Finally it happened! Bajirao Mastani beats Dilwale at the box office on Monday..........

Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale and Ranveer Singh's Bajirao Mastani went against each other in a clash of clans last Friday. And as predicted, Dilwale had won the first round by sweeping big numbers in the opening weekend itself. Recording a total around the Rs 65 crore mark in its opening weekend, Dilwale was already in safe waters until it saw a sharp decline in its numbers on Monday. 

The first Monday is usually considered an acid test for most big films and also helps the trade determine the lifetime of the film. Although the clash was anyway going to affect the film's run at the plexes in every manner possible, things were still looking up for Dilwale. But Monday's dip gave Bajirao Mastani the perfect opportunity. They capitalised and how!

While Dilwale netted in Rs 9.50 crore on Monday, BM which grew on a positive word of mouth over the weekend maintained a strong hold on its first Monday and collected a decent Rs 10.25 crore. Given the enormous lead Dilwale had post the first three weeks, it's surprising to see Bajirao Mastani making slow but steady efforts to pick up with the ensemble film.

Nevertheless, overtaking Dilwale on Monday hasn't helped BM too much. With production costs as high as Rs 150 crore, the film needs to do exceedingly well from here onwards to recover the money invested in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus. And that won't be an easy task. Also, the gap between Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani is still quite large. What happens in the upcoming days is what one needs to see. 

'Star Wars' destroys the Death Star of box office records at $250 million!.................

Star Wars: The Force Awakens collected a galactic $250 million of global ticket sales through Friday and headed toward a historic opening weekend in the United States and Canada as fans around the world reveled in the return of the beloved space saga.

The seventh Star Wars" movie is expected to sell more than $220 million of tickets at US and Canadian theatres through Sunday, beating the record $208.8 million for Jurassic World in June, Walt Disney Co said on Saturday.

Fans embraced the new installment in the series: A clash between good and evil in a galaxy far, far away. Thousands gathered for a friendly light saber battle in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, and moviegoers in cities such as Berlin and Paris arrived at screenings wearing Stormtrooper costumes, Jedi robes and Darth Vader masks.

Force Awakens has already smashed several film industry records and won praise from critics and moviegoers. It pulled in $120.5 million through Friday, its first full day in domestic theatres, the highest single-day ticket sales ever.

That includes a chart-topping $57 million from fans who flocked to see the first showings on Thursday night. Saturday domestic receipts were expected to total $60 million, Disney said.

Force Awakens began rolling out in global markets on Wednesday. Through Friday, international ticket sales had reached $129.5 million, as the movie set opening-day records in Britain, Germany, Australia, Brazil and other countries.

The new Star Wars film is the first installment in a decade of the series, which was created by George Lucas in 1977. Disney bought Star Wars" producer Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012 and spent more than $200 million to produce Force Awakens.

The movie is now open in all markets except Greece and India, where it starts playing December 24, and China, which has set a January 9 debut. China is the world's second-largest film market.

Force Awakens has a shot at becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time, according to some analysts. The current record holder is Avatar, which generated $2.8 billion worldwide after its December 2009 release.

Critics applauded Force Awakens, which features newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyegaand Oscar Isaac alongside original stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

The movie, directed by JJ Abrams, scored a 95% positive rating on review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences awarded an "A" rating in polling by survey firm CinemaScore, Disney said.

Dilwale or Bajirao Mastani - who's leading the box office race after day one?..............

This Friday, Bollywood witnessed one of the biggest clashes in recent years. Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol-Varun Dhawan-Kriti Sanon starrer Dilwale went head to head with Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone-Priyanka Chopra starrer Bajirao Mastani. While all eyes were on the verdict, the results of the big ticket Bolly clash is finally out. 

Here's how much Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani earned at the box office respectively. 

