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AFTER MONTHS OF buildup, Game of Thrones Season 7 is finally (almost) here.

The latest installment of HBO's epic fantasy series, which launches July 16, is already set to be the most intense piece of television on HBO's lineup, and now we get to find out exactly why—though we've got a feeling it's got something to do with the imminent "great war," Khaleesi's trio of jumbo jet-size dragons, and, oh yeah, the army of White Walkers that threatens to destroy Westeros.

But before the new episodes hit your television (or in many cases, laptop), the stunning (we're looking at you, Sophie Turner and Emilia Clarke) and superfit cast is hitting the red carpet to celebrate the premiere of the show's penultimate season.

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Pooja Batra arrives at the Premiere Of HBO's 'Game Of Thrones' Season 7 at Walt Disney Concert Hall on July 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

Actress Pooja Batra at the Los Angeles Premiere for the seventh season of HBO's 'Game Of Thrones' at Walt Disney Concert Hall on July 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

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Mirror Game Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POAOWFWJsnM&t=33s

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Akshay Kumar to reunite with his ex-girlfriend?

Akshay Kumar, who was popular with the tag casanova of Bollywood and was in past linked with many actresses including Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty and Pooja Batra, and is now once again in news because of his ex-girlfriends.

Akshay, who is now considered as the most ideal star of Bollywood, was earlier tagged as the most controversial actor. He was rumoured to be dating many popular actresses of 90s like Raveena, Shilpa and Pooja.

And now the Jolly LLB 2 actor, Akshay is turning heads due to the speculations of uniting with his ex-girlfriend once again.

Well, you might be confused that Akshay is uniting with which of his girlfriend-Shilpa, Raveena or Pooja. According to the latest buzz, Rustom star, Akshay will be collaborating with his ex-girlfriend Raveena Tandon for a comedy show.

The latest reports of SpotboyE suggests that Akshay and Raveena will collaborate for Star Plus latest season of The Great Laughter Challenge. Akshay will be the super judge in the show, said the reports.

Reportedly, the makers of the comedy show has also approached Raveena, but they have not received any confirmation from the actress side yet.

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Former beauty queen Pooja Batra shot to fame with Anil Kapoor's 'Virasat'., Former beauty queen Pooja Batra, who shot to fame with Virasat, has made a comeback in Bollywood after her brief stint in Hollywood where she played an astronaut in a sci-fi film. Shot entirely in the US at the same campus where A Beautiful Mind was shot, Mirror Game: Ab Khel Shuru is a story of a psychology professor dealing with complications in his life. Batra plays a police psychologist who investigates the professor suspected for his wife's disappearance. Here she talks about her role in the film, her experience in Hollywood and more.

Tell us about your role in the upcoming psychological thriller Mirror Game.

I play the role of a police psychologist who helps investigate the trail of events in the life of psychology professor who is suspected to be playing foul with the police. I met a few psychologists for the role as I had no idea about how they do mind reading. Vijit, the director of the film was a debutant but was well-prepared, which made actors perform well and the shoot got wrapped up efficiently in 18 days.

What has kept you busy after you stopped acting in films?

Acting is a profession but that need not be done every day. If you are from a non-filmy background with no backing, it becomes difficult to sustain after a point of time but I am happy that it opened the door for my other career with my own company. I do not believe in sitting down and waiting for a role to come as life goes on and opens many doors. One can live a life of a normal human being as there are various other beautiful things apart from glamour world and I have concentrated on those things in life after I stopped doing films. I have a company called Global Inc. which does casting, events, launching companies which keeps me occupied in the U.S. Apart from that, I studied and travelled around the world.

What difference do you see in the Bollywood compared to the time you left?

It has changed a lot but for good reasons. Scripts are different, the acting style has changed because people also want regular characters on screen and the whole trend of watching films has become much similar to Hollywood. Also the celebrity culture has become much similar to the West as everything is organised through public relation firms which take care of the behaviour and reaction of actors. Although the process of filmmaking has not changed, actors today concentrate more on a single project which was not the case earlier as they used to do shifts for multiple projects.

A lot of female actors used to come from a modelling background or beauty pageants...

Yes. It is a very difficult industry to get into and industry people are not welcoming to new comers and they make their job a difficult one.

