Lenny Kravitz: A Timeless Rock Royalty with Soul

Lenny Kravitz. The name itself evokes a powerful image: a bandana-clad rock god with a soaring falsetto and a penchant for genre-bending music. But Lenny Kravitz is much more than just a charismatic frontman. He's a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and actor who has carved a unique path in the music industry for over three decades.

Born in New York City in 1964, Lenny Kravitz was exposed to the world of entertainment from a young age. His father, Sy Kravitz, was a television news producer, while his mother, Roxie Roker, was a celebrated actress on the sitcom "The Jeffersons." This diverse upbringing fueled a passion for music in young Lenny, who spent his childhood immersed in a wide range of genres, from soul and R&B to rock and funk.

From Early Struggles to Explosive Debut: The Making of a Rock Star

Kravitz's musical journey wasn't without its challenges. He faced difficulties securing a record deal due to his unwillingness to conform to a specific genre. Record labels struggled to categorize him – was he rock? Soul? Funk? In Lenny Kravitz, they saw a blend of influences that defied easy classification. But Kravitz remained true to his vision, refusing to compromise his artistic integrity.

His persistence paid off in 1989 with the release of his debut album, "Let Love Rule." The album showcased Kravitz's musical versatility, seamlessly blending rock, funk, and soul into a sound that was both fresh and familiar. While it wasn't a massive commercial success initially, "Let Love Rule" laid the foundation for a phenomenal career.

Hitting the Mainstream: Kravitz's Reign on the Charts

The early 1990s saw Lenny Kravitz ascend to rock royalty status.  His 1991 album, "Mama Said," cracked the Billboard Top 40, propelled by the hit singles "Can't Get Away from You" and "Just Let Go."  But it was 1993's "Are You Gonna Go My Way" that truly cemented his place in the music stratosphere.

The album's title track became an anthem, its infectious riff and Kravitz's powerful vocals resonating with audiences worldwide. "Are You Gonna Go My Way" dominated MTV, secured Kravitz his first Grammy Award, and solidified his image as a charismatic rock icon.

Beyond the Music: Kravitz's Creative Explorations

Lenny Kravitz's talents extend far beyond the realm of music. He's a skilled multi-instrumentalist, adept at playing guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and even percussion. This versatility allows him to create his music with a unique sonic depth, playing most of the instruments on his recordings.

Kravitz has also ventured into acting, appearing in films like "Precious" and "The Hunger Games." He even designed the iconic costume for his electrifying performance at the 2014 Super Bowl halftime show.  These forays into different creative avenues showcase Kravitz's boundless artistic spirit.

Kravitz's Enduring Influence: A Legacy of Innovation and Authenticity

Today, Lenny Kravitz remains a respected and influential figure in the music industry.  His music continues to inspire generations of artists, with his influence evident in the works of contemporary stars like The Weeknd and Bruno Mars.

Kravitz's unwavering commitment to artistic integrity is a valuable lesson for aspiring musicians. He has never been afraid to push boundaries and experiment with different sounds, carving his own path in the ever-evolving world of music.

Still Going Strong: A Look at Kravitz's Recent Work

Despite having achieved legendary status, Lenny Kravitz shows no signs of slowing down.  In 2014, he released his critically acclaimed album "Black and White America," a powerful exploration of race and social issues in America.  He continues to tour extensively, captivating audiences with his electrifying live shows.

Most recently, Kravitz made headlines for his stunning performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards, reminding everyone of his undeniable talent and enduring stage presence.

Lenny Kravitz is more than just a rock star; he's a true musical innovator and a creative force.  His dedication to his craft, his willingness to experiment, and his unwavering authenticity have earned him a place among music's elite.  As long as Lenny Kravitz keeps creating, music fans around the world will be eager to listen

Jedward Hit Back After Louis Walsh's "Vile" Comments on Celebrity Big Brother: A Tale of Pop Past and Present

Jedward Hit Back After Louis Walsh's "Vile" Comments on Celebrity Big Brother: A Tale of Pop Past and Present

Hold onto your spiky haircuts, folks, because Jedward is back in the headlines! This time, it's not for a new single or a viral social media moment, but for a fiery exchange with their former X Factor mentor, Louis Walsh.  On the latest season of Celebrity Big Brother, Walsh caused a stir by calling Jedward "vile" while chatting with another housemate.  Naturally, Jedward themselves weren't going to take that lying down.

