Ram Charan hopes Rajamouli directs Marvel movies: We are going to host a big party if that happens
Los Angeles (PTI): "RRR" star Ram Charan says they will "host a big party" if SS Rajamouli ever gets an opportunity to direct a Marvel Studios film.
Charan is currently in the US to promote the period epic action "RRR'' ahead of the 95th Academy Awards where the film is nominated in the Original Song category for its Telugu track "Naatu Naatu".
The actor, who features in the global blockbuster alongside Jr NTR, took to Instagram on Friday to share snippets of his interview with website Entertainment Tonight.
When the interviewer quizzed him about the vision that can be "brought together" if Rajamouli directs a Marvel film, Charan said, "Wow. We are going to host you a big party if that happens. She is one of the first people to say this and fingers crossed, I really hope that happens. It is for my director."
Asked if he would like to feature in the Marvel or Star Wars franchise, the actor said he wanted to be in "every film, in every country where people appreciate cinema".
"I want to be in every franchise where people are watching it and buying the tickets. I want to be in every film, in every country where people appreciate art in the films and cinema basically. Cinema is becoming the global cinema. It's no more Holywood, Bollywood. It's burning all the woods and becoming a global cinema. And I am so fortunate to be a part of that."
"RRR" follows a pre-Independence fictional story woven around two real-life Indian revolutionaries - Alluri Sitarama Raju (Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) - in the 1920s.
The film also features Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, and Shriya Saran in key roles. It is the first Indian film in over two decades to be nominated for the Academy Awards.
"Naatu Naatu" has already scooped up a Golden Globe win -- the first Indian song to do so.
Charan is in the US along with Rajamouli, composer MM Keeravani and co-star Jr NTR.
In another interview, the actor opened up about his father, cinema icon Chiranjeevi's reaction to the Oscar nomination for the film.
"It is emotional for all of us. It is emotional for my dad who is waiting there. Before taking my flight, he was so sentimental that I was coming here. In 154 films he has done and 42 years he has been working, he has been to the Oscars in the 80s and that too for an appearance, and that also he felt was a huge achievement.
"But today we have been nominated and in the list and now waiting," he said during an appearance on podcast Talk Easy.
At the upcoming Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles on March 12, "Naatu Naatu" singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava are set to perform the song.
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Air India implements new in-flight meal pre-booking requirement, updates halal certification policy
In a major policy update, Tata-owned Air India has announced that all passengers must now pre-book their meals before boarding, a part of the airline's restructuring following its merger with Vistara. This move is designed to streamline in-flight services and cater more precisely to passenger preferences.
One of the significant changes involves halal-certified meals. Going forward, halal meals will only be available to Muslim passengers who select the 'Muslim Meal' (MOML) option during the pre-booking process. These meals will include a halal certificate to guarantee authenticity, but general meal options will not carry halal certification unless specifically designated as MOML.
Air India's internal guidelines clarify that MOML meals will fall under the category of special meals, ensuring that passengers receive halal-certified food only if they pre-book this option. This change allows the airline to better align its meal offerings with the specific dietary requirements of its passengers.
However, the airline will maintain its practice of serving exclusively halal meals on certain international routes. Flights to and from Saudi Arabia—including Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Medina—as well as those related to the Hajj pilgrimage, will continue to offer only halal meals, in line with local standards and passenger expectations.
