Latest news with #YashRaj
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Saiyaara actress Aneet Padda was almost rejected, but Ahaan Panday asked Mohit Suri to…: 'Audition was disastrously…'
Saiyaara , featuring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has been making the right kind of noise ever since its release on July 11. Ahaan and Aneet are receiving immense love from critics, netizens, audiences, and celebrities, with many claiming that a new star has been born. Directed by Mohit Suri, the box office performance of this romantic drama has shaken the industry. The Yash Raj film crossed the Rs 100 crore mark globally within just four days, breaking records despite featuring debutants. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's auditons failed to impress Mohit Suri Netizens are quite impressed with Ahaan and Aneet's screen presence, chemistry and acting chops. Mohit Suri, in his interview revealed about the casting of Saiyaara. Ahaan's audition failed to impress Suri but things worked out after they met again over drinks and dinner. It wasn't Ahaan's audition but his real personality, which came out when the star kid let his hair down, that managed to bag his debut film Saiyaara. Aneet Padda bagged the role in Saiyaara because of Ahaan Panday Much to the delight of fans, Aneet Padda's audition also failed to impress Mohit Suri. He almost wanted to reject her but Ahaan who convinced Suri to onboard Padda. In a chat with Instant Bollywood, Suri revealed, 'With Aneet I must tell you that it went disastrously bad when she met me but it was Ahaan who actually was saving the scenario that day and he was there with me when we met her. And he tried to distract me. He was the one who told me 'give her another chance. I'm telling you she's good, I'm telling you she's good, I've done a scene with her'. And then I call up Aneet and I said 'You know, you guys have a problem. Y'all are thinking I like something. Please come in what you think you are'.' Suri gave some light on the day Aneet came for an audition. She looked lost and clumsy. Suri said, 'She came in a white shirt and jeans the next time, white loose shirt and jeans. And I was like 'this is it'. If you noticed the trailer, this is that kurta and jeans, this kind of look. Her look, lost and clumsy. And that's what she is. You know, I think there is this huge burden that people think they tell you what you're supposed to be like, and that's not what filmmakers are looking for.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
The great Indian travel circuit: 5 circuits in India that cover 3 states in just 7 days
Keen to go for a trip? Well, why stick to one place, when you can cover multiple places in one go. Yes, with some smart planning, and a little love for train (or road) travel, you can check out multiple states in one epic week-long journey. From spiritual trails to royal heritage routes and coastal escapes, here are 5 incredible travel circuits in India that can help you cover 3 states in just 7 days, because why settle for one vibe when you can experience three. Rajasthan – Gujarat – Madhya Pradesh Route: Udaipur → Ahmedabad → Indore Highlights: Start in Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes,'then head west to Ahmedabad for some UNESCO-tagged old city charm and mouth-watering Gujarati thalis. End your trip in Indore, where MP's street food scene and the nearby Mandu ruins will blow your mind. Must-do: Boat ride in Udaipur, Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Sarafa Bazaar in Indore. Read more: 5 places in the hills that feel like a Yash Raj set Tamil Nadu – Karnataka – Kerala Route: Madurai → Mysuru → Kochi Highlights: Kick things off in Madurai, home to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple and some truly divine dosas. A quick overnight to Mysuru brings you royal palaces, sandalwood, and silk. Wrap up in Kochi's colonial lanes and backwaters, where Portuguese and spice trade history mixes with hipster cafés and Kathakali shows. Must-do: Meenakshi Temple darshan, Mysore Palace, Kochi ferry ride through Fort Kochi. Maharashtra – Goa – Karnataka Route: Mumbai → Goa → Gokarna Highlights: Begin with the chaos and charisma of Mumbai: heritage buildings, Marine Drive, and vada pav. From there, cruise down to Goa for two days of beachy bliss, fish thalis, and sunset scenes. Then hop further south to Gokarna, a laid-back temple town with quiet beaches and fewer crowds. Must-do: Ferry in Mumbai, beach-hopping in Goa, cliff trek from Om Beach to Half Moon Beach in Gokarna. West Bengal – Odisha – Jharkhand Route: Kolkata → Bhubaneswar → Ranchi Highlights: Start in Kolkata with trams, art galleries, and Bengali sweets. A train to Bhubaneswar unlocks ancient temples and Buddhist heritage sites like Dhauli and Udayagiri. Finally, ride into Ranchi for waterfalls, tribal