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Rashmika Mandanna Discusses ‘Chhaava’: “I Was Uncertain About How the Maharani Would Walk, Talk, or Act”

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Rashmika Mandanna, celebrated as one of Indian cinema’s most talented actresses, is venturing into new territory with her role in ‘Chhaava’, where she portrays Yesubai, the spouse of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The historical drama, helmed by director Laxman Utekar, features Vicky Kaushal in the title role and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb.

In an interview with ANI, Rashmika reflected on her experience of playing a real historical figure for the first time. Unlike her prior roles, where she has crafted characters from the ground up, this time she had the distinct challenge of embodying an already established persona.

“This is my first portrayal of someone from history,” Rashmika explained. “In my previous films, I built my characters, but with Yesubai, I was stepping into someone whose life was already defined. There is nothing of Rashmika in her.”

Taking on the role of a Maratha queen brought its own challenges. Rashmika admitted that she initially struggled to grasp how a royal figure from the past would behave. “We’ve read about these figures, but we’ve never truly seen them. How would the Maharani walk, speak, or express her feelings? I had to figure all that out,” she noted. To authentically portray Yesubai, she leaned heavily on her director’s guidance.

“Laxman sir provided invaluable direction,” she shared. “I surrendered completely to his vision. The costumes, the jewelry, the set—it was all crafted to help me immerse myself into the character of Yesubai.”

Another hurdle Rashmika faced was delivering her lines in Hindi for ‘Chhaava’. Being from Coorg in South India, Hindi isn’t her native tongue.

Also Read: Most intense portrayals of Aurangzeb on screen – From Om Puri to Akshaye Khanna

“I had to put in significant effort to master my dialogues,” she confessed. “I view myself as a blank canvas, ready to adapt to the director’s vision.” This transformation was not solely linguistic; it was also physical. Donning intricate sarees and heavy jewelry every day added to the challenge. “There were no pre-draped sarees,” she laughed. “Every morning, I had to drape it from scratch. And if you needed a bathroom break, it was quite the ordeal to remove everything!”

Despite the physical demands, Rashmika felt every moment was worth it. “We aimed for authenticity, so we even used real gold jewelry. It was heavy, but it enriched the character’s portrayal.”

While ‘Chhaava’ lacks traditional dance sequences, its music is vital in establishing the film’s atmosphere. The score has been composed by the Academy Award-winning AR Rahman. Set against the backdrop of the Maratha Empire, the film delves into the reign and challenges faced by Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

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Get Ready for the Laughter! ‘Housefull 5’ Trailer Set to Release on THIS Date

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Exciting news! The trailer for the much-awaited comedy adventure, **‘Housefull 5’,** is set to be released on **May 27.** Following a captivating teaser and hit songs like **‘Laal Pari’** and **‘Dil-E-Nadaan,’** the film is scheduled to hit theaters on **June 6.**

According to a report from Bollywood Hungama, a source revealed some intriguing details about the promotional strategy. “The makers have devised a well-thought-out promotional plan, kicking off a final push ten days before the film’s debut. The trailer will be unveiled on Tuesday, May 27, during a grand event featuring all 19 lead actors. This star-studded occasion promises to be a pivotal moment in the movie’s promotional journey.”

While some have raised concerns about the proximity of the trailer release to the film’s launch, the source affirmed that **Sajid Nadiadwala** has his tactics in place. “The teaser and songs have successfully generated buzz. The teaser hinted at a glamorous cruise setting and teased a chaotic narrative after a murder at sea. The two tracks, **‘Laal Pari’** and **‘Dil E Nadaan’,** showcased the film’s extravagant production values and musical charm. Now, the trailer will reveal what the franchise is renowned for: its rib-tickling comedy.”

After the trailer drops, the promotional efforts will ramp up significantly. “From May 27 onwards, expect relentless promotion. A full-blown **Housefull** mania will take over various platforms. This franchise is the only one in Bollywood to reach its fifth installment, and the entire cast and crew are eager and optimistic about its success.”

Leading the way in **‘Housefull 5’** are **Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh,** and **Abhishek Bachchan,** alongside **Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar,** and **Chitrangada Singh.** Additional talents such as **Fardeen Khan, Chunky Pandey, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Dino Morea, Ranjeet, Soundarya Sharma, Nikitin Dheer,** and **Akashdeep Sabir** round out the cast.

The first **‘Housefull’** film, directed by **Sajid Khan**, released in 2010, followed by its sequel two years later. The third installment released in 2016 under **Sajid Samji** and **Farhad Samji**, with **‘Housefull 4’** coming out in 2019. Now, **Tarun Mansukhani** is taking the helm for **‘Housefull 5,’** while **Sajid Nadiadwala** continues to produce the franchise.

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Trade Talk: Kesari Veer Falters at the Box Office, While Bhool Chuk Maaf Debuts Strongly

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According to three cinema managers I spoke with this morning, “Bhool Chuk Maaf” is poised to be the season’s standout film. Kumar Abhishek, the cinema manager at Connplex Patna, expressed, “The film is incredibly funny and entertaining. Why did producer Dinesh Vijan choose to pull it from theaters and opt for an OTT release? If leading producers lack confidence in their quality projects, how will the theater industry endure? I’m relieved they’ve changed their mind. This movie will do exceptionally well. The word of mouth is strong, and morning shows received a positive response. We expect ticket sales to rise throughout the day.”

As anticipated, the response to the other two releases, “Kapkapiii” and “Veer Kesari,” has been nearly nonexistent. These films received minimal screenings in multiplexes and have mostly opened to empty theaters.

An unnamed cinema manager from a multiplex in Delhi sadly referred to the two films as non-starters. “They are DOA (dead on arrival). ‘Kapkapiii’ attempts a horror-comedy mix, but it doesn’t compare to ‘Stree.’ The jokes aren’t even funny. As for ‘Veer Kesari,’ simply vilifying one community isn’t enough. The acting is subpar, and the special effects for a war film are remarkably cheap. Today’s audiences are accustomed to the Marvel universe.”

It seems there’s a clear path for “Bhool Chuk Maaf,” marking yet another hit for Rajkummar Rao.

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Kajol Visits Dakshineswar Temple and Applauds Operation Sindoor

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Bollywood actress Kajol visited the historic Dakshineswar Bhavatarini Temple on the outskirts of Kolkata on Thursday, where she praised the Indian government’s recent counter-terrorism operation in Kashmir following a militant attack that resulted in the deaths of tourists in Pahalgam.

Currently in Kolkata for the filming of her upcoming movie, *Maa*, Kajol referred to the central government’s response, dubbed Operation Sindoor, as “bold and timely.” She expressed her admiration for the Indian Army, stating, “I salute our soldiers. This is a courageous and necessary action. Terrorists deserve only one punishment — death.”

At the 19th-century temple, constructed in 1855 by philanthropist Rani Rashmoni, Kajol offered prayers, describing her visit as both spiritual and symbolic. She extended her condolences to the families impacted by the Kashmir attack and prayed for the well-being of all Indians. “Maa Bhavatarini and Thakur Ramakrishna have always been significant to me spiritually. It has long been my desire to tread this sacred ground,” she shared, expressing her hopes for peace and prosperity in her family and career.

* Maa,* set to be released later this year, explores spiritual and supernatural themes, with Kajol describing her role as “unique” in her career.

The Dakshineswar temple, situated on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, is a prominent religious site in eastern India, often visited by artists and celebrities seeking blessings for significant career milestones. Kajol’s visit has resonated with fans, emphasizing her deep-rooted cultural values and spiritual connection, especially ahead of a film focused on metaphysical themes.

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