Dilwale: 

The first day Indian box office collection of the film Dilwale was Rs. 21.50 Crores. The audience response to the film has been good from all age groups especially families. The first day collection is India is reflective of the good audience response to the film keeping in mind the competitive environment and external factors. Despite the negative to average reviews, the film has been given a thumbs up by the audiences. The film had a record breaking opening day in East and South India. Being touted as the perfect holiday season release, the film has done exceptionally well overseas as well. Dilwale has raked in around Rs 9.22 crore abroad on its opening day, which is excellent. Also, given that the clash resulted in division of screens and there were protests against the film in many key centres, the figures are impressive. 

Bajirao Mastani:

While one would have expected the Sanjay Bhansali directorial to fizzle out, considering that it's clashing with one of the biggest films of the year, Bajirao Mastani maintained its stead and earned in the range of Rs 12-13 crore at the box office. Last heard, the film raked in around Rs 12.80 crore on its opening day, which again is quite good. Had there been no clash, the film would have easily earned over Rs 15 crore and had a much better opening. Knowing its huge budget, the film needs to perform extraordinarily well over the next few days to record a stable opening week for sure. 

So as of now, after day one, it's Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale which is leading the pack and Ranveer Singh's Bajirao Mastani which is receiving a lot of accolades is trying to catch up. Will the figures tell a different story tomorrow?

Sussanne Khan rubbishes rumours of marriage with Arjun Rampal..............

Superstar Hrithik Roshan's former wifeSussanne Khan has slammed reports that she is set to tie the knot with actor Arjun Rampal, saying she is a "proud" single mother.

It has been long speculated that the interior designer's friendship with Arjun, who is married to former model Mehr Jessia, was the cause of her split from Hrithik, 41, in 2013 after 13 years of marriage.

The former couple has two sons Hrehaan, seven and Hridhaan, five.

Recently reports surfaced that Sussanne was set to walk down the aisle with one of Hrithik's "close friends".

Just earlier this week, it was reported that Sussanne, 36, and Arjun, 42, were spotted at a coffee shop in Mumbai.

Rubbishing the rumours, Sussanne said, "Persistent speculation in the media has made me realise that idle Bollywood gossip mongers, who are influential, are insistent on spreading rumours and lies about me. Stories are fabricated on upcoming weddings and meetings in coffee shops."

"It is irresponsible press if incorrect stories are published. There are families and human feelings involved and it hurts people when false gossip is passed off as true. I am a single working mother and take tremendous pride in the way I live," she further said in her statement.

Arjun and Mehr, who are parents to two daughters, have been hit by split rumours for sometime now.

The couple, who have been married for 17 years, put up a united front at the Lakme fashion week last month, where they arrived together to attend designer Monisha Jaisingh's show.
 

Selena Gomez teases new single 'Good For You' on Instagram...........

Pop star Selena Gomez has teased her fans with new details about her next singleGood For You.

The 22-year-old singer took to Instagram  and posted a a blurry image of herself lying on the ground, reported Billboard. "Now, who would like the first look of my new music video?" she captioned the picture. The Come and get it hitmaker also shared a black and white photo of herself sitting on a stool against a bare white wall. She hashtagged the pic #IMready.

The new single will arrive on June 22. 

Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 10 preview: Expect the unexpected...........

As we get to the finale of Season 5, Game of Thrones fans should know that the director for the last episode is David Nutter - responsible for all the heartache in the Red Wedding. So, expect a bucket full of drama thrown at you come tomorrow.

HBO has a very bland synopsis of the last episode titled Mother's Mercy. It reads, 'Stannis begins to march; Dany is surrounded by strangers; Cersei seeks forgiveness; Jon is challenged'. As expected, they do not want to give you anything more before the designated time of sobbing, cursing and general befuddlement, depending on how the episode will unfold.

With the exception of the last episode of Season 4, all other GoT season finales have been cool-down episodes after a whirlwind of a series. Be it after the Battle of Blackwater or Red Wedding. Last season's finale was the one with the fireworks. Given the build up so far, let's hope this will turn out to be in the same vein.

So far we know that Stannis Baratheon has made his sacrifice. He set his daughter on fire after advice from the red priestess Melisandre to please the Lord of Lights. In the promo,Melisandre tells Stannis, "The Lord of Light has made good on his promise, my king." This power, from the first look of it, has helped Stannis as he plans to begin the siege at sunrise. But Stannis has someone else apart from the Boltons to deal with, if he reaches Winterfell.

