With less than 24 hours to go for one of the year's biggest festivals, the countdown to Ganesh Utsav has officially begun. In fact, it kickstarted almost a fortnight ago, with multiple 'aagman' events  and first look photo sessions. But, the city was waiting with bated breath to catch a glimpse of the king, none other than the renowned - Lalbaugcha Raja (also locally known as the Marketcha Raja). The first look was revealed earlier this week and needless to say, the charming idol left everyone mesmerised.

In it's 84th year, the folks at Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal have created a stunning gold Raj Mahal as the backdrop. It has been designed by art director Nitin Desai, whose impeccable work this year looks royal and attractive. Devotees who were eager to get a sneak peek at the idol's throne (ganesh prabhaval) this year were in for a pleasant surprise, as the King was seen seated on a gorgeous turtle throne. The overall look of the idol (inclusive of throne), created by Santosh Kambli, has been designed on the lines of Lord Vishnu's second avatar - Kurma, who according to the puranas, appeared at the time of crisis in the cosmic equilibrium.  

This year, the mandal was also in the news for getting an insurance cover of Rs 51 crore, which includes not just the idol and ornaments, but also their volunteers, mandap and third-party liabilities among others. For DTH and live coverage on mobile, the mandal has joined hands with Shemaroo, continuing their 6-7 year association.

For our those of you who aren't aware Lalbaug cha Raja has been well known as the 'Navsacha raja'.  Especially among those who make a vow and come back the following year to fulfil their 'Navas'. These devotees join the 'Navsachi Rang' (queue for devotees with a vow). Every year, lakhs of devotees stand for more than 20 hours (the number goes up to almost 30 hours during the last 2-3 days) and are the only ones (apart from VVIP dignitaries) who get the golden opportunity to rest their head on the Raja's paduka and take his blessings. I have personally had the fortune of being a part of this 'Navas' queue several years back and honestly, was super impressed with the arrangements. For those who can't stand for long hours, there is a 'Mukh Darshan' queue in and around the old Digvijay Mills compound. According to the mandal, they are expected to see a footfall of over 1 - 2 million devotees during the 11 day festival this year. And just like most of you, we can't wait to witness the grandeur of Lalbaugcha Raja. Stay tuned for more updates!

Mandal: Lalbaugcha Raja

Year: 84th

Area: Lalbaug (Mumbai)

How to get there: Nearest Station - Chinchpokli / Currey Road (Central), Lower Parel (Western) 

By Road - Stay on Babasaheb Ambedkar Road and take the exit before Lalbaug flyover (do not take the flyover). Drive straight towards Lalbaug market.

Are you planning to visit Lalbaugcha Raja this year? Or have you taken a darshan before? Share your experience below or Join the conversation on

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Love,

The Dancebee

Suave, smart, supremely fit and witty; Sidharth Malhotra is the perfect choice for a film that goes by the name - A Gentleman, for the actor is indeed a thorough gentleman. I have seen some glimpses of his courteousness during the promotions of his upcoming film. When we travelled to Mehboob (which he jokingly referred to as his second home during promotions) for our interview, we noticed how the actor would patiently pose for images in between interactions. In fact, it was also nice to see him respectfully stand up, shake hands and greet veteran media persons, photographers. That's a rare sight in the busy world of race, glamour and competition that we live in. But, that's Sidharth Malhotra for you - real, honest and extremely chilled out!

 Today, for someone who could easily be India's answer to James Bond, the actor has come a long way since his debut in 2012. Be it gaining weight for his avatar as an MMA wrestler in Brothers or going for a simple, boy next door look in Hasee Toh Phasee; Sidharth is among the league of professional actors who don't shy away from giving their 100 percent to a role. He may have seen his share of ups and downs, but he is all set to conquer the future. In just 5 years, it's remarkable to see the actor make a mark with some diverse performances - ranging from a student to a ruthless gangster, wrestler and even a man who ages through the course of a two hour film. This week, Sidharth is all set to display his acting prowess in a dual avatar, that is a mix of susheel and risky. On a sunny afternoon (a surprise in between the on and off Mumbai rains), we caught up with A Gentleman aka Sidharth Malhotra. The actor (dressed in a stylish French Connection print shirt and relaxed Gas cargos) was all ears for our questions. Oh, and he was visibly excited for the fan Qs. Excerpts from our sundar, susheel and risky Two Part interaction:

A Gentleman is the first film where you had the challenge of portraying two characters. What was that experience like?

