Watching Kennedy at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival with Vikramaditya Motwane, little did Rahul Bhat know it would pave the way for his next with the filmmaker. Today, as the actor is receiving wide praise for his performance in Motwane’s Black Warrant, he recalls how the filmmaker offered him the part. “When he saw Kennedy in Cannes, he really liked the film. On returning, he offered me Black Warrant. I believe the work I did with Anurag [Kashyap] influenced him,” says Bhat. Vikramaditya Motwane The actor worked with Kashyap on Ugly (2014) and Kennedy. Having teamed up with two of the finest filmmakers in the country, did he find any similarity in their vision? “They have unique voices, but they are creatively the same—from the way they treat their actors, to creating an atmosphere so that there is immense scope for creativity. Also, Vikram bohot mehnat karta hai! When I told this to Anurag, he was laughing. It doesn’t mean Anurag doesn’t work hard, but Vikram is always on his toes,” he grins. In a career spanning over two decades, Bhat has done only 10 films. Despite limited work and little social media presence, which unfortunately seems to influence casting today, he has Kashyap and Motwane projects on his résumé. “I want to tell the newcomers that they must stop being social media wannabes. These directors are passionate about their cinema. They don’t care if you are Shashi Kapoor’s grandson or Rahul Bhat. They want to know if you can be trusted to get the character right. You could be their brother or son, but they won’t cast you if you don’t suit the character. They don’t cast you looking at how many paps are clicking you.”
22 January,2025 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAs Madhur Bhandarkar's award-winning film 'Page 3' turned 20 years old since its release, actress Konkona Sensharma took a trip down memory lane and recalled the experience of shooting her first film in Mumbai. Taking to her Instagram account on Tuesday, the actress shared a series of pictures from the sets of the film and added a note describing her "first experience" of shooting a movie in Bombay. "I can hardly believe PAGE 3 released 20 years ago! My first experience of filming in Bombay. This was 2005, the year of the flood and the year I moved to this city, which has now been my home for over two decades! At the time, I was young, full of abandon, and free of expectations, but today I look back with so much gratitude. Thank you @imbhandarkar for Madhvi Sharma, a character I received so much love for. Thank you @tarasharmasaluja and @sandymridul for the lifelong friendships," read her caption. Check out the post View this post on Instagram A post shared by Konkona Sensharma (@konkona) Helmed by Madhur, the film was released in 2005 and starred Konkona Sen Sharma, Atul Kulkarni, and Boman Irani in the lead roles. It was declared a hit. The drama film won three National Film Awards. Madhur Bhandarkar has given multiple hits, including 'Fashion', 'Heroine', 'Chandni Bar', 'Satta', 'Indu Sarkar', and many more. Meanwhile, on the work front, Konkona was last seen in the series 'Killer Soup', co-starring Manoj Bajpayee, which was released in January on Netflix. Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, the series revolves around Swathi Shetty (played by Konkona), a budding cook who wishes for the entire world to enjoy her soup. One mishap kicks off a chain reaction of accidents and frantic cover-ups that find her and her partner in hot water. Konkona will next be seen in 'Metro...In Dino', co-starring Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2025 08:13 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Shilpa Shetty has sent "dher saara pyaar" to her "darling" friend and Ayushmann Khurrana's wife, writer Tahira Kashyap on her birthday. The actress took to her Instagram to share an adorable selfie of the two posing together, Shilpa wrote a note for Tahira, calling her inspiring." "Happy Birthday, darling @tahirakashyap. May your day be as beautiful and inspiring as you are. Here's to great health and happiness always. Sending dher saara pyaar your way," Shilpa wrote. Meanwhile, Tahira made her directorial debut with 'Sharmajee Ki Beti' which featured actors Sakshi Tanwar, Divya Dutta, and Saiyami Kher in the lead roles, along with Vanshika Taparia, Arista Mehta, Sharib Hashmi and Parvin Dabas in pivotal roles. The film revolves around the aspirations, dreams, and coming-of-age moments within a multigenerational narrative of quintessentially middle-class women from diverse backgrounds. 'Sharmajee Ki Beti' was out on Prime Video on June 28 last year. On the work front, Shilpa was last seen in the web series 'Indian Police Force'. Directed by Rohit Shetty, the series also starred Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles. The show premiered earlier this year on Amazon Prime Video. Shilpa will next appear in the upcoming Kannada film 'KD: The Devil'. The film also stars Dhruva Sarja, V Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Sanjay Dutt, Jisshu Sengupta and Nora Fatehi in lead roles. Directed by Prem, 'KD-The Devil', the Pan-India multilingual is set to release in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. It is a period action entertainer based on true events from 1970s Bangalore. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2025 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIThe makers of Vicky Kaushal-starrer 'Chhaava' shared the first look poster of the actress Rashmika Mandanna who is set to play the role of Maharani Yesubai in the film. Vicky Kaushal's period drama 'Chhaava' is one of the highly anticipated movies of this year. After announcing the release date of the film a few days ago, the makers have now unveiled the first look of the 'Geetha Govindam' actress through Instagram. In heavy jewellery and a red saree, Rashmika looks royal in the poster. She will be playing the role of Maharani Yesubai in the film. The movie is set to release in the theatres on February 14. Maharani Yesubai was the wife of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj referred to as Chatrapati Maharani of the Maratha Kingdom. In the series of photos, the actress showcased different expressions. In the primary photo, Rashmika is seen smiling while in another she seems angry and heartbroken. Taking to their Instagram handle, Maddock Films announced the trailer release date of the film. "Behind every great king, there stands a queen of unmatched strength. Introducing @rashmika_mandanna as Maharani Yesubai - the pride of Swarajya. #ChhaavaTrailer Out Tomorrow! Releasing in cinemas on 14th February 2025." wrote Maddock Films while sharing the poster. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maddock Films (@maddockfilms) Vicky will be seen in the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in the upcoming epic saga 'Chhaava'. Produced by Maddock Films and directed by Laxman Utekar, the film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna. 'Chhaava' is touted to be a "stirring tale of the courageous warrior whose coronation on this day in 1681 marked the beginning of a legendary reign." On being associated with the film, Dinesh Vijay, founder of Maddock Films and producer of Chhaava, said, "I am immensely proud to tell the story of India's Chhaava through a film that honours the indomitable legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He was a true warrior and visionary leader whose story is long overdue for the big screen. This marks the first time Maddock Films is venturing into the historical epic genre, and it's truly an honour for us to be able to bring this powerful narrative to life." "Chhaava is more than just a film; it is a tribute to a legend whose courage, resilience, and leadership have inspired generations. Through this film, we aim to celebrate the incredible legacy of this iconic figure," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2025 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIFilmmaker Shekhar Kapur, who is known for films like ‘Masoom’, ‘Mr. India’, ‘Bandit Queen’, had once said that his film ‘Masoom’ was his attempt to explore the fragility of human emotions. ‘Masoom’, which marked the directorial debut of Shekhar, is an adaptation of the 1980 Erich Segal novel ‘Man, Woman and Child’, which was also adapted into a Malayalam movie ‘Olangal’. Reflecting on the film, Shekhar Kapur once said, “‘Masoom’ was my attempt to explore the fragility of human emotions. It taught me that the greatest stories are the ones that come from truth, truth that can be uncomfortable, but also liberating”. The film is a poignant exploration of human relationships, love, and forgiveness. ‘Masoom’ beautifully delves into the life of a seemingly perfect family whose world is turned upside down by the revelation of an illegitimate child. The heart of the film lies in its raw emotions, stellar performances. The film boasts of R.D. Burman’s beautiful music and Gulzar's poignant lyrics including the iconic song ‘Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi’. The film also introduced actors Jugal Hansraj and Urmila Matondkar as child artists. Earlier, Shekhar had shared a profound message on storytelling. Taking to his Instagram handle, he posted a captivating photo from his retreat in the Himalayas and shared his perspective on the art of storytelling. Shekhar wrote, “Love teaching storytelling and where better than in the Himalayas. Teaching is the art of exploring ourselves together. All of us are born storytellers. We just need not to be shy of expressing ourselves. Revealing ourselves. #storytelling @himalayanwriting @kaverikapur.” The filmmaker also tagged his daughter Kaveri. In his three-day retreat nestled in the serene Himalayas, Kapur guided his students on a journey of self-discovery through storytelling. In his next follow-up post, the director added, “You don’t teach story telling. Together with your students you explore the stories that lie inside them. After all all art starts with ‘who am I’. Who is that that’s telling story? What are the stories lying dormant inside you? Where are you in the stories you want to tell? Great 3 days teaching in the Himalayas #storytelling @HimalayanWrite”. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2025 07:45 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSIt has taken writer-director duo Garima Wahal and Siddharth Singh, better known as Garima-Siddharth, 10 years to bring Saale Aashiq from paper to the screen. But the duo, who was writing television shows at the time, knew they were on to something when they wondered why films about inter-caste romances ended with the couple paying the price for their love. “It used to anger us. If you see Sairat [2016] or any film on caste-based murders, the couple dies in the end. Instead, we decided that the couple has to win in the end. Cinema should depict what happens in real life. But then, what if somebody had a plan? That’s where fiction comes in,” says Wahal. With that thought, the two wrote and helmed the Tahir Raj Bhasin and Mithila Palkar-starrer that will première on Sony Max on February 1. Selling the film was tough. “COVID-19 came in the middle. Plus, Love Hostel [2022], a similar film, got in the way. But our pitch was distinct. Our couple goes after the families,” states Singh. Garima Wahal, Siddharth Singh Wahal recalls how OTT platforms as well as stars were skeptical about coming on board. It took them a long time to find their leads, but today, they can’t imagine anyone except Bhasin and Palkar as the fiery couple. “OTTs didn’t want to take this up. OTT platforms prefer an existing story. For instance, they adapted Black Warrant from a book. But they fear to take a punt on original stories. [In terms of actors], we met the A-listers, but they were wary of playing these characters. Tahir and Mithila were a breath of fresh air. Mithila picked up the accent required for the role. Actors today want to stay in their comfort zone. But Tahir and Mithila dared to be Shatru and Gudiya,” she says. After the film was made, the next step was the CBFC clearance. Singh says that despite Saale Aashiq tackling the theme of caste violence, they consciously steered away from making it gory so as to get the UA certificate. “The CBFC wanted to give it an A certificate. But, eventually, we convinced them [to grant a UA certificate], saying that more people have to watch this film. We want teenagers to know right from wrong. Some cuts were asked, some even ridiculous, but none that compromised the film,” smiles Singh.
22 January,2025 07:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuGoing international Randeep Hooda is Hollywood-bound again. On Tuesday, the actor reportedly flew to Budapest to begin shooting for an international film. This marks his second Hollywood outing after Extraction (2020), which was fronted by Chris Hemsworth. A source shared, “Randeep is excited about filming the project. While not much is known at this stage, he will be seen in a brand new avatar. The shoot is set to commence in Budapest later this week.” Next chapter in filmmaking Hansal Mehta is widening his horizon. After a two-decade career as a director, Hansal is turning producer with True Story Films, which he has formed with Sahil Saigal. The production house will create a slate of projects, from web series to films. “I’m driven by narratives that challenge the status quo, provoke conversations, challenge cinematic conventions and entertain at the deepest level,” said the Scam 1992 maker. Facing legal trouble The makers of Yash’s Toxic are facing trouble for illegally felling trees during the shoot in Bengaluru’s Peenya Plantation 1 and 2. The authorities have sent a show-cause notice to the makers. Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre has said that a decision will be taken after reviewing the makers’ reply. Apparently, the land lost its forest status after a false Interlocutory Application was filed at the Supreme Court in 2020. However, in the last cabinet meeting, the government approved the withdrawal of the application. A divine experience Going from Berlin to Prayagraj, Avinash Tiwary sure is having a whirlwind trip. After attending the première of his next, The Mehta Boys, in Germany, the actor went to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. For him, the experience was both divine and unforgettable. “Coming from Bihar, I’ve always known the cultural and traditional significance of this event, but witnessing it first-hand was on another level. What made it even more special was experiencing it with my friends. We explored the mela together. We also got to experience the Ganga Aarti in our trip, which was magical, and indulged in the local delicacies. The energy of the place was amazing, and I was blown away by how well-organised everything was,” said Avinash of the Maha Kumbh that occurs once every 144 years.
22 January,2025 07:07 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamUrvashi Rautela has been in the headlines for her controversial remarks that she made in the recent past. In 2024, a video of the actress was widely circulated on social media, showing her in a bathroom. Now, reacting to the viral video, she has shared that the clip was circulated online only after taking permission from her. She also stated that it was a clip from her film, and the producers had requested her to allow them to leak it. The reality of viral video In conversation with Bollywood Bubble, she revealed that the Ghuspaithiya makers approached her crying and explaining how their film lacked in several aspects and that they were in desperate need to create a buzz. She further revealed, "Unko kuch debt aa gaya tha, aur kuch udhari wagairah mein (They had some debt and were caught up in loans and such). They had to let go of their land and all. Woh sadak pe aane wale the (They were on the verge of being out on the streets). And so, they came and discussed it with my business manager, head, and all." She further continued and shared, "And then, they took our permission ki woh movie ka scene tha, kuch aisa special nahi kiya tha humne. Woh movie ka hi scene tha. Toh un makers ka yeh ek request thi ki kya hum isko pehle leak out kar sakte hain. And it was sort of awareness also ki ladkiyon ko have to be careful (It was a scene from the movie; it wasn’t something special we had done. It was part of the movie itself. The makers requested if they could release it early. It was also intended to create awareness, especially for girls to be cautious)." About Urvashi Rautela Urvashi Rautela has been a part of the industry for a long time now. The actress made her acting debut with the Hindi film Singh Saab the Great. Since then, Urvashi has appeared in several movies, including Hate Story 4, Sanam Re, Kaabil, Hate Story 4, and Pagalpanti, to name a few. Her recent film is JNU: Jahangir National University. She was recently in the news for her film Daku Maharaj.
21 January,2025 11:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentZeenat Aman recently took to her official Instagram and shared her ordeal of a near-death experience. The yesteryear diva nearly choked on her BP medication. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman) Dropping a stunning picture of herself on Instagram, Zeenat Aman wrote, "In the risk of sounding like an old lady suffocating on her tablets, allow me to share what happened last night. It was the end of a long day of shooting at a studio in Andheri East. I had returned home to an ecstatic Lily, and after giving her the attention she is entitled to, I swiftly went through my night rituals. My very last task before I could surrender to sleep was to take my blood pressure medication." Sharing how she struggled to swallow the pill, the diva wrote, "I popped the pill into my mouth, took a sip of water, and then felt my breath catch. There it was, this little pill lodged in my throat. Too far down to regurgitate and too far up to swallow. I could still breathe, but it was restricted. I took another drink of water, and then another, and another, until the glass was empty but the pill remained stuck." Zeenat Aman further added how her son, Zahaan Khan, came to her rescue: "There was nobody at home with me other than the dog and the five cats, and panic began to set in. The doctor’s number was busy, so I made frantic calls to @zanuski, who abandoned his plans to rush over. As I waited for him, the discomfort in my gullet grew. I could think of nothing but that deviant pharmaceutical robbing me of easy breath. There’s no dramatic ending to this story. Zahaan arrived, we finally got through to the doctor, who said it would dissolve in time, and I spent the next few hours sipping warm water and waiting." She concluded, "Sometimes it’s important to tackle an issue head-on. To confront, challenge, and change. But sometimes a situation requires those other softer acts of patience, restraint, and equanimity." In the meantime, Zeenat Aman will shortly be a part of Manish Malhotra's "Bun Tikki" and Netflix's "The Royals." