Rohit has cracked ‘Golmaal 5’ story, says Shreyas Talpade

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January 30, 2019

Shreyas Talpade says while there is time before the “Golmaal” franchise returns with its fifth installment, Rohit Shetty has cracked the story idea and scripting is underway for the multistarrer comedy.

The “Golmaal” gang Shreyas, Arshad Warsi, Kunal Kemmu and Tusshar Kapoor made an appearance in Rohit’s last directorial, “Simmba”.

When asked about the status of the next film, Shreyas told PTI, “Right now I think Rohit is still working on the script. It will still be sometime before we come with the fifth part considering the kind of response part four got.

“It was very overwhelming. The stakes are higher for ‘Golmaal 5’. Rohit will take his time as right now he is busy with ‘Sooryavanshi’.”

Ajay Devgn also stars in the “Golmaal” series.

The actor, however, said he is aware that an idea has been zeroed in on for “Golmaal 5” and the team might go ahead with it by 2021.

“He was telling us the other day that he has cracked some story. Once he is done with the proper scripting, he will take a call. We are planning roughly for next year. If not, then 2021 should be it,” he said.

Shreyas made his debut in 2005 with critically-acclaimed “Iqbal” and went on to work in films like “Dor”, “Om Shanti Om” and the “Golmaal” series.

The actor says he does not let work dictate his happiness.

“My happiness and life can’t depend on the success or failure of my films. My work is separate from my life and success and failure is a part of it which will keep happening. You have to learn to face everything and wait for your chance again,” he said.

“Your time is going to come. What you do in the waiting period is really important. It defines your personality and character,” he added.

Shreyas has currently returned to the small screen with Sony SAB’s new show “My Name Ijj Lakhan”, which chronicles the story of a rogue who vows to become the man his father always hoped he would be.

Timely NCLT resolutions can release Rs 67,000 crore to lenders: ICRA

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January 30, 2019

While the number of insolvency cases are expected to pile up over the next few quarters, timely conclusion of cases within the law mandated 180-270 days can free up as much as Rs 67,000 crore to the system, said a report.

Since the bankruptcy law came into being from May 2016, close to 3,000 companies have been sent to various NCLTs for resolutions of which only 586 have been closed so far while 63 have been withdrawn after the law was amended last year under which Section 12A has been inserted into the original law.

According to ICRA, as of December 2018, as many as 898 corporate insolvency cases are awaiting a resolution as against 768 cases as in September 2018. Up to December 2018, only 79 cases have yielded a resolution while 302 cases have entered into liquidation which is a very high proportion.

According to an estimate by the agency, “the timely conclusion of pending entities can bring in additional Rs 65-67,000 crore to the financial creditors, which is equivalent to about 6.5 per cent of gross NPAs in the system”.

This is a sizeable figure considering 79 resolved cases so far have helped the financial creditors realise close to Rs 65,000 crore, either upfront or in a staggered manner, notes the report.

“Almost 68 per cent of the NCLT cases have already exceeded the 270-day timeline allowed under the law. Moreover, those cases already resolved as of the December quarter have taken an average 354 days compared to 340 days taken in the September quarter. In fact, over the past one year, the resolution time has gone up,” it said in a note on Tuesday.

The report further said that the haircuts taken by the financial creditors have also seen a mixed trend depending on the relative health of the corporate debtor’s assets, the willingness of the resolution applicant to enter particular geography among others.

Indian sovereign bond yield touch 7.6% ahead of interim budget’

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January 30, 2019

The yields on India’s benchmark sovereign bonds were hovering around 7.6 per cent ahead of the country’s interim budget, according to a report by Singapore banking group DBS.

The yields of the most-traded 2028 INR sovereign bond were bid in the 7.5-7.6 percent range and are up around 18 basis points since late-2018.

“Yields of the new 10-year are supported above 7.3 per cent, with last Friday’s auction (for 5-year, 10-year) attracting interests by a large corporate which resulted in a short-squeeze amongst the other participants,” according to DBS.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India’s liquidity supportive stance also continues and the last tranche of open market operations (OMOs) for January is lined up for January 31.

In February, the RBI plans to buy back bonds worth Rs 375 billion, taking the FY19 haul to Rs 2.86 trillion.

Coming ahead of the general elections in April-May 2019, the interim budget will express the intent of the government, it will set the outline of expenditure and revenue projections for FY20, assuming the incumbent is voted back to power.

