The Hyderabad-based astrologer and palmist Balu Munnangi has a long list of star clients including Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Kajol and South film folk
Ajay Devgn, Kajol
It’s all in the stars
Looks like Bollywood’s go-to astrologer lately is Balu Munnangi. On Thursday, Karan Johar thanked him for his “unconditional support and guidance” in a special post on his Instagram Story. Munnangi told the filmmaker, “Amazing things are on the way.” KJo has also made rumoured couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, who feature in his upcoming production, Shershaah, seek guidance from him.
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The Hyderabad-based astrologer and palmist has a long list of star clients including Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Kajol and South film folk. Devgn appears to be close to him as the mahurat clap of his upcoming films, Mayday and Thank God, were given by Munnangi. We wonder if Kajol introduced him to buddy KJo. Bollywood is known to be a superstitious lot, and they are always keen to seek help to make their movies a hit.
Surviving the odds
Shamita Shetty took to social media on Thursday to share a post about inner strength and overcoming hardships amid startling revelations in brother-in-law Raj Kundra’s alleged involvement in a pornography case. The actor wrote, “Sometimes the strength within you is not a big fiery flame for all to see. It is just a tiny spark that whispers ever so softly, “You got this... keep going.’” Shilpa Shetty’s sister added, “Anything you say or do gets filtered through the lens of whatever personal issues people are going through at that moment. Just keep doing your thing with as much integrity and love.” Though industry colleagues preferred to keep mum, Mouni Roy and Mona Singh sent their love.
New notes
Sonu Nigam, Lucky Ali, Badshah, Darshan Raval, Benny Dayal and Papon will provide their renditions in an upcoming show, Unacademy Unwind, which celebrates different music genres. Says Nigam, “The show is a reflection of each artiste’s individual musicality and philosophy. What I have conceptualised is unprecedented in my life, where every item leads to a unique zone of its own making it one of my most fulfilling experiences of life.” The MTV show will feature several other singers including Kailash Kher, Rochak Kohli, Armaan Malik, Amaal Mallik, Asees Kaur and Harshdeep Kaur.
In La La Land
On Thursday, Sanjay Dutt celebrated his 62nd birthday in Los Angeles with bestie Paresh Ghelani. Vicky Kaushal’s character, Kamli, in Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju (2018) was based on Paria, Dutt’s nickname for his US-based entrepreneur pal. Sanju, who was in Dubai, flew to LA a few days ago to mark his big day. Ghelani wished him in a unique way. An aeroplane with a banner, which read, ‘Happy birthday Sanjay Dutt. Welcome to the US,’ flew over Ghelani’s hilltop home. Last year, Dutt was slated to visit the US after being diagnosed with cancer but he preferred being treated in Mumbai.
Moving on
The long wait for his Bollywood debut in the Ranveer Singh-starrer 83 has meant Sahil Khattar will make his bow on the digital medium. The YouTuber and host, who plays cricketer Syed Kirmani in Kabir Khan’s sports drama, makes his web debut with the ZEE5 film, 200. “It is sheer coincidence that the titles of both my films are numbers,” says Khattar, who plays a serial killer in Sarthak Das Gupta’s directorial venture starring Amol Palekar, Barun Sobti and Sairaat (2016) sensation Rinku Rajguru.
Calling out hypocrisy
Milind Soman’s wife Ankita Konwar has been facing the heat on social media ever since she called out those who are “celebrating” the Olympic victories of participants from the North East. Konwar, who is from Assam, wondered if people from the region are considered “Indians only when they win a medal. Otherwise, we are known as Chinky, Chinese, Nepali or a new addition Corona,” she wrote. Konwar later hit back at trolls by saying, “If it makes you uncomfortable, look the other way like you always have been.”
Legal wrangles
On Thursday, Juhi Chawla withdrew from the Delhi High Court her plea in connection with the dismissal of her lawsuit against the 5G wireless network technology. The actor wanted it to be declared ‘rejected’ instead of ‘dismissed’. The court said the complaint in which questions have been raised about the health hazards due to the 5G roll out was ‘not maintainable’ and was ‘stuffed with unnecessary scandalous and vexatious averments’, which are liable to be struck down. Her application for refund of court fees was also withdrawn by Chawla. The court had imposed a penalty of Rs 20 lakh for filing a ‘frivolous’ plea. The court had described the lawsuit as ‘defective’, ‘abuse of law’ and filed for ‘gaining publicity’ as the actor had circulated the video conferencing link of the hearing on social media.
Lots in a name
Ishita Dutta will headline the upcoming show, Thoda Sa Baadal, Thoda Sa Paani, which is described to be ‘the complicated story of a simple girl’. It is written and directed by Leena Gangopadhyay. Dutta says, “The show is about how dreams and aspirations can change overnight.” Her character is called Kajol Mukherjee. Was the name and spelling inspired by the Bollywood star? Dutta’s husband Vatsal Sheth is known to share a warm rapport with Ajay Devgn and Kajol.
Shades of grey
Smita Bansal has been roped in for Bhagya Lakshmi. She plays mom to protagonist Rishi (Rohit Suchanti) in the new show. Last seen on Yehh Jadu Hai Jinn Ka!, Bansal is glad to be back on the tube after a hiatus. “My character, Neelam Oberoi, is possessive about her son and will go to any length for his happiness,” she says.
Not without each other
After Tony Kakkar’s Tera suit and Vishal Mishra’s Tu bhi sataya jayega, lovebirds Jasmin Bhasin and Aly Goni team up for their third music video outing for Neha Kakkar’s romantic track, 2 Phone. The Bigg Boss 14 contestants shot for the song in Chandigarh. Looks like the two prefer to be together on screen as well.
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