2014.) Many have likened his racy shoot to Burt Reynolds’ iconic nude photoshoot for a<i> Cosmopolitan </i>centre-fold back in 1972. </p><p>It’s not as if nude shoots haven’t been done before in India. Milind Soman and Madhu Sapre did it back in 1995; Aamir Khan went nude for the movie poster for his film PK with only a stereo to cover his modesty. So why have these particular photos of Ranveer got everyone talking? Simple! Because it’s Ranveer Singh. He surprises and shocks us constantly. So consistent is he in surprising us on a regular basis, that if tomorrow he’d step out in, let’s call it, civilian clothes, we’d still be shocked!</p><p>From a newbie with unlimited energy in <i>Band Baaja Baaraat</i> (2010) to epic period dramas like <i>Bajirao Mastani</i> (2015) and <i>Padmaavat</i> (2018), or the powerhouse hip-hop performance in <i>Gully Boy</i> (2019) and even going against his grain for the restrained character where he essayed the role of Kapil Dev in the historic cricket movie '<i>83</i> (2021)—Ranveer Singh is as versatile as versatile can get. </p><p>But who is Ranveer Singh really?</p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>Ranveer, the extrovert vs Ranveer, The private man</h2><p>Who is this man? Do we really know the real Ranveer Singh? He’s an enigma—a mystery, really. He’s an extrovert but claims to love his privacy. </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgSMiQIpfOz/"></oembed></figure><p>In the interview with <i>Paper</i>, he admits to liking “minimalism in my spaces and maximalism in my appearance.” You go to any space that’s his, and it’s completely sparse and minimal. “And I’m very protective of that. I’ve never shown the world my personal spaces. Never! Not a single picture of me in my house. When guests come over, I ask them not to take any pictures. You’ll never see my house in <i>AD</i>. I just want there to be a space that I know is free of eyes. There are only a few spaces left like that for me.”</p><p>This makes us wonder, who is the real Ranveer? Which side of these two stark personalities is truly ‘him’. The gregarious star we encounter in the news every other day or this man who says he’s never shown the world his personal spaces. Is it an irony that he will show the world and its prying eyes all of him but not his personal spaces?</p><p>The article in <i>Paper</i> quoted another interview where Ranveer’s said, “I keep things light and low-brow and silly and slapstick… there should be humour and a lightness of being. And sunshine, you know? I reserve the darkness for myself. God knows I’m a dark guy, I’m really dark… yeah.” And following a silence, he quickly added, “See? No cheer for that. Hmm.” The crowd bursts into laughter. </p><p>While other actors tend to turn off their star personas when off-screen, Ranveer clearly doesn’t. He’s always on! Always performing. Maybe the person is the actor, or the actor is the person; the lines between both have clearly blurred in his case. We don’t really know, and maybe we shouldn’t care. </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h2>Breaking free from the shackles of fashion and society</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdavL84KAc2/"></oembed></figure><p>You can label his style whatever you like—non-conformist, gender fluid, OTT. The fact remains Ranveer breaks all silos and can’t really be compartmentalised. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, his stylist Nitasha Gaurav said, “He just likes to wear what he feels comfortable and happy in.” But is it really that simple? How is it that all of us can’t follow suit as easily?</p><p>She’s also often said that Ranveer loves colour and is flamboyant. So on one hand, he’s drawn to colour and everything that is alive and vibrant, while on the other he admits to being a ‘dark guy’. Is it this dark side of him, then, that is drawn to all things bright and sunny? Is it the polar opposite that excites him and attracts him to it?</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJTPBheAGex/"></oembed></figure><p>In another interview with <i>Quint</i>, Nitasha said, “He is extremely confident as a person. He is not looking for approval. And that immediately sets him free in a way that you can’t even imagine.”</p><p>It’s not just his clothes and attitude. It’s what they represent. He so easily and simply breaks the shackles of conformity in a nation that’s still traditional. It’s probably all this combined with his confidence and devil-may-care attitude that we aspire to have. That’s what makes him and his personality so magnetic. Bottom line is that we want to be Ranveer Singh.</p><p>Coming back to the question, do we know the real Ranveer Singh? We probably don’t and never will. Fact is, how much do we ever really know an actor, a star, a superstar anyway? They are performers, we’re the audience. They perform, we watch—enthralled. They’re aspirational, we’re the aspirants. Do we really need to cross this invisible line? Maybe not. And when it comes to superstars like Ranveer Singh, maybe we prefer the illusion, the enigma, the entertainer. Because it gives us something that is innately human, it gives us hope. And someone famous once said, ‘Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.’</p>

Actor Ranveer Singh’s naked photoshoot with Paper magazine is making the internet go crazy and us wonder: do we really know this superstar? 

What Ranveer Singh’s Nude Photoshoot Tells Us About Him | Zee Zest 

Is Ranveer Singh, ‘The Last Bollywood Superstar’, Our Last Hope At Breaking The Shackles?