For those unfamiliar with the Jedward phenomenon, let's rewind a bit. John and Edward Grimes, better known as Jedward, shot to fame on The X Factor in 2009.  Their flamboyant style, enthusiastic performances, and, ahem, "unique" vocals divided audiences.  They were the ultimate marmite act – you either loved them or loathed them.  Despite (or perhaps because of) their divisive nature, Jedward became a pop culture sensation.

Back to the present situation. While appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Louis Walsh, the music manager who once guided Jedward on The X Factor, made some less-than-complimentary remarks.  He reportedly described them as "vile" while acknowledging that they made him a significant amount of money.  Ouch.  This comment, unsurprisingly, didn't go unnoticed by the ever-watchful Jedward.

Taking to social media, the twins launched a spirited defence.  They refuted Walsh's claims, calling him "an absolute weirdo with bad intentions for all" and accusing him of trying to make them sign "dodgy contracts."  Ouch, again!  Jedward also pointed out that several other artists who worked with Walsh haven't exactly sung his praises.  Ouch, a third time!

The situation quickly gained traction online, with fans rallying behind Jedward.  Many praised them for standing up for themselves, while others reminisced about their X Factor days.  Even reality TV star Gemma Collins, a friend of Jedward, weighed in, calling them "the nicest sweetest, talented, well-mannered, generous boys."

This whole kerfuffle has reignited interest in Jedward.  It's a reminder that despite fading from the mainstream spotlight in recent years, they remain a potent force with a loyal fanbase.  Their willingness to speak their minds, whether it's on social media or a reality TV show, continues to generate headlines.

But beyond the drama, what does this episode tell us about Jedward and their place in the pop landscape?  Firstly, it highlights their enduring appeal.  Their journey from X Factor oddities to pop culture icons is a testament to their perseverance and self-belief.  They carved their own niche in the industry, proving that success doesn't have to follow a conventional path.

Secondly, it underscores the power of social media.  In an age of carefully curated online personas, Jedward's authenticity is refreshing.  They're not afraid to be themselves, even if it means ruffling feathers.  This genuineness resonates with a younger generation discovering Jedward for the first time, particularly on platforms like TikTok where their quirky humour finds a new audience.

So, what's next for Jedward?  Who knows!  One thing's for sure, though: they're not going anywhere.  They'll continue to make music, speak their minds, and entertain us with their unique brand of pop culture mayhem.  Love them or hate them, Jedward are a force to be reckoned with, and their recent exchange with Louis Walsh proves that they're still as relevant and entertaining as ever.

Barcelona vs Napoli 2024: A Clash of Titans

Arsenal 2024 Rebuilding and Revival Underway

 Arsenal 2024 Rebuilding and Revival Underway

As the curtains rise on the footballing landscape of 2024, one name stands synonymous with resilience, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence - Arsenal. The historic North London club, renowned for its rich heritage and fervent fanbase, finds itself at a crucial juncture in its storied history. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent, Arsenal embarks on a journey of rejuvenation and revival, aiming to reclaim its past glories while forging a path towards a brighter future.

Is Aaron Jones a Fantasy Football Dud in 2024?

Is Aaron Jones a Fantasy Football Dud in 2024?

Hey Fantasy Fam! Let's talk about Aaron Jones. Dude's been a fantasy beast for years, but with the rookie AJ Dillon rumbling in the Green Bay backfield, is Jones' reign over?

The Backfield Shuffle

AJ Dillon's a monster. His bruising runs are stealing carries from Jones, potentially limiting his fantasy points. But Jones still brings the pass-catching magic and open-field jukes we love.

Number Crunching

Last year, Jones averaged a decent 15.4 fantasy points per game. Not bad, but not his peak. Projecting 2024 is tricky. Fewer touches from Dillon could mean fewer points for Jones.

So, Start Jones or Toss Those Jerseys?

Jones is a baller, but his fantasy value is shakier than before. Don't draft him super early. Here's the game plan:

• Draft Smart: Keep Jones on your radar, but target him mid-round or later.
• Preseason Watch Party: Pay attention to how the Packers use their backs. Who gets the carries? Who catches passes?
• Mid-Round Magic: If Jones ends up catching passes alongside Dillon, he could be a valuable flex option.

Alternative Plays

• Dillon the Destroyer: AJ Dillon might be the safer bet for consistent carries.
• Zero-RB Revolution: Consider a "zero-RB" strategy, grabbing studs at WR and TE early. Then, snag some running backs later when the picture clears up.

