Actress Aditi Rao Hydari posted a fun video today teasing a glimpse into a new project that she is part of, alongwith actors Avinash Tiwary and Arjun Rampal. The video showed the actors turn up for a table read of the new project helmed by Imtiaz Ali. Fans are all excited to know more about the new project, that has been named O Saathi Re. O Saathi Re to star Aditi Rao Hydari, Avinash Tiwary & Arjun Rampal Following the success of Amar Singh Chamkila, Netflix and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali have reunited for a captivating exploration of contemporary human emotions with O Saathi Re. Produced by Window Seat Films and Reliance Entertainment, the series furthers Netflix's creative collaboration with Imtiaz and is brought to life by a talented cast - Aditi Rao Hydari, Avinash Tiwary and Arjun Rampal - each adding depth to this intricate love story. Sharing the video, Aditi wrote, "Imtiaz Ali’s 'O Saathi Re'… an ode to the vintage feeling of love in contemporary times 💌. Starring Aditi Rao Hydari, Avinash Tiwary & Arjun Rampal. Directed by @arifali1541 O Saathi Re - coming soon, only on Netflix." Take a look: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) Imtiaz Ali, renowned for his rich storytelling and deeply moving portrayals of relationships in Tamasha, Rockstar, Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal, will take on the role of creator, writer and showrunner. He will also be the Executive Producer of the series along with Mohit Choudhary. Arif Ali, who previously directed the Netflix series She, will take on the role of the director. The romantic drama also marks a grand Netflix homecoming for its stellar cast. Aditi Rao Hydari returns after mesmerising audiences in Heeramandi; Avinash Tiwary will follow up his powerful performance in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar; and Arjun Rampal will gear up for his next big move after shaking things up in Rana Naidu Season 2. The powerhouse ensemble has already demonstrated their intense chemistry during a table read that took place ahead of the shoot. Modern story with a vintage heart Creator, writer and showrunner Imtiaz Ali shares, "O Saathi Re surprised me at every turn of its development. It is a modern story with a vintage heart, an enchanted fairy tale set in the fiasco of Metropolitan life. I feel both relieved and excited at having Arif direct the stellar cast of Avinash Aditi and Arjun (All Aces there) and it is the ever-strengthening relationship with Netflix that enabled us to enter the deceptively charming world of O Saathi Re." Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, adds, "We are thrilled to bring a story that delves into love, relationships, and human dilemmas - narrated in Imtiaz’s signature, deeply authentic style, an almost haunting quality to these stories! After the success of She Season 2, we began exploring ideas for our next series together. We wanted something with an inherent musicality, perhaps inspired by a song and then Imtiaz crafted a story, called it O Saathi Re and that story moved us as profoundly as the song still does. It’s a fresh and innovative take on relationships in contemporary times. Now, with this phenomenal cast -- Aditi, Arjun and Avinash --we are ready to bring this beautiful and poetic story to life. We can't wait to embark on this journey with Window Seat Films and the whole team and our incredible cast and crew!” With production set to commence by the end of this month, O Saathi Re is poised to be an evocative exploration of the vintage feeling of love in contemporary times, marking yet another unforgettable collaboration between Netflix and one of India’s most celebrated storytellers of all time, Imtiaz Ali.
27 February,2025 02:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt takes a keen eye to imagine an actor, who is out of circulation, in the role of a conniving godman. But when casting director Shruti Mahajan read the script of Aashram’s opening season in 2019, she instinctively knew that Bobby Deol, who at the time was beginning his second innings in Bollywood, would be the perfect fit. As the crime drama’s third season drops online, the casting director remembers that roping in Deol was a gamble. Shruti Mahajan She recalls, “Prakash-ji [Jha, director] wanted someone completely unexpected for Baba Nirala. Bobby Deol’s casting was a bold, make-or-break decision. It could have been a masterstroke or a complete misfire. The role demanded an authoritative presence and a hidden vulnerability, and Bobby had the perfect mix. His hunger for a strong comeback added another layer to the performance.” Deol’s Baba Nirala act, followed by his antagonist role in Animal (2023), turned his career around. With Aashram, Mahajan says she brought together a mix of seasoned actors and new faces “to create an authentic world”. She explains, “Bobby and Chandan Roy Sanyal brought depth with their experience, while actors like Aditi Pohankar added raw energy and freshness.” Her next, Love & War, with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is equally exciting as it boasts the casting coup of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. “Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a life-changing experience. Casting for Love & War feels as exhilarating as it did for Ram-Leela [2013]. Every film brings something new to learn,” she smiles. For a movie like Love & War that has romance at its crux, Mahajan says chemistry between the leads is paramount. “With experience, you develop a deeper understanding of what makes on-screen chemistry work. It’s not just about how two actors look together; it’s about their energy, their ability to empathise, and the nuances they bring to a performance.”
