Latest news with #TheRoyals
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sumukhi Suresh: ‘I do self-censorship because I want to last for long'
Though comedian-actor Sumukhi Suresh's vivacity caught the attention of many as she danced with actor Dino Morea during a masquerade ball sequence in the recently-released Netflix series 'The Royals', it's her comedic talent that has been filling up large venues with audiences who turn up to watch her perform sketches. 'Performing for a big room has given me a risk appetite which artistes need sometimes. To taste the success of a big room that has assembled to hear you speak is such a boost and encouragement to perform and do better,' says Sumukhi, who recently performed 'Hormonal' at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre's (NMACC) The Grand Theatre. The set, initially named 'Hoemonal' (2022), borrows heavily from her experiences during the pandemic-induced lockdown. It was during this period that Sumukhi discovered that she had PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), causing hormonal imbalances and weight gain. Also, among her pandemic realisation was that she wasn't well-versed with the dating game. So much so that her disastrous experiences triggered a fear of dying alone, giving her enough fodder for 'Hormonal'. Sumukhi Suresh concedes that performing the show at the packed 2,000-seater NMACC venue is as much a surreal experience as it is a statement of power, which silences the critics who doubt whether women can be funny. 'How can women not be funny? Look at your mother. Our mothers are constantly funny,' says the Mumbai-based artiste, adding that 'the ultimate validation comes from the audience, who buy the ticket and attend the show.' Through a series of sketches, she examines the lives of single, urban women in their 30s, the search for love, the fear of being alone as well as the ideas of beauty. But balancing messaging with humour is not something Sumukhi does intentionally. 'If you simulate or plan that today I will talk about this, then it does not work. The audience will see through that,' says Sumukhi, who was born and raised in Nagpur. She moved to Chennai to do her graduation and later, worked at a children's library in Bengaluru. At a time when comedians often find themselves in trouble for speaking up against the authorities or system, Sumukhi believes in self-censorship. She says: 'The art of stand-up is connected to the performer's intuition, quick-wit and improv skills. These often land us in trouble. Second, the stand-up comedians are the voice of conflict. It is inevitable that our thoughts won't be widely accepted. I do self-censorship because I want to last for long and leave a legacy behind. That means I have to navigate the game accordingly.' Since there are a plethora of platforms available for comedians, artistes and digital content creators, Sumukhi believes that there is no room for complacency. 'You have to practise your art. You can't keep repeating something just because the audience liked that trick,' she says. Today, artists are also vulnerable to frequent online trolling notwithstanding the following they enjoy. 'You can't predict anyone's reaction. The only thing I can say is that if you are offended, then don't engage with it (content),' she says. Considering how naturally humour comes to Sumukhi Suresh, it is difficult to believe that being a stand-up comic wasn't a conscious career choice. She discovered her penchant for comedy when she accidentally walked into an improv event in Bengaluru, thinking it was an audition for a play. Even as she was working at a food lab, she began moonlighting as a comic on Bengaluru-based 'The Improv', a comedy show. Nearly two years later, she decided to solely focus on being a comic. She gained wider recognition when 'Pushpavalli', a web series created by her, started streaming on Amazon Prime Video in 2017 and its second season released in 2020. Sumukhi's popularity received a fresh boost following her appearance in 'The Royals'. 'I was a last-minute addition to the show. The makers gave me the freedom to do my thing,' she recalls. How does she react to fan comments that she is 'Pushpavalli' and she 'should not have played secretary' to Bhumi Pednekar's character? 'I feel validated that something ('Pushpavalli') I created, co-wrote and acted in left a mark. It's a community of women who expect me to do well. That's amazing,' she says. Though viewers want new seasons of 'Pushpavalli', Sumukhi says that writing for herself is not always a cakewalk. She wants to be cast in shows and movies written by others. With Vikramaditya Motwane's 'CTRL', for which she wrote the dialogues, Sumukhi made her debut as a writer. 'Though I am not trained in writing for films, working with a director-writer like Motwane became my training,' says Sumukhi, who is writing for another project directed by him. When asked how she manages to dabble in so many things, she says, 'This is the dream — to do all of this. Whatever little I learn from other projects, I try to incorporate in my stand-up performances.' She is also the founder of Motormouth Writers, which she aspires to turn into a hub of stories and facilitate development of shows. On the wishlist of this multi-talented artiste is the desire to create 'a massive multi-season comedy show and act in it too'. Sumukhi Suresh believes she has the ability to pull it off. 'I have been working hard for that moment. Pushpavalli was just the beginning,' she says. That apart, she wants to create a dance-comedy feature. 'I've written it already. At some point, I have to catch Farah Khan and ask her if she would direct it. She will take that script to the next level,' she says.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
