Bollywood watch: Dishoom star denies offending Sikh community

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan. Delores Johnson / The National
Powered by automated translation

Dishoom star Varun Dhawan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala denied suggestions the film offended India's Sikh community.

This comes after the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee wrote to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and makers of Dishoom, objecting to the use of a kirpan (small dagger) in a dance number. Both Dhawan and Nadiadwala stated the object in question was not a kirpan but an Arabic dagger. Dhawan went on to state that both he and his brother Rohit, the film's director, are Punjabi and would never do anything to hurt the Sikh community.

Udta Punjab leak invesition contunes

Addressing another controversy, a team from India's Information & Broadcasting Ministry visited the CBFC's Mumbai headquarters last week to probe Udta Punjab's online leak two days before its release. It was rumoured someone from the board had leaked the copy given for certification in an attempt to sabotage the film's sales. The ministry maintains the probe was simply to gather facts and no formal inquiry against the CBFC has been launched.

No Priyanka Chopra for Don 3

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra will not be seen in Don 3 opposite Shah Rukh Khan, despite being part in previous instalments.

According to a report in Deccan Chronicle neither Chopra, nor producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani were keen on having her play the part of Roma, a tough cop for part three.

Instead, Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez are being considered for Chopra's role. Sources close to Chopra have said the 33-year-old Quantico star is keen to focus on her Hollywood career.

artslife@thenational.ae