Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) Actor Riteish Deshmukh has opened up about the ‘immense’ influence of superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan on his acting career, saying it has enriched his journey in the film industry beyond measure.

Riteish, who will soon be seen in the medical drama ‘Pill’ in the lead role of Dr Prakash Chauhan, revealed about his love for Hindi cinema.

“I’ve always been a huge film buff, often watching three to four movies a day. Until 2002, I watched every Hindi film on a VHS player, and I remain a bigger fan of Hindi films than any other. During my teenage years, I was an ardent fan of SRK and Salman. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with them on screen,” said Riteish.

He further shared: “Their influence on me during my formative years was immense, and being able to collaborate with them has been a dream come true, enriching my journey in the film industry beyond measure.”

About the challenge of staying relevant in a growing industry like Bollywood, he commented: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to sustain a long and successful career in Bollywood, and I consider myself truly blessed. My initial challenge was to remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry.”

“To achieve this, I have ventured into a variety of genres over the years, each presenting unique opportunities for growth and learning. Despite the many years I have spent in the industry, my passion for exploration remains undiminished. I still have a deep desire to explore new genres and diverse types of films, continually pushing the boundaries of my craft and embracing the endless possibilities that cinema has to offer,” added the actor, known for his work in movies like ‘Masti’, ‘Bluffmaster’, ‘Housefull’ among others.

‘Pill’ delves deep into the murky world of pharmaceutical scandals and unethical medical trials. From powerful tycoons to corrupt doctors, the series navigates a web of intrigue where a single pill’s journey exposes the nexus of power, greed and ethical dilemmas.

In the show, Riteish plays Prakash, a CDSCO officer battling against a formidable pharmaceutical magnate.

The show will air from July 12 on JioCinema.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) The 17-year-old Steve Jyrwa from Shillong, Meghalaya has surprised the judges of ‘India’s Best Dancer 4’ — Karisma Kapoor and Terence Lewis, with his amazing hip-hop moves and flawless footwork on the title track of, ‘I Hate Luv Storys.’

Steve, who shares a really close bond with his grandmother, had the opportunity to watch her grandson perform via a video call. The judges not only found this to be a sweet gesture but were also impressed with his power-packed performance.

Blown by Steve’s dance style, Terence shared: “After many years we’ve come across a dancer who reminded us of one flawless dancer who has earned a name in this industry with his hard work and dedication.”

“Just like you, he was once a contestant and then a choreographer on our show; his name is Tushar Shetty, ‘naam toh suna hoga?’ Grace, charm, elegance and ease, your performance had it all. It was so good to see you dance this way,” he added.

Karisma said, “Steve, you have your grandmother’s blessings. Honestly, my mother is a very important part of my life. She really looks after us. The values and the little of what I know is all what I’ve learnt from her. Your bond with your grandmother is very cute! Coming to your performance, I didn’t want it to end. What footwork and what expressions, I loved it.”

In a sweet moment, the judges called Steve’s family, and they talked with his grandmother. She mentioned that she would attend the show soon to cheer Steve. It will be interesting to see whether Steve will make it to the ‘Top 12’.

The show also features Geeta Kapur as the judge.

‘India’s Best Dancer 4’ will start airing on July 13 on Sony LIV.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) Actress Srishti Jain has transformed herself in just three months of joining the show ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ to enhance her look, and she followed a rigorous regime of intermittent fasting and workouts.

Her transformation journey includes a balanced diet, and a set of rigorous exercises.

Srishti, who essays the negative role of Monisha in the show, said: “When I joined ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ about four months ago, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the way I was looking on screen. So, I decided it was time to set myself a fitness goal.”

“Given that I play the intense character of Monisha, I felt a certain sharpness was required to enhance the impact. I believe intermittent fasting has helped me transform and lose almost eight kgs in just three months. But that’s not the end of it, I work hard every day to maintain it, which is possible, only by staying committed to my workout routine and my diet,” she shared.

She further added: “My diet includes only home-cooked food, with the right amount of protein and carbs. I also keep sipping on herbal teas and do a cleanse with detox water two times a week. I also prefer walking around on the set, and whenever I can squeeze some time out, I prefer working out in the gym.”