Brienne and Podrick are in Winterfell, waiting for Sansa to finally light that candle in the broken tower. Brienne has an old score to settle with Stannis. So far, the lady has failed to save everyone she swore to protect. Let's hope she will get to avenge the ones she lost.

Sansa has been through a lot in this season. She married Ramsey for god's sake! From the promo, it looks like she is going for the Hail Mary pass. She might make a run for her freedom as Stannis closes in on Winterfell. For once, it will be exciting to see her take charge of her life even if it is leading to her death. Will Brienne and Podrick come the save her?

In King's Landing, the Tyrell siblings and Cersei are prisoners of the High Sparrow for the abomination they have committed against the gods. Cersei will need to confess to get out of the punishment intended for her. In the promo, we see her kneeling before the High Sparrow saying, "I was lonely and afraid." To which he responds sympathetically, "We don't choose whom we love." 

In the last episode, Qyburn had come to visit Cersei and had assured her a way out of this without confessing to the Faith Militant. We know that the disgraced maester has been playing Frankenstein to Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane since he was pushed to near death after the dual with Oberyn. This re-made man could be Cersei's ticket out of the dungeon. But not before she is shaved, stripped and forced to walk naked from Baelor's Sept to the Red Keep.

Jon Snow survived Hardhome and the Night's King to get the Wildlings to Castle Blackand form an alliance. But all the evidence from the last episode, the synopsis for Mother's Mercy and the promo point towards an inevitable mutiny in the Night's Watch. Will Jon survive? Will the Wildlings take his side? Ser Davos is there to procure food, men, and horses for Stannis. Maybe his expertise will help Jon survive because his trusted friend Samwell Tarly is not at the castle.

If 'leaked' footage and rumour mills are to be believed, there are chances that the Night's King (who very well could be Jon's uncle Benjen we saw disappear in Season 1) will get to the current Lord Commander and turn him into one of them. That would be quite a twist in the plot!

Arya is torn between the path she chose and her past that has now caught up with her in the form of Ser Meryn Trant. Jaqen H'ghar already has doubts about her capability to commit to the House of Black and White. Here, she will have to choose ticking another name, after The Hound, off her 'To-Kill' list and become the faceless assassin by killing the thin man at the docks.

In the last episode, the Sand Snakes looked like they let go of their revenge quest very easily when Ellaria Sand surrendered. But if the interviews of the cast members are to be believed, in the last episode they are up to something extreme. Sound the alarms for Jamie, Myrcella, Trystane and Bronn, who are on their way to King's Landing.

In Meereen, Tyrion, Daario and Jorah are without their Dany, who rode Drogon out of the fighting pits. The synopsis says that she will be surrounded by strangers. This could be really taxing for her. Drogon was subjected to spears by the Sons of the Harpy as he heroically swooped in to save his mother. A lone Dany with the wounded Drogon amongst strangers suggests a few steps back from the plan to march towards Westeros.

I, for one, would like to see some other stories come to a sort-of conclusive point where the season finale is concerned. I would like to know the whereabouts of Baelish, who was last seen in The Gift plotting with Olenna Tyrell. Also the plans of Lady Olenna to get her grandkids out. I would also like to know if Lord Varys has yet realised that Tyrion has gone missing from that brothel in Volantis!

Now watch the promo posted below, while I sit back and watch the clock tick until tomorrow!

'Kurdish Shakira' sings, dances to encourage soldiers in fight against ISIS..............

Known as Kurdish Shakira, Helly Luv has come up with a new single titled 'Revolution' which is about how the peshmerga, the military forces of Iraqi Kurdistan, will not stop fighting until the Islamic State is defeated, according to an AFP report.

Helly Luv is Kurdish singer born in Iraq, but was raised in Finland as her parents were one of the first Kurdish immigrants who fled from Saddam Hussain's regime of terror.