It was an interesting experience. This is not your usual double role film, jahan do bhai hain. Here, the entire film does not revolve around the double role element. Also, if you notice, the film is called 'A Gentleman' and not 'Two Gentleman' or something. That's for a reason (smiles). So, the film has a nice twist. 

How would you describe Gaurav and Rishi's respective worlds?

Both the characters come from two completely different worlds. Gaurav is an NRI, who stays in Miami. He has set goals and dreams, someone who wants a 9 to 5 job, a perfect family. He buys a big house for them, gets a big van for the future kids and would also like to cook for his wife. The only thing he doesn't have is - a wife (laughs). On the other side, there is Rishi, who is more aggressive. He is stylish and likes to cruise around on his bike, with a leather jacket on. But inwardly, Rishi is a loner, and isn't too happy with his job. So, both of them have distinct characteristics.

Personally, was there any kind of relatability with either Gaurav or Rishi?

It's extremely difficult to relate, actually. Because Gaurav has some really typical and weird dreams. Honestly, I have never seen anybody who is so obsessed with getting married or settling down. You know, he is the kind of guy who will meet a girl for the first time, take her out and even propose to her on the same day. So, I honestly couldn't relate to that. As for Rishi, he is too aggressive for me. But nonetheless, what I like about the two characters is the fact that they have a good balance of humour and action. So, a lot of humour comes from Gaurav, while Rishi is all about action.

Wasn't the film initially called Reload? What led to the change in title?

That was actually a working title for an action film. During the process, we kept thinking about other options. However, by the last leg of shoot, we realised that since Gaurav (one of the characters played by him) is a very nice guy, we decided to call it - A Gentleman. Gaurav is a thorough gentleman. Later, the 'Risky' part was added for Rishi.

From the promos, one can notice that the action in this film is a breakaway from the kind of stuff you have done in the past, be it in Brothers or Ek Villain.  

You know, when it comes to making an action film, things get very difficult. Especially with keeping the budgets in place and ensuring the presentation is different. So, the action in this film is thrilling, with a lot of hand to hand action combat. It's all very real. There is no heavy CGI involved. We kept it real, but still got the same effect and kept it very slick and stylish.

Are you keen on exploring the action genre a little more in the future, especially since a majority of the audience and fans have loved your work in this space?

Personally, I love this (action) genre. I absolutely love the zone where there is a lot of thrill and action involved. I grew up watching action movies, and loved the James Bond series. Sadly, we don't make out and out stylized action films in India anymore. Even the kind of films that Bachchan sir (Amitabh Bachchan) or Dharmendraji used to do in the 70s - 80s. But, I feel fortunate that I came across this film and now that I have enjoyed it so much, I feel consciously, I will try to do a film that does this kind of action, maybe once in every two years. And if all goes well, which I am really hoping it does, we might even make this (A Gentleman) an interesting franchise.

Fan Questions

 

Hey Nick and Utkarsha, I feel Raj & DK are very unique film makers. Especially because of their background. They were engineers in America. And they often call themselves - an audience turned directors. They have always loved Hindi and films from down South. Then, they went on to become directors. They started off with 99, went on to experiment with the zombie space in Go Goa Gone and now, they have worked on A Gentleman. And I feel the uniqueness shows in their work. They don't do anything typical and have a fresh take. Their quirky, humorous writing is the biggest USP. In this film they have brilliantly mixed their quirky style with a dash of commercial entertainment. So, I have enjoyed working with them. A Gentleman pretty much has all the ingredients of a mainstream Hindi film. The right mix of comedy, emotion, drama, action, romance among others and plus, a double role angle for me as well. Hopefully, the audience will enjoy the two hour roller coaster ride.

Aishwarya, I really enjoyed playing Rishi. The character is stylish and has got a heroic side to him. Also, there is a lot of action going on when he appears on screen (smiles).

