Usha Uthup

New Delhi [India], April 23 : Veteran singer Usha Uthup expressed her immense happiness upon receiving the prestigious Padma Bhushan award.Usha Uthup told ANI, "I am so, so happy. I am overflowing with joy... tears are visible in my eyes, you all can see. For me, this is the biggest moment of my life... to be recognized and appreciated by your country and, of course, by your government. What more could one ask for, truly?"Speaking on the importance of the award, Usha said, "I feel so good because if you are a classical singer or a classical dancer, or if you are classical in your art, then it's natural to eventually receive an award. But for people like us... we are ordinary people, so to be chosen for the Padma award is such a huge thing... because I only believe in peace and brotherhood, and I only believe that together, as a united force, we can do things for each other... make them smile through my music. That's all I'm interested in."#WATCH | On receiving the Padma Bhushan award, Singer Usha Uthup says, "I am happy. This is the biggest moment of my life to be recognized by your country and government. It is a great thing that ordinary people like me have been selected for this award...'' ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2024In a career spanning over five decades, Usha Uthup has enthralled audiences with several hit songs such as 'Ramba Ho Ho', 'Hari Om Hari', 'Koi Yahan Aha', 'One Two Cha Cha Cha' and 'Darling' among others. Her unique and powerful voice has helped her create a niche for herself in the music industry. Usha has also acted in a few films.The Padma Awards were announced on the eve of 75th Republic Day. The awards recognise exceptional contributions in various fields. Actor, politician Mithun Chakraborty and Pyarelal Sharma of music duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, have also been awarded Padma Bhushan. There are 132 names on the list of Padma Awardees this year, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one), as per the list below. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 8 persons from the categories of foreign non-resident Indian (NRI), person of Indian origin (PIO), overseas citizenship of India (OCI), and nine posthumous awardees.The Padma Awards, which were instituted in 1954, are one of the highest civilian honours of India and are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order), and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes the Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and four to six eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 18 : Ajay Devgn-starrer 'Maidaan' has left actor Taapsee Pannu in awe. On Thursday, Taapsee took to Instagram and shared a picture from the theatre. "#Maidaan then lets not say our big films lack soul and heart," she wrote. Taapsee also gave a shout out to her friend Abhilash Thapliyal, who plays a pivotal role in the film. "@abhilashthapliyal cheers to adding one feather at a time to the filmography hat," she added. Many other stars including Shahid Kapoor, Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan also took to their Instagram Stories to share their opinion about the film.Shahid wrote, "Really enjoyed watching Maidaan today. Such a well made well performed film. Go watch it guys. This is a genuine candid post you all. Good films deserve to be seen. All the best to the entire team."Karan Johar wrote, "Have heard the most incredible things about MAIDAAN!! I also can't wait to watch what is universally touted as @ajaydevgn's career best performance! @iamitrsharma @boney.kapoor @zeestudiosofficial."Varun Dhawan also gave a shout-out to the film while expressing his eagerness to watch it after wrapping the shoot for Baby John."Hearing such incredible stuff about this film and the performances specially the last 30 minutes booking my tickets today," the 'Bhediya' actor penned on his IG stories.Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, 'Maidaan' is a poignant portrayal of Syed Abdul Rahim's unwavering dedication to football, which brought tremendous pride to India. Ajay Devgn essays the role of Rahim in the film.The movie also stars Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Bengali actor Rudranil Ghosh in pivotal roles.

Naveen Kasturia shared his experience of shooting for the second season of 'Aspirants'.With Naveen KasturiaSunny HindujaShivankit Singh PariharAbhilash Thapliyal and Namita Dubey reprising their popular roles, Apoorv Singh Karki returns as the director for this slice-of-life drama. 'Aspirants' is a show that touched the hearts and minds of millions of Indians, who saw glimpses of their own journeys in the compelling characters. A TVF original drama, the first season of Aspirants was the talk of the town with its rooted storyline, relatable characters and stories that felt like a reflection of the life and aspirations of an ordinary individual. As Abhilash, Guri and SK's 'tripod' friendship and Sandeep Bhaiyya's profound pieces of advice became part of the pop culture, fans waited for a new season with bated breaths. And with the new season finally here.Recently, Kasturia talked about how teamwork from the star cast and dedication from director Apurva Singh Karki played a vital role in the show's unparalleled success. He said, " Everyone understands that if actors don't do well, the show won't do well. We all followed the same approach, believing that each one of us should excel in our respective characters. There was never a moment during the shoot of the series, when if one person was done with their shot and the camera shifted to the other; the first one would stop giving their best. Because we knew that everyone's performance is equally important in a scene. In the world of competitive exams depicted in Aspirants, the actors mirrored the aspirants themselves, bound by their shared goal, supporting each other to create a masterpiece.Crediting the director for the camaraderie that his co-stars share, Naveen added, "The reason why all of us bonded so well on sets was our director. He is a straightforward man who doesn't put on any airs. If our director himself is such a grounded person, we all managed to mix up well. It was essential for our performances, and because of Apurva, we all wanted to do that."Aspirants seasons one and two are now streaming on Prime Video.