She gained popularity with her single 'Risk it all' in 2013 and now has bounty on her head by Islamic State.

Her new single 'Revolution' starts with a Kurdish soldier looking at a picture of a loved one, possibly his son, amid the war going around him. Later in the video, Helly, wearing a Kurdish attire stands in front of a war tank, unarmed and raising a banner saying 'Stop the violence'. At the end of the video, everyone is marching carrying symbols of peace and co-existence.

High heels, fatigues, bullet shaped bracelet and rifle-shaped rings is Ms. Luv's avatar!

According to an interview she gave to i24 News, Helly shot the video in Al-Khazr which is about 2.5 mile away from the jihadists' lines. Though often campy and over the top, 'Revolution' already has over 7,00,000 views on YouTube since being uploaded on May 28, 2015.

Helly Luv is carrying forward the legacy of Kurdish singers who sang to encourage the rebel fighters when peshmerga were mountain-based clan, reports Yahoo News.

Many in the West hold Kurds as the moral and military flagship of the world's fight back against Islamic state. Helly Luv is here with her hip-swinging, hair swishing songs to encourage the fighters to hold their own against IS forces. 

No Jacqueline Fernandez in 'Kick' sequel.............

Now, Jacqueline Fernandez possibly looked the hottest when paired with Salman Khan in Kick. Both of them, who are extremely good looking upped the hotness quotient in the film. But it seems makers, including director Sajid Nadiadwala has different plans with the sequel to Kick.

While Nadiadwala and Salman have already spoken about planning the Kicksequel, we hear that Kick 2 will have Salman Khan but no Jacqueline Fernandez. Yes, Jackie has been ousted from the sequel. Why? No one has an answer to that.

Our source tells us, "They are planning Kick 2 but without Jacqueline. They will be looking for another actress opposite Salman." On hearing this, Jackie who's busy in IIFA, told reporters, "Being part of Kick was the most amazing experience in my life and I thank Salman for making me a part of the movie. If not in Kick 2, there will be more movies with him. Kick was a huge blessing, so it’s all that I need."

But will Kick 2 match up to Kick, in terms of the lead pair's smouldering chemistry? We doubt! 

Vidya Balan to be Rajinikanth’s next heroine?.........

Many years ago, Vidya Balan was unceremoniously dropped from a Tamil film after shooting for few portions. And since then, Vidya has been away from Tamil cinema. But it looks like life has come to a full circle. 

A little birdie tells us that Vidya Balan has been approached to play superstar Rajinikanth’s heroine in Pa Ranjith’s film. That’s right, after romancing Bollywood beauties like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha, Rajini might be paired opposite Vidya. Earlier it was said that Pa Ranjith’s film with superstar will not have any heroine. But recent developments suggest that makers are keen to sign Vidya.

A source close to the film said,” Talks are on with Vidya Balan. The makers have been negotiating with her for a while now, but the actress is yet to give her nod. She is definitely among the leading ladies who have been approached for this role.”  In earlier interviews, Vidya had stated that she is not getting interesting offers from Tamil film industry. Now that a chance to share screen with Thalaiva himself has been presented to her doorsteps, will she accept it?

Going by Vidya’s reputation of choosing incredible roles, she might only say yes if the role is interesting.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg pens heartbreaking tribute to late husband.......

Facebook's Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg took to the social media site on Wednesday to say she felt "thirty years sadder" after the 30-day mourning period she observed following her husband's sudden death.

Sandberg's husband, SurveyMonkey Chief Executive Dave Goldberg, died on May 1 after falling off a treadmill during a vacation in Mexico.

Sandberg posted an online tribute four days after the death of Goldberg, who built a company valued at $2 billion. She has also periodically shared posts about her mourning and pictures of Goldberg.

Her 1,731-word post Wednesday marked the end of sheloshim, the traditional Jewish 30-day period of mourning for a spouse.

"I have lived thirty years in these thirty days," Sandberg wrote. "I am thirty years sadder. I feel like I am thirty years wiser."