27 February,2025 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuEven before the opening season of Suzhal: The Vortex was shot, creator duo Pushkar-Gayatri had begun writing its second instalment in 2020. But after the Tamil crime thriller premièred to glowing reviews on Prime Video in 2022, the creators started from scratch again. Their intention was simple—to give the audience a bigger story. “That was a different story, set against a different festival. But when we received love for the first season, we felt we needed to give the audience something more. We went back to the drawing board and re-wrote a lot. This looks bigger and better than season one,” smiles Gayatri. Gayatri and Pushkar Like the first edition, the upcoming season too is set against a festival—this time, it’s the Ashtakaali festival. Why do festivals play a crucial role in the Kathir and Aishwarya Rajesh-led thriller? Juxtaposition, says Pushkar. “You have a large celebration, where people have a common faith. On the other hand, you have a crime investigation, where the base idea is to suspect everything. That contrast brought the idea of Suzhal,” he explains. While they have shown their expertise in long-form storytelling with Suzhal, filmmaking remains their big love. In 2022, the Tamil filmmaker duo made their Bollywood debut with Vikram Vedha, which was an adaptation of their 2017 Tamil hit of the same name. The Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan-starrer tanked at the box office. They admit that the underwhelming performance was heartbreaking, but left them with an important lesson. “After you spend so long on a project, when that kind of response comes in, the [bubble] bursts. For some time, the hurt [lingers]. But one big learning is that we need to anticipate where the audience will be at the end of the filmmaking process. It takes two-three years to write the script, pitch it to actors, assemble the project and release it. For us, it’s even worse because we take half a decade to write,” says Pushkar. There was another reason for its failure, chips in Gayatri. “We started the film before the pandemic. By the time it released, a lot of people had seen the Tamil version on OTT. It was also on TV a bunch of times.” Left wiser with these lessons, will the filmmaker duo make their next project in Hindi soon? Pushkar says, “One of the scripts that we are working on needs to be set in Tamil Nadu, the other could be in any metropolis—Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi or Mumbai. All filmmakers are determining [which language to make a film in] based on how authentic they will be to that place.”
27 February,2025 05:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaThose who have seen Dabba Cartel’s trailer will agree it’s a perfect addition to Shabana Azmi’s filmography that is built on powerful roles. The actor, however, good-naturedly jokes that she had no option but to say yes to the upcoming crime drama. “My daughter-in-law [Shibani Akhtar] has written it and my son [Farhan Akhtar] is producing it. Would I dare say no?” she laughs. Set in Mumbai, the Netflix series revolves around five homemakers, who run a drug ring. Azmi’s Sheelaben is their leader of sorts. She says, “Jokes apart, I could see that Sheelaben had layers, which are attractive for an actor to unravel. She is an ordinary person leading a nondescript life, but then circumstances make her come back to a life she had given up 30 years ago. She has tasted blood, and starts enjoying the danger.” Shabana Azmi Over 25 years ago, the veteran actor had played a gang leader in Godmother (1999), even winning her fifth National Award for her compelling performance. How differently did she play the ruthless Sheelaben compared to Rambhi in Godmother? “To play her differently in Dabba Cartel was the challenge. I needed to resist the temptation of walking on the trodden path, but Sheelaben is a different kettle of fish. Her body language, manner of speaking and the world she inhabits are not like Rambhi’s.” That she was joined by an eclectic cast—Jyotika, Sai Tamhankar, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey and Anjali Anand—only made the experience richer. In a way, Dabba Cartel subverts gender roles as it shows women run a drug ring, which is often considered a male bastion. But Azmi views it differently. “Dabba Cartel is an interesting study of characters, irrespective of gender. They happen to be central characters who make decisions in a system in which they are not usually seen. They are not molls, they aren’t eye candy to gangsters. These women negotiate their way through a world that is dangerous in a manner that is unique.” For the senior actor, the crime drama will hold a special place as it marks her first collaboration with Shibani. “We have a lovely relationship and count each other as friends. When Shibani asks me to do something, I can’t say no and the production team took advantage of that,” she laughs.