Dekha, do picturon mein kya hota hain (laughs). Bhabhi se sweetheart, aur yeh hain hindi picture ka kamaal (laughs). So, coming back to your question, Rita. During Brothers, the only time I got a chance to interact with Jacqueline was during promotions. And we hardly any scene together in the film. So, I got to know her really during the film. We shot the film in various locations including Mumbai, Miami, Hong Kong, Goa among others throughout the year. She is a fabulous co-star and doesn't need any ice breaker. She is always happy and doesn't allow the stress or burden of her previous work to get on to her. I have never seen her in a dull mood, and that helps. It's always nice to have someone positive around. I admire the fact that she is a self made person and works really hard.

Was there the 'health' connection too, since both of you are a lot into fitness and experimenting with exercise routines?

Oh yes! She is extremely fit and so, we would often bond over fitness. In fact, we would also bond over a lot of other activities. Like, during our Mumbai schedule, she used to talk a lot about horse-riding. One day, I told her ki meri bhi chutti hain, toh main bhi aa raha hoon. She actually called me up at 5:30 am and we were also joined by a friend. We went to Racecourse (Mahalaxmi) and enjoyed the experience of taking horse-riding lessons.

Part II of this Interview will be out on Wednesday (Aug 23). Stay tuned!

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Love,

The Dancebee 

The countdown to this year's much awaited celebration has officially begun. 2017 - 2018 marks the centenary year of Shri Saibaba's Mahasamadhi, and needless to say, devotees are all set to witness a series of spectacular events and activities in Shirdi. Saibaba of Shirdi took Mahasamadhi on the auspicious occasion of Dussera (according to Hindu calendar) in the year 1918. With the year long Shatabdi Punyatithi Utsav set to kickstart on October 1, Shri Saibaba Santhan Trust (shirdi) has begun preparations for the various activities and events that have been planned throughout the year.

The festivities are expected to kickstart with a special ceremony on October 1, 2017. This would be right after the three day Punyatithi utsav, scheduled from September 28 to 30. The ceremony will be attended by special dignitaries, guests and various devotees from across the globe. The trust has planned a host of grand events, including performances, bhajans, parayan among others. The Sai International Marathon is also scheduled to take place on October 15 (which also coincides with Saibaba's Mahasamadhi date according to Gregorian calendar). This, apart from a host of different activities, that will go on till October 2018.

In an exclusive chat with our editor, Smt Rubal Agarwal, CEO - SSST (Shirdi), discussed some of the key activities planned by the trust. Watch the video to know more:

During an exclusive interaction with us in Mumbai, Smt Rubal Agarwal, CEO - SSST (Shirdi) stated that a Paduka Yatra will be organised, wherein Shri Saibaba's original padukas will be taken to various cities across the country. Around the same time, a pair of silver padukas will be taken on an international yatra, which will greatly benefit devotees across the globe. In addition, Shri Suresh Haware - Chairman - SSST (Shirdi) expressed his pleasure on welcoming national and international marathoners and various other participants during the Sai International Marathon. Mr Haware stated that the celebrations would be one of the biggest Sai movements in the world. The trust has also invited top artists from across the country to perform during the year long celebrations. These performances would be offered as part of 'Sai Seva' by the artists.

Well, needless to say, we can't wait to witness the grand celebrations. Stay tuned for more updates!

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Love,

The Dancebee

There are times when 'experiencing' a film may require watching it twice. I usually prefer watching some films at a multiplex and then, at a single screen (preferably one show with the family. Their reactions are always real and priceless). However, with just a few single screen cinemas remaining, it is not always possible to get tickets, as they sell out faster than a hot & crispy vada pav. But, as luck would have it, I got my tickets well in advance this time. Needless to say, my decision to watch this week's much anticipated release - Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, with the 'super cinephiles' of single screen cinema, was a terrific one. Watching the film amidst constant 'seetis', cheers and applause for Akshay Kumar's strong stand against open defecation, made for quite an experience. Something that a real cinephile at heart will always enjoy. That, apart from the joy of watching of a well made, entertaining film, where even the audience was happy to wait back right till the end of credits (a rare scene in today's times).

Shree Narayan Singh's second directorial venture focuses on an important issue, that of open defecation and the non-availability of toilets in most households. The lead protagonist - Keshav (Kumar) is a middle aged guy, who lives in a village called Mandgaon. Despite repeated attempts (and affairs), Keshav is unable to get married, thanks to a few compulsions set by his orthodox father (Sudhir Pandey - brilliant as always). First, Keshav must tie the knot with a cow to get rid of his dosha, and next, hunt for a girl who has two thumbs (insert regular 'Hrithik Roshan' puns). While on the hunt, he meets and falls in love with a feisty, educated young girl - Jaya (Pednekar). Some initial hurdles (and a few 'jugaads' later), the two get married. However, things go haywire the very next day, as Jaya finds out that her 'sasural' does not have a toilet, and Babuji isn't too keen on building one either. That's where the struggle begins, as Keshav and Jaya fight against all odds (including superstitions) for their right to basic sanitation.

