SCOOPS: Ranveer Singh in Ali Abbas Zafar's next project, Priya Prakash Varrier in Vikas Gupta's reality show and more

Ten years ago, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar made his acting and singing debut simultaneously with his home production, Rock On. The multi-talented star, who has sung tracks in his subsequent films like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Shaadi Ke Side Effects (2014), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Wazir and Rock On 2 (2016) and performed at various shows since then, is all set to release his first Hindi single as an independent singer and song-writer. 

Farhan, who has donned various hats in the entertainment industry as a producer, director, writer, lyricist, singer and TV show host, hopes to move on to the next level with his new number, Jaane Ye Kyun Kiya. He has collaborated with composer, instrumentalist and lyricist, Rochak Kohli, who has produced the song. Besides penning and recording it, Farhan also shot for the music video in Iceland this June. Currently, he’s working on his next film, The Sky Is Pink. After Hrs brings you exclusive stills from the song that goes on air today. 

We read yesterday that Shraddha Kapoor was diagnosed with dengue and laid up because of which her biopic on badminton expert Saina Nehwal was pushed by a few days. However, when we called to check on the light-eyed beauty, her mother told us that Shraddha was fine and she would be back at work soon. Apparently, the Stree actress was indisposed, but she has made a miraculously quick recovery. Thank God for that! Here’s wishing her good health. 

Sonali Bendre Behl, who is presently undergoing treatment for cancer in the US, made sure to send a sweet message to the contestants of India’s Best Dramebaaz (IBD). She had judged four episodes of the show before she had to leave for her treatment and Huma Qureshi was roped in her place. During the final episode, Sonali, who was wearing a black shirt and a hat, sent a video message saying, “I’m happy to see all the kids doing so well on the show. I am missing the entire team of IBD so much. I wish I could just be there with all of you. Vivek (Oberoi) keeps sending me the messages of the kids all the time and they’re all so sweet, it makes me cry. I want to thank Huma from the bottom of my heart for stepping in at the last minute. It means a lot. For Shantanu (Maheshwari), I just want to say that I was so excited to work with you after so many years, but it had to end this way. I miss everyone a lot. But, I promise I will come back soon. I just want to tell something to all the finalists, some will lose and one will win, but everyone is wonderful and all of you have learned a lot in this entire journey which will help everyone in the future.” 

A source from the sets shares that every one including the judges, and the cameramen were overwhelmed seeing Sonali and her spirit. “All of them were taken by surprise and moved to tears with her emotional message,” adds the source. 

Earlier this year, Priya Prakash Varrier became a social media sensation, courtesy her cutesy wink in a video from her debut film Oru Adaar Love (Malayalam).

There has been no looking back ever since — she has become a regular in commercials, print shoots and has received several offers as well. The latest, we hear, is that the young actress has been approached to be part of a reality show. “Priya is in talks with a youth-based channel for a task-based game show, called Ace Of Space. The show will be hosted and designed by Vikas Gupta Bigg Boss 11 fame. It’s being conceptualised on the lines of two shows — BB and Crunch,” says our source, adding, “Like Bigg Boss, contestants will be locked up inside a house and will be put through severe conditions. But there’s one big difference — Here, the space of the house will keep reducing every week. Priya is yet to give her nod to the show and her team is currently discussing the modalities.” Along with her, two other contestants who are most likely to be part of the show are Varun Sood and Krissann Barretto. While Varun was a popular contestant on Roadies, Krissann was part of Sasural Simar Ka.

Ranveer Singh will be seen as a superhero in director Ali Abbas Zafar’s cool new project. This is the Padmaavat actor and the Tiger Zinda Hai director’s second collaboration after Gunday (2014). And the duo is ensuring that they give something memorable to viewers. Ranveer, who is known for his quirky sense of humour and dressing, will be at his funniest best. Ali is clear that he wants to make this one of the grandest things that audiences have seen. 

A source says, “It is a super funny, massy project and Ali was the perfect fit to direct it with Ranveer. The director has two Rs 300-crore plus blockbusters under his belt and the brand is aware that he understands the pulse of the masses. Ranveer will be presented in an extremely outlandish manner. His flamboyance, versatility and comic timing have been explored to the fullest by Ali.”

Let’s wait and watch how this collaboration turns out!