26 February,2025 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRCritically acclaimed filmmaker Prakash Jha opened up on casting actress Aaditi Pohankar for the role of 'Pammi' in 'Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3--Part 2'. The next part of Aashram is finally on its way, with Bobby Deol reprising his role as Baba Nirala and Aditi as Pammi in 'Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 - Part 2.' It is directed by Prakash Jha. In a conversation with ANI, Jha revealed that he wasn't too sure about Aditi when she auditioned for the role of Pammi in the film as it required a muscular build contrary to the actress's physique during that time. The director said, "For Aditi's casting, I wasn't fully sure. I saw something in her but wasn't sure how she would do the role. On the first day of the shoot, we had a problem. She was too thin for the role of a wrestler. But she said that she would gain weight for the role. After one month, Aditi came and said that she had gained 750 grams of weight. I then told her that if she didn't increase her weight properly, then I would remove her from the film and do an audition." Jha continued, "Slowly slowly, she increased her weight. The hunch I had regarding her in the audition came true and she did marvellous after the shoot started." Bobby also added a humorous detail from the sets and said, "She (Aditi) took the task of gaining weight so seriously that she used to eat all of our food during the shooting." Jha was all praise for Bobby Deol and said that he always trusted the 'Animal' actor's acting skills despite his downfall during the time of the making of the series. "I always trusted Bobby. He is an amazing actor. For this character, I wanted a type of face which everyone loved. That's why I called Bobby. Hats off to him. He worked so hard on the character." said Prakash Jha. Bollywood actor Bobby Deol shared his working experience with director Prakash Jha in 'Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3--Part 2' and how his role allowed him to step out of his comfort zone. In a conversation with ANI, he recalled the time when Prakash Jha offered him a role in the series, saying, "I was willing to play different kinds of roles and play the characters out of my comfort zone. But in the industry, generally, what happens to an image is the build-up of an actor. When I got a message from Prakash ji that he wanted to meet me when I heard the story, I thought he would offer me the role of a police officer, however when he told me, 'aap baba ka role play karenge', I couldn't believe.." The series also features Darshan Kumaar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Vikram Kochhar, Tridha Choudhury, Anupriya Goenka, Rajeev Siddhartha, and Esha Gupta in crucial roles. 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
25 February,2025 05:59 PM IST | Mumbai | ANINetflix is thrilled to announce its upcoming compelling mystery thriller set amidst the picturesque hills of Shimla, featuring an all-star cast including Parineeti Chopra, who makes her much-anticipated Netflix series debut. Produced by the acclaimed Siddharth P Malhotra, director of Maharaj and Sapna Malhotra of Alchemy Productions, and written and directed by the visionary writer Rensil D'Silva of Rang De Basanti and Ungli fame, the currently untitled series promises a gripping blend of intrigue and suspense. Star cast of the thriller This outstanding ensemble is one for the books, from Parineeti Chopra, fresh from the success of Chamkila stepping into another commanding role, solidifying her status as a versatile actress, to the talented Tahir Raj Bhasin, joining her after the success of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein S2. Adding to the lineup is veteran actor Anup Soni, fan favourite icon Jennifer Winget and heartthrob Chaitannya Choudhry bringing their wealth of expertise to the series. The cast also expands to the multi talented Sumeet Vyas and adding further flourish. Seasoned actor Soni Razdan enriches the ensemble along with Harleen Sethi, praised for her riveting performance in Kohrra S1. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) Noir mystery thriller set in Shimla Creators Siddharth Malhotra and Rensil D’silva shared, "We are thrilled to collaborate on this noir mystery thriller with Netflix, a platform that celebrates storytelling in its most diverse and compelling forms. Working with Netflix has allowed us the creative freedom to push boundaries and bring a unique narrative to life. With a cast as talented as this and Parineeti choosing to foray into series with our production, we are excited for what lies ahead and cannot wait for the world to watch the mystery unfold." Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, added, "Some mysteries don’t just unfold - they pull you in, keep you guessing, and refuse to let go. Set against the misty hills of Shimla, this gripping thriller unravels secrets, emotions, and the depths of human nature with unmatched intensity. With the creative vision of Rensil D’Silva and Siddharth P. Malhotra, and a powerhouse cast featuring Tahir Raj Bhasin, Anup Soni, and Harleen Sethi, the series captivates from the very first scene. We are delighted to welcome Parineeti Chopra back to Netflix following her stellar performance in Amar Singh Chamkila - now in her first-ever series and we’re equally excited to have Jennifer Winget join us: Prepare for a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat, hooked and guessing until the very end." The stage is set, and the mystery’s a brew- stay tuned to uncover more thrilling noir along the way!