Sandberg also said Goldberg's death helped her gain a "more profound understanding of what it is to be a mother," and that she rejoiced that her children were alive each day.

She ended the post with lyrics from Bono, who sang at Goldberg's Silicon Valley memorial service last month.

"'There is no end to grief ... and there is no end to love,'" she posted. "I love you, Dave."

Film City shootout: Amitabh Bachchan was far away from spot of attack, says police............

Mumbai police, who today claimed to have solved the case of firing in the Film City here last month in which a man was injured, clarified that megastar Amitabh Bachchan was not very close to the spot of firing.

Bachchan had tweeted immediately after the incident on May 22 that he was only 20 feet away from the spot where motorcycle-borne assailants shot Raju Shinde, secretary of Shiv Sena's film wing. Shinde survived the attack.

"We have found that Bachchan was quite far from the scene of the crime, not 20 feet as he had said," said Fattesingh Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police. "No, 20 feet - not at all. He was much farther," he said.

Minutes after the crime, Bachchan had tweeted, 

When asked if police would question Bachchan for the purpose of probe, Patil said, "If the need arises, we would definitely approach him."

Police have so far arrested six men in the case, saying that the motive was revenge as they had had a fight with Shinde, who works as a contractor in the Film City.

Why Farhan Akhtar didn’t do action films before ‘Wazir’............

Farhan Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan starrer Wazir had the second teaser released on Wednesday and it’s breathtaking. The one minute thirty second trailer is intense, slick and high on action quotient. While Amitabh Bachchan has previously been a part of a series of action sequences, this would be the first time we will see Farhan Akhtar wielding the gun.

The director exclaims, “Coming to think of it, it’s true. I haven’t done an out and out action film before this. Though I have directed a lot of action sequences for my films, I never thought this is my forte as an actor.”

The filmmaker-actor also recalled a funny incident while talking about action. “I had punched my sister (Zoya Akhtar) while trying out an action sequence. After that, I stopped and went to the rom-com genre,” Farhan laughed it off.

“However, I came back to this genre with Wazir and thankfully, there was a small action team who helped me with the high octane stunts and sequences,” added Farhan.

Director James Gunn finishes first draft of 'Guardians of the Galaxy' sequel............

Director James Gunn has confirmed that the first draft of the script for the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel has been completed.

While sharing a picture of the script on Twitter, Gunn made sure that he was giving absolutely nothing away to his followers, reported Screen Rant.

"Phew. 1st draft," he shared, before adding a series of hashtags that re-enforced his decision to keep a few secrets: "#GotG2 #NoSpoilers #NotEventheTitle."

Phew. 1st draft #GotG2. #NoSpoilers #NotEventheTitlepic.twitter.com/Yd6mhpgLNe

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) June 2, 2015

The director later shared the photo on his Facebook page, adding: "After 48 days straight without a day off, the first draft of #GotG2 is done. I'm sorry to all my friends and family who I have ignored."

Phew. After 48 days straight without a day off, the the first draft of #GotG2 is done. I'm sorry to all my friends and family who I have ignored.

Posted by James Gunn on Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Gunn continues to provide fans with updates on the Marvel sequel, recently revealing in a Periscope talk that Karen Gillan's character Nebula will be returning.

The filmmaker also teased what the future holds for some of Guardians of the Galaxy characters in a Facebook Q&A earlier this year.

Filming for the sequel will be moving away from London to Pinewood Atlanta Studios, with the shoot commencing in February 2016.

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is slated for release on May 5, 2017. 

Let\'s go for 20 million now!..........

Amitabh Bachchan recently hit the 15 million mark on Twitter, a place where he refers to his followers as his 'extended family'. Despite being a workaholic, he never fails to stay in touch with his fans on the microblogging site. Here he talks about aspiring to hit 20 million, his love for Dubsmash and how he deals with Internet trolls!

Do you remember the exact time and place when you sent your first tweet ?
No, I do not remember. But it was Mumbai and it was from my laptop, which I still use as my communicator for Twitter, at my residence.