The Takeaway

Jones is still a weapon, but with the backfield situation, approach him with caution. Watch training camp and early games before making him your fantasy cornerstone. Stay frosty!

Bucks Buck Back After Close Call Against Clippers

 

The Milwaukee Bucks bounced back from a recent two-game skid with a hard-fought 124-117 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge with a dominant 31-point performance, showcasing his signature power and athleticism.

The game was a nail-biter throughout, with both teams trading baskets and neither side leading by more than ten points. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday provided crucial support for Giannis, combining for 45 points to keep the Bucks offense humming. The Bucks' defense also stepped up in the closing minutes, forcing key turnovers and contesting shots to secure the win.

This victory is a much-needed confidence booster for the Bucks, who are currently battling for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They showed their resilience against a tough Clippers team, overcoming a late surge from Damian Lillard to secure the win.

Looking ahead, the Bucks have a busy week with three games in five days. They'll face off against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday before returning home for a weekend back-to-back against the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.

Here are some key takeaways from the Bucks' win:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a force: The "Greek Freak" continues to be a dominant presence on both ends of the court. His ability to score at will and disrupt opposing offenses is a major reason for the Bucks' success.
• Balanced scoring attack: The Bucks aren't a one-man show. Middleton and Holiday provide consistent scoring threats, making it difficult for defenses to focus solely on Giannis.
• Defense wins championships: While the Bucks' offense is impressive, their ability to get stops down the stretch was crucial in securing the win.

With a crucial stretch of games ahead, the Bucks will need to continue playing with this level of intensity and focus. If they can do so, they'll be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

Unveiling the Unseen Threat Beneath Yellowstone: A Closer Look at the Supervolcano

 Yellowstone National Park is more than just a picturesque landscape; it's a geological marvel sitting atop a colossal supervolcano. Beneath its surface lies a massive magma chamber, housing enough magma to fill the Grand Canyon eleven times over. This underground powerhouse is responsible for Yellowstone's famed geysers and hot springs, but it also poses a potential threat, as the supervolcano is classified as active with a volcanic explosivity index of 8 out of 8, signifying its catastrophic potential.

In recent years, researchers have made alarming discoveries about Yellowstone's magma chambers, uncovering previously unknown reservoirs that contribute to the immense pressure building beneath the park. This pressure causes the land to rise incrementally each year, highlighting the dynamic nature of the supervolcano.

Despite occasional seismic activity, including earthquake swarms like the one recorded in March 2023, experts reassure that Yellowstone's current state is stable. Michael Poland, a geophysicist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, asserts that conditions necessary for an eruption—such as sufficient magma and pressure—are not present.

However, vigilance remains essential as scientists monitor various indicators for potential eruptions, including seismic activity, ground deformation, and changes in thermal features. While media speculation may sensationalize the possibility of an imminent eruption due to Yellowstone's past history, experts emphasize that volcanoes operate on their own timelines and cannot be predicted with certainty.

To understand the potential consequences of a Yellowstone super eruption, one must look back at history. Past eruptions, such as the Lava Creek eruption, unleashed colossal amounts of volcanic ash and debris, devastating landscapes and altering global climate patterns for years. The aftermath of such an event would be catastrophic, with widespread ashfall affecting vast regions and disrupting ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure.

The process leading to a super eruption is complex and gradual, marked by warning signs like increased seismic activity, ground uplift, and thermal anomalies. These precursors, though subtle, signify the underlying forces at play and highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and research efforts.

While the prospect of a Yellowstone eruption may seem daunting, it's crucial to acknowledge the scientific understanding and preparedness measures in place to mitigate potential risks. By staying informed and proactive, we can better appreciate the geological wonders of Yellowstone while respecting the power and unpredictability of nature.

As we navigate the uncertainties of our world, let's remain vigilant, informed, and prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.

America isn’t cool anymore. Just ask the French

 

America still has tremendous influence globally — though not necessarily in the way it wants. Until not long ago, plenty of places in the world wanted to model themselves after America. But after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade almost two years ago, America has, for some nations, become a model … of what not to do.

As one French senator, Laurence Rossignol told Le Monde, the Roe v. Wade decision was “an electric shock.” Rossignol, who is also vice president of the women’s rights delegation of the senate, added, “From then on, the fight for the constitutionalization of abortion was no longer a matter for underground militant feminist groups.”

