Entertainment

Rani Mukerji as she completes 27 years in Bollywood

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2023

Staff Reporter

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 18 (ANI): Actor Rani Mukerji completed 27 years in the Hindi film industry on Wednesday.

The actor had made her Bollywood debut in the film ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat.’Ecstatic about her journey, Rani said, “27 years have passed and it doesn’t feel like 27 years for sure! Looking back at the moment right now, I feel that I have just debuted in a film a few years back! I’m still as hungry as I was in my first film. Just to think of Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, my first film and what I learnt in that film, is something that I will never forget. What I didn’t realise as a newcomer then, was the magical world of cinema that I was getting into because I wasn’t the regular wide-eyed person who wanted to join cinema. It was something more like I was asked to do, told to do. So I got into it, and I did not understand much.”She added, “Today when I look back, I’m not sure if I had not been an actor, what I would have been. I did have certain other professions in mind that I wanted to chase, like being an interior designer but I don’t think I would have gotten this kind of love that I have gotten for the last 27 years from people around the world, who are my fans, who obviously have admired my work and given me so much of strength and courage through the years. I have organically made a family, beyond my own family, which I think is very precious to me. Our fans don’t normally realise this but the adrenaline rush that we get when we see the love that they have for us, makes us strive harder.”Rani fondly remembered the day when Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat was released and said, “18th October 1996, when Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat released, my family and I were going through a lot then. It also takes me back to the fact that my father was having a very important heart surgery at that time and I remember him going to the theatre to watch my first film in Gaiety Galaxy. On his way back he got discharged! I remember him weeping like a child in happiness after seeing the love I received from the audience when they clapped and whistled at my dialogues! That memory is something that will never leave me ever! His enthusiasm his pride and his love for me are beyond what I can explain verbally!!. Finally, his daughter became a movie star something that he never would have imagined for me.”She further added, “When you go back 27 years, there are things that have happened that keep flashing in front of your eyes and obviously I thank Salim’s uncle, Ashok Gaikwad, Shadaab Khan, my co-star Divya Dutta, Saeed Jaffrey, Asrani Ji, Gulshan Grover, Raza Murad, Mohnish Behl and so many people from the film. My DOP Anwar Siraz, the choreographers then – Nimish Bhatt, Rekha Chinni Prakash, Chinni Prakash, people who I remember from that time, were really kind to me and it felt like a family on set.”On a concluding note, Rani said, “I have to thank the audience for accepting me with my first film and giving me so much affection. For a young artiste, the love from the audience means everything to me and I was blessed to get that. I have to also thank the critics who appreciated my work in my first film! Critics shape my perception towards a film or an actor and they were also instrumental towards boosting my confidence towards my craft. The combination of validation that I got from the audience and critics made me really happy as it told me to chase my dreams with even more conviction! I am really grateful for this journey that I have had and I am extremely happy and proud that I have been at it for the last 27 years! It makes me even more excited to think what my next 27 years are going to be in cinema!”Meanwhile, Rani has received numerous awards, including seven Filmfare Awards. Mukerji’s first financial triumph came with the action picture ‘Ghulam,’ followed by her breakthrough with the romance ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.’ Mukerji rose to prominence by appearing in commercially popular romance films such as ‘Chalte Chalte,’ ‘Hum Tum,’ ‘Veer-Zaara,’ and ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,’ as well as the comedy film ‘Bunty Aur Babli.’Rani was last seen in ‘Mrs. Chatterjee VS Norway’ and was lauded for her performance. Directed by Ashima Chibber, ‘Mrs. Chatterjee VS Norway’ talks about the life of an immigrant mother who fights against all odds to win back the custody of her children. Neena Gupta, Jim Sarbh and Bengali actor Anirban Bhattacharya played pivotal roles in the movie. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

Published

1 week ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

Announcements

Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

4 months ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.