aspirants-2">Aspirants 2' on Thursday dropped its trailer.Created by The Viral Fever and directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, the new season stars Naveen KasturiaSunny HindujaShivankit Singh Parihar, Abhilash Thapliyal and Namita Dubey.Switching between past and present, the dual narrative showcased in the trailer promises an exciting new season. With double the challenges, the three IAS aspirants come closer to the end of their back-breaking journey, alongside senior aspirant Sandeep Bhaiyya, who faces struggles of his own. Abhilash who has become an IAS officer tries balancing between the lines of right and wrong at work, while hoping to keep his cherished friendships afloat.Excited about the second season, Naveen said, "Aspirants season 2 is not just a continuation of an incredible journey, but a proof to the unwavering spirit of determination and resilience. I am delighted to be back as Abhilash, a character that challenges me as an actor everytime I get into the skin of it. This season we explore the lives of those chasing their dreams, facing new challenges head-on while embarking on a rollercoaster of emotions, laughter, and inspiration."Sunny Hinduja also expressed excitement about the new season."This season is an exciting journey that reveals the raw realities, joys, and heartaches of those aspiring to make their mark. The expedition continues, and this time, it's about pushing boundaries and embracing the power of self-belief. I am happy that our labour of love, Aspirants will now be streaming on Prime Video that gives us a chance to reach a wide range of audience globally," he shared."Some characters hit a chord so deep in you that it is impossible to forget them, even after you've carried on with other roles. Dhairya is a girl who has so much love, ambition and determination in her, that she truly is a force to be reckoned with. It was an absolute delight to play her once again, and I hope we keep bringing on new seasons for this phenomenal show", added actor Namita Dubey.The second season of 'Aspirants' will be out on October 25 on Prime Video.

She paired the bodysuit with black boots and left her curls down and sported minimal make-up.With a little extra light on the side., she captioned the post.Taapsees pictures stole everyones attention.Reacting to them, a social media user commented, Hottest.Aag laga di.. aag laga di, actor Abhilash Thapliyal commented.Fire, another user wrote.Meanwhile, on the work front, Taapsee will be seen sharing screen space with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Dunki, which is directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The film is slated to release in December this year.'Dunki' marks the first collaboration of the 'Chak De India' actor with director Hirani and Taapsee.Taapsee will also be seen in Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba opposite actor Vikrant Massey and Sunny Kaushal. The film will be helmed by Jayprad Desai.

Sobhita Dhulipala on Tuesday shared an interesting update on the upcoming series Made in Heaven Season 2. Taking to Instagram, OTT platform Amazon Prime Video shared a video which they captioned, was it an accident? Yes do we wish it happened sooner? YESSS! #MadeInHeavenOnPrime S2, coming soon.In the video, Sobhita left fans buzzing with excitement as she spilled the beans on the highly anticipated return of the Amazon Original series. After the viral accidental live, lead actor Sobhita couldnt contain her excitement as she asked fans of the series to stay tuned. Confirming that Made in Heaven Season 2 is indeed coming back with a bang! Sobhita promised that an official announcement containing more thrilling details will be made on July 26.Soon after the makers dropped the video, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons.THE WAIT IS OVER FINALLY, a fan commented.Another fan wrote, OMGGG 4 year long wait is finally overrr!!!!Made in Heaven Season 1 garnered immense popularity and critical acclaim, captivating audiences with its compelling storytelling, nuanced characters, and thought-provoking themes.Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the official release date of the second season is still awaited.The show will stream on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video.'Made In Heaven' is a story of two wedding planners in Delhi, where tradition jostles with modern aspirations against the backdrop of big fat Indian weddings revealing many secrets and lies. Produced by Excel Entertainment, the show is created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti and is written along with Alankrita Shrivastava. Akhtar, Shrivastava, Nitya Mehra, and Prashant Nair were directors for the first season's nine episodes.Meanwhile, Shobhita recently garnered a lot of praise for her performance in the series The Night Manager in which she was seen alongside Aditya Roy Kapur and Anil Kapoor.

Akshay Oberoi is all set to reprise his captivating role as a lawyer in season 3 of the highly acclaimed court drama series Illegal.Taking to Instagram stories, Akshay shared a glimpse of the Illegal season 3 shoot.He posted a picture of his script and a view of rain outside.Sharing the picture, he wrote, Shoot Days. #Shootlife. #IllegalSeason3.Following the success of the first two seasons, Illegal is again back with the season 3 with its gripping narrative, stellar performances, and thought-provoking themes. The show explores the complexities of the Indian legal system while delving into the personal and professional lives of the characters involved.Akshay's portrayal of the son of a criminal lawyer in the series has garnered him wide critical acclaim, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating his return for the third instalment.Expressing his excitement about reprising the character, Akshay Oberoi stated in a statement, "I am thrilled to step into the shoes of my character once again and continue this exhilarating journey with 'Illegal.' The opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of the legal world and explore new dimensions of the character is incredibly fulfilling as an actor. I am looking forward to collaborating with the talented cast and crew in bringing the next chapter of this thrilling series to life."The third season of Illegal is set to be filmed in Delhi and Mumbai.The legal drama series also stars Neha Sharma, Piyush Mishra, and Satyadeep Mishra will return for another season.The show is directed by Sahir Raza and will stream on Voot Select.Apart from this, he will be seen as Air Force Pilot in 'Fighter', which is headlined by Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor.