15 million followers, what does the number mean to you ?
It means I still have another five million to go before 20 million. And then another 10 for 30 million and so on....

People get excited when you retweet or reply to their tweets, what gets you excited on Twitter ?
I connect each day with my EF, my extended family, my followers. I love reading other tweets as well. Some are most informative and of great interest. I find historical, geographical, medicinal, information on my site. I get the instant news on happenings around the world, sports news, local and international and a comment from several enlightened minds. It really is a wonderful platform. I like to respond to the questions that my followers put to me. I am unable to see all of them or respond to all of them, but I try.

What's the coolest slang you have learnt on Twitter ?
I have not encountered any. If you have suggestions do let me know I shall look out for them, or perhaps use them too.

How did you come about the system of tagging and numbering your tweets, any particular reason ?
Nothing very deliberate. I number my blog, so I felt I should number my Twitter and FB days. The number is the number of the day, not the number of tweets that I have written. A lot of advisors felt I should have a separate title to each day. But I felt the numbering the day was better and I stuck to it from day one!

Why haven't you yet succumbed to the 'selfie bug', when do we see you make a debut on your page ?
What is the 'selfie bug'? And why would you want to see me take my own selfie ? There are hundreds of others that are doing that each day for you - it would be most vain on my part to put up my own selfie. Though I do put up my own pictures, taken by others and sent to me, that depict the doings of the day. I have on occasion put up pictures that I may have clicked, but nothing beyond that !!!

Are you aware of the Dubsmash craze that has hit the internet, will we see a video from you some day ?
Yes I am, and I find it entertaining and fun. I have not tried it yet. I would find it difficult to decide whose voice I would lipsync to, for the video.

Among the people you follow, is there anyone in particular whose tweets your enjoy reading the most ?
For me it is a joy to be reading all that comes my way – good, bad, indifferent, abusive, all. Yet, there are some very smart repartees on the site and they are a joy to come across.

Is there anything Abhishek has taught you not to do on Twitter? Any words of wisdom from him?
No.

How do you deal with the trolls on Twitter ?
I do not deal with them! It is a free and open medium and people have the liberty to express themselves. I use no moderation. Yes, at times when the words used are too abusive, I warn or plead to them to not do so, and if it persists then I block them! Threats and violent tweets to my life or to any member of my family, are reported to the
Cyber Cell Crime Police Department!

Congratulations on the super success of Piku, after all these years do box-office numbers still matter ?
Thank you for your wishes. Piku has been a wonderful experience and a revelation. The audiences have been very supportive and my sincere thanks go out to them. Yes box-offie is important. They are one form of an evaluation of the film. Critical acclaim is the other. I am delighted that Piku was able to garner both.

Your role rang a bell with many kids and their mothers, what's the most heartening reaction you received on social media from a fan ?
A boy aged 10 from Equador living in New York sent me a video message. He has never seen any Hindi film, does not know the language, but said, 'After seeing the film I have learnt one thing. When I grow up I shall look after my parents.' Marvelous, coming from someone so young and having no connection to India, Hindi and Hindi films.

How did Abhishek and Aishwarya react to Piku, what was their first reaction on watching the film?
They both loved the film. A very warm embrace followed!

Lastly, what message would you like to give your 15 million followers on Twitter ?
Thank you all my FXTEF - Familia Extendum Twitter Extended Family. For your love and connect each day. Let's go for the 20 million now!

Fans want Kim Kardashian to name her second child 'South West'...........

Soon after Kim Kardashian declared that she is expecting her second child with rapper husband Kanye West, her fans started debating on all the possible names and 'South West' seems to be trending.

Most of the fans zeroed in on the name 'South West' as her daughter is named North West. The name of the second baby of Kardashian diva became a trending topic on Twitter, reported Ace Showbiz. "If kim kardashian doesn't name her child South West i'm going to be very disappointed," a fan wrote on Twitter.

There were others who came up with interesting suggestions. "Kim & Kanye having another baby?...what will it be named? East West, South West, West West?! We'll find out, next time on Dragon Ball Z..."