ED Summons Dino Morea Again, To Be Questioned In Rs 65 Crore Mithi River Scam Case
Last Updated: Previously, Dino Morea was also questioned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police in connection with the scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bollywood actor Dino Morea once again for another round of questioning in connection with the Rs 65-crore Mithi River desilting money laundering case. The actor, who was recently seen in The Royals, has been asked to appear before the agency to record his statement. As reported by the Free Press Journal, besides Dino, his brother, Santino Morea, has also been summoned by ED. More details are awaited. The summons come days after ED conducted a nearly 14-hour-long search at Dino Morea's Bandra residence. Apart from the actor's Mumbai residence, ED also carried out simultaneous search operations at 14 other locations across Mumbai and Kochi. Dino's brother's houses and the premises of contractors and middlemen were also searched by the ED. The investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Previously, Dino Morea was also questioned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police in connection with the scam. According to EOW sources and as quoted in the Free Press Journal, the actor was called in for questioning after investigators found several phone calls between him, his brother Santino Morea, and key accused Ketan Kadam. The content and purpose of these calls are now being examined. During the investigation, EOW found that ₹18 lakh was transferred to UBO Ridez, a company where Santino Morea- brother of Bollywood actor Dino Morea – serves as a director. According to police officials, the funds were transferred by Ketan Kadam, one of the prime accused in the case. 'We are investigating the reason for the transfer of funds from Ketan Kadam's account to UBO Ridez," an officer from the EOW told The Times Of India. Ketan Kadam is associated with Vodar India LLP and was arrested earlier this year for his alleged involvement in the scam related to the desilting of the Mithi River. Investigators noted that both Vodar India LLP and UBO Ridez- an electric cart company- operated out of the same address near Famous Studio in Worli, Mumbai. What Is The Mithi River Scam Case? The Mithi River desilting scam involves alleged financial misconduct in renting silt pusher machines and dredging equipment by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This ₹65 crore scam is under investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police. According to the EOW, contractors and BMC officials conspired to inflate equipment rental costs, resulting in a wrongful loss to the government and public. The investigation has led to the arrest of several individuals, including contractors and intermediaries. First Published:
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Lisa Mishra: I had no hesitation in taking on a role or making a song around the LGBTQIA+ community
Lisa Mishra is thrilled with the response to her recent show The Royals, and the excitement doesn't stop there. Her new single Teri Hoon, released during Pride Month is also creating a buzz. Interestingly, both her on-screen role and her latest song celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community. Ask her about it and she says, 'I had just played a character in a same-sex relationship, and that experience inspired me to write a song.' She continues, 'At heart, I'm a singer first, so I wanted to return to the romantic ballad space which I feel has been missing for a while.' Also read: 'A Royal ignore': Baroda's Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad criticises Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar's The Royals Lisa goes on to explain why such songs are rare today: 'In the era of reels and short formats, it's become harder for slow, romantic songs to trend. On top of that, releasing music independently is challenging. But I was determined to write a song which would also have a music video. I intentionally wrote lyrics from the POV of one woman to another. The visuals reflect that too. There's a female dancer in the background who could be a representation of the inner self.' Even with the struggles of independent music production, Lisa says she didn't hesitate to explore a theme that's still underrepresented in mainstream music. 'I have been lucky to grow up surrounded by many people from the LGBTQIA+ community. While writing the song or choosing the web show, I never felt the need to ask for permission. I never second-guessed myself. People wondered what my parents' reaction would be, but they were fine. After all, love is love. People fall in love the same way, regardless of gender.'
