Aayush Sharma, Arpita Khan Sharma recreate wedding moments on the eve of her birthday

The two cherish special moments at the plush Falaknuma palace in Hyderabad where they exchanged wedding vows three years ago

It was a nostalgic moment for Salman Khan’s sister, Arpita Khan when hubby Aayush Sharma flew her down to Hyderabad to celebrate her birthday at Taj’s royal Falaknuma palace. The place holds special significance for the adorable couple and they chose it as the perfect destination for Arpita’s birthday celebration.

It may be recalled that Aayush and Arpita got married in a fairytale-like wedding on November 18, 2014 at the Falaknuma palace, which was specially chosen by brother Salman Khan for the occasion. The superstar had booked the entire palace venue consisting of 60 plush rooms for two days for the grand ceremony. The pictures of the two along with son, Ahil have been recently trending on social media showcasing the deep affection they share for each other.

Recalled Aayush, “It’s been three years now since our marriage. I wanted to do something really special for Arpita’s birthday. So celebrating her birthday at the Falaknuma Palace was the best way to relive those amazing moments with family and close friends.”

As of now, Aayush is eagerly looking forward to the release of his debut film, Loveratri, produced by his brother-in-law and mentor Salman Khan, under his own banner, Salman Khan Films. Directed by debutant director Abhiraj Minawala and co-starring Warina Hussain, the film is scheduled to release on October 5th, 2018.

 

Katrina Kaif’s popularity touches a new high with a record 8.5 million followers on Instagram

Post the success of Tiger Zinda Hai, in which she teamed up with Salman Khan, the actress’ popularity has been on the rise on the social media and the brand endorsement market

There was a time when Katrina Kaif was publicity shy and extra cautious of the social media. It was only after she made her Facebook debut on her birthday in 2016 that she began to cherish her association with her fans, with her lifestyle posts getting a tremendous response. Katrina Kaif, who preferred to stay away from social media for the longest time had a change of in heart as she created an online presence on Instagram, much to the excitement of her fans. Probably it was due to this feedback that she had a change of heart when she decided to create her online presence on Instagram last year in April 2017, “I joined Facebook and I wanted to get a hang of things. Instagram was something that I thought of at that time and honestly, I never revisited that thought. I do think now that all the concerns that were in my head were not completely valid,” she said.

“I’m sharing real moments with my followers and enjoy having a platform where I have my own voice. It is a personal reflection of me” – Katrina Kaif

The gorgeous actress made her debut with a sun- kissed and sans makeup picture and amassed followers soon after at a staggering pace. However post the success of Tiger Zinda Hai, her popularity has touched a new high. Moreover, she has now arrived at a milestone on Instagram with a record 8.5 million followers, who cherish every detail she offers in to her interesting life.

Her followers can see her sweating it out at the gym, while she is at shoots, chilling with friends on vacations, enjoying candid moments with family and clicking selfies before performances. Thoroughly entertaining, the account throws a spotlight on the actress’ life as she gets the best of both worlds, living it out in the glamorous film business and relaxing when in an off-work mode. Prior to this, Katrina was in the news for having the most entertaining celebrity Instagram account.

Says Katrina, “It took me a while to join Instagram. I was told that I would enjoy the interactions and follow new people I like, and that is exactly what has happened. I’m having fun. I’m sharing real moments with my followers and enjoy having a platform where I have my own voice. It is a personal reflection of me.”

 

YRF readies for massive Russia release of Tiger Zinda Hai after assessing huge potential for Salman Khan starrers

By Manishaa R

We are looking at Tiger Zinda Hai receiving a huge response in Russia, says Avtar Panesar, International Distribution Head, Yash Raj Films

The Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer, Tiger Zinda Hai, which set the box-office on fire in India, will be the first Hindi movie to have the widest ever release in Russia in an unprecedented 70 prints. According to Avtar Panesar, Vice President, International Operations, Yash Raj Films, the decision to line up a massive Russia release was made after assessing the huge potential for Salman Khan starrers in the otherwise untapped market in Russia, “Last year, we decided to test new waters and released Sultan across a few screens in Russia. The movie received a phenomenal response from audiences. That’s when we decided to up the ante with Tiger Zinda Hai,” Panesar revealed.

Yashraj is counting on the film receiving an exceptional response in Russia, “The response to the trailer has been excellent and we believe the movie will be loved by audiences across Russia. Also the movie has been dubbed in Russian and will release with the voiceovers, so it can connect excellently with the native people there,” Panesar said.

With Russia, Yash Raj Films is now set to explore the second phase of the film’s international business in non-traditional markets. “The movie has done fantastic business in Phase 1 in the traditional markets. Phase II begins with Russia and we are hoping the movie connects universally with non-Indian diaspora,” Panesar added.