Ranveer Singh

Bollywood 

Style Statement

<p>For someone who never planned to be a significant part of the film industry, Taapsee Pannu has indeed come a long way. The 34-year-old completed 12 years as an actress this July and already has an impressive repertoire of films to look back upon, including  <i>Pink, Naam Shabana, Manmarziyaan, Mulk, Saand Ki Aankh, Badla, Thappad</i> and others. </p><p><i>Shabaash Mithu</i>, her latest, releases on July 15, and will be her fourth sports-based movie (the earlier ones were <i>Soorma, Rashmi Rocket </i>and <i>Saand Ki Aankh</i>). It is about Indian skipper Mithali Raj, who has been the torch bearer in bringing women’s cricket to the fore, has led India to two World Cup Finals and has had the longest career in ODI cricket in the world, across genders. There is no other person who can introduce people to women's cricket better than Mithali Raj. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Tapsee%201_1657541351181.jpg"></figure><h2>‘I love sports and I think sports movies and I have a mutual attraction’</h2><p>Taapsee and her connection to sports-based films is noteworthy and talking about that she says, “I love sports and I think sports-background films chahe kisi bhi language mein ban rahi ho, ek chakkar mere pass aa hi jaati hai. We have a mutual attraction. But now I really want to take a break from sports related movies. Honestly, I feel tired of this. Acting and sports have been going on simultaneously in my life for many years now. And now I want to feel like an actor and not feel like an athlete all the time.”  </p><h2>‘I want to take a break from sports-related films because it is taking a mental toll on me’</h2><p>In a world where work stress is taking a toll on people almost every day, actors like Taapsee too are affected. While she has her fitness game on point with all her rigorous physical training, she acknowledges that staying fit mentally is equally important for her. “That is one of the reasons why I want to take a break from sports related films because it is taking a mental toll on me. I literally have no life beyond training and shooting and that is because every morning I wake up at 5 am and go for two to two and a half hours of training, then go on to shoot another film for 12 hours, and then come back home and I’m forced to sleep as soon as I’m back, because otherwise, I will not get enough sleep to be ready for the next day! I have been living this life for two years and it is taking a mental toll on me because I need to have a life beyond my work. Hence it is very unfit and bad for my mental health to continue doing these kinds of films and I do not mind taking help of mental health specialists to make sure that I have a bouncing board or someone who will take my anxiety out of me. It is an extremely demanding profession mentally, especially when you are shouldering your films and you’re going to be one who will face the maximum repercussions, good or bad. It is not a very rosy position to be in all the time. I’ve gotten used to prepping for one film and then shooting for another but it is taking a mental toll on me so that is why I’m stopping. I am not doing any more films where it requires months and months of prep while I’m shooting something else. Just like you go to a doctor for a physical ailment, whenever. I feel like I need some mental health help, I go out and take help.” </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>‘Yes, the upcoming release is making me nervous and making me feel the pressure’</h2><p>With this Taapsee will be seen on the big screen after two years, as her last release was <i>Thappad</i> and she confesses that she is a little nervous about that. “Yes, it is making me nervous and making me feel the pressure and rightfully so. The day I stop feeling the nervousness before a theatrical release, I think it would be time to change my job. Because it means there is indifference then. Agar kuch bhi ho raha hai aur farak hi nahi pad raha then what’s the point.”</p><h2>‘It isn’t a biopic of personal struggle, but showcases women’s cricket in India’</h2><p>While most sports related biopics showcase the personal struggles that sports persons go through, <i>Shabaash Mithu</i> steers clear of it. Taapsee explains, “Underdog stories are very relatable and in fact your biggest films are those where the underdog becomes the hero in the end, regardless of being a sports biopic or not. But this film is different. Mithali Raj has no personal struggle, there is no usual spin-off of parents who are poor or are unsupportive. There are no such problems in her life. This is more of an underdog story of women in blue, and not Mithali. The story is being told from Mithali’s lens. She has had a very long career in cricket and over the years she has seen the anonymity that women in cricket face. For 10 years there was not a single footage of her games or her career. She has made multiple records, yet I did not have a single visual reference of that. After a decade of playing, recording of her matches finally began. So, from anonymity to getting women’s cricket to what it is today, her whole life looked like the perfect vehicle to showcase women’s cricket in India. So, it is not a biopic of personal struggle, it is more about a team rightfully asking about acknowledgement and love, that this cricket-loving nation has been overlooking and avoiding. In the film we have some dark humour - you feel that it is so sad, yet you laugh at how ironic things are in cricket just because a different gender is involved.”</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Tapsee%202_1657541370125.jpg"></figure><h2>‘I was excited to play a legend like her on screen, but it came with a heavy price of learning a sport I’ve never ever played’</h2><p>The actress reiterated that this is one of the hardest roles she ever played not just because of the prep part and physical practice sessions but also because it involved being in the state of mind of Mithali and her personality.  “Never in my life had I picked up a cricket bat! When I was young and would play galli-cricket, I would only get a chance to field, and not to bat or bowl. I played a lot of other sports including hockey and badminton but not cricket at all. When I got this chance, I was really excited to play a legend like her on screen, but it came with a heavy price of learning a sport I’ve never ever played! It took me months and months to master the shots that I had to show on screen. I have not mastered the game and I still don’t know how to play the game as a full match. But yes, I can hit the shots and I can hit a square cut, or a cover drive. But I don’t know how to bowl. It is impossible to learn such a big sport in just a few months.” </p><h2>‘Playing Mithali was a massive acting challenge because I am totally opposite to her’</h2><p>The actress says that in this film one will rarely get to see cricket much. The audience will see her journey from when she was 16 till she was 36 years old. “If we show Mithali’s cricket then one film is not enough, we’ll have to create a web series. We just show the milestones of Mithali’s career, only the highlights of the matches where she broke many records. The majority of the film is actually the drama portions where you will see what went beyond the field and for that I had to be like her. That was a massive acting challenge because I am totally opposite to her.  She is very laid-back, quiet and does not express, emote or talk much, and this is just the opposite of who I am. For me the challenge was to show my audience in 2 1/2 hours that I’m happy, sad or angry or jovial without showing much emotion. Mithali never shows emotions, and she says, ‘I do not want the person in front of me to know what I’m feeling inside’. She’s not at all expressive and you cannot read her. My mother watched the film with me and during the interval she said, “Tere zyada dialogue nahi hai film mein.” I told her that it was Mithali’s biopic, not mine! It was a big challenge for me to make sure that my audience understands her emotions without me showing obvious expressions. I had a really tough time portraying Mithali.” </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Tapsee%203_1657541383836.jpg"></figure><h2>‘I just want validation from my audience because they are the ones paying for the content I’m putting out’</h2><p>Taapsee debuted OTT with <i>Haseen Dillruba</i> last year. While she is happy with that platform, she personally loves the idea of watching films in theatres. She says, “I know that I want people to spend time and money on my film, believing that it is going to be worth spending their time and money. It does not matter whether it releases on OTT or theatres. I just want validation from my audience because they are the ones paying for the content that I’m putting out on OTT or theatre. I was quite skeptical about OTT until '<i>Haseen Dillruba</i>' was released. But then, I did not feel for a second that it was not a theatrical release with the kind of buzz that it created. While I’m not averse to the idea of OTT releases I personally like the idea of community viewing where the entire family is sitting down in a theatre with 200 other people and watching a film on a big screen. That gives me a good feeling and I would want my audience to do that for me.”</p><p>Taapsee has been known to take on roles that “nobody else wants to do”. Roles which are “too risky to do” and which are too “out of the box”, or the ones which are “too prep heavy” have mostly landed on her platter. After doing quite a few films without a hero, Taapsee will next be seen opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raj Kumar Hirani’s Dunki in December 2023.</p>