25 February,2025 01:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith Crime Beat, Saba Azad has had a taste of the adrenaline-filled days of crime reporters. “It was electrifying to do this,” exclaims the actor, who plays an investigative journalist in the Sudhir Mishra and Sanjeev Kaul-directed web series. Through the show that also stars Saqib Saleem, and Rahul Bhat, Azad says she has got a peek into the demanding world of journalism. “What all it takes for a story and a byline to make it to the front page! From the crime happening to when it reaches the page, the journey is full of obstacles. There is a stringer, reporters after reporters, the police, then dealing with the red tape, [it’s endless]. Four people can have different angles on the same story, and whose angle will get picked up is interesting,” she smiles. While the Zee5 series sees her as a reporter, Azad, as a musician and an actor, has always been on the other side of the journalist-celebrity equation. How does she view her relationship with the media? “I am a private person and socially awkward. So, if paps happen to be there, I may be a little awkward, but I also appreciate the fact that they are trying to put food on their table. I only have respect for people who do their job. There are people who are consuming that kind of content, so [the paps] need to create that content. So, my relationship with the press has been quite peaceful,” she states. Since making her film debut with Dil Kabaddi in 2008, Azad has been seen on and off in films and web shows, juggling them with her music career. Her acting career got a boost when she played a prominent role in Rocket Boys (2022). Last year, the actor-musician hit headlines when she stated that many filmmakers assumed she didn’t want to work because she is Hrithik Roshan’s partner. Asked how she feels about her work today since she has featured in several projects, she reflects, “The pandemic was the turning point for me. During that time, I did two OTT shows and got cast for Rocket Boys. The lockdown slowed everyone down so that they could look outside. Even the casting directors thought, ‘We can look at all the other actors around as well.’ OTT entertainment opened the floodgates. All those who aren’t mainstream actors or are slotted in the character actor category, a lot of theatre actors, got noticed. I am happy with the kind of work I have now. I’ve tried my best to do projects that are different. I’m finally in a phase of my career where I am feeling some sort of fulfillment and being able to apply myself as an actor.” There is no denying that digital entertainment has changed the content landscape in India. However, filmmaker Kiran Rao recently stated that the Indian OTT’s “golden age” was over and that the “bubble has burst” given the dip in the audience’s interest towards the streaming platforms. Azad has an optimistic view. “I’m not aware about the viewership, but for actors, writers and directors, OTT has opened up avenues that weren’t available earlier. Talented writers, actors and directors, who perhaps were not getting [opportunities], are being able to tell alternative stories. If a show is good, there are viewers as well. While there is an overflow of content and it’s overwhelming to decide what to watch, the good shows invariably rise. You can separate the good from the not-so-good. The speed at which the viewers are consuming content today is unlike any other time in history. So, I don’t believe viewership has gone down. It has been great for the creative community, especially in cinema, to find an outlet to their creativity and not be stifled by box-office numbers.” After Crime Beat, Azad will be seen in Anurag Kashyap’s yet-untitled film that stars Sanya Malhotra and Bobby Deol. Her excitement about the project is evident as she says, “We’ve finished shooting it. It should hopefully be released sometime this year. I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
25 February,2025 08:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ PanchalEarlier this month, Netflix India announced Mandala Murders, led by Vaani Kapoor, as part of its 2025 slate. While the murder mystery’s principal photography had been wrapped up early last year, we have now heard that director Gopi Puthran and his unit have gone back to the set to film some portions. The team has been apparently shooting since last week in different parts of the city, including Madh Island, adding as well as reimagining certain sequences as per the editing team’s suggestions. A source close to the production reveals, “The Yash Raj series, which sees Vaani’s character investigating a series of murders, has been a massive undertaking with its action-heavy sequences and layered storytelling. When the show reached the edit table this year, the makers and the editing team felt that certain portions needed to be fine-tuned to enhance the crime thriller’s tension and intensity. So, a call was taken to rework those scenes and add some sequences.” Mandala Murders marks Kapoor’s foray into long-format storytelling. It also stars Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Jameel Khan and Surveen Chawla. The source adds, “The last phase of the shoot in Madh Island involves crucial portions that tie together the layered plot. Another week of filming is left before the material is deemed good to go.”