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2025 09:22 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra is in India for a few days. During her visit, the diva sought blessings at the famous Chilkur Balaji temple in Telangana.The pictures shared by the 'Fashion' actress feature her in a simple green salwar kameez, sans makeup. Sharing sneak peeks of her religious visit on Instagram, PeeCee wrote, "With the blessings of Shri Balaji, a new chapter begins. May we all find peace in our hearts and prosperity and abundance all around us. God's grace is infinite." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) If the reports are to be believed, Priyanka Chopra has been roped in as the leading lady in South superstar Mahesh Babu's next, tentatively titled "SSMB29." The project will be directed by 'RRR' maker SS Rajamouli. When PeeCee landed at the Hyderabad airport a few days ago, reports suggested that she had come to India to shoot for "SSMB29." However, nothing has been made official yet. The airport clip doing the rounds featured Priyanka Chopra in an all-brown hoodie ensemble, with her off-duty look completed by a bright yellow baseball cap.Touted to be a global adventure set across exotic locations, Mahesh Babu's role in the film is reportedly inspired by Lord Hanuman. According to reports, the ambitious project will be made on a massive budget of Rs 900–1,000 crores and is expected to be split into two parts. If the reports turn out to be true, "SSMB29" will mark Priyanka Chopra's return to Telugu cinema after a long gap of 23 years. She was last seen in P Ravi Shankar's 2002 romantic entertainer "Apuroopam." Meanwhile, her last Bollywood release was Shonali Bose's 2016 drama, "The Sky Is Pink." In the meantime, Priyanka Chopra has joined forces with her husband, Nick Jonas, and the Jonas Brothers for a holiday film. Likely to premiere on Disney+, this yet-to-be-titled movie began filming on January 13th in Toronto. Furthermore, PeeCee is also working on the second season of her blockbuster show, "Citadel." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2025 09:10 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSVarun Kulkarni has been battling with kidney-related issues, his friend and theatre actor Roshan Shetty took to his Instagram to share a heart-wrenching update about his friend. Varun, who has been a part of several films and series, is battling kidney-related issues, and Shetty has provided an update about the same. Varun Kulkarni’s health update While sharing a few pictures of Varun Kulkarni, Shetty revealed that the Dunki actor continues to deal with kidney-related issues, but they are falling short of funds. Two days ago, Varun was rushed to the hospital. Shetty further shared that while his friends are trying to arrange funds, everyone else can come forward and help them in this tough time. Roshan Shetty requests for financial support While sharing the pictures, Shetty wrote: "My dear friend and theatre co-artist, Varun Kulkarni, is currently battling severe kidney issues. Despite our previous efforts to raise funds, the expenses for his treatment continue to mount. He requires dialysis 2–3 times a week, along with regular medical care and emergency hospital visits. Just two days ago, Varun was rushed to the hospital for an emergency dialysis session.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roshan Shetty (@roshaan_shetty) He further continued and wrote, “Varun is not only a brilliant artist but also a kind and selfless human being. He lost both his parents at a very young age and has been a self-made individual ever since, pursuing his passion for theatre against all odds. However, the life of an artist often comes with financial challenges, and at this difficult moment, he needs our support more than ever.” He further requested financial help & wrote, “We, his friends and well-wishers, are coming together to help Varun during this critical time. If you know Varun or Rhea personally, you can send your contributions directly to them. For those who don’t, a Ketto link has been created (link in the description) to make donating easier. Your support—no matter the amount—can make a huge difference. Even sharing this message can help reach more people who might lend a hand. Let’s come together to help Varun get back on stage, where he belongs." Varun Kulkarni has played supporting roles in films and series, including Family Man 1, Scam 1992, and Dunki.
21 January,2025 08:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