So in order to enter, one has to come with some audience base from a recognised medium and then only someone can invest in them. I think actors come prepared. Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra are established actors but they never learnt acting in a formal set up before entering the industry.

Also, more roles are being written for female actors

Women are an essential part of society as they drive it, and in storytelling you cannot ignore them or show them just as objects of desire.

There are strong women around us and that is bound to reflect in films as well and I am happy that Bollywood is understanding it.

You did a science fiction film One Under the Sun which got premiered in Cannes last year. How was the experience working in Hollywood?

Working in Hollywood was an altogether different experience as you have to be on time, you get logged in, everything is on contract and everything is very professionally arranged.

I played the lead role of an astronaut mom with a daughter who is terminally ill.

She goes to Mars for a mission but has to return for her daughter who is dealing with cancer and in her return journey, the spaceship meets with an accident.

The film has no similarities with the Kalpana Chawla story but people usually draw similarities.

It had a run in San Diego Comic Con, Dubai Film Festival and Cannes Festival.

I still remember the walk after the première at Cannes last year which drew many photographers’ attention because of my Princess Leia (from the Star Wars franchise) get up and a sari with dark Gothic lips.

They were amazed as they had never seen an Indian in that sort of getup and that was carried in most of the newspapers in Europe.

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Actor Krushna Abhishek's 34th birthday on Tuesday was a toned-down affair. While many expected the couple -Krushna and Kashmera-to hold a grand party , in reality it turned out to be a simple affair with only 50 people enjoying the night. From the industry, the duo had invited Bharti Singh along with Pooja Batra, who is Kashmera's close buddy.

Confirming this, Kashmera said, "We could have had 300 people at the party, but we decided to make it a quiet affair. It only had our friends and some close relatives." With Krushna's work keeping him busy, Kashmera and her friends initially planned to surprise the birthday boy. However they dropped the idea at the last moment. The party took place at a happening haunt in Mumbai and ended in the wee hours on Tuesday. "Since he had professional commitments to fulfill, I too had my projects to complete, we straightaway headed to work post the party," said Kashmera.

Late on Tuesday night Krushna along with Kashmera, sister Arti Singh and cousin Rishab Chauhan, who came all the way from Roorkee, ventured out for a private dinner."The family members wanted to hold a private party as Krushna prefers spending time with family," said a source.

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The audience is in for a special treat, this coming Friday. The reason being that there are not one or two but six movies that will hit the screens this week. Among them, Parvin Dabas and Pooja Batra-starrer ‘Mirror Game‘ is one film that surely promises to be different than a regular Bollywood potboiler. The engaging trailer and the talented cast of actors have surely set some expectations from this psychological thriller not only for us but for the viewers as well.

So, as the film nears its releasey, here we list down 5 reasons as to why we are we are looking forward to ‘Mirror Game’. (Also Read: Vijit Sharma on ‘Mirror Game’: I wanted to make a film for the new breed of Indian audience)

Parvin Dabas’ captivating act

Parvin Dabas is one of the most underrated performers in Bollywood. The actor has successfully delivered good performances in different genres of films, be it comedy, horror or even drama. And now with ‘Mirror Game’, he is all set to explore a new zone of psychological thrillers. Looking at the trailer, it seems that Parvin’s character carries some different kind of layers. Well, looks like this is by far one of the most challenging characters played by Parvin on screen.

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Vijit Sharma’s psychological-thriller ‘Mirror Game’ is creating the right amount of buzz amongst the audience. Starring Parvin Dabas, Pooja Batra and Omi Vaidya, ‘Mirror Game‘ is one of those films that can keep you hooked throughout the screening. The trailer has managed to impress all and even Bollywood stars who have watched the film have good words for it. Filmmaker Ekta Kapoor was one of the stars to catch the special screening of this film and she only has good things to say about it.

The beautiful lady took to her Instagram handle to share her thoughts over ‘Mirror Game’. With a picture of hers posing with Parvin and Pooja, Ekta posted, “Wat an awesome film! The mirror game!super thrilling!”

Apart from Ekta, Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar and Gulshan Grover too had spared some time from their busy schedule to catch the screening of this film.