Yesterday, by pure coincidence, I had a gynecological appointment in Paris (where I live much of the time), just as French legislators were in the process of making France the first country in the world to include abortion rights in their constitution, with a vote of 780–72 in favor.

Given the doctor’s profession, I assumed she’d have nothing else on her mind all day but the vote. I asked her excitedly in French, “What do you think about the abortion rights thing?”

“C’est fou, hein?” she said. (It’s crazy, yeah?) It sure is, I said. But it turned out we were not talking about the same thing. At all. She continued, “Trump, he wants to reverse abortion rights. Unbelievable.”

“Oh!” I said, “I meant about how France is writing abortion rights into the Constitution.”

“Oh that?” she said, less excitedly. “To me, that’s just normal. This is just how it should be. I thought you were talking about America.” She shook her head. “When I was young, it was my dream to immigrate to America. Now? Not so much.”

If that conversation isn’t an indication of how tarnished America’s image has become overseas, I don’t know what is.

From its inception, the US Constitution was the admiration of the world. The French statesman Alexis De Tocqueville extolled it in his seminal 1835 and 1840 tomes, “Democracy in America.” Countries as far-flung as post-Spanish-American War Spain, pre-Communist China and some post-colonial African republics modeled their governments at least partly after the US Constitution.

And it wasn’t that one document that was an object of wonder. For much of the 20th century, after America “saved” the world from fascism and communism, the nation became the gold standard for what an enlightened modern democracy should be. It was envied and emulated not just for its pop music and cigarettes and inimitable coolness, but also its political openness and progressiveness.

When Barack Obama was elected US president in 2008, my French friends and colleagues were full of awe and envy. As my deskmate put it bitterly, “You guys have a Black president. France will never have a Black president.”

When the #MeToo movement launched in the US, French women found the courage to launch their own #MeToo movement. When George Floyd was killed by Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020, the French took inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement and had their own protests in solidarity with their American counterparts.

When it comes to women’s rights, though, all bets are off. On the one hand, France didn’t legalize abortion until 1975 — years after the US. On the other hand, French women were allowed to open their own checking accounts in 1965 — horrific until you realize that their American counterparts were not granted that right until 1974.

All bets are off when it comes to the Constitution, as well. The proceedings yesterday took place at the palace of Versailles and included members of both the lower and upper houses of Parliament — as is the custom for constitutional votes.

Since 1958 — the beginning of the Fifth and current republic — this unified Congrès has voted on constitutional changes 24 times, with 21 of those changes being approved and added to the French Constitution. The US has had more changes — 27, per the White House — but that’s covering the entire history of the Constitution, i.e. well over two centuries.

I wish I could take the high road and say it’s not a competition, except for the innumerable times I’ve heard Americans describe their Constitution as a “living, breathing thing.” Well, maybe, to a degree; but it’s certainly more intransigent than people want to believe.

The vote Monday, which was televised live, was intensely moving. Rossignol was responsible for the most-quoted statement of the day: “Liberté, égalité, fraternité. Et vous m’autoriserez à ajouter, sororité.” That is: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity; and today, you have permitted me to add, Sorority.”

Claude Malhuret, a senator, doctor and former head of Médecins sans frontières (Doctors Without Borders), “grabbed everyone by their gut,” in the words of the news site Publicsenat.fr, when he related an event that forever changed him. When he was a young doctor, two police officers dragged a teenage girl before him to determine whether she was guilty of infanticide; in fact, she’d had a botched abortion.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said, “We have a moral debt” to all women who “have experienced suffering of the flesh” at the hand of illegal abortions. Early Monday evening he posted on X (formerly Twitter), “As a man, I will never know the physical suffering of indescribable pain and fatal risks when abortion was synonymous with secret shame.”

Even the Eiffel Tower bore giant, lit-up phrases: #MonCorpsMonChoix — my body, my choice; “#abortolegal.”

I tried to imagine what a similar proceeding would look like in the US, and I can’t. It stretches credulity so much that if I think about it further, my brain will explode.

I cannot imagine the nation’s most emblematic monument bearing a pro-choice slogan that was mounted by public officials and not an activist group.

I cannot imagine a doctor-turned-politician openly discussing a specific abortion in such detail, especially the bit about the girl’s neighbor discovering “the cadaver of a newborn.”