“Last year, we decided to test new waters and released Sultan across a few screens in Russia. The movie received a phenomenal response from audiences” – Avtar Panesar, Vice President, International Operations, Yash Raj Films

It may be recalled that Ali Abbas Zafar’s spy action thriller starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, received an outstanding response in the overseas market. The film also succeeded in creating new records at the box-office, making Salman Khan only the second actor (after Aamir Khan) with three movies reaching the Rs 500 cr mark ($78 million) at the global box-office. The film also made it as the sixth highest Hindi grosser of all time.

Kick 2: Salman Khan to play a double role in this hugely anticipated sequel?

Sources reveal that the sequel to Kick, which created a riot at the box-office in 2014, may see Salman Khan playing a double role with the younger character taking on bigger challenges

By Manishaa R

The much-talked about Kick sequel which has been confirmed for a Christmas 2019 release, will witness Salman Khan back as the ‘Devil’ but with a new twist to the tale.  According to sources, the superstar is likely to essay a double role of a father and son, with the story taking a 20-year leap on the lines of the Ravi Teja starrer, Kick 2.  Sources also reveal that the younger Salman in the film may have new traits to his character which make him a formidable threat to all his enemies, who try to challenge him.  Apparently both Sajid and Salman, who was in the know of the script since the past two years, kept improvising on it, after which it was recently finalized.

The much-talked about Kick sequel which has been confirmed for a Christmas 2019 release, will witness Salman Khan back as the ‘Devil’ but with a new twist to the tale

More interestingly, Sajid Nadiadwala is said to have once again roped in the original Kick writer Rajat Aroraa, who was instrumental in regaling the audiences with some of his memorable dialogues in the film. Apparently both Aroraa and Sajid Nadiadwala had been working exhaustively on the script of Kick 2 for the past two years, giving a new edge to the story that will now showcase Salman Khan in a role that will be high on both emotion and action.

In one of his earlier interviews post the phenomenal success of Kick, Sajid had said that one of the reasons for Kick being a huge success was the equation he shared with Salman and the way he understood him, “I felt that all the small things that people enjoyed in the film were because I knew Salman but definitely those numbers could not have been achieved without him,” he had said. In another media interaction he had confessed how it was a huge responsibility to work with Salman considering the hysteria among his fans and his huge fan base.

In a media interaction post the success of Kick, Sajid Nadiadwala  had confessed how it was a huge responsibility to work with Salman considering the mass hysteria he commanded among his fans

It is a known fact that Salman Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala have been thick friends for more than two decades since they first collaborated for the 1996 film Jeet, after which they gave several hits together like Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. It was Salman who inspired Sajid to make his directorial debut with the action comedy Kick, which went on to make history at the box-office and had the unique distinction of being Salman’s first film to enter the Rs 200 cr club. It is a little-known fact that it was Sajid Nadiadwala who gifted the title rights of Bharat-the upcoming epic film to be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, to Salman Khan when he and his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri felt that it would be the only apt title for the film.

Salman Khan takes time out from hectic schedule to give the clap for Marathi film, Bonus

The superstar is known to have a great fascination for Marathi cinema, apart from  his long-standing friendship with director Mahesh Manjrekar

He has been busy with the shooting of his upcoming film, Race 3 but #SalmanKhan recently took time out of his hectic schedule to give the mahurat clap for a Marathi film, Bonus.  It is a known fact that Salman has a great fascination for Marathi cinema, apart from the fact that he shares a close association with his filmmaker friend, Mahesh Manjrekar. Salman had last rendered a song for Manjrekar’s FU-Friendship Unlimited and had also launched the music of Manjrekar’s film Rubik’s Cube, which starred Gashmeer Mahajani in the lead role.

Sources point out that Salman’s decision to give the clap for Bonus is an extension of the association he shared with Manjrekar and his team during the making of Rubik’s Cube. Gashmeer Mahajani who is the son of well-known Marathi actor, Ravindra Mahajani, is also a theatre actor and choreographer. Produced by Govind Ubhe, Rabish Patil, Sandesh Patil and M. Nitin, and written and directed by Saurabh Bhave, Bonus stars Gashmeer Mahajani and Pooja Sawant in the lead roles.  The film will be released in mid-2018.

China distributor E Stars lines up massive release for #SalmanKhan starrer, Bajrangi Bhaijaan

We anticipate tremendous potential in this beautiful drama, says E Sstars CEO, Allen Liu of Bajrangi Bhaijaan which will be released in over 8000 screens in China in keeping with its huge anticipation

By Manishaa R

Will Salman Khan’s 2015 box-office hit, Bajrangi Bhaijaan make him the new Indian sensation at the China box-office? Going by the massive release plans for the film in China on March 2 in 8000 screens which is bigger than Aamir Khan’s Dangal (7000 screens) and his just released Secret Superstar (in 5000 screens), it appears that Chinese distributor E Stars, are leaving no stone unturned to make the Salman Khan starrer a grand success.

