Cinema, like pop-culture, rolls as much in a continuum as it’s cyclical. Which is to say that, for instance, Pushpa 2: The Rule as the biggest blockbuster of 2024 is merely an extension of the totally unexpected, sleeper-hit that Pushpa: The Rise turned out to be, in 2021. Heralding thus a full blast of onscreen heroism, with a majority of mainstream hits hinged on a man with a gun, at the centre of the poster. But what is this, if not simply the 1980s actioners cycling back in fashion? A still from the Malayalam film, Manjummel Boys You could argue that such hero-villain pictures were always the mainstay of Telugu commercial cinema, in particular. Wherein you saw a lot of Bollywood actors—Sayaji Shinde, Mukesh Rishi, Pradeep Rawat, etc—regularly go over to Hyderabad, to get beaten up by local heroes, before the camera. Only budgets and technology have got amped up. Because these movies pander to a pan-India audience. What has that also led to? Return of the crazