The Khans meet
(L-R) Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan
Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan sent the internet into a full-blown frenzy with their latest picture together. Salman shared a photo on social media, where he posed with Shah Rukh at the Vantur National History Museum in Abu Dhabi. The superstar duo turned up in full suit-boot swagger, looking as sharp as ever. Another picture doing the rounds on social media shows the Khans casually checking out dinosaur fossils — because of course, only they can make prehistorical creatures trend. On the work front, Shah Rukh is gearing up for King, which also stars Deepika Padukone. Meanwhile, Salman is set to lead the war drama Battle of Galwan.
Right here
Ali Asgar
Actor Ali Asgar has shut down rumours claiming he has quit films and television, calling the speculation “completely untrue”. He said he is “occupied with multiple commitments” and will soon be seen in a new serial — notably a non-comedy role he has “waited a long time to play”. Addressing chatter that he planned to leave the industry after returning from Haj, Ali clarified that while he is “deeply religious,” acting remains both his profession and his passion.
Always evolving
AR Rahman
Music maestro AR Rahman, in the latest episode of People by WTF, reflected on how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity and insisted it will not replace human artistes. Responding to Nikhil Kamath’s view that “creativity will become more relevant in the world of AI,” Rahman called the technology “a very empowering tool for younger people who don’t have access to make a movie or make art but they have a vision.” He added that artistes must stay unpredictable, “You have to be contrarian to whatever the predictive model is.” Urging ethical responsibility, Rahman appealed to AI leaders, “Don’t make people lose jobs,” noting that live performance and human-led music will only grow in value.
Music, my mantra
MM Keeravaani ; (right) SS Rajamouli. Pics/Getty Images, Yogen Shah, PTI, Instagram
Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani promises nothing short of “grandeur” for the music of Varanasi, filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s next directorial venture. Keeravaani, who won an Oscar for the chartbusting Naatu Naatu from RRR (2022), said he feels no pressure as he has clarity about his job. “They [fans] can expect grandeur, more than that I’m not supposed to reveal. There will be six songs in the film,” he told PTI on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where his film Tanvi: The Great is being screened.
Reality begets reel
Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra delivered a candid, no-holds-barred masterclass at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), telling audiences that “corruption around me pushed me to make 12th Fail [2023],” adding that he is “sick and tired” of the system’s decay. He recalled refusing Rs 11 lakh from distributors who wanted him to alter Parinda’s (1989) tragic ending, stressing that “violence begets violence.” Vidhu also turned emotional watching the newly restored 8K version of 1942: A Love Story (1994), praising NFDC–NFAI’s efforts. He said his work mirrors the world around him. “An artiste is not independent of the times he lives in.”