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Pooja Batra, best remembered for her roles in Virasat and Haseena Maan Jayegi, took a break from Bollywood when she got married and settled in the USA. After eight years of marriage and divorce, she made a comeback to Bollywood with a small, but pivotal role in ABCD 2. Now, the actress is gearing up for her next release. Mirror Game — Ab Khel Shuru. Here, the actress talks about reconnecting with Bollywood, her company Glow Bell Inc, which helps cast Hollywood actors in Indian films and more...

Have you moved back to Mumbai?

No, I am shuttling between Los Angeles and Mumbai. I have just done a documentary back there about sex slaves. It is based on a true story of how a girl in India was sold and how she managed to leave the profession. I also did a Hollywood film One Under the Sun, which premiered at Cannes last year. I came to India to do ABCD 2. Last year, I also acted in a Punjabi film. As far as Mirror Game is concerned, it was shot completely in the US.

Tell us about your role in the film?

I play Dr Roy, a police psychologist in the film, which is a thriller. When I read the script, I found it very savvy and intelligent. It keeps you guessing throughout.

Did you have to do any prep for the role?

Life in LA is such that they joke that you can’t be a true Los Angelite if you haven’t undergone therapy!

Everybody living in LA, at some point in life undergoes therapy, and so have I. In fact, when I was offered the role I was going through a phase in my life when I had to undergo therapy. When this role came to me, I wanted to be on the opposite chair and see how therapists behave.

Did you miss acting while you were away?

Yes. I missed the acting, the money and my friends.

Why aren’t you working with your co-stars from the ’90s like Akshay Kumar and Anil Kapoor?

I would love to do a project with them. I have been in touch with Akshay and Twinkle. I keep coming so often and it’s nice to meet your peers, especially the once you have worked with.

In LA, you were socialising with the who’s who of Hollywood. In fact, you got Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards to act in a Bollywod film. Comment.

I have this company Glow Bell Inc, one of the aspects of which is to cast Hollywood actors in Indian films. It depends on the budgets, the location, the number of days and a lot of other variables. There is a language barrier when it comes to films, but if they have to be brand ambassadors for any product, they want to know the kind of company it is, publicity strategy, etc. Having said that, they all are interested in being seen and popular in India with its 1.3 billion population.

You are in a new relationship. Tell us about it.

It’s not a new relationship. I have been with my boyfriend Christian for five years now. More than that, I wouldn’t like to talk about my personal life.

Have you moved back to Mumbai?

Are you friends with your ex-husband?

Yes.

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Akshay Kumar today caught a screening of the movie Mirror Game in Mumbai. He is clicked here posing with the female lead of the film, Pooja Batra. Pooja had said about her movie, "I am playing a police psychologist Dr Roy who helps by keeping eyes on the criminal, as police investigate a murder case. I have never played such role, the genre is different and I loved the story. I am very excited about the film."

Pooja is doing a Bollywood film after a while, and she believes there is "cut-throat competition". "There is only one way to survive in this industry, and that is good acting. Getting an opportunity at the right time also plays a major role to become successful," she said.

Mirror Game... is shot entirely in the US and the film revolves around a psychology professor in New Jersey, battling complications in his personal and professional lives. The role is essayed by actor Parvin Dabas.

Directed by Vijit Sharma, Mirror Game: Ab Khel Shuru is releasing on June 2. Vijit had said, "I am a storyteller first. So when I wrote the story of the film which has various elements, I did not want any creative interference from any studio or producer as it usually happens to commercialize a story for box office success. That is a challenge. I think psychological thriller is an unexplored genre in Indian films. I attempted to explore it through my story."

Akshay Kumar congratulated the cast and crew of the movie on this unique venture. The power house actor himself is busy with interesting projects such as Padman and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.

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Actors Akshay Kumar and Pooja Batra at the screening of Mirror Game

Actor Akshay Kumar, who is known to extend his support to industry colleagues, stepped up for ex-girlfriend Pooja Batra, by attending the screening of her film, Mirror Game, in Mumbai on Sunday evening. Akki’s presence at the film screening added some star power to the event and got the photogs excited, as no one was expecting the superstar there.

Although Akshay didn’t stay long enough to watch the film, he gave his best wishes to Pooja and the team of the film, which is directed by Vijit Sharma.

“Akshay’s wife Twinkle was also supposed to join him and be at the screening, but since she had to travel, she could not make it there. Akshay dropped Twinkle at the airport and stopped by at the screening. He didn’t watch the film but was there only for a couple of minutes,” says a source.