Most of all, I cannot imagine any male US senator, let alone the equivalent of a prime minister, admitting that as a man he has no concept of female suffering.

France still has its problems with sexism and misogyny, more than I could fit into a column. But compared to today’s America, France looks like the version of a feminist utopia that could only be dreamed of by Greta Gerwig’s Barbie universe.

For many women, social media is ‘IRL.’ Here’s why that’s dangerous

 

When scholar Kaitlyn Regehr’s team set up accounts and searched for information commonly sought out by young men in the UK, such as information on loneliness, mental health and fitness, the amount of misogynistic content suggested on TikTok’s “For You” page quadrupled over just five days. In response to the report, TikTok told The Guardian that “misogyny has long been prohibited on TikTok and we proactively detect 93% of content we remove for breaking our rules on hate. The methodology used in this report does not reflect how real people experience TikTok.”

“Extremist misogyny that was once really segregated to … [less mainstream] platforms is now disseminating onto much more popular platforms like TikTok and permeating into youth culture more generally,” Regehr, an associate professor at University College London who studies online extremist groups, told me. A few years ago, it would have been considered shocking to post on mainstream social networks about a woman’s anatomy being disfigured after violent sex, Regehr pointed out. Now, “we’re moving into this new act where that type of dark edgy humor is not that shocking, and that is unique compared to other forms of extremism.”

This kind of content started out in the so-called “manosphere,” where many men came together to share their hatred towards and grievances against women. Social media provided a space for them to find one another and commune, making their beliefs even more extreme. Over the past several years, these views have spread onto more mainstream platforms.

Friday is International Women’s Day. This year, women are, in many ways, less safe and have fewer rights and resources than we did just a few years ago. It’s not just that progress has stalled — we’re going backwards. As I argue in my new book, “Over the Influence,” there are many reasons for this, but one we need to start to contend with is how the violence and abuse directed at women on social networks is making the offline world more dangerous for us.

For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, released last year, found that the percentage of US high school girls who said they’d been forced to have sex increased from 12% to 14% from 2011 to 2021. There are about 15.4 million students in high school in the US. Assuming that roughly half are female, if we applied these findings, approximately 154,000 more girls were forced to have sex.

Among many factors, one thing that could account for this is the violence against women and girls that is celebrated on social apps. A wide body of research confirms that people who witness acts of violence in the media are more likely to commit acts of violence.

As this way of thinking and posting about women becomes more normalized, it’s unsurprising that people are taking greater liberties to abuse women and deprive us of rights and resources offline. Activists in Africa told The New York Times that killings of women increased during the pandemic — when we all, of course, spent more time online. Women also experienced greater domestic violence during the pandemic when they were trapped in their homes with sometimes abusive spouses.

By June 2023, a year after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, half of US states had passed laws banning or restricting access to abortion. “We are the first generation in American history to have to tell the next generation they have less rights than us,” Palestinian-American feminist activist Linda Sarsour told me when I interviewed her for my book.

Of course, right-wing groups were working to repeal Roe long before X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok arrived on the scene. But for the high court to reverse women’s rights to terminate non-viable pregnancies that threaten their lives, it had to believe that women would passively accept losing this potentially life-saving legal protection. One thing that could have factored into their calculus that this was politically and socially feasible was the way our culture has shifted to accept and even glorify misogyny — an extremely online trend. 

This might also help explain why the US government thinks it’s acceptable to deprive women of essential resources. In September, Congress let billions of dollars in badly-needed temporary funding for childcare provided by the American Rescue Plan Act during the pandemic expire rather than making it permanent. As a result, The Century Foundation estimates that over 70,000 childcare programs will close, leaving 3.2 million kids without care and forcing many moms to stop working or reduce their hours.

Similarly, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) enjoyed 25 years of bipartisan support in Congress until last year, when lawmakers failed to provide additional funds needed due to rising participation and food costs. As a result, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates 2 million pregnant and postpartum women and young children won’t get the help they need in order to eat.

Sometimes the chain of events seems even clearer: In China, for example, a 23-year-old woman died by suicide last year after being viciously attacked on social media. The bullying was prompted by a picture she shared of herself visiting her grandfather in the hospital to tell him she’d been admitted to grad school. Some accused her of being a prostitute because she had pink hair; others falsely claimed her grandfather was her husband. Another Chinese woman, who was a high school teacher, recently died from a heart attack that her daughter blamed on hackers, who disrupted classes she was teaching online and prevented her from sharing her slides.