‘Shabaash Mithu’ is set to release on July 15, and Taapsee Pannu is nervous and looking forward to what people have to say about the film. 

Mithali Raj’s biopic, played by Taapsee Pannu, has the actor excited. Read her interview on zeezest.com

Taapsee Pannu On Playing Mithali Raj In Shabaash Mithu I Zee Zest 

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<p>Lollapalooza, an annual four-day music festival that originated in Chicago (United States) in 1991, is now travelling to India and we can’t stop about all the non-stop music, fun vibes, and scrumptious food, and good times. The multi-genre festival will be staged in Mumbai from January 28 to January 29, 2023, and this will mark its debut in Asia. The two-day India event titled Lollapalooza India is being promoted and co-produced by BookMyShow, one of India’s largest ticketing platforms, along with the event’s global producers Perry Farrell, WME, and C3 Presents (owned by Live Nation).  </p><h2>What's the craze behind Lollapalooza Music Festival?</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_lollapalooza_india_inside_1659006546204.jpg"></figure><p>According to Britannica.com, Lollapalooza is ‘an annual Chicago rock festival that features dozens of hip-hop, techno, and alternative rock performers over four days. It was founded in 1991 by singer Perry Farrell as a multi-city event for his band Jane Addiction’s farewell tour. After a few years, Lollapalooza was cancelled in 1998 and it was only revived in 2005 in Chicago.  </p><p>In the past, the festival has travelled to several international cities including Santiago, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Berlin, Paris, and Stockholm.</p><h2>Lollapalooza India</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aIHroXChUM"></oembed></figure><p>India’s first Lollapalooza experience, a two-day extravaganza, aims to cater to the diverse Indian audience, especially youth, who have an appetite for international music of all genres. It will be a 20-hour live music program featuring 60 per cent international artists and 40 per cent local artists, according to news reports.</p><p>The registrations for the music festival <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lollaindia.com/">are live</a> and tickets go on sale from August 1, 2022, onwards. A total of 60 thousand people will be hosted on each of the two days of Lollapalooza. And the performances will take place on four stages at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in South Mumbai.</p><p><strong>5 artists/bands we’d like to see performing at the Lollapalooza India</strong></p><h2>1. Divine</h2><p>Mumbai-based Vivian Fernandes is known for his Hindi rap songs, which he writes based on his personal experiences. His big break is ‘Mere Gully Main’, a number that was part of Zoya Akhtar’s blockbuster hit film ‘Gully Boys’.  </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGmbUdf6lEM"></oembed></figure><h2>2. Indian Ocean</h2><p>Another gem from the Indian music scene is Delhi-based fusion rock band Indian Ocean. They’ve survived more than three decades in the industry and are clearly unstoppable. <i>Bandeh, Zindagi Se Darte Ho</i>, and <i>Tu Kisi Rail Si Guzarti Hain</i> are a few of their popular songs.  </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpf8hrbT2d0"></oembed></figure><h2>3. Euphoria </h2><p>One of the oldest rock bands in India, Euphoria was founded by singer Dr Palash Sen in 1988 in Delhi, and they are touted as one of the pioneers of Hindi rock music in India. ‘Euphoria’ is exactly what you feel when you listen to their tracks. <i>Kabhi Aana Tu Meri Gali</i> is one of their most famous songs. </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH2sQ_je5v8"></oembed></figure><h2>4. Raftaar</h2><p>Raftaar aka Dilin Nair is one of India’s first underground rappers. He started off by creating medleys with songs on the internet, and he began his rap journey with Punjabi songs. Have you listened to his popular song <i>All Black?</i> </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReXw6TOnUOc"></oembed></figure><h2>5. Parikrama</h2><p>We’d love to also rock and roll with Parikrama (founded in Delhi in 1991) at the Lollapalooza India. They are known for their powerful live performances and original numbers. The band consists of guitarist Saurabh Chaudhury, bassists Chintan Kalra and Gaurav Balani, and drummers Srijan Mahajan and Dilip Ramchandran. Sonam Sherpa, the band’s lead guitarist, passed away in February 2020. Get a glimpse of how brilliant they are by listening to this song – <i>But It Rained</i>. </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yVpw8eJxE0"></oembed></figure>

It will be a two-day extravaganza in Mumbai, and these are the artists we’d love to watch perform at Lollapalooza India.

It will be a two-day extravaganza in Mumbai, and these are the artists we’d love to watch perform at Lollapalooza India. More on zeezest.com.