According to a report in Variety.com quoting E Stars CEO, Allen Liu, there is tremendous anticipation surrounding the China release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which rides on emotions of courage and hope. “There is high expectation and curiosity for the film post the success of recent Indian releases in China and the positive word of mouth Bajrangi Bhaijaan enjoys.  We anticipate tremendous potential in this beautiful drama starring one of the most popular actors in Indian cinema in a film that speaks the language of emotions like courage and hope, which are universal,” Liu was quoted saying. It may be recalled that E Stars is one of the pioneering China distributors of Indian films, which also released the first installment of Baahubali.

“We anticipate tremendous potential in this beautiful drama starring one of the most popular actors in Indian cinema” – Allen Liu, CEO, E Stars, China distributor of Bajrangi Bhaijaan

As of now it is Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar that has got the Chinese audiences hooked with an incredible debut weekend at Rs 173 cr (27million).  China entertainment consultant and producer, Robert Cain who has been closely tracking the box-office business of Secret Superstar earlier endorsed Aamir’s superstar status in China in a Forbes report, “There is actually a movie-going country that showers more love on Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan than does even his home country of India, where he has been making movies for 45 years,” he wrote, predicting the total business of Secret Superstar at a possible Rs 635 crore (100 million).  On the other hand, China’s popular movie-ticketing site Maoyan had last projected lifetime revenue of $84 milion (Rs 540 crore) for the film.

Meanwhile Eros International, which had produced the film in association with Salman Khan, is counting on the film to create a storm at the box-office especially in view of the fact that there are no international releases around the same period. Jyoti Deshpande, Group CEO, Eros International said, “We are delighted to partner with E Stars to showcase our film to China. Our Indo-China co-productions are still in the making, which we are extremely excited about. Meanwhile, what better film than Bajrangi Bhaijaan, starring one of India’s most loved superstars that weaves the universal story of cross-border friendship, to release in a growing market like China. There are no international films releasing during that period in China so we hope to have a fantastic run at the box office in the world’s biggest film market.”

Tiger Zinda Hai emerges highest grossing Salman starrer at Sri Lanka box-office

By Manishaa R

The film has redefined the following for Salman starrers in the market which is traditionally dominated by Shah Rukh and Salman Khan

While Tiger Zinda Hai recreated box-office history in several Indian and overseas territories, few are aware that the film also achieved the unique distinction of grossing the highest business for a Salman starrer in Sri Lanka. According to famed distributor Kalapi Nagada of Cinekorn Entertainment, Tiger Zinda Hai was hailed by audiences at the Srilankan box-office, despite the fact that the market is traditionally dominated by Shah Rukh Khan, “Both Shah Rukh and Aamir command a cult following in Sri Lanka, while Salman starrers are a big draw in the Middle East but Tiger Zinda Hai broke that pattern at the Srilankan box-office. It has also changed the way Salman starrers are perceived,” Kalapi revealed.

Kalapi who had also released the first installment Ek Tha Tiger and the Salman starrers, Kick and Sultan in Sri Lanka, added that the film had redefined the market for Salman starrers in the region, “The film did a business in the range of $1, 50,000 to $2,00,000, which is what Aamir and Shah Rukh starrers normally command there. It was exciting because the audiences were absolutely impressed with the action scenes and the entire packaging of the film. This is certainly one of the biggest Salman Khan grosser in Sri Lanka,” he said.

“Both Shah Rukh and Aamir command a cult following in Sri Lanka, while Salman starrers are a big draw in the Middle East but Tiger Zinda Hai broke that pattern at the Sri Lankan box-office”- Kalapi Nagada, Srilanka distributor, Tiger Zinda Hai

The distributor who is now readying for the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat in the region said that Sri Lanka was the next big market for Hindi films in South East Asia after Singapore, “There is a huge draw for Hindi cinema. It is almost on par with India as far as the inclination towards Hindi movies is concerned, with both the Tamil-speaking audiences and the Sinhalese, endorsing them,” Kalapi revealed.

 

After Tiger Zinda Hai, Salman Khan’s performance in #Race3 would be one to watch out for, says producer Ramesh Taurani

Race 3 will showcase an altogether new side to the superstar’s acting potential, says producer Ramesh Taurani 

By Manishaa R

With Tiger Zinda Hai setting the precedent of being the third Salman starrer to cross the Rs 300 crore mark at the domestic box-office in just 16 days, all eyes are now on Salman Khan’s next release, Race 3. Trade experts point out that the anticipation for the Eid release of the film is higher than ever before after the phenomenal response to Tiger Zinda Hai. Meanwhile the producer of Race 3, Ramesh Taurani has congratulated Salman for the extraordinary success of the film, “It was a well-deserving success for Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, director Ali Abbas Zafar and the entire team. The action was of an international scale, so were the out of the ordinary performances. We are proud to have Salman on board for Race 3,” Taurani said adding that he and the entire Race team were upbeat about the film from day one, “Salman had organized a special screening for the whole Race team including director Remo D’souza a day before its release and all of us were very impressed with the film,” he recalled.

According to Taurani, while the audiences hailed Salman Khan in the nail-biting action in TZH, Race 3 would showcase a new side of the superstar’s acting skills, “The USP of Race is its intricate plot and its edge of the seat entertainment. There would be high-octane action too but the focus would be on the sleek outcome where it will always be mind over muscle. Salman’s role in Race 3 would be new and unusual and his performance would be one to watch out for. The fact that he is teaming up once again with Jacqueline Fernandez makes it very special, so is the presence of Anil Kapoor. We are looking at this being the most sleek and stylish thriller of the franchise,” Taurani revealed.

“Salman’s role in Race 3 would be new and unusual and his performance would be one to watch out for. The fact that he is teaming up once again with Jacqueline Fernandez makes it very special, so is the presence of Anil Kapoor” – Producer Ramesh Taurani

More interestingly the art director of Tiger Zinda Hai, Rajnish Hedao of Acropolis DMG, has also done the art direction of Race 3. Hedao was instrumental in creating and designing a 20,000 sq meter set, where TZH was shot extensively for 65 days. “Race 3 will be yet another addition to Rajnish’s formidable work. He has given the film a very authentic look with his unique art-direction,” Taurani revealed.

Race 3, which marks the first collaboration of Salman Khan and director Remo D’souza, as actor and director, also stars Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Saquib Saleem and Daisy Shah. What is exciting though is the fact that Salman is making his debut in the Race franchise with this installment. The film is scheduled for release on June

Tiger Zinda Hai heading towards record of being Salman’s highest grossing film, say distributors

The film has also given Salman Khan the unique distinction of being the Christmas week superhero at the box-office, besides the Eid superhero

By Manishaa R

It looks like Tiger Zinda Hai is well on its way to crossing the Rs 300 mark at the box-office. The two-day unrest and the tense situation in Maharashtra, slightly dampened the pace of collections but the film still managed to gross a decent Rs 5.75 cr on its 13^th day making the total tally in the range of Rs 287 cr. Distributors and trade analysts who are keenly tracking the progress of the film are confident that it will surpass the business of Salman Khan’s earlier two films, despite the fact that the business in single screens has dropped by 40 percent. According to Raj Bansal, who is the oldest distributor of the Yashraj banner in India with a track record of 32 years and 85 films, there are no two ways about the fact that Tiger Zinda Hai will redefine history at the box-office, “That’s because the repeat audiences are patronising the film in full force especially since the admission rates are now lower than before. Also the audiences who coud not catch up on the film earlier due to New Year celebrations, are doing so now. The biggest factor that could work in favour of the film is the fact that there is no major opposition in the next three weeks. Tiger Zinda Hai has virtually got a free run which is a great occurence,” Bansal says, adding that a majority of exhibitors have now cut down on the screen count to ensure that the film gets its due.

The veteran who has released all Salman starrers released by Yashraj so far, also feels that the film will set a new benchmark for the business of Salman starrers, “I can confidently say that it will be Salman khan’s biggest grosser ever. Salman’s Sultan fetched Rs 302 cr and his Bajrangi Bhaijaan grossed Rs 321 cr but it appears that Tiger Zinda Hai will certain surpass these two films,” Bansal insists.

Will Tiger Zinda Hai also set a record for the highest grossing Christmas release? Going by records, Aamir Khan’s highest grossing film, Dangal had collected Rs 387.38 crore at the India box-office, when it was released on 23^rd December 2016. It remains to be seen whether Tiger Zinda Hai beats the record. Bansal however feels that the success of Tiger Zinda Hai has proved that the Eid hero has now taken over the Christmas week, “It was always Aamir Khan who ruled the Christmas week but this year it is the Eid hero who has taken over the Christmas and New Year season. Needless to add the three Khans continue to dominate the box-office in the three big festive seasons of the year, be it Diwali, Christmas or Eid,” he says. Meanwhile the latest tally of figures indicates the box-office collection of Tiger Zinda Hai: at Rs 286.46 crore at the end of Day 13 on January 3.

“Salman’s Sultan fetched Rs 302 cr and his Bajrangi Bhaijaan grossed Rs 321 cr but it is certain that Tiger Zinda Hai will surpass these two films” – Raj Bansal, oldest distributor of YRF Films

Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar, who had also directed Salman Khan’s earlier film, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai is the sequel to the 2012 blockbuster, Ek Tha Tiger. The fast-paced spy thriller starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, is replete with high voltage action about a RAW agent and an ISI agent, who team up on a one of a kind mission to rescue 25 nurses, held hostage by a terrorist organisation.