culture, and a breather in the lap of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Must-do: Victoria Memorial, Lingaraj Temple, Hundru Falls. Read more: These are Visa free for Indian nationals? Check this out for monsoon holidays Uttar Pradesh – Bihar – Jharkhand Route: Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Deoghar Highlights: Start your journey in Varanasi, one of the world's oldest living cities, where life and death flow together on the ghats of the Ganges. After soaking in the spiritual chaos, head to Bodh Gaya, the peaceful town in Bihar where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Then cap your trip with a visit to Deoghar, Jharkhand's spiritual hub famous for the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple, surrounded by scenic hills and a refreshingly calm vibe. Must-do: Sunset Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, meditate under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, trek to Tapovan Hills in Deoghar.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
ETIAS explained: Why the EU just tripled its travel authorisation fee
In a significant update that could affect millions of travelers, the European Union (EU) has announced that it will triple the cost of its upcoming travel authorisation scheme—the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The fee, which will now cost €20 per applicant, is almost three times higher than the initial fee. While the increase may appear steep, the EU defends the move as necessary to cover rising operational costs and bring the fee in line with similar systems worldwide. According to the European Commission, the decision stems from inflation, infrastructure costs, and additional financial pressures on EU programs, including defence, agriculture, and border security. By raising the ETIAS fee, the EU hopes to maintain the system's long-term sustainability and fund a broader range of priorities that individual member states may not be able to support on their own. Read more: These are Visa free for Indian nationals? Check this out for monsoon holidays What i s ETIAS? ETIAS will be a mandatory travel authorisation for citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia, who plan short-term stays in the EU. Once implemented, it will apply to travel across the 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Designed as an online, user-friendly system, ETIAS will allow most applications to be processed in minutes. Approved permits will be valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and will allow multiple entries within that period. Who i s e xempt? To ease the burden on families and older travelers, children under 18 and adults over 70 will be exempt from the €20 fee. These exemptions aim to encourage personal and family travel without adding significant costs for those on tighter budgets or fixed incomes. How w ill t his i mpact t ourists? While the fee hike may frustrate some travelers, its real impact is expected to be minimal. Moreover, ETIAS offers perks such as faster border checks, digital processing, and enhanced security, making the travel experience smoother and more secure. Read more: 5 places in the hills that feel like a Yash Raj set Though the fee has been confirmed, ETIAS has yet to go live. Initially slated for an earlier launch, the program is now expected to roll out by end of 2026. The delay provides time for airports, border agencies, and travelers to prepare for the system's full implementation. Despite delays, the EU remains confident that ETIAS will modernize border control, help identify security risks, and enhance the travel experience. Officials say that as international tourism continues to rebound post-pandemic, such systems are vital for managing growing travel volumes efficiently.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Kajra Re was the worst-rated in Bunty aur Babli, marketing team called it…': Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy on how Aishwarya-Amitabh-Abhishek song got popularity
Bunty Aur Babli's 'Kajra Re' may be one of those rare songs that refuses to age, but the song received a big thumbs down from the suits at Yash Raj before its release, recalled musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. In a new conversation, Ehsaan Noorani revealed that after an internal evaluation, the song which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, with lyrics by Gulzar, landed on bottom of the list. The trio have shaped the soundscape of Bollywood for more than two decades. They have scored movies like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), My Name is Khan (2010), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Rock On (2008), just to name a few. They have also composed the music for Aamir Khan's upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par and its 2007 prequel