Along with his dapper designer wear, Abhilash wrapped an Aipan motif stole created by Minakriti: The Aipan Project from Uttarakhand. The motif has Magpies that are believed to be birds of joy. He finished the look with a sword brooch that depicts the valour of our people. The attire was designed by Sarab Khanijo and styled by Amandeep Kaur.Sharing his experience, Abhilash said, "I am proud pahadi. It is a huge day in my life and I had to carry a slice of home with me. What can bring me closer to home than this Aipan motif? It is a sign of celebration for me. I am wearing an Aipan motif stole made by Minakriti: The Aipan Project from Uttarakhand., which hires local women to create this local art form. It is a big day and I wanted to carry a culture on the red carpet."Abhilash walked the red carpet for Anurag Kaahyap's 'Kennedy', which also stars Sunny Leone and Rahul Bhat in pivotal roles and is set for a world premiere at the Midnight Screening section of the festival.'Kennedy' is amongst the only two films from India this year to be the official selections at the festival this year.Professionally, Abhilash is a radio jockey, film actor and TV host. He was seen as a host on the 'World Kabaddi League' and was also seen in TVF's Aspirants', 'Blurr', and 'Faadu' among others.Cannes Film Festival 2023 started on May 16 and will conclude on May 27. Established in 1946, the festival serves as a platform for filmmakers to showcase their works and compete for prestigious awards, including the Palme d'Or, which is the highest prize awarded at the festival.

Abhilash Thapliyal is all set to travel to the French Riviera to make his Cannes Film Festival debut. Along with the cast of his next film 'Kennedy', Abhilash will walk the red carpet on May 22.While sharing his excitement about his Cannes debut, the 'Blurr' actor said, "Getting an opportunity to travel to the Cannes Film Festival is an absolute dream come true for me. Being an RJ before, I have spoken about it in my shows but going there with a film I have worked on is an absolute honour."He further expressed his gratitude towards Anurag Kashyap for coming up with such a project and making him part of the film."I am extremely thankful to Anurag Sir for making 'Kennedy', which is such a uniquely different film and making me part of it. I am looking forward to all the experiences that I am going to get and can't wait to see and witness people's reaction to the films screening at the festival," he added.The Anurag Kashyap-directed film will have its world premiere during the festival's Midnight Screening segment and it features Sunny Leone, Rahul Bhat, and Benedict Garrett in key roles. 'Kennedy' is amongst the only two films from India this year to be the official selections at the festival this year.Professionally, Abhilash is a radio jockey, film actor and TV host. He was seen as a host on the 'World Kabaddi League' and was also seen in TVF's Aspirants', 'Blurr', and 'Faadu' among others.

He also confessed in the note that he was a 'massive fan' of the footballing superstar and his hands were trembling at the beginnng of the shoot. He posted a number of images from the photoshoot, including a selfie with the Golden Ball winner at FIFA World Cup 2022, along with an emotional message.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rohan Shrestha (@rohanshrestha)He wrote, "It all began as a simple WhatsApp message that I got from my wonderful friend, @manasvi18 'Hey are you a Messi fan?' he asked. 'Man, I worship the ground he walks on.' 'okay so would you be interested in shooting him?' He asks as I promptly reply with 'I will give you my left nut.' So we're going to Paris! It happened just like that. The most incredible part of my year."Rohan added, "At the start of this shoot my hands were actually shaking and I was like, 'okay this is what it's like to be very very nervous. I was a ball of anxiety prior and had to call up my friends to calm me down. The shoot was so smooth and eventually Lionel Messi was told by his team that I was a MASSIVE fan and at the end of the shoot he came over and hugged me. Post shoot ngl many tears were shed. Thank you to @homyarpatel my assistant who held me together when I was feeling nervous."Rohan signed off with, "My pals questioned why I wasn't posting these photos, which were taken a month and a half ago. 'I'll watch him win the World Cup', you say. Recently, I had the good fortune to be present at the stadium to see Leo hoist the trophy. Sometimes we just have to be grateful for what life brings us since it was written in the stars."Rohan's industry friends flocked to the comment section shortly after he dropped the post on Instagram. Alia Bhatt and Ananya Panday dropped heart emoticons while Rashmika Mandanna wrote, "Rorooooo. so so soooooo happy for you...." Malaika Arora wrote, "Awesome !!!!!!" Ranveer Singh commented, "Living the dream!" Parineeti Chopra wrote, "Love this story! Lots of loveee Ro Ro."Aside from working with Messi, Rohan also teamed up with American actor and comedian Kevin Hart.