Mumbai, May 17 (IANS) The Grammy-winning pop star Ed Sheeran has shared how he originally wanted to be an actor, reminiscing about auditioning for a television show.

Ed, who has appeared in the new episode of ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ (TGIKS), which is hosted by Kapil Sharma, talked about how he chose singing.

The ‘Shape of You’ singer said: “I originally wanted to be an actor. I auditioned for this TV show — it was acting with music — and I made it to the finals. I was sixteen, and I got down to the final 10 people. In my head, I thought if I got this, I would pursue acting and wouldn’t do music. If I don’t get this, I’ll focus solely on music. And I didn’t get it.”

Kapil also shared how he initially wanted to become a singer.

“Actually, I wanted to become a singer. When I came out of my home, I saw everyone singing. So I swapped my field,” he said.

The eighth episode of the comedy chat show will see Ed attempting to speak in Hindi and Kapil sweating it out with his English.

The episode will air on Saturday at 8 p.m. on Netflix.

–IANS

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Mumbai, May 17 (IANS) National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao has talked about his humble beginnings, sharing that he was not raised with a lot of money, but it was his mother who supported him and helped him reach where he is today.

Rajkummar told IANS: “It’s not been easy. That’s why I love parents, no matter whose parents they are. My parents really supported me. My mother especially supported me, and there were a lot of tough times. I was not raised with money around.”

The actor talked about how he got the chance to go to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

“I have not seen too much money in life, but I also know other parents who knew that I wanted to go to FTII and there’s not enough money at home, and they would also come out and help my mother so that she can do those things for us,” said the actor, who has appeared in over 30 films since 2010.

Rajkummar, who made his acting debut with ‘Love Sex Aur Dhokha’ in 2010, is happy that today he is referred to as “ghar ka beta” by the audience.

“That’s why I am grateful to my parents, and that’s the reason that people connect as ‘humare ghar ka hi ladka hai’ because main hoon. I am that boy who has come from nowhere and who has worked genuinely very hard to be where I am today,” said the Gurgaon-born star.

The actor has been keeping busy with film promotions. Just last week, his film ‘Srikanth’ was released, and now he has ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’ with Janhvi Kapoor hitting the big screen.

“It was not planned that ‘Srikanth’ would come and then ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’. I think no actor wants that because you want a breather because you have been promoting this and then that. But I am proud of both films,” he added.

Talking about his upcoming film, Rajkummar shared: ” ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’ is about a husband and wife. It’s all about togetherness, love, dreams, and egos.”

The actor also talked about ‘Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video’, which he described as “very funny,” and then there is ‘Stree 2’.

–IANS

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Mumbai, May 17 (IANS) Sanjana Sanghi on Friday gave a peek into her Brooklyn, New York, vacation, styling a denim-leather jacket and enjoying the view and food of the city.

The actress, who was last seen in the Pankaj Tripathi-starrer thriller film ‘Kadak Singh’, took to Instagram and shared a string of photos from her US vacation.

The snaps show Sanjana wearing a black T-shirt, matching leggings, and a black leather denim jacket. She opted for a no-makeup look, kept her hair open, and rounded off the look with black and white canvas shoes.

The pictures feature the diva enjoying the local delicacies and the retro vibes of the city.

The post is captioned: “You had me at ‘It’s a beautiful evening to head to Brooklyn’. It’s always a beautiful evening to head to Brooklyn.”

On the professional front, Sanjana is known for her work in movies like ‘Dil Bechara’, ‘Rashtra Kavach Om’, and ‘Dhak Dhak’.

–IANS

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Mumbai, May 17 (IANS) International filmmaker Sandrine Bonnaire has come on board to direct veteran Bollywood star Jackie Shroff in the upcoming film ‘Slow Joe’, which is based on the late Indian musician Joseph Manuel Da Rocha.

“Joseph Manuel Da Rocha’s story is moving and extraordinary, demonstrating that it’s never too late to overcome adversity and achieve your dreams. I am truly excited to be a part of this film with its talented cast and cannot wait to begin filming,” Bonnaire said in a statement.

Da Rocha, known as Slow Joe, was a former heroin addict and drug dealer, who was born in Mumbai, was disowned by his family, was heartbroken at 50, and later moved to Goa and cleaned up.

In 2007, during a trip to Goa, Lyon-based French musician Cedric de la Chapelle met Joe, 64, who was making ends meet as a hotel room broker. Joe, also a poet and musician, sang for de la Chapelle, who was captivated by his voice and recorded some of his cappella songs.

Jackie said in a statement: “I am thrilled to have Sandrine Bonnaire on board to direct ‘Slow Joe.’ Her exceptional talent and vision will undoubtedly elevate the film to new heights.”

“Working alongside such a respected filmmaker is an honour, and I am eager to bring Slow Joe’s extraordinary journey to audiences worldwide.”

The film is produced by Isabella Sreyashii Sen and Olivier Dock, co-CEOs of Singapore production house Hazelnut Media.

“We are extremely excited to bring this international story of hope to the screen and thrilled to have Jackie and Sandrine on this project,” said Sen and Dock.

–IANS

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Mumbai, May 17 (IANS) The new episode of MasterChef India Tamil and Telugu saw the presence of Chef Anahita Dhondy, an alumnus of Le Cordon Bleu, London, who gave new challenges to the home cooks of both reality shows.

In the ‘MasterChef India Tamil’ kitchen, Chef Anahita brought along with her the ‘Challenge Marathon’.

In this challenge, the home cooks were divided into groups of four, and each home cook had to perform one skill test to save themselves from the Elimination Challenge.

Chefs — Koushik, Shreeya Adka, Rakesh, and Anahita demonstrated the skill tests, which were making an accordion potato, using piping techniques, making perfect mayonnaise, and poaching an egg, respectively.

Chef Anahita’s challenge in the ‘MasterChef India Telugu’ kitchen was divided into two different challenges.

In the first challenge, the home cooks had to demonstrate their sugar work skills by decorating cupcakes. The home cooks with the two best sugar work presentations earned an advantage for the next challenge.

The second challenge was a team challenge, where both teams of four home cooks had to prepare a three-course meal using millets.

This challenge came with a twist, as only three home cooks from each team could cook at the same time. One home cook from each of the teams was always on standby and could be switched with their teammates at any point during the cook.

Inspired by her mother, a chef and caterer, Chef Anahita is an expert in French pastries and cuisine.

The show airs on Sony LIV.

–IANS

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