THE GRAPEVINE

Published October 29, 2017

SYRA SAYS NO

These are sure signs that the Pakistani film industry has come of age. How so? Well, actresses have begun to turn down roles.

Syra Shehroz was offered to act in the sequel to Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (JPNA) and the actress has said no because she claims her role in the film was not ‘substantial’. As a result, Mawra Hocane will be seen displaying her acting talent in JPNA 2.

No, no, no … this doesn’t mean that Mawra H is all for insubstantial characters. It only means that Syra S thinks that what Mawra H is doing in the movie is not substantial. Oh gosh, it’s so complicated.


BHATT’S BATTLE WITH THE BOTTLE

It takes some guts to write a book about one’s struggle with any form of addiction, but actress-cum-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt is one gutsy woman.

She has signed a deal with a publisher, according to which she will co-write a book on her drinking problem and how she overcame it. She insists it’s not her autobiography — she’s too young (45) for that. She only wants to help those who have a problem that she once had. It’s her ‘journey’ that she wants to share with her readers.

Good thinking, Pooja B. Go for it. By the way you can also go for an autobiography; you’re old enough to talk about the films you could have avoided as an actress.


HOUSE HUNTING

Sometimes media reports can seem strange and irrational. I mean, what else to make of news that Prince Harry has been house hunting with his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle?

Without a shadow of doubt, Prince H’s and his lady’s love for each other seems to be going from strength to strength, and chances are that soon the two will tie the nuptial knot. But the fact that the palaces and mansions that his family owns (or can own) are no good for him is hard to digest.

But there you have it. One British newspaper is suggesting that Prince Harry is looking for a place of his own in Oxfordshire, England. According to the paper, he earlier looked for a place in Norfolk for a year but couldn’t find a house worth spending his married life in. Oxfordshire is apparently the area where Prince H now wants to reside with Meghan M. 

Perhaps he wants to show his girlfriend that he can live the life of a ‘commoner’ and is not hung up on his illustrious lineage. Hopefully Meghan M appreciates this line of thinking too.


HER PERSONAL LIFE

So, the Indian media reports that Mahira Khan has finally spoken about the hoo-ha that was created after her photos with Ranbir Kapoor — taken in New York in which both are seen smoking — went viral on social media, unleashing a barrage of inane comments.

The Raees star has reiterated what some sane people have been pointing out all along: that it’s her personal life and it’s normal for a boy and a girl to hang out.

True that! At the same time she concedes that both Ranbir K and herself have learned a great deal from that episode. What they have learned, though, she hasn’t revealed.


NO ARTIFICIALITY

Imtiaz Ali is a fine Bollywood director, make no mistake. The year 2017 marks 10 years of his most successful film to date Jab We Met, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor (now Kareena Kapoor-Khan).

When a journalist caught up with him to talk about his film trajectory with special reference to JWM, the director said, “If you put artificiality in a film and try to make it spicy for that moment, those things start looking very redundant very soon.”

Spot on, Imtiaz A. But did this realisation come to you after seeing the box office returns of Jab Harry Met Sejal?


DRAKEBELLA?

They are not the most unlikeliest of couples, yet when rumours about rapper and actor Drake and the gorgeous catwalker Bella Hadid being an item caught the newsmongers’ attention, it surprised many. Well, they are going out, rest assured.

In the beginning it seemed like a casual friendly relationship, which has gradually blossomed into a romantic affair, according to sources. Oct 9 was Bella H’s 21st birthday and Drake threw her a lavish party, inviting the who’s who of Hollywood. Word is that even engagement may be on the cards.

Wow! That would sure make a change for the Hotline Bling rapper who’s allegedly loved and left many a celebrity beauty such as Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and even, allegedly, Tyra Banks and Serena Williams.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 29th, 2017

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