Taare Zameen Par. In a recent interview, the trio talked about their Bollywood projects and what all transpires behind the scenes when they are composing an album for a film. While making an appearance on the YouTube channel Just Filmy Things, the trio shed some light on their previous work. Ehsaan Noorani shared an anecdote about the song Kajra Re from the film Bunty Aur Babli (2005) and how the marketing team of the film initially did not give the song its due. He said, 'They did an internal evaluation about which song from the film will do well, and Kajra Re was at the bottom of the list. A bunch of people from marketing came together and gave feedback after listening to the song. It just so happened that 4 days after the song came out, I was coming out of the Mumbai airport, and a wedding band was already playing 'Kajra Re.'' Ehsaan also talked about how choosing Alisha Chinai to sing the female part of the song was an unprecedented move, but it still elevated the song to a new level. ALSO READ: Sitaare Zameen Par first review: Sudha Murty calls Aamir Khan's comedy-drama an 'eye-opener' that offers 'deep philosophical lessons The trio also talked about the experience of working with Aamir Khan as a collaborator and how he perceives the music while it is being written and recorded. Shankar said, 'He is there all the time, and he is almost like a kid.' One time he called Amitabh Bhattacharya (lyricist) while he was vacationing in Kashmir and told him to rework the lyrics of a song.' The 'Breathless' singer added that many times Aamir will like the rough take of the song more and will decide to keep it in the movie, and that is what happened with 'Maa' from Taare Zameen Par and 'Good For Nothing' from Sitaare Zameen Par. 'If something clicks for Aamir, then nothing can be changed in it.' Directed by RS Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par will see Aamir play the role of a basketball coach who has been tasked with teaching the game to a group of neurodivergent kids. The cast of the film includes Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishnan Varma, Vedant Sharmaa, Naman Misra, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain and Ashish Pendse, among others. The music has been composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, while the background score and lyrics of the songs are the creation of Ram Sampath and Amitabh Bhattacharya. The film releases on June 20.
News18
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Ashutosh Rana Regrets Missing Out On Playing Chand Bardai in Akshay's Samrat Prithviraj
Last Updated: Ashutosh Rana missed playing Chand Bardai in Akshay Kumar's Samrat Prithviraj but voiced the character in Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. Veteran actor Ashutosh Rana recently opened up about missing the chance to play Indian poet Chand Bardai in Yash Raj Films' Samrat Prithviraj. The actor revealed that although he was deeply interested in portraying the iconic character, the opportunity didn't come his way at the time. He candidly shared that Chand Bardai had always been a role on his wish list, making it all the more special when he finally got to step into the character in the historical drama 'Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan.' Rana has lent his voice to the character of Chand Bardai in the historical drama. Speaking about being part of the show, the Sangharsh actor told IANS, 'I accepted this role immediately because a few years ago, I had done a Yash Raj production on Prithviraj Chauhan, where I played the role of Jayachandra. To be honest, I had always wanted to play Chand Bardai. Back then, what I truly wished for didn't happen — but now that it is happening, I feel it's a character from my wish list that I finally got to portray. I was very happy to receive this opportunity." Talking about playing Chand Bardai in the show, Ashutosh shared, 'As a child, I grew up listening to stories about Prithviraj Chauhan, tales of his unmatched bravery, wisdom, and spirit. Those stories left a deep impact on me, and to now be part of bringing that legend to life is truly special." Directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, 'Samrat Prithviraj" starred Akshay Kumar in the titular character. The period drama also starred Manushi Chhillar, Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood, Manav Vij, Ashutosh Rana, and Sakshi Tanwar in other pivotal roles. Sonu played the role of Chand Bardai in the movie, whereas Rana portrayed the character of Jayachandra. Inspired by Prithviraj Raso, the legendary Braj-language epic that chronicles the life and heroics of Chahamana dynasty ruler Prithviraj Chauhan, the historical drama made its way to the big screen on June 3, 2022. The film brought to life the valiant king's story, steeped in history, valor, and folklore. First Published:
