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Akshay Kumar Describes Portraying Shiva in ‘Kannappa’ as a “Divine Coincidence,” Echoing His Father’s Legacy

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Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar is set to embrace the role of Lord Shiva once more in the upcoming Telugu movie ‘Kannappa’. This film marks his debut in Telugu cinema, adding yet another achievement to his impressive career. The announcement was made at a grand event in Mumbai, where the teaser for the film was unveiled.Akshay, renowned for his versatile performances, expressed his gratitude for the chance to portray such venerated characters. “I feel extremely fortunate to have taken on divine roles in my career. After embodying Lord Krishna in ‘OMG! Oh My God’ (2012) and Lord Shiva in ‘OMG 2’ (2023), getting another opportunity to play Shiv ji in ‘Kannappa’ feels like an extraordinary blessing,” he stated.

The connection between Akshay and Lord Shiva runs deeper than his roles in films. He fondly reminisced about how his late father had a brief role as Lord Shiva. “When my father was stationed in Mumbai, he was approached to act in a small part. Being a tall man with a wrestler’s physique, he was surprisingly asked to dress as Lord Shiva for a few moments on screen. It seems like destiny that I am following in his footsteps,” Akshay reflected.

Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, ‘Kannappa’ draws inspiration from the legendary tale of Kannappa, a devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva known for his steadfast faith and sacrifice. The film is set to release worldwide on April 25, 2025, merging mythology with contemporary cinematic techniques.

The teaser poster, released on Akshay’s 57th birthday in September 2024, created quite a buzz even without revealing his face. The recent teaser launch has only intensified the anticipation among fans. Actor-producer Vishnu Manchu, who plays the lead role, praised Akshay as “a wonderful human being” and emphasized his commitment to the project.

Interestingly, Akshay initially declined the role twice. He explained, “At that time, I didn’t know Vishnu personally. The offer came through someone else, and I was unsure of its authenticity. It was only later, thanks to Sudha ma’am, that I recognized the sincerity behind the project. Vishnu’s steadfast belief in me ultimately convinced me to accept the role.”

Vishnu Manchu, who has a profound spiritual connection to the story, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “This film goes beyond being just another project; it’s a personal journey for me. I have been visiting Jyotirlingas across India, and the story of Kannappa resonates with me deeply. It’s a narrative of faith and devotion that transcends cultures, and it’s a tremendous honor to have icons like Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Prabhas join us.”

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Deepika Padukone Exits Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’ Amidst Controversial Demands?

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The collaboration between Prabhas, the star of ‘Baahubali,’ and ‘Animal’ director Sandeep Vanga Reddy is generating considerable buzz. Following the success of their recent projects, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ and ‘Animal,’ anticipation is building for their upcoming film, ‘Spirit.’ Earlier reports indicated that Deepika Padukone would star in the lead role of this cop drama, but recent updates reveal that she is no longer attached to the film.

Reports suggest that Deepika Padukone was dropped from ‘Spirit’ due to “unprofessional demands” and disagreements over compensation. A source informed Bollywood Hungama that Sandeep Reddy Vanga was surprised when Deepika refused to commit to shooting more than 6 hours a day. Additionally, her agency reportedly sought an amendment to the contract stipulating that if shooting exceeded 100 days, she would require extra payment for each additional day.

Following these developments, the production team is now seeking a replacement, which may delay the film’s production plans.

Previously, Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared insights about ‘Spirit’ during the pre-release event of the Telugu film ‘Pottel.’ When asked to reveal an intriguing detail about the Prabhas-led project, he wrote ‘Police Story’ on a chalkboard.

Moreover, there have been reports that South Korean actor Ma Dong-Seok, known for his roles in ‘Train to Busan’ and Marvel’s ‘Eternals,’ may join the cast as an antagonist, potentially making ‘Spirit’ a Pan-Asian production. The film is also expected to feature Korean stunt choreographers, promising intense action sequences.

Produced by T-Series and directed by Sandeep Vanga, ‘Spirit’ is set for a multilingual release, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Fans are eager for the filmmaker to reveal the full cast details soon.

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Game of Thrones Star Sophie Turner Showcases Her Bartending Skills in New Video

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Sophie Turner, renowned for her role in ‘Game of Thrones’, is eagerly anticipating a special visitor. The 29-year-old actress recently appeared in a rom-com-inspired video urging viewers to “sip Into something fresher.”

The short film opens with Turner lounging under an umbrella in the South of France, where she gets distracted by a flurry of text messages on her phone, according to ‘People’ magazine.

“On my way. Can’t wait to see you,” reads one message, punctuated by a red heart. With a smile, Turner announces, “He’s on his way,” as she adjusts her sunglasses. “Don’t worry, I’m fully prepared,” she reassures the audience.

As noted by ‘People’, the video transitions to Turner in a kitchen, playfully tossing a lime in the air and catching it. However, she quickly clarifies, “Oh, you didn’t think I was going to cook, did you?” before opting to call for delivery instead, requesting “something fresh and fast.”

Next, she opens a bottle from the liquor brand and pours it into a glass. After perfectly arranging takeout on plates, she turns to the camera and requests, “Let’s keep this between us,” just before the doorbell rings. “Showtime!” she adds.

Turner, who showcases her cocktail-making skills in a how-to video, shared her excitement about partnering with the brand: “I’m thrilled to continue my collaboration with a brand that reflects my philosophy of enjoying the lighter side of life and makes me look good behind the bar.”

She added, “I’m excited to show off my bartending skills in this summer’s sequel. While I may not be a chef, I’ve discovered my signature drink!”

Last year, Turner also starred in another short film for the brand, set in the picturesque South of France.

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Suniel Shetty Confirms Athiya Shetty’s Departure from Bollywood

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Athiya Shetty has chosen to step away from the film industry. Recently, her father, actor Suniel Shetty, shared insights about her decision during an interview with Zoom. Athiya’s choice stems from deeply personal reasons, touching on a new and beautiful chapter in her life.

Suniel revealed that although offers continued to come in after her last project, *Motichoor Chaknachoor*, Athiya made a definitive decision to leave acting behind. “She simply said, ‘Baba, I don’t want to,’ and walked away. I truly admire her for that,” he shared. “She expressed that she was content with her current situation and had no interest in continuing.”

Now 32, Athiya has found joy in motherhood, a role she cherishes. Suniel expressed pride, stating, “She’s playing the best role of her life right now—being a mom. It’s the greatest experience she could embark on, and she’s embracing every moment.”

For those who have followed her journey, Athiya made her film debut in 2015 with *Hero*, produced by Salman Khan. While the film garnered attention, she kept a relatively low profile. She returned to the screen in 2017 with the comedy *Mubarakan*, and concluded her film career (for now) with *Motichoor Chaknachoor* in 2019, alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Since leaving the limelight, Athiya has gained attention for her personal life rather than her career. In January 2023, she married Indian cricketer KL Rahul in a private yet celebrated ceremony. This year, they welcomed their daughter, Evaarah, on March 24. Recently, KL Rahul melted hearts on Instagram with an adorable photo of himself and Athiya enjoying time with their newborn, sharing the special meaning behind his daughter’s name: “Our baby girl, our everything. Evaarah/इवारा ~ Gift of God.”

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