Akshay’s gesture is a departure from the usual practice of exes in Bollywood ignoring each other. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor are not on good terms, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, too, ignored each other at Karan Johar’s recent birthday bash, and Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande haven’t met since their break up last year.

Actor Akshay Kumar with Parvis Dabas, Pooja Batra and Gulshan Grover.

Akshay and Pooja reportedly dated each other in 1991, before Akshay joined films and Pooja was a successful model . They have worked together in the 2003 film Talaash: The Hunt Begins.

Pooja’s film revolves around a psychology professor in New Jersey, who is struggling with issues both in his personal and professional life. The role of the professor has been essayed by actor Parvin Dabas.

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Mumbai, May 23 : A group of Bollywood celebrities including Sunny Leone, Arjun Rampal, Pooja Batra, Arshad Warsi among others gathered on Tuesday for a tree plantation drive to protect the environment of Mumbai city.

Initiated by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Bhamla Foundation, the celebrities planted 1,000 trees and pledged to plant more.

Arjun Rampal who is associated with the cause for quite a few years told the media: "It is quite alarming how global warming is affecting the climate and environment, so we have to take a stand to protect the earth. It is our responsibility."

Designer Manish Malhotra said: "I think Asif Bhamla of Bhamla Foundation is doing a great job and I support the cause. Apart from our profession, I think we should pay attention to the environment because this is where we are living."

Considering the fact that Mumbai is an urban city where builders are cutting trees for industrial development, Asif Bhamla said: "... everybody is active enough to create awareness and that is why a few years back the metro project of Arey Colony has stopped and now it is in a negotiation phase."

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Actress Pooja says she would love to play Indian track and field great in a biopic, given her sporting background

Actress Pooja Batra of "Virasat" fame said yesterday she would love to do a biopic on former Indian athlete and Olympian PT Usha, as she herself had been an athlete in her school days.

"I would love to do a biopic on PT Usha because I have been an athlete," she said. "I represented my school in 200 and 400 meter races at national level. I have kind of played the role of Kalpana Chawla in a Hollywood movie 'One Under the Sun', in which I am playing the role of an astronaut," she said at a media interaction in the city for her upcoming film "Mirror Game: Ab Khel Shuru".

"In India, we don't make films on female athletes. It is important because through our films, aspiring athletes get encouragement. We don't give importance to sports in India. It is necessary for mental and physical development — whether it's a group or solo sport. It enhances personality of the individual in terms of discipline and confidence."

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Actress Pooja Batra of Virasat fame, says she would love to do a biopic on former Indian athlete and Olympian P.T. Usha.

“I would love to do biopic on P.T. Usha because I have been an athlete. I represented my school in 200 and 400 metre race at national level. I have kind of played the role of Kalpana Chawla in a Hollywood movie One Under the Sun, in which I am playing role of an astronaut,” she said in Mumbai at a media interaction for her upcoming film Mirror Game: Ab Khel Shuru.

“In India, we don’t make films on female athletes. It is important because through our films, aspiring athletes gets encouragement. We don’t give much importance to sports in India. It is necessary for mental and physical development -- whether it’s a group or solo sport. It enhances personality of the individual in terms of discipline and confidence,” she added.

Talking about her character in Mirror Game..., Batra said: “It’s a very gripping thriller. It’s my first film in this genre. In this film, I am playing a role of a criminal psychologist who tries to ascertain whether the character of Parvin Dabas is mentally stable and speaking the truth.

“In the US, there is a normal tendency of taking mental therapy, unlike in India where people assume that taking mental therapy is related with mental illness.

“Mental therapy helps the individual to rectify or minimise their errors ,which they are doing since their childhood, and I have taken such therapies. So I always wanted to play such a character to analyse people by sitting on the opposite seat.”

Batra is back in the Bollywood scene after some time, and believes there is “cut-throat competition” in the industry.

“There is only one way to survive in this industry, and that is good acting. Getting an opportunity at the right time also plays a major role to become successful,” she said.

Mirror Game... is shot entirely in the US and the film revolves around a psychology professor in New Jersey battling complications in his personal and professional lives.

Dabas plays the lead role of a professor of psychology, while Omi Vaidya plays a pivotal part. The movie will release on June 2 in India.

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