 Lollapalooza Music Fest Is Coming To India | Details Inside

Lollapalooza Music Fest Is Coming To India And Here's How You Can Attend It

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<p>Telugu and Tamil cinema’s powerhouse performer Samantha Ruth Prabhu is unlike the conventional heroine. Her presence is always cherished, be it on-screen or off-screen. The actor, who debuted in the world of cinema with the 2010 Telugu film <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(102,102,102);"><i>Ye Maaya Chesa</i></span><i>ve</i>, has carved a niche for herself. </p><p>In her professional life, she largely continues to play by the rules of mainstream cinema; but personally, Samantha has been defying stereotypes. She continues to speak her mind and take a stand where she deems fit since the early years of her career. For instance, back in 2013, she called out a poster of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu’s <i>1: Nenokkadine</i> for being deeply regressive, which has made her one of the top targets for social media trolls—but Samantha has learned how to shut them up and not let them break her spirit. The savage replies to people who are criticising and trolling her on Instagram for her fashion choices, opinion, and her separation from actor Naga Chaitanya (the couple announced separation in October 2021) is proof enough. </p><p>Samantha recently debuted on the controversial chat show <i>Koffee with Karan</i> (season 7) couch, alongside <i>Koffee with Karan</i> veteran Akshay Kumar. The ‘Oo Antava’ star was refreshingly honest and unapologetically herself. She impressed the viewers with her fierce outlook towards life. In case you missed it, here are five moments from Koffee with Karan season 7 that show Samantha is a total badass!   </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_inside_samantha_2_1658514667506.jpg"></figure><h2>1. On unhappy marriages in India</h2><p>Controversy’s child and chat show host Karan Johar probed Samantha about her relationship with her ex-husband Naga Chaitanya. The questions backfired and how, when Samantha—instead of giving out details—accused him of being the reason behind unhappy marriages in India. “You have portrayed life to be <i>K3G</i> but in fact, the reality is<i> KGF</i>,” she exclaimed! </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>2. On her item song ‘Oo Antava’ </h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_samantha_inside_image_1658514809713.jpg"></figure><p>Samantha grabbed the attention of audiences across India when her song ‘Oo Antava’ was released as part of the Allu Arjun-starrer <i>Pushpa: The Rule</i>. The actor was showered with love and admiration for this sizzling performance—a break from her usual girl-next-door performances. But it happened only after her separation with Naga Chaitanya, and it raised several eyebrows including Karan’s. He couldn’t help but ask Samantha why she chose to do 'Oo Antava’ only now, and she explained: “It was a satire on the male gaze. My logic was who else can do a satire on the male gaze if not a nautch girl or I. As an actor, you use your body to express a wide range of emotions.” </p><h2>3. On her divorce with Naga Chaitanya</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_inside_samantha_3_1658514653672.jpg"></figure><p>The Tollywood star and her ex-beau’s relationship was open to the public from the beginning, so when they parted ways, she couldn’t complain about public scrutiny, Samantha admitted on the chat show. While she owed answers to her fans and followers, the actor admitted that she didn’t have any earlier, however, now she is in a better place. When asked whether they are in an amicable situation right now, she revealed that it is not for now. “You mean if you put us both in a room, you’d have to hide sharp objects? Yes, as of now. But it may be [amicable] sometime in the future,” she told Karan. </p><h2>4. On love </h2><p>Samantha declared on the show that currently there’s no place for romantic relationships in her life. During the rapid-fire, when Karan asked for the way to her heart, she instantly responded saying: “It is closed. Please take a U-turn.” </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h2>5. On being ‘Ranveerified’</h2><p>Revealing their favourite actor or a celeb they’d like to date has made several headlines for the chat show’s guests in the past. Think Alia admitting she’d like to marry Ranbir, Sara Ali Khan saying she’d love to date Kartik Aryan in the past, and Vijay Deverakonda in the current season. These are some territories and yet when Samantha was asked who her favourite actor is and the two actors who she’d invite to a bachelorette party, she didn’t think twice before saying—Bollywood star Ranveer Singh for all. “I am like Ranveerified completely. A fan for life,” said the South Indian megastar, who recently shot for a commercial with Ranveer.  </p><p>Now that you’ve read about all of Samantha’s noteworthy reactions, tell us which was your favourite in the comments section below.  </p>

She accused Karan Johar for being the reason behind unhappy marriages in India! 

These moments from Koffee With Karan season 7 prove that Samantha Ruth Prabhu is a total badass. Read more on zeezest.com. 

Koffee With Karan Season 7: 5 Refreshingly Honest Responses By Samantha Ruth Prabhu