An overview of the past five years’ achievements and blueprint for the upcoming year is also expected to be a part of the announcement, according to the DBS report.

“With the FY19 target of 3.3 per cent of GDP likely to be met (any slippage to be limited to 3.5 percent), we expect the FY20 deficit target to be set higher at 3.2-3.3 per cent vs recommended 3.1 per cent,” wrote DBS Group Research economist Radhika Rao and Strategist Duncan Tan.

“If fiscal deficit targets are along our expectations, bond markets are unlikely to witness big swings,” wrote the duo.

Mahatma Gandhi 150 birth anniversary: Motor rally to spread road safety awareness

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January 30, 2019

A motor rally will be held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which will also create awareness among masses about road safety, the government said on Wednesday.

The rally, commencing on February 4, will travel through places historically associated with the father of the nation, both in India as well as in Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will organise a motor rally to commemorate 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary…It will connect the places of significance in Gandhiji’s life, and simultaneously take up advocacy on road safety concerns,” Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.

This is part of the year-long celebrations to commemorate the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi in India and across the globe, initiated by the government of India on 2nd October last year, it said.

The car rally will commence on February 4 from Rajghat in Delhi which will also mark the launch of National Road Safety Week.

The rally will pass through Sabarmati, Porbandar, Dandi, Yerwada, Sewagram, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Chauri Chaura, Champaran, Shantiniketan and Kolkata in India before travelling to Dhaka in Bangladesh.

It will conclude at Yangon in Myanmar on February 24.

The statement said that the motor rally will cover around 7,250 km to reach Yangon.

“One of the highlights of the rally would be the crossing of the Gulf of Khambat by Ro-Ro vessels. The event is supported by the ministries of external affairs, culture, etc. Receptions and flagging off ceremony and people to people interaction events will be held at various places in different states, through which the rally will pass,” the statement said.

The aim of the event is to spread the great values of Gandhi throughout its route, it said.

Creating awareness on road safety assumes significance as India accounts for about 5 lakh road accidents annually in which 1.5 lakh people die.

Ryan Reynolds to star in romcom ‘Shotgun Wedding’

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January 30, 2019

Ryan Reynolds is giving his Deadpool suit some rest and is set to relive his romcom days with “Shotgun Wedding”.

According to an online portal, the film will also have an action element to go along with the actor’s public image, courtesy the Marvel film series.

Reynolds said he is looking forward to do a romantic comedy, his first after “The Proposal”.

“I haven’t done a romantic comedy since ‘The Proposal’ but I just fell in love with ‘Shotgun Wedding’. It’s so refreshing and surprising. I can’t wait to bring it to life with Jason, Todd, Dave and the great team at Lionsgate,” he said.

According to the official logline, the film “tells the hilarious, adrenaline-fuelled story of a couple whose extravagant destination wedding is taken over by criminals. In the process of saving their families, they rediscover why they wanted to get married in the first place”.

The actor will also produce the film, to be directed by Jason Moore.

The film is based on an original pitch by writer Mark Hammer and “New Girl” screenwriter Liz Meriwether will collaborate on the script.

Reynolds’ upcoming films include Michael Bay’s “6 Underground” and voicing Detective Pikachu in “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu”.

Hugh Grant doubtful about appearing in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ series

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January 30, 2019

Hugh Grant says he is unsure about making a cameo in Mindy Kaling’s series version of “Four Weddings and a Funeral”.

The actor, who had his breakout role in the 1994 British comedy film of the same name, said he has not been asked by Kaling to appear on the new show.

Similar to the film, the series will follow a group of friends as their lives intersect through the five events. Each season will centre on a different story arc.

“Well, they haven’t asked me, I don’t know, maybe not,” Grant told an online portal when asked if he would be seen in the series.

The actor said he has met some in the new cast, which includes Nathalie Emmanuel, Nikesh Patel, Rebecca Rittenhouse and John Paul Reynolds.

The film, also starring Andie MacDowell and Kristin Scott Thomas, grossed more than USD 245 million worldwide when it was released in 1994.

Meanwhile, Grant and MacDowell will star in a new short film based on “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, penned by Richard Curtis.

“One Red Nose Day and a Wedding” follows the same characters as the 1994 film and picks up from more than two decades later.

