Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Popularly known as Anandi, her character from the television show “Balika Vadhu”, actress Pratyusha Banerjee’s untimely death has left everyone in Bollywood and the TV industry in shock.
Personalities like Karan Johar, Arbaaz Khan, Simi Garewal and Karishma Tanna have mourned the death of the 24-year-old actress, who allegedly committed suicide here on Friday.
Pratyusha hanged herself from a fan at her Kandivali residence but was detected and taken to the Kokilaben Ambani Hospital where she succumbed.
Here’s what celebrities had to say about the actress’ death:
Simi Garewal: The only serial I’ve watched was ‘Balika Vadhu’. For her! Very sad. Only 24. It’s too tough here for girls without family support.
Karan Johar: This is just so sad and a wake up call to families and friends who don’t consider depression as a medical condition. RIP Pratyusha Banerjee… A girl died, let her loved ones mourn in peace. Social media may not have a conscience, but can it have a heart?
Madhur Bhandarkar: Shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden death of Pratyusha Banerjee. May god give her family strength to deal with the loss. RIP.
Anupam Kher: Deeply saddened by the news about Pratyusha Banerjee. May god give her family the strength to deal with this loss.
Rishi Kapoor: What a shame! Such a lovely person should (commit) suicide! Who knows the turmoil within her. RIP.
Arbaaz Khan: Extremely saddened to hear about Pratyusha! May her soul rest in peace. God give her family strength in this difficult time.
Sophie Choudry: So shocked to hear about Pratyusha Banerjee’s suicide… Makes me think of Nafisa and Jiah. All beautiful, talented girls. This is heartbreaking.
Karishma Tanna: Extremely shocking and sad news… RIP Pratyusha.
Gauhar Khan: Sad, sad, sad…Nothing’s worth ending your one beautiful gift called life for… My heart bleeds for the parents and family… Suicides (are) never the cure… Heartbroken about the news… Pratyusha Banerjee… A sweet soul.
Mika Singh: Extremely saddened by the news about Pratyusha… May God bless her soul rest in peace.
No Deepika Padukone in ‘Baahubali 2’
Chennai, April 2 (IANS) Actress Deepika Padukone is not part of the second instalment of the “Baahubali” franchise, contrary to some reports, a source said.
“Even we were surprised when we came across this news. It’s just a rumour, which we don’t even know how it was circulated in the first place,” a source from the film’s unit told IANS.
The film’s director S.S Rajamouli is currently busy shooting some important portions of the film in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.
Prabhas and Anushka Shetty have also already joined the sets, while Rana Dagubatti will join from May, after he wraps up Hindi-Telugu bilingual “Ghazi”.
Tipped to be even more majestic than the first part, the film is likely to hit the screens on April 14 next year.
My wife received more appreciation calls for ‘Thozha’: Nagarjuna
Chennai, April 2 (IANS) Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna said on Saturday that his wife Amala’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the release of his Tamil-Telugu bilingual “Thozhaa, an adaptation of French drama “The Intouchables”.
“People who couldn’t reach me have reached out to my wife and have passed on the appreciation for the film. The success has proved that not all good films are art films,” Nagarjuna said here on the sidelines of film’s thanks meet.
Directed by Vamshi Paidipally, the film also starred Karthi and Tamannaah Bhatia.
Nagarjuna also said that he’s happy that Tamil audiences have accepted his effort to dub in his own voice.
“It was Karthi who insisted that I dub for the Tamil version. I’m glad it paid off and audiences have wholeheartedly appreciated my effort,” he said.
Thanking the entire team of “Thozha”, which also released in Telugu as “Oopiri”, Nagarjuna said he will miss working with Karthi.
On a concluding note, both Karthi and Nagarjuna said that they’re ready for “Thozha 2”.
Hrithik appointed brand ambassador for luggage major VIP
Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Actor Hrithik Roshan has been roped in as the face of luggage brand VIP and will endorse its new campaign “When you are very important”.
Filmed in Prague, the campaign features Hrithik trying to escape a gang of thugs who want to steal a precious jewel which he carries in a VIP strolley.
The scene is shot on the streets where the “Bang Bang!” star is seen fighting the gang in a fight sequence at the same time demonstrating the durability and toughness of the bag.
“I am privileged to associate with a brand like VIP, as they have always focussed on putting forth a product which exceeds in quality and performance; which is what I strive to do as an actor as well. It was a great experience shooting the TVC which involves a beautifully choreographed action sequence on the streets of Prague,” Hrithik said in a statement.
The campaign is created by Thomas Krygier, director of Oscar-winning commercials, Olivier Schneider, stunt director for films like “Spectre”, “Fast & Furious 6”, and conceptualised by the team of Whyness Worldwide.
Commenting on Hrithik’s association with the brand, Radhika Piramal, managing director, V.I.P Industries, said: “Through this campaign we offer our consumers another reason to continue to associate with brand VIP, as the campaign tag line says, ‘When you are very important’. We are extremely delighted to associate with Hrithik Roshan. There couldnÂ’t have been anyone else who could match the classic legacy of our brand.”
The campaign will go live on Saturday.