Have you heard? Karna on without Shahid Kapoor

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehrarsquos collaboration with Shahid Kapoor for his magnum opus based on Karna of the Mahabharata first made news last January Since then a lot has changed While the Jersey actor is no longer associated with it producer Ronnie Screwvala backed out of it too Now it is being said that Rakeshrsquos Toofaan hero Farhan Akhtar is producing the film titled Karna with Ritesh Sidhwani under their banner Talk is that Rakeysh is contemplating a twopart movie to be made on a budget of about R200 crore Reportedly he feels that the story is too vast and with several important characters being a part of the narrative just a twoandhalf hour film wonrsquot do justice to the subject The filmmaker has also got Anand Neelkanthan an expert on mythology to team up with him in scripting his ambitious ventureBabyshower for AliaThe Kapoor and the Bhatt clans are on a high Firstly Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhattrsquos first film together has opened to huge numbers With the couple gearing up for parenthood the mood in both households is festive Alia is in the third trimester of her pregnancy and looking forward to bringing the bundle of joy with actorhusband Ranbir into the world this December We hear that both grandmotherstobe mdash Neetu Kapoor and Soni Razdan mdash are planning to host a baby shower for their lsquoDarlingrsquo daughter While the date and venue for the womenonly ceremony are yet to be finalised it will be scheduled after the shraadh period ends on September 25 Besides Aliarsquos sister Shaheen Ranbirrsquos cousins Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan extended family like Anissa Malhotra Jain Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Navya Nanda friends like Akansha and Anushka Ranjan will join in the celebrationsAlso Read I earn my livelihood through Hindi only says Pankaj TripathiCourting controversyAjay Devgn Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singhrsquos upcoming Diwali release Thank God has got into a legal wrangle A lawyer has filed a suit against the team of the social comedy in a Jaunpur court for hurting religious sentiments As seen in the trailer of Indra Kumarrsquos directorial venture Ajay plays a modernday Chitragupta who decides the fate of Sidharthrsquos character after he meets with a major accident Pointing out the presentation of Ajayrsquos character who cracks jokes and uses objectionable language the petition reportedly states ldquoChitragupta is regarded as the Lord of Karma and keeps a record of a manrsquos good and bad deeds Such depiction of Gods can create an unpleasant situation since it hurts religious sentimentsrdquoA rugged avatar for MaheshAfter two huge blockbusters in Athadu and Khaleja Mahesh Babu and director Trivikram Srinivas are teaming up again This time around for an action entertainer packed with all the commercial ingredients Reportedly the Telugu superstar will be essaying a rugged look with long hair and facial fuzz for the first time in his 23yearcareer as a leading man Naga Vamsi the producer of the film tentatively titled SSMB28 shared a picture of the director discussing a shot with the actor on the set Alongside he wrote ldquoThe filming of an epic action entertainer begins The blockbuster combo of superstar Mahesh Babu and Trivikramgaru on the set after 12 years Superstar in a massy rugged avatar Wait for more surprises coming your way soonrdquo After completing this film Mahesh will begin working on SS Rajamoulirsquos next bigticket extravaganza a globetrotting adventureReunion times in a sequelOver three years since Dream Girl Abhishek Banerjee and Annu Kapoor reunite with Ayushmann Khurrana The two actors have been brought on board for Dream Girl 2 which also stars Ananya Panday as Ayushmannrsquos leading lady Like the first instalment director Raaj Shaandilyaarsquos sequel also has ample humour for Abhishek and Annursquos characters The team is currently filming in a city studio where they have recreated Mathura and Agra Ananya who is back from her Roman holiday has also resumed shooting work on the comic caper Raaj is slated to wrap up the shoot by this yearend and ready it for a mid2023 releaseVarunrsquos candid confessionsHaving debuted with Karan JoharsStudent of the Year 2012 Varun Dhawan was upset to be missing from his mentorrsquos production ventures in recent years When the filmmaker asked his proteacutegeacute about it on his chat show the actor confessed that it made him think whether he was slipping in his game He shared that he questioned himself if he had not created the right body of work or image as an actor for KJo to consider him in his movies Varun whose last release was Jugjugg Jeeyo for the filmmakerrsquos banner added ldquoSometimes it was also along the lines of why Karan thinks I canrsquot do these roles For me it is more in terms of introspection of my competencies It never leads to me feeling envious or defeated by your selection I take it as an opportunity to analyse where I can possibly improverdquoOld wine in new bottleSiddharth P Malhotra who last directed Rani Mukerji in Hichki 2018 is foraying into production with a web series His maiden venture is a medical drama starring Sharad Kelkar and Harleen Sethi A mix of romance and drama the yetuntitled show features both actors playing doctors Rumours are rife that it is similar to Siddharthrsquos TV show Sanjivani which revolved around two contrasting characters working at a hospital Also featuring Aamir Ali Vivaan Shah and Teena Singh in pivotal roles the filmmakerrsquos new offering is currently being shot under the direction of Sahir RazaPlay QuizHow well do you know Akshay Kumar