The special will mark the 25th anniversary of the movie.

Grant, 58, was tight-lipped about the plot and said the production team would “shoot him” if he gave away details.

“I’ll tell you what, everyone who was asked from the original film said yes and turned up and we all look pretty ropy now, but we’re all good sports. We did it,” he added.

Original film’s director Mike Newell is returning to helm.

Christina Aguilera to settle in Vegas for 16 shows from May

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January 30, 2019

Christina Aguilera becomes the latest in a string of stars to say that they will be settling in on the Las Vegas Strip.

The actor will be performing at the Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood for 16 shows, starting May 31 and continuing in intervals through October 5, reported Variety.

Titled ‘The Xperience’, it is set for a venue that is currently playing host to alternating residencies by the Backstreet Boys and Gwen Stefani.

Aguilera recently toured the US with her first American tour in 10 years, supporting the album ‘Liberation.’

She’s promising her stay in Vegas will be a completely different, “mind-blowing theatrical experience.”

Variety reported that the singer made the announcement on Tuesday’s edition of ‘Ellen’, where Aguilera told the talk show host that the move has been in “talks for quite a few years now,” adding that the residency will “be a little easier with the kids.”

She further added, “I still want to see my fans all over and in Europe and everything. But how much easier for everyone to just come to one place and fill the venue with fantasy and love and excitement, and put on a show that I’ve been actually accumulating for years these amazing ideas and taking people on this amazing ride and trip and using the imagination. I’ve been culminating this for a long time.”

A tweet further described the show as “a multisensory escape to a world of magic and total freedom.

OYO enters Philippines expanding international presence

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January 30, 2019

Hospitality firm OYO on Wednesday said that it has launched operations in Philippines with over 21 franchised and leased hotels in the country.

Philippines is the 8th market for OYO. Besides India, the firm is also present in China, Malaysia, Nepal, UK, UAE and Indonesia, the company said in a statement.

The hospitality firm has also committed an investment of over USD 50 million over the next few years in Philippines and aims to generate 1,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities there, it added.

“We believe that by setting foot in the Philippines, we are advancing our vision of strengthening our foothold in Southeast Asia,” OYO Hotels and Homes COO Abhinav Sinha said.

From 21 hotels and 500 rooms currently, OYO aims to grow to 20,000 rooms in 10 cities by 2020 while becoming a household name for both local and international travellers visiting Philippines, he added.

“Our growth in the country will be fuelled by a strong local leadership and a team of young hospitality enthusiasts,” Sinha said.

OYO currently has over 13,000 franchised or leased hotels and over 3,000 homes as part of its network.

Karan Johar refutes rumours related to ‘Dostana 2’

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January 30, 2019

News about the second installment of the 2008 hit film ‘Dostana’ has been doing the rounds for a while now, but it seems like the rumour mills have got it all wrong!

Filmmaker Karan Johar took to his Twitter handle to clear speculations related to the film.

“For the record…..NO ONE has been officially approached for DOSTANA 2!!!! Some thoughts and ideas are underway but nothing official has moved,” he tweeted.

According to various media reports, Alia Bhatt had apparently been roped in to play the lead in ‘Dostana 2.’ Reports also stated that the 25-year-old actor who made her debut with KJo’s ‘Student of The Year 2’ is also keen about working on the film.

However, KJo has cleared the air about any speculations surrounding the upcoming film. Amidst all the confusion, he further confirmed that although no one has been approached, some ideas are being discussed.

After the success of the 2008 romantic-comedy film, fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel.

The film ‘Dostana’ featured Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles. Bobby Deol too was seen in a cameo in the Tarun Mansukhani directorial.

Meanwhile, KJo is all geared up for his upcoming projects ‘Kalank’, ‘Brahmastra’, ‘Student of the Year 2’ and ‘Takht’.

For the record…..NO ONE has been officially approached for DOSTANA 2!!!! Some thoughts and ideas are underway but nothing official has moved……

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 30, 2019

Fire breaks out in Mumbai, fire tenders reach spot

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January 30, 2019

A fire broke out in Girgaon area of Mumbai on Wednesday but no casualties have been reported so far, police said.

The incident took place at Mochi building at fifth Kumbharwada in Maruti Mandir road of Girgaon and the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Fire tenders rushed to the spot and a rescue operation is underway, police said adding no injuries had been reported yet.