5 Refreshingly Honest Comebacks By Samantha Ruth Prabhu On Koffee With Karan S7 

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<p>There’s something very encouraging about watching your favourite Miss India take centerstage 20 years later, armed with a sparkling smile and crown, with her husband and kids. It’s a sign of innate confidence and happiness that we want real-life queens to wear more than figure-hugging gowns and contoured faces. </p><p>And that’s why Neha Dhupia, who was recently felicitated at the finale of Femina Miss India 2022 for completing 20 years of winning the Miss India crown, is the perfect Zee Zest Cover Star for July as we celebrate heartfelt conversations and causes. With Neha on set at the cover shoot, there’s action all around. What clothes to pick, what course to give the mood board, what careers to pursue, what camera angles work best, and a lot more. <br>A slew of no-holds-barred conversations that show her involvement and passion for putting her best self out there is the reason why we adore Neha.</p><h2>She’s done it all </h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_1687_1657186150567.jpg"><figcaption>Neha Dhupia is wearing a Sonakshi Raaj outfit with a statement necklace from Joolry and ring from Anayah Jewellery.</figcaption></figure><p>Not many would remember but she featured in Euphoria’s music video for the song ‘Sha Na Na Na Na’. The curly-haired Neha in that video went on to compete in Miss India beauty pageant in 2002 and won! She represented India at the Miss Universe pageant. Her first film was with Ajay Devgn—<i>Qayamat: City Under Threat</i>. She also went on to do critically acclaimed films such as <i>Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Shootout at Lokhandwala</i>, and <i>Dasvidaniya</i>. In 2016, she started her podcast <i>No Filter Neha</i>, a chat-show format podcast where she speaks to the who’s who of the Indian entertainment industry—including Karan Johar and Sourav Ganguly. She produced the last season from home during the peak of the pandemic in 2020.  </p><p>Most recently, she played ACP Catherine Alvarez in the OTT-release film <i>A Thursday</i>. “It’s a huge change to let an eight-month pregnant woman be on screen,” Neha says of her role in <i>A Thursday</i>.  Always on her toes, Neha has already finished shooting two projects—a short film for Guneet Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment and a comedy film for Anand Tiwari and Dharma Productions. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_horizontal%20website%20banner_1657186203718.jpg"><figcaption>Neha looks queenly is this emerald Gauri & Nainika dress with statement earrings from Joolry.</figcaption></figure><p>Her unfiltered conversations on her podcast are just another reason why Neha continues to win our hearts with her refreshingly candid ways in an era where most actors use filters to look and sound good. But if you ask her, Neha will tell you that this is your opinion of her and not hers necessarily. And yet, she is unafraid to share her own truth—whether it is acknowledging that she didn’t succeed in many of her early auditions in Bollywood or dealing with her post-pregnancy body. Neha’s journey as a model, actor, TV show host, and podcaster sets her apart from others who tread on the tried and tested path.  </p><h2>Ageing with grace </h2><p>Our conversation with Neha is peppered with throwbacks to the early days of her career and comparing that to now. As a 40-something, with experience on her side, Neha finds growing older liberating. She accepts that her career choices, during the initial years, were dependent on what her peers and people she looked up to were doing. “There were times that it was difficult to gauge which parts of me were appreciated more. Those moments were important turning points for me,” she admits, saying that it finally pushed her to accept herself as she was. “The coolest part about getting older is that you're extremely comfortable in your skin. And one of the reasons is that you've been living with yourself for so long and somewhere down the lane you get tired of living up to expectations, and it's very refreshing to just be yourself,” she adds. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_1642_1657186132619.jpg"><figcaption>Neha looks fresh and fantastic in this Limerick by Abirr n' Nanki kaftan and jewellery by Abhilasha Prey Jewellery and Tribe Amrapali. Her footwear is from Paio.</figcaption></figure><p>Raw, refreshing and unabashed—this is the person a lot of people relate to when they think of Neha Dhupia. She explains, “I'm a little more risqué in my choices when it comes to my work. I also think that by being myself I've given myself more relevance and length to my career. When I started working, I always thought I’d be doing mainstream commercial films,” she says, adding that this was also when she fit presumptuous stereotypes that came with being in the Indian film industry. </p><p>“At that point, I never thought that 18 years later, I would be eight months pregnant with my second child and still acting,” she says. The mother of two—her second child, son Guriq was born in October 2021—is enjoying the success of her recent film, <i>A Thursday</i>, an OTT release. She plays a pregnant cop, a role that was reconfigured for her. Being part of modern storytelling, as she calls it, is exciting as it's more inclusive. </p><p>“We’ve survived a pandemic where entertainment is the last thing on one's mind when you have to make it. And the first thing on someone’s mind when you want to consume it,” says Neha, speaking of change. The pandemic was a time of introspection for the industry where everybody was focused on reevaluating and reassessing what needs to be done. “New, interesting and never-before-explored subjects and concepts have had the opportunity to be told. The most satisfying feeling is that these stories have worked. The trial and error of the business are continuous, especially now in the digital age,” she explains. </p><h2>Always on her terms </h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_1910_1657186181898.jpg"><figcaption>Neha is wearing a Gauri & Nainika dress with statement earrings from Joolry.</figcaption></figure><p>From an era of shooting films where every scene was rehearsed before the final take to doing Reels for Instagram—Neha considers herself blessed to be on the evolutionary journey. “I love this job. I don't want to do anything else,” she says with great passion. “I have always enjoyed the choices I made in life, and I also have had many offbeat choices in my career, in my style, in my personal life (I became a mum, much later in life), and here I am. I think, as long you are true to yourself without hurting anyone along the line, you’re not in a bad space.” </p><p>Neha has always consciously shed labels to that she is cut from a different cloth. “People have expectations from you all the time. But the whole idea of living your life is to minimise these.” She considers herself to be a perfectionist, “who strives for as much perfection in a minimal amount of time.” A big part of this is to find balance in life. “Things are expected out of me as a professional and then things are expected out of me as a mom. It is my aim to give attention to both and make sure that I embrace each one with as much love and care and responsibility,” she adds. </p><p>Like any other woman in the country, the elusive work-life balance is the ultimate goal for Neha. She runs through a daily timetable that ensures she gets her me time as well time with her husband and keeps her children on a routine. “The balance needs to be maintained,” she reiterates stating that her relationship with her husband needs to be prioritised while balancing their parental duties. “I can't be with my kids and take work calls or vice versa. It’s counterproductive,” she says, adding it helps find balance when you set boundaries. </p><h2>Messy momma and proud of it </h2><p>Neha is a hands-on mother—this conversation and her social media are proof. She chuckles as she says, “I am a mess at home! I do not look like what I look like on a magazine cover. Most of the time I am working on 10% brain capacity because 90% is taken up by my children.” But she wouldn’t change it for the world. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_1777_1657186165753.jpg"><figcaption>Neha Dhupia is wearing a Sonakshi Raaj outfit with a statement necklace from Joolry anf ring from Anayah Jewellery.</figcaption></figure><p>She tells us how her two pregnancies were different from each other. “With my first one (daughter Mehr), I was taking advice from everyone. With my son, I'm kind of learning from my own experience,” she explains. It is a more relaxed approach with Guriq that comes from experience and knowing that every little thing won’t always go as planned, but there is no need to panic. “I've just decided that I'm going to run with the cuteness that they come with. I look at them and then my heart is full. My eyes can’t get enough of them, and my arms just want to hold on to them. They are two pieces of my heart that are beating outside of me. I wake up and I think that I must have done something right in my life and I feel so blessed,” she gushes about her children. </p><p>Parenting is a subject that she feels strongly about and that’s why she started the community, Freedom to Feed—which stemmed from the stigma she faced while feeding her daughter. “It started with one voice talking about breastfeeding and now I'm very proud to say that we're 25,000 parents strong,” she adds. The conversation has expanded to important discussions about child development. </p><p>Currently, Neha’s aim is to get her strength back and she’s back into fitness in a big way. “I am on track and on the track running to help me get back in shape,” she says adding that fitness is a big part of her life and her aim is to be at a level of fitness and health that makes her happy.  </p><hr><p><strong>Credits:</strong></p><p><i>Editor: Sumita Bagchi  </i></p><p><i>Photographer: Atul Kasbekar</i></p><p><i>Creative Consultant: Mitrajit Bhattacharya</i></p><p><i>Assistant photographer and BTS video: Rahul Sawant</i></p><p><i>Editing: Media Edge</i></p><p><i>Stylist: Anshika Verma</i></p><p><i>Assistant stylist: Tanazfatima Charania</i></p><p><i>Hair stylist: Poonam Solanki</i></p><p><i>Makeup: Mita Vaswani</i></p><p><i>Location: JW Marriott Juhu Mumbai</i></p><p><i>Artist PR: Think Talkies</i></p>