24 February,2025 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuTherapeutic is how Saqib Saleem describes his maiden collaboration with filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, on his latest series, Crime Beat. The actor, who plays a rookie crime journalist in the Zee5 show, says while he was intimidated by the maverick initially, he was in awe of Mishra’s spirited nature by the end of the shoot. “Once you get to know him, you realise he is younger than you at heart. He has a great sense of humour and is an ideal director for actors because he empowers them. It was a therapeutic experience working with him. I feel I have come out as a better artiste. He was always trying to figure out how to best express his thoughts and story. That was inspiring. After so many years, only if you still have that desire and zeal, can your work stand out,” he says. Nurturing collaborations and meaty parts are what Saleem craves the most after completing 14 years in the industry across mediums. “I am hungry for parts that allow me to show my diversity. I don’t have the luxury of choice. I have to make do with the opportunities I create for myself, then pick the best one out of the lot,” says the actor, while acknowledging how OTT has helped him in his pursuit. He was previously seen in Kakuda (2024) and Citadel: Honey Bunny (2024). Besides acting, production has been keeping Saleem on his toes. Co-founded by his actor-sister Huma Qureshi and filmmaker Mudassar Aziz, Elemen 3 Entertainment is currently developing a neo-noir crime comedy, Baby Do Die Do, starring Qureshi, Sikandar Kher and Chunky Panday. “That film is my baby. We are very excited about it and hopefully it will be out this year for everyone to see,” expresses the actor. On being asked how it is to run a production house with Qureshi, he shares that they are more friends than siblings. “We consider each other equals. We don’t operate from the ‘I know better’ mindset. We can talk about anything under the sun. There’s absolute comfort. Both of us operate from a space where we feel we have to make more of our lives.”
23 February,2025 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaLast week, news emerged that Ali Fazal and director Prosit Roy are set to team up for an action thriller series for Prime Video. Now, mid-day has learnt that the series will go on floors as early as April. Reason? Fazal’s date diary has opened up after the shoot of his other project, Raj-DK’s Rakt Bramhand, has been put on hold. So, the actor and Roy will hit the accelerator on their modern-day crime story, kicking off the shoot in Delhi in April. Sources say the yet-untitled series is being developed as a large-scale action spectacle. A source close to the production reveals, “Ali was to start this show a little later in the year. But with the break in Rakt Bramhand’s shoot, owing to the reimagining of some sequences and some reported financial mismanagement, this series is starting earlier than expected. Revolving around crime and justice, it is based on a real-life story.” Also starring Sonali Bendre, the series will be filmed in Delhi, followed by a stint in Mumbai. Fazal is expected to start his prep this week. The source adds, “Since it’s based on real-life events, the team is finalising real locations across Delhi. Prosit, who previously co-directed the first season of Paatal Lok, wants to keep the visuals raw and immersive. The series will also see Ali perform elaborate action sequences. After the Delhi schedule wraps up by May, the unit will move to Mumbai, where the climax will be filmed. The second leg may overlap with Rakt Bramhand, but Ali will juggle the two projects.”
21 February,2025 07:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThe next part of Aashram is finally on its way, with Bobby Deol reprising his role as Baba Nirala in 'Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 - Part 2.' The series has played a major role in Bobby's career revival, making him a favourite among OTT audiences. At the trailer launch event on Wednesday evening, the 'Animal' actor shared how he initially had doubts about taking on such a bold role but was convinced after his wife, Tania Deol, encouraged him. Talking about her support, he said, "Maine apni wife se baat ki, maine kaha ki main aisa kirdaar play karne ja raha hu, aur meri wife janti thi ki main bahut try kar raha hu aur kuch aisa kaam mil nahi raha hai jo itna interesting hoga. Toh jab meri wife ne suna, toh usne kaha, 'Nahi tu kar, jo tera dil chahta hai tu vo kar. I am with you.'" Bobby further spoke about the hard work he put into preparing for the role, especially learning the complex dialogues. "Maine bahut mehnat ki, Guneeta Ji hamari teacher hai, unke saath har din 3-3 ghante baith kar maine lines seekhi aur har shabd ka matlab samajhne ki koshish ki," he added. Directed by Prakash Jha, the series also features Aaditi Pohankar, Darshan Kumaar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Vikram Kochhar, Tridha Choudhury, Anupriya Goenka, Rajeev Siddhartha, and Esha Gupta in crucial roles. The trailer hints at cracks forming in Baba Nirala's empire, rising tensions among his close allies, and Pammi's fearless return. Take a look at the trailer View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bobby Deol (@iambobbydeol) 'Ek Badnaam Aashram' is one of the most loved Indian series on OTT platforms. It is set to dominate the screens once again with its upcoming season. The next season is set to premiere soon on Amazon MX Player. Meanwhile, the series will be available for streaming from February 27 on Amazon MX Player. Viewers can watch it through Amazon's mobile app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Connected TVs.
20 February,2025 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT