B-Town’s gossip mills have been working overtime about the industry’s latest couple — Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad. Over the weekend, the superstar, who is known to guard his personal life, threw caution to the wind by stepping out hand-in-hand with the actor-musician. It was a surprise to those in the know as Roshan had preferred to keep the relationship under wraps for months. A source says, “Their friendship has blossomed into something really special. Last month, the two winged their way to Goa for some quiet moments.” Roshan is 48, and Azad is around 30, but then what’s age gotta do with love? Azad features in the upcoming web series, Rocket Boys. She was in a live-in relationship with Imaad Shah with whom she founded the electro-funk band, Madboy/Mink. She now refers to the actor-musician as her “best friend and the bestest human ever”.
Southside stories
Akshay Kumar will be shooting back-to-back for South remakes. He first kickstarts the Hindi version of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Malayalam film, Driving Licence (2019), which was announced earlier this month. Karan Johar’s production, directed by Raj Mehta, rolls in February. As soon as he wraps up the comedy, co-starring Emraan Hashmi, he will dive into the remake of the Tamil film, Soorarai Pottru (2020). Sudha Kongara, who helmed the Suriya-starrer, will direct the Bollywood version set in north India. The critically-acclaimed Soorarai Pottru is loosely based on the life of Air Deccan founder GR Gopinath. It was released on an OTT platform.
What’s on Bhumi’s mind?
Bhumi Pednekar has “love, Ibiza and Badhaai Do” — strictly in that order on her mind. The social media savvy actor is busy promoting her upcoming film, co-starring Rajkummar Rao. She sure knows how to garner attention with her posts. Pednekar struck a sultry pose, which left fans swooning. They wondered when she will play a “hot as hell” character on screen as well.
Kajol positive
Kajol is the latest to test positive for COVID-19 in B-Town. On Sunday, she shared the news in an Instagram post. “I don’t want anyone to see my Rudolph nose,” she wrote. Kads has been battling a nasty cold. She added that she was missing daughter Nysa who is studying in Switzerland.
Green ride
Shraddha Kapoor spares no efforts to further the cause of animal welfare. The actor was up and about wearing a T-shirt, which read, ‘Vegetarian for animals’. She asked fans, “What’s your perfect Sunday like? Mine’s an auto ride and wind in my hair.” Over two years ago, Kapoor turned vegetarian to be “fitter and happier”.
Lata off the ventilator
On Sunday, state health minister Rajesh Tope provided a health update about Lata Mangeshkar. He said that the legendary singer is no longer on the ventilator and responding to the treatment. “I spoke to Dr Pratit Samdani who is treating her. She was on the ventilator for some days, but is better now. Only oxygen is being given to her,” he said. Mangeshkar was hospitalised earlier this month after testing positive for COVID-19.
Romancing in Moscow
Rohan Mehraa teams up with Punjabi actor-singer Himanshi Khurana for the music video of Aakad. The two shot for the romantic track in Moscow. Khurana considers her trip to Russia an experience to remember. “The unit had a great time. Moscow is beautiful, and served as the perfect location for the shoot,” says the Bigg Boss 13 contestant. The track, produced by RV Singh, is slated for a Valentine’s Day release. Khurana has earlier featured in several Punjabi music videos.
Hiss and tell
Ahead of the new season of the Naagin franchise, producer Ekta Kapoor has lined up a reunion of the actors who played the mythical shape-shifting serpent. The special episodes will be telecast on February 5 and 6 to coincide with Basant Panchami. It will feature Adaa Khan, Anita Hassanandani and Surbhi Chandna. Over the weekend, the actors reprised their characters from the earlier seasons of the supernatural fantasy thriller at the shoot held at Film City.
Looking older
Rohit Suchanti has been sporting facial fuzz on Bhagya Lakshmi to appear mature enough for his character, Rishi Oberoi. “People tell me I look like a 19-year-old without it. So, to look older, I have been growing a moustache and beard,” says the actor. Though he prefers a clean-shaven appearance in real-life (inset), he does not want to resort to a fake beard on the show. “Real is better,” he says.