A common question I have been getting when I speak about my work is why I don’t just recommend that women delete our apps since I believe they are so toxic. But this wouldn’t address the fact that others are using social networks to spread misogyny and hate that is endangering women and girls.

To solve this problem, tech companies need to stop hosting misogynistic content on their platforms. They need to get better about identifying such content and rapidly removing it, using both human moderators and artificial intelligence. When we see friends or family members posting it, we need to do what activist Loretta Ross terms “calling them in” or offline conversations about why it’s not okay (clapping back to trolls on social media just boosts their engagement). We should also report content that violates the community standards of social networks to the social networks we see it on. While tech companies are infamous for often not taking action in response to these reports, if we all did this en masse, it would send a powerful message to tech companies that users are demanding that they stop allowing people to be abused on their platforms.

And we need to counter this content by posting about powerful women and issues we care about and following, reposting and engaging with the content of other people who do so. To add my own contribution, I’ve posted a list of “feminists to follow” on my website. If we all started sharing more content that empowers women, social networks’ algorithms would serve us more of it.

What happens on social media doesn’t stay on social media. This means women can no longer end the abuse we’re up against without a serious status update on social networks.

بریک اپ کے بعد سلمان اور کترینہ ساتھ کام کرنے کیلئے راضی نہیں تھے: کبیر خان

 بالی ووڈ کے ہدایتکار کبیر خان نے انکشاف کیا ہے کہ بالی ووڈ کے بھائی جان اداکار سلمان خان اور باربی ڈول کترینہ کیف خراب تعلقات کے باعث ایک ساتھ کام کرنے کے لیے راضی نہیں تھے اور فلم کرتے وقت غیر آرام دہ محسوس کر رہے تھے۔

بھارتی میڈیا رپورٹس کے مطابق حالیہ انٹرویو میں بلاک بسٹر فلم ’ایک تھا ٹائیگر‘ کے ہدایت کار نے فلم کی ریلیز کے 11 برس بعد انکشاف کیا ہے کہ سلمان خان اور کترینہ کیف کو بریک اپ کے فوراً بعد ایک ساتھ فلم میں کاسٹ کرنا بہت مشکل تھا۔

دوران انٹرویو کبیر خان نے ایک سوال کا جواب دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ فلم ’ایک تھا ٹائیگر‘ کے فلمسازوں نے سلمان خان سے رابطہ کرنے سے قبل کترینہ کیف کو زویا کے کردار کے لیے سائن کر لیا تھا اور اس کے بعد سلمان خان سے ٹائیگر عرف اویناش سنگھ راٹھور کے مرکزی کردار کے لیے رابطہ کیا گیا۔

انہوں نے بتایا کہ یہ وہی وقت تھا جب دونوں فنکاروں نے چار برس رشتے میں رہنے کے بعد ایک دوسرے سے راہیں جدا کر لی تھیں، ایسے وقت میں دونوں ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ ایک سیٹ پر غیر آرام دہ محسوس کر رہے تھے۔

خیال رہے کہ ماضی میں سلمان خان اور کترینہ کیف نے چار سال تک ایک دوسرے کو ڈیٹ کیا، اس عرصے کے دوران دونوں کی شادی سے متعلق بھی خبریں سامنے آئی تھیں، دونوں اسٹارز نے بالی ووڈ کو کئی کامیاب فلمیں بھی دیں۔

بریک اپ کے فوراً بعد سلمان خان اور کترینہ کیف سُپر ہٹ فلم ’ایک تھا ٹائیگر‘ میں نظر آئے، اس فلم میں دونوں نے مرکزی کردار ادا کیا تھا، مداحوں نے فلم میں ان کی جوڑی کو خوب پسند بھی کیا تھا۔

واضح رہے کہ ٹائیگر فرنچائز کی اب تک تین فلمیں 2012 میں ’ایک تھا ٹائیگر‘، 2017 میں ’ٹائیگر زندہ ہے‘ اور 2023 میں ’ٹائیگر 3 ‘ ریلیز ہوچکی ہیں، تینوں فلموں میں سلمان خان اور کترینہ کیف نے مرکزی کردار ادا کیے ہیں۔

گھر کی پروڈکشن میں سلمان کو کتنا معاوضہ ملتا ہے؟ ارباز نے بتادیا

 بھارتی اداکار ارباز خان نے اپنے بڑے بھائی اور سپر اسٹار سلمان خان سے متعلق کہا ہے کہ انہیں مارکیٹ پرائس سے زیادہ معاوضہ دیا جاتا ہے۔ 