Watching the film amidst constant 'seetis', cheers and applause for Akshay Kumar's strong stand against open defecation, made for quite an experience

TEPK is real, raw and supremely entertaining. While the basic premise is a social issue (and also centres around PM Modi's Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan), there is not a single moment where the film loses out on the entertainment factor. It wonderfully blends the two aspects together, and delivers a strong message, without being too preachy. Though, one may find a few hiccups during the second half, they don't really appear as flaws. The high points, especially performances and superb writing, pretty much covers up for everything else.

While the music is average, it fits in to the narrative pretty well. 'Gori Tu Lath Maar' has been shot beautifully. Surinder Sodhi's background score is decent. Siddharth - Garima's writing is deft, and is certainly one of the biggest highlight of this film. Dialogues are superb, most of which even earn whistles and cheers. It has a great melange of humour, romance and drama, and a sprinkle of culture, thanks to sanskrit shlokas. Singh's direction is slick, and it is impossible to ignore the detailing that has gone behind even the most simple aspects. For e.g: Keshav's street-side fashion dupes that range from Naik (Nike) to Uima (Puma) or the fake Ray-Ban. Each and every detail has been designed or incorporated keeping the surroundings in mind, which is laudable.

Dialogues are superb, most of which even earn whistles and cheers. It has a great melange of humour, romance and drama

The lead pair and ensemble cast are the real heart of this social - drama. Casting is fantastic, with artists like Divyendu, Sudhir Pandey, Anupam Kher among others adding life to their respective characters with a flawless act. Divyendu has an impeccable comic timing, and the audience erupts in laughter, every time he comes on screen. Pandey as the strict and orthodox Babuji is brilliant.

Despite the film being her second outing, Bhumi Pednekar shines with an outstanding act. With the perfect body language, nuances and fabulous dialogue delivery, she breathes life into Jaya. She does not make the character look caricaturish. Jaya is relatable and real. Pednekar 's natural act (and look) is one of the strongest highlights in the film. It is impossible for anyone to believe that the actress is just one film old. There are portions where she outshines all the veterans around her. That's the mark of a talented artist, and with this flawless performance, Pednekar has proved that she is here to stay.

Bhumi Pednekar 's natural act is one of the strongest highlights in the film. It is impossible for anyone to believe that the actress is just one film old

Akshay Kumar is one of the very few actors who has managed to excel in different genres and has shown excellent range in all his films. There is no doubt that the actor is incredibly versatile. Film after film, he has raised the bar and taken things a notch above with his brilliant performance and vision. TEPK is no different. Kumar's portrayal of Keshav creates a strong impact. He starts off as a regular, confused local guy (with some serious stalking skills), but as the film progresses, the character grows into someone on a mission. Keshav's boy to man journey has been flawlessly essayed by Kumar. His chemistry with Pednekar's Jaya is fabulous, which is another strong highlight of the film.

Akshay Kumar is one of the very few actors who has managed to excel in different genres and has shown excellent range in all his films

Singh's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is an important film of our times. It explores a love story, against the backdrop of several dark issues that the people of our country continue to suffer from. While focusing on open defecation as the larger picture, the film also touches upon other key issues, including superstition, societal pressure and narrow mindedness of the society. During Jaya's struggle against open defecation, she comes across women who pooh-pooh her decisions. Some even go on to question her education and state that women should not be given to much 'freedom'. It is commendable that Singh has highlighted the various evils that continue to poison our society, in a film that provides wholesome entertainment. It is difficult to find this perfect combination in a good film. Fortunately, TEPK has passed this litmus test with flying colours.

Verdict: A must watch for one and all! Highly recommended for it's flawless performances, excellent writing and the strong message, that creates an impact. Radhe Radhe!!
☆☆☆☆

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Last month, we got the chance to explore the scenic and serene - Odisha. Apart from touring the beautiful state, we were privileged to be a part of the prestigious - 22nd Asian Athletics Championships 2017, which was organised last month. Team Dancebee was invited as part of the special media delegation, and we got the wonderful opportunity to witness everything that went behind the making of this grand event. 