…our hearts for more than 20 years with her infectious smile and her #no-filter conversations. The former Miss India schools us on how to speak your heart out. 

Actor and mother of two, Neha Dhupia spills the beans on being a professional in Indian film industry and how to be on a growth path. Read on zeezest.com.

Zee Zest Digital Cover | Interview with Neha Dhupia | July 2022

Neha Dhupia: She Came, She Stayed, She Conquered…

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Manike Mage Hithe Has Shown How Music Can Bring People Together: Yohani

yohani video interview

<p>Social media influencers and content creators receive both love and hate from the global digital community. But there is one good thing that comes out of it—the digital world has democratized the Bollywood industry. Today, talent overtakes power, and these five women have shown us how. A decade ago, a regular girl sitting in front of her television could have only dreamt of being a part of a star-studded blockbuster. Now times are different and OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar have paved the way for female content creators to debut on the big screen.</p><p>What started as a small journey on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook has given content creators the leverage to increase their global fan base.</p><p><strong>Prajakta Koli to Dolly Singh, here are 5 female content creators who shattered the glass ceiling and made it to the big screen:</strong></p><h2>1. Prajakta Koli</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf6qq_evhRt/"></oembed></figure><p>Known for her YouTube channel MostlySane, Prajakta Koli started as a content creator who made comedy videos. With 6.71 million subscribers on YouTube and 5 million on Instagram, Prajakta made her Bollywood debut in director Raj Mehta’s <i>Jug Jug Jeeyo</i> alongside stars like Anil Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, and Neetu Kapoor. Her first stint at acting was on the OTT platform Netflix for a show called <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(102,102,102);"><i>Mism</i></span><i>atched</i>, which will soon see a season 2.  </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>2. Shirley Setia</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgJambANgW_/"></oembed></figure><p>Musician turned actress Shirley Setia has a fanbase of 7.4 million on Instagram. Originating from New Zealand, Shirley was featured in <i>Forbes</i> magazine as ‘Bollywood’s Next Big Singing Sensation’. This young talent made her acting debut in 2020 on Netflix’s <i>Maska</i>, a Hindi film directed by Neeraj Udhwani. Her big Bollywood debut alongside Shilpa Shetty and Abhimanyu Dassani was for director Sabir Khan’s<i> Nikamma</i>. Shirley will also be seen in the remake of the Telugu film <i>Middle Class Abbayi</i>, opposite Naga Shaurya.</p><h2>3. <a href="https://zeezest.com/culture/kusha-kapila-as-a-digital-creator-i-had-to-develop-thick-skin-2084">Kusha Kapila</a></h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgOnjjnheHG/"></oembed></figure><p>A social media influencer, content creator, comedian, and now actor--Kusha Kapila is a natural-born actor. Instagram’s favourite South Delhi aunty, Kusha made her debut in Karan Johar’s <i>Ghost Stories</i> which aired on Netflix. Bringing more crazy comedy to our lives, Kusha will be seen in <i>Masaba Masaba</i>’s second season, alongside the designer-actor Masaba Gupta and Neena Gupta. A peek into the trailer and we already love her!</p><h2>4. Dolly Singh</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cev9VThJVqX/"></oembed></figure><p>What started as a journey in fashion for Dolly slowly switched over to making relatable comedic content on Instagram. With 1.4 million followers, Dolly’s content stirs up a riot of laughter because we know it’s all so true. Focusing on social issues of bullying, fairness, and patriarchy in a light-hearted manner, her content appeals to a large Indian fanbase. She made her debut on Netflix last December alongside Swara Bhaskar in the rom-com<i> Bhaag Beanie Bhaag</i>.</p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h2>5. Mallika Dua</h2><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeD5AnXJ-8T/"></oembed></figure><p>Instagram’s unproclaimed queen, Mallika Dua has won hearts with her cheeky sense of humour and unfiltered jokes. Her reels and trending viral content took her places, and now she’s a full-blown actor. Seen in blockbuster movies like <i>Namastey England</i> and <i>Indoo ki Jawaani</i>, Mallika made her debut in 2017 in director Saket Chaudhary’s <i>Hindi Medium</i> alongside Irrfan Khan and Amrita Singh.</p><p>From creating content to acting on the big silver screen these five trailblazing women have worked their way up the ladder. If you haven't watched these five amazing talents in action, check them out now. Trust us they can give established stars a run for their money!</p>

Social media creators who made it to Bollywood

Dolly Singh to Kusha Kapila, 5 female content creators who made their way to Bollywood.

16mm to 65mm, 5 content creators who graced the big screen

5 Female Content Creators Who Made It To Bollywood Movies

Prajakta Koli

 Shirley Setia

Kusha Kapila

Dolly Singh

Digital Influencer

<p>With 2.5 million followers on her Instagram alone, Kusha Kapila is one of the most popular digital creators in the country. Starting out as a writer with a publication, the enterprising girl moved on to video content creation and soon, her ‘Billi Maasi’ persona and ‘South Delhi Girls’ videos became the talk of town. Since then, Kusha has dabbled in various aspects of the industry, including acting. In her latest avatar, Kusha will be seen sharing the stage with co-host Abish Mathew on the third season of Comicstaan that kicks off on July 15 on Amazon Prime Video. In a conversation, Kusha spoke about the show, being a writer at the core of it all, and her upcoming projects.    </p><h2>Have you been an avid watcher of Comicstaan? </h2><p>Yes, a hundred per cent! I love comedy reality TV and I’ve watched both seasons. I’m friends with some of the contestants. I have been following Aakash Gupta, the winner of season 2, since the time he won. I am very well-versed with the work the other contestants such as Prashashti Singh, Shreeja Chaturvedi, and Sejal Bhat have done. I love the format of the show and I am a fan of the show as well. </p><h2>Season 2 really upped the game and the audience has been looking forward to Season 3. Do you think this season is going to outdo the earlier one? </h2><p>I think just the fact that people have been waiting for it and that it’s coming after the pandemic says a lot about it. We have got some incredible comics from the first two seasons who are doing so well in their life. Some of them even have specials out. Everyone is just waiting for the new batch of comics, so I think it’s going to do really well. Kudos to the makers and the format they have thought of. The comics are truly the stars of the show. You’re going to see such incredible talent and funny people. If it’s promising a good time, it’s bound to do well. </p><h2>What’s the equation you share with your co-host Abish Mathew? </h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Kusha%20with%20Abish%20Mathew_1657871731823.jpg"></figure><p>I love Abish! He brings a sense of calmness to my hyper-ness. I call him a veteran because he has done this for two seasons. He has his own chat show and I have been on it. He is so good with whatever he does. Whenever we had any technical glitches, he would command the audience and was so good with the crowd-work. He’s constantly tapping one of my shoulders and I am always looking to see who it is and it’s always him (laughs). He makes me feel so comfortable and that’s what you need from a co-host. Once you’re with him on stage, he really makes you feel like an equal. </p><h2>Stand-up comedy is seen as a career option now, which wasn’t the case till a few years ago. What do you think makes a really good comic stand out from the rest? </h2><p>In one of the episodes of <i>Comicstaan</i>, Zakir Khan says that it’s very important to prepare. When you treat comedy as a skill, then you put in the hours and hard work. You have faith in yourself. Who am I to tell anyone about this? Firstly, I have not proven myself in the stand-up comedy space. I am a hundred per cent bonafide internet creator who makes videos. That’s why I quote Zakir Khan because he is somebody who is considered an expert at what he does. You look at a Sumukhi Suresh who is dabbling in so many different things and has aced stand-up comedy and fiction. When I look at these people, I see pure hard work and serious commitment to their work. Yes, skill is required. Any comic I have met, whether Aakash Gupta or Aishwarya Mohanraj—they have pure respect for what they do and I think that’s a good place to start. </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_DSC02817_1657871785451.jpg"></figure><h2>You started your career as a writer. Do you think that has been an advantage for you when you create content? </h2><p>Definitely! There are times when I have been asked what I would like to be addressed as. I have been asked if I want to be called an influencer and let’s just say I am not very thrilled about that term. I am a writer at the core of everything I do. It’s something that fuels what I do. Even if I am doing a one-minute rant, I write down my notes first. Comics also do this. If they think of a joke, they quickly do a voice recording. I don’t record it because my medium is not so much stand-up but I will immediately write it if I have an idea. I want to write long-form but let’s see how it goes. </p><h2>What do you think has worked so majorly in favour of you as a content creator? </h2><p>I wish I knew but I don’t. Everyone feels they have the formula that clicks with the audiences but that’s not the case. Mallika Dua started doing this before anyone else. When she did comedy, as a woman watching her do all that, I felt empowered. And I feel when we—me, Dolly Singh, and Srishti Dixit—started making content, then other people thought they could do it as well. I think now that it’s more legitimised, everyone thinks they can do it. It’s good because it means more creators and more content for people to watch. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_DSC04658_1657871765016.jpg"></figure><h2>With the kind of scrutiny that content creators go through these days, is there a pressure of paying extra attention to what you put out? </h2><p>I feel that if you are going to profit off the fact that you’re a public figure, there are going to be cons to it and you never know what you say could offend who. So in that scenario, if you have done something where your joke is punching down or it targets a marginalised section of the community, and it’s just in poor taste which will possibly cause harm to how people perceive things, then I think it’s ok to apologise and do better in the future. It’s important to listen to your audience. If something you have done is not sitting right—reflect, introspect, and understand why it’s not landing. Reason it with yourself because at the end of the day, you have to answer yourself too. </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h2>Have you had to develop a thick skin? </h2><p>Absolutely! At the peak of the pandemic I was roasted by multiple male creators. That’s the day I had to grow a thick skin. I did a little bit of crying on the internet which, in hindsight, I should not have. You have to develop a thick skin because people will pass all kinds of comments, on how you look, what you say, about your body, and you just have to move on. You can’t let people dim your light. Like my therapist says, when a person is trying to disempower you, they are just unloading their garbage. You just have to wipe it and move on. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_DSC03056_1657871803756.jpg"></figure><h2>What offends you?</h2><p>There are certain things which just don’t sit right by you and I think it’s very subjective. It could also depend on one’s mood. For instance, extremely dank memes may not be my humour but there is an audience for it. </p><h2>What are your upcoming projects and what is on your wishlist? </h2><p>I am pretty much dependent on what comes my way. If I have to create opportunities for myself, then I will have to go the Sumukhi Suresh way—which is to write for yourself and then develop and pitch it.</p>

The popular content creator, who is all set to co-host the third season of reality show Comicstaan, believes in moving on and letting her work to do the talking. 