ارباز خان نے اپنے تازہ انٹرویو کے دوران اس بات کا انکشاف کیا کہ سلمان خان کو گھر کی پروڈکشن میں زیادہ معاوضہ دیا جاتا ہے۔ 

واضح رہے کہ سلمان خان پہلے ہی بھارت کے ان اداکاروں میں شامل ہیں جو ایک پروجیکٹ کرنے کےلیے بھاری معاوضے کا مطالبہ کرتے ہیں۔ 

انٹرویو کے دوران ارباز خان کا کہنا تھا کہ سلمان خان کو گھر کی مرغی دال برابر نہیں محسوس کرنا چاہیے، سیٹ پر انہیں ایک سپر اسٹار کی ہی عزت دی جاتی ہے۔ 

انکا کہنا تھا کہ سلمان کو یہ محسوس نہیں ہونا چاہیے کہ ’کیونکہ میں آپ کا بھائی ہوں، آپ مجھے وقت سے پہلے فون کرتے ہیں، آپ مجھے مزید کام کرنے پر مجبور کرتے ہیں‘ لہٰذا ہمیں زیادہ محتاط رہنا ہوگا۔

انہوں نے کہا کہ میں سیٹ پر سلمان خان کو انکے اسٹیٹس کے مطابق اسی طرح ٹریٹ کرتا ہوں جس طرح میں دیگر اسٹار کو کرتا ہوں۔ 

ارباز نے کہا کہ میرے لیے سلمان خان سیٹ پر بھائی نہیں بلکہ میرے ساتھی اداکار ہوتے ہیں۔ 

تینوں خان ایک اسٹیج پر: مکیش امبانی کو کتنا معاوضہ ادا کرنا پڑا ؟

 بالی ووڈ کے کنگ، شاہ رخ خان، سلمان خان عرف سلو بھائی اور مسٹر پرفیکشنسٹ عامر خان نے آننت امبانی اور رادھیکا کی شادی سے قبل کی تقریبات میں ایک ساتھ اسٹیج پر پرفارم کر کے تقریب کو چار چاند لگا دیے۔

رواں ہفتے کے آغاز میں ایشیا کی سب سے امیر ترین شخصیت مکیش امبانی کے سب سے چھوٹے بیٹے آننت امبانی کی رادھیکا مرچنٹ سے شادی سے قبل کی تقریبات کا انعقاد کیا گیا۔

اس پرتعیش تقریبات نے سوشل میڈیا پر وائرل ہو کر پوری دنیا بھر کے انٹرنیٹ صارفین کو اپنے سحر میں جکڑ لیا۔

اس شادی میں ایک انہونی یہ بھی ہوئی کہ جو بالی ووڈ کے مہنگے ترین ڈائریکٹرز نہ کر سکے وہ امبانی نے اپنے بیٹے کی شادی پر کر دکھایا۔

امبانی کی تقریبات کے دوران بالی انڈسٹری کے تینوں خانوں کو ایک اسٹیج پر پرفام کرتے ہوئے دیکھا گیا۔

اب بھارتی میڈیا ’ٹائمز ناؤ‘ نے اپنی ایک خبر میں دعویٰ کیا ہے کہ آننت امبانی کی شادی سے قبل منعقد کی گئی ان تقریبات میں تینوں خانز نے دل کھول کر اپنے خاندان سمیت ناصرف شرکت کی بلکہ ان تقریبات میں پرفارم کرنے کے لیے بطور معاوضہ ایک روپیہ تک نہیں لیا۔

’ٹائمز ناؤ‘ نے رپورٹ میں دعویٰ کیا ہے کہ تینوں خانوں کو ایک ساتھ ایک اسٹیج پر لانا اگرچہ بہت مشکل کام تھا مگر اُنہوں نے مکیش امبانی کی اس دعوت کو دل کھول کر قبول کیا اور اسٹیج پر ایک ساتھ پرفارم کرنے کے لیے آفر کی گئی رقم بھی وصول کرنے سے انکار کر دیا۔

بھارتی میڈیا کے مطابق تینوں خانوں نے آننت اور رادھیکا کی شادی کی پرِی ویڈنگ گالا میں بالکل مفت مہمانوں کو محظوظ کیا تھا۔