In the upcoming episodes, it will be interesting for the viewers to watch how Poorvi (Rachi Sharma) and RV (Abrar Qazi) will save everyone from the hijackers in the show.

‘Kumkum Bhagya’ airs on Zee TV.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) The leading lady of ‘Mishri’, actress Shruti Bhist shared about shopping for the wedding sequence of the show in the local markets of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

In a wardrobe plot twist, Shruti’s character Mishri is swapping her GenZ take for a bridal makeover that’s pure Mathura magic.

Shruti’s onscreen wedding look is a masterpiece as the handcrafted red and gold saree is stunning. This bridal ensemble is not just gorgeous on the surface, it has a backstory too. Sourced from a local Mathura shop by Shruti’s team, this outfit is as authentic as Mishri’s love for her hometown.

Talking about the same, Shruti shared: “When I found out about the wedding scene while filming in Mathura, I was thrilled. It’s my first time being a bride on screen, and I was a mix of nervous and excited about enlivening the wedding sequence. The whole experience of preparing for this scene was amazing.”

“My team and I went shopping in the local market to find the perfect wedding dress that really captures the spirit of Mathura. We chose a stunning red saree with intricate gotapati work all over and a beautiful gold border. The jewellery is also special – it’s all handmade by local craftsmen, with unique designs,” she said.

From her radiant Haldi look to her magnificent wedding attire, Shruti makes certain that Mishri’s style journey is more colourful than a bride’s trousseau. She’s nailing the ‘something old, something new’ adage by blending traditional charm with a modern twist.

“I really hope our viewers will love how I look as a bride and enjoy watching the wedding story unfold. We’ve all worked hard on this show, and I’m looking forward to seeing how our audience reacts to it,” she added.

In the current storyline, Vaani’s car breaks down, prompting Raghav to leave the function to assist her. Meanwhile, Mishri, Dadi, and Giri hop into a tempo, where Mishri dreams of revealing her destiny as Raghav’s future wife. She buys him a bracelet and later witnesses his heroism, solidifying her belief in his goodness.

At the ghat, Mishri, Raghav, and Vaani light a diya together, symbolising their intertwined destinies. Raghav and Vaani are stunned by the news of their arranged marriage.

‘Mishri’ airs on Colors.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) Actor Purab Kohli, who has reunited after 26 years with Kenneth Desai, for the upcoming series ‘36 Days’ has reflected back on their journey together, saying it’s lovely that our paths have converged.

The actor-duo was last seen sharing the screen space in the cult classic television series of the late 90’s titled ‘Hip Hip Hurray’.

Speaking about their journey, Purab said: “Reconnecting with Kenny on the sets of ‘36 Days’ after over two and a half decades has been truly special.”

“We first worked together in my early days of acting — in the late 90s, where he was our strict maths teacher. It’s lovely that our paths have converged after all these years, and coming together again in such a compelling project feels very good, and our roles share a relationship that is quite different from what we shared in our show back in the days,” shared the ‘Airlift’ actor.

He further said: “I’ve grown a lot as an actor and an individual, and acting scenes with him as a more mature person was very interesting. Working alongside Kenny has always been a pleasure. There’s a deep respect I have for his talent, which translates effortlessly into his performance. I’m excited for viewers to witness this dynamic between us once more, this time it’s really on a different scale on our very exciting series — 36 Days.”

In ‘36 Days’, Kenneth portrays Denzel Machado, a talented painter, whose life takes a dark turn after a tragic loss, leading him to retreat into seclusion in Goa.

Meanwhile, Purab takes on the role of Dr Rishi Jaykar, an accomplished doctor navigating personal and professional turmoil with his wife Radhika in their tumultuous life in Goa.

Directed by Vishal Furia, ‘36 Days’, which is an official Indian adaptation of the Welsh drama ‘35 Diwrnod’, features Neha Sharma, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sushant Divgikar, Shruti Seth, Sharib Hashmi, and Chandan Roy Sanyal.

The series is produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India. Set against the backdrop of a serene suburban housing estate in Goa, the thriller takes viewers through a complex maze of lies, deceit, romance, and intrigue, as a mysterious woman shakes up the neighbourhood after entering the scene.

‘36 Days’ will be streaming from July 12 on Sony LIV.

–IANS

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