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Bhumi Pednekar's "Special Week" Involves Shoots, Sisterly Love And Delicious Meals
Bhumi Pednekar has offered fans a sneak peek into her 'special week'. She has been juggling hectic schedules, but making sure that she has fun while doing it. The actress, who is currently basking in the success of the Netflix series The Royals, has shared a carousel of pictures on Instagram showcasing what she has been up to these days. Her side note read, 'It's truly been a special week, picture 2 explains it all. Ask the universe, just try it! ' The opening frame opens to Bhumi Pednekar relishing a full-course desi meal. The delicious food kept on the table include Vada, Usal and Modak. The smile on her face made it clear how much she enjoyed the dishes. The next snap is our favourite! Bhumi Pednekar shares the frame with her sister Samiksha Pednekar. Although faces are not visible, the siblings lock each other's hands affectionately mid-air. The text layout gives away a major hint. It reads, 'Shot for something we have been working on for the last 2 years.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhumi Pednekar (@bhumipednekar) The following photo is a gorgeous mirror selfie of Bhumi Pednekar. She looks like a million bucks in a strappy black dress. The fitted silhoutte came with a sweetheart neckline and a risque middle cut-out. The ribbed details added an extra edge to the outfit. Any guesses on the occasion? Well, Bhumi was celebrating the success of The Royals, of course. An oversized grey tee made an appearance in the fourth slide. The words printed on it read, 'Mama Needs Coffee', indicating Bhumi Pednekar's love for the beverage. The album also features a couple of delightfully goofy selfies, followed by an adorable image of Bhumi's pet dog. Bhumi Pednekar's 'best part of the week' was admiring the colourful flowers at a shop, making her day brighter. The gallery closes with the Mere Husband Ki Biwi actress sitting inside a studio for 'another banger collab.' We wish to witness more such casual updates from Bhumi Pednekar.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
ICYMI: Ananya Panday's Father's Day Wish For ‘Best Friend' Chunky Panday
Ananya Panday offered a glimpse into her cherished bond with her father, Chunky Panday, through a series of beautiful throwback pictures. On Father's Day, many celebrities took to social media to share unseen moments with their dads, reflecting on the lasting impact they've had in their lives. While some posted recent photos, others delved into nostalgia, sharing heartfelt childhood memories. Ananya Panday was among those who offered a glimpse into her cherished bond with her father, Chunky Panday, through a series of beautiful throwback pictures. Her post featured a short clip of little Ananya planting a sweet kiss on her father's cheek. Another picture showed her sitting on his lap, both beaming at the camera. One particularly touching shot captured infant Ananya cradled lovingly in Chunky's arms. The carousel also included moments from their recent vacations, showing the duo enjoying quality time together, as well as a few solo pictures of Chunky. In the caption, she wrote, 'Happy Father's Day Papatiiiii first love, best friend, twin, partner in everything I love you forever." Ananya Panday is currently shooting for Tu Meri Main Tera Tu Meri, in which she stars opposite Kartik Aaryan. The film is directed by Sameer Vidwans and jointly presented by Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures. It is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia, and Kishor Arora. Principal photography officially began on May 23. Tu Meri Main Tera Tu Meri marks a reunion for Ananya and Kartik, who were last seen together in the 2019 hit Pati Patni Aur Woh. Ananya has also been earning praise for her recent performance in Kesari Chapter 2, where she portrays Dilreet Gill opposite Akshay Kumar. The historical drama, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and also starring R. Madhavan, has received critical acclaim and emerged as a box office success. Meanwhile, Chunky Panday was recently seen in Netflix's The Royals, where he starred alongside Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Sakshi Tanwar and Zeenat Aman. He is currently appearing on the big screen in Housefull 5, the latest installment of the popular comedy franchise. The ensemble cast also features Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sanjay Dutt, and several other well-known actors. First Published:
