Entertainment
Deepika Padukone on Cannes: You either come here with a film or you slay on the red carpet

Any day that includes Pedro Almodovar and Deepika Paudkone has to be a good one. I sat down with Deepika just before a few hours before she left for the airport to return to Mumbai and Chhapaak. Her red carpet style has created quite the stir with Vogue USA and Variety giving it the thumbs up. “You either come here with a film,” she told me, “or you slay on the red carpet.” Or as Variety put it – you go big or you go home. Deepika also added that now that Cannes was done, she was already moving back into the character of Lakshmi, the acid-attack victim she plays in Chhapaak. When I asked her why she doesn’t bring Ranveer here (he seems to be custom-made for red carpets), she said he would be a better fit at the Met Gala. At Cannes, she would top him!
Pain and Glory is Almodovar’s 21st film. This semi-autobiographical film is a rumination on cinema, love, relationships, pain and the merciless passage of time. The wonderful Antonio Banderas plays a filmmaker Salvador Mallo who hasn’t created in a long time. The film moves between personal memories of his childhood and present day, when Salva is battling depression, back pain, a new fondness for heroin and loneliness. Pain and Glory is bittersweet. It’s aching but not hopeless. At one point, I found myself tearing up. It’s also visually stunning with lush colors and fluid transitions between memories, dreams and fantasy.

Another wonderful film I caught is Michael Covino’s The Climb, a buddy comedy like no other you’ve seen before. It begins with two friends bicycling – one is getting married, the other admits to sleeping with his fiancée and there starts a journey that travels over years through weddings, funerals, festivals, children. The Climb has wonderful performances, inventive writing that will make you laugh out loud and dazzling camerawork. In fact, I think a producer should buy the remake rights because, with a little bit of tweaking, it would make for a solid Hindi film!
I also participated in the Rocketman junket today. The film based on the life of Elton John got a standing ovation at Cannes. I spoke with Taron Egerton who plays Elton John, director Dexter Fletcher and actor Bryce Dallas Howard who plays Elton’s mother. After the interview finished, Dexter told me that years ago, he had watched Kal Ho Na Ho in Delhi and loved it. Dexter finished Bohemian Rhapsody and and now has put his singular vision into Rocketman – the song sequences (one has a touch of India) are spectacular!
I’m hoping tomorrow will be warmer – today everyone shuffled around in the cold and the rain. On the red carpet however, the weather was irrelevant. Women dazzled as always. That’s what I call a commitment to duty.
Entertainment
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s Dream Home Set to be Ready by December 2023: Reports

Alia Bhatt & Ranbir Kapoor | Image: Alia Bhatt (Instagram)
According to reports, Ranbir and Alia are planning to move into their new house either by December 2023 or January 2024, as the interior work has already begun. Etimes reports that a new boundary wall will be added soon and both Neetu and Alia have been visiting the site frequently to oversee the progress.
The bungalow, which was purchased by Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor in 1980, was intended to be converted into a high-rise building named after Rishi’s parents, KrishnaRaj. However, the work was delayed due to sanctions, and now the Kapoor family is expected to move into their dream home soon. The new house is said to have a pool, an office floor, and separate floors for Neetu Kapoor and RK-Alia.
Entertainment
The Elephant Whisperer: The Heartwarming Story of a Couple and Their Orphaned Elephant!

In a world where we are often disconnected from nature and the creatures that inhabit it, “The Elephant Whisperers” brings us closer to the heart of one of the most intelligent and majestic animals on earth – the elephant. This documentary, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2023, follows the story of Bomman and Belli, an indigenous couple who become the surrogate parents to an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu.
Set in the breathtakingly beautiful Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, India, the film takes us on a journey through the wilderness, showing us the natural beauty of the location and the life of the tribal people who live in harmony with nature. From the very beginning, we are captivated by the bond that develops between Bomman, Belli, and Raghu.
When Raghu is first found by the couple, he is a fragile, injured infant who is barely clinging to life. Bomman and Belli take on the responsibility of caring for him, nursing him back to health with love, patience, and a deep understanding of his needs. As the weeks go by, Raghu thrives under their care, becoming a healthy and mischievous juvenile who delights into playing with his human parents and exploring the forest around them.
The film captures the incredible intelligence and emotional depth of elephants, showing us how Raghu communicates with Bomman and Belli through a range of sounds and body language. We see how the couple responds to his needs, anticipating his every move and showering him with love and attention. The bond between them is truly heartwarming, and we can’t help but be moved by the way they care for Raghu.
But “The Elephant Whisperers” is more than just a story of a couple and their pet elephant. It is a celebration of the beauty and richness of the natural world, and a reminder of our duty to protect and preserve it. Through stunning cinematography and insightful commentary, the film shows us the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of living in harmony with the world around us.
The film also raises important questions about the conservation of elephants in India and the threats they face from habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict. It is a call to action for all of us to take responsibility for the welfare of these magnificent creatures and to work towards a future where they can thrive in their natural habitats.
“The Elephant Whisperers” is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. It is a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of the natural world, and of the incredible capacity for love and compassion that exists within us all. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch this incredible documentary – you won’t regret it!
Entertainment
Birthday Special: Take a look at Top 10 melodious tracks of KK

Krishnakumar Kunnath, famously known as KK, was among the best artists in the country. On May 31, the brilliant vocalist died following a cardiac arrest at his show in Kolkata. He was gifted with a disorderly yet smooth voice that will be recalled by his fans for a long time to come. On the event of his 54th birthday, have a look at his best 10 heartwarming tracks. <3
1. Aankhon Mein Teri Ajab Si.
2. Yaaro Dosti.
3. Tadap Tadap Ke.
4. Tu Aashiqui Hai.
5. Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai.
6. Khuda Jaane.
7. Zara Sa.
8. Dil Kyu Yeh Mera.
9. Hai Junoon.
10. Pyaar Ke Pal.
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