Watch our latest video to catch Behind The Scenes action, impeccable performances (including singer Shankar Mahadevan's rendition of the popular Odia song - Rangabati) and many more glimpses from the beautiful opening ceremony event held at the newly constructed Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. PS: Don't forget to subscribe and spread the love!

Love,
The Dancebee

The magic in his eyes will transport you to another world. His emotions will leave you teary eyed and melt your heart. Well, there is a reason why Shah Rukh Khan is the undisputed king of romance. He charms the audience, aged 6 to 60, with his splendid performances. With 'Jab Harry Met Sejal', the actor (who is currently celebrating his 25th year in the Hindi Film Industry) is at it yet again. And this time, he is out to charm you in a tale, where two lost souls find each other on a journey across countries.

An Imtiaz Ali film is incomplete without serene locations, good music and of course, the challenges of discovering oneself. Jab Harry Met Sejal has the perfect melange of them all, with the addition of some flawless performances. Harry & Sejal's quest takes you across Europe; from Amsterdam to Prague and Budapest. The picturesque locations stand out on their own as a strong highlight. K.U Mohanan's cinematography is top notch and does complete justice to the lovely locations. While the story is simple, it has a few twists that will keep you hooked. Key moments in the film are laced with a good mix of wit, romance, drama and emotions. Be it the poignant moment where the duo break down at a local bar, yet shy away from expressing themselves (one of the best scenes, where both Khan and Sharma emote beautifully), the humorous exchange of words between Harry and a don (Chandan Roy Sanyal in a brilliant cameo) or the heartwarming scene where Harry walks down the steps, embraces Sejal (SRK in his signature style) and breaks into a melodious song, while pretending to be her fiancé; JHMS has some poetic scenes that will stay with you for long.

 The picturesque locations stand out on their own as a strong highlight

The soundtrack composed by Pritam compliments this journey very well. It's good to hear some fresh, melodious (and original) tracks after a really long time. All the songs have been shot very well and I like the fact that there is a reason behind the addition of Punjab lyrics in the film. If you like the JHMS album, then you are sure to fall in love with it after watching the film. Especially the film version of Arijit Singh's Hawayein. Dialogues are pretty good, and Khan adds an extra touch with his Punjabi one liners. BG score keeps up with the theme and adds good pace. Captain of the ship, Imtiaz Ali does a decent job with the overall presentation of this light hearted, breezy romantic sojourn. While the film scores well in most departments, our only concern is that the second half felt a tad bit too stretched and could have been shorter by at least 10 mins. However, the overall film has a decent flow and will keep you entertained right till the end credits roll out.

The soundtrack composed by Pritam compliments this journey very well. It's good to hear some fresh, melodious (and original) tracks after a really long time

Shah Rukh Khan dominates with his flawless portrayal of Harry. He breathes life into the character with his impeccable dialogue delivery, personality, nuances, wit and tone

The Dancebee 

I belong to a film family. I have seen failure and success very closely. Failure teaches you a lot

The fact that a relationship does not work out is never in our hands. But with Katrina, I have this incredible partnership which will always stay with me

He (Sanjay Dutt) has seen a lot in his journey so far. It is difficult to share everything about your life with the public. Frankly, I would never ever do that with my life story

I have got immense love and support from my fans, the audience and media. Honestly, that's a huge encouragement for me

Her debut in 2003 may not have created waves, but it was Katrina Kaif's dedication towards her work that made her one of Hindi film industry's biggest superstars today. Fourteen years later, she has worked with Bollywood's names and created a niche for herself, with millions of fans across the globe. Of course, the girl has come a long way. But at heart, Katrina is still a simple girl, who prefers to let her work do the talking. 

Though the media may have chosen to focus on her personal life a little more than usual, it hasn't stopped Katrina from doing what she does best - set the screen on fire with her presence. As the gorgeous beauty (who also happens to be one of our favourite female actors to chat with) turns 34, we take a look at some of her best motivational quotes from our exclusive interview archives. 

Here's wishing the beautiful Katrina Kaif a very happy and blessed birthday. Keep slaying it, girl! 

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Love,

The Dancebee