Kusha Kapila, who is all set to co-host the third season of the reality show Comistaan, believes in moving on and letting her work to do the talking.

As a Digital Creator, I Had To Develop a Thick Skin: Kusha Kapila

Kusha Kapila: 'As A Digital Creator, I Had To Develop Thick Skin'

Comicstaan

Stand-up Comedy

<p>It’s an exciting month for movie-goers, with an array of highly anticipated titles coming to cinema theatres. These include Ranbir Kapoor’s period drama Shamshera, which has been delayed multiple times, a sequel to Vidyut Jammval and Shivaleeka Oberoi’s 2020-Khuda Haafiz, to R Madhavan’s much-awaited Rocketry: The Nambi Effect that premiered at the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, and Taapsee Pannu-starrer Shabaash Mithu, a biopic on former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj. And that’s not it! Scroll down to check out the list of new movie releases that will keep you hooked in July 2022. </p><h2>1. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect </h2><p>Indian actor R Madhavan’s directorial debut, <i>Rocketry: The Nambi Effect </i>is a biographical drama that tells the story of Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The film covers the part of the scientist’s life when he was falsely accused and arrested on charges of espionage. <i>Rocketry: The Nambi Effect </i>stars Suriya, Misha Ghoshal and Rajit Kapoor. Shah Rukh Khan fans rejoice as you will get to finally witness the superstar in action – he has a cameo in this film. </p><p><i>Release date: July 1, 2022 </i></p><p><i>Watch the Rocketry The Nambi Effect trailer here: </i></p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEinBUJG2RI"></oembed></figure><h2>2. Rashtra Kavach Om </h2><p>Desi heartthrob Aditya Roy Kapur is back to business with an action-packed film. Titled <i>Rashtra Kavach Om</i>, this Zee Studios production traces the life of a patriotic undercover agent, Om Rathod (played by Aditya) who is caught in the middle of enemy crosshairs. The film also stars Sanjana Sanghi and Ashutosh Rana. </p><p><i>Release date: July 1, 2022 </i></p><p><i>Watch the Rashtra Kavach Om trailer here:  </i></p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYRiuY5_KXQ"></oembed></figure><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>3. Khuda Haafiz Chapter 2: Agni Pariksha  </h2><p>This is a sequel to the 2020-film <i>Khuda Haafiz </i>by Faruk Kabir, which showed the story of a much-in-love married couple Sameer and Nargis, who get separated and then overcome all odds to get back to each other. In <i>Khuda Haafiz Chapter 2: Agni Pariksha</i>, Sameer and Nargis find a ray of sunshine in their daughter Nandini. But their happiness doesn’t last long as Nandini goes missing. To know what happened, watch the film to find out. </p><p><i>Release date: July 8, 2022 </i></p><p><i>Watch the Khuda Haafiz Chapter 2: Agni Pariksha trailer here:  </i></p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lezwxOdhdtA"></oembed></figure><h2>4. Shamshera </h2><p>Originally scheduled to release in cinema theatres months ago, dad-to-be Ranbir Kapoor’s <i>Shamshera</i> is a period drama set in the 1800s. It tells the story of Shamshera and his warrior tribe, who fight against British rule for their freedom, rights, and dignity. You will also get to see Vaani Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt playing pivotal roles in <i>Shamshera</i>. </p><p><i>Release date: July 22, 2022 </i></p><p><i>Watch the Shamshera trailer here: </i></p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHYUeZ8JszQ"></oembed></figure><p>AlsoRead1 </p><h2>5. Shabaash Mithu </h2><p>Another biographical drama hitting the screens this month is <i>Shabaash Mithu</i>. Starring Taapsee Pannu, this is about the rollercoaster ride-like life of former Indian women’s cricket team captain and one of India’s best batters Mithali Raj. The legendary sportsperson recently was in the news since she announced her retirement from all forms of cricket. </p><p><i>Release date: July 15, 2022 </i></p><p><i>Watch the Shabaash Mithu trailer here: </i></p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLd_ZeEe9pc"></oembed></figure><h2>6. Ek Villain Returns </h2><p>The sequel to the 2014 <i>Ek Villain</i>¸ that starred Siddharth Malhotra, Riteish Deshmukh, and Shraddha Kapoor, <i>Ek Villain Returns</i> is a story of one-sided love and passion. Featuring Arjun Kapoor and John Abraham are the so-called villains in this film and as the story unfolds, it is up to us, the audience, to decide whether they are really villains or heroes. <i>Ek Villain Returns</i> trailer was released on June 30, 2022, and the film features a reprised version of the superhit track <i>Galliyan</i>, which was one of the highlights of <i>Ek Villain</i>. </p><p><i>Release date: July 29, 2022 </i></p><p><i>Watch Ek Villain Returns trailer here: </i></p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swPhyd0g6K8"></oembed></figure><h2>7. Hit: The First Case </h2><p>Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra’s thriller film <i>Hit: The First Case </i>will finally release on July 15, 2022, after over a year of delay. This film is a remake of the 2020-Telugu hit with the same name. It traces the story of a cop who is investigating the case of a missing woman. </p><p><i>Release date: July 15, 2022 </i></p><p><i>Watch Hit: The First Case trailer here: </i></p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtdCIn47v5g"></oembed></figure>

From Ranbir Kapoor’s Shamshera to Taapsee Pannu’s Shabaash Mithu, these are the films you must watch in July 2022.

From Ranbir Kapoor’s Shamshera to Taapsee Pannu’s Shabaash Mithu, these are the films you must watch in July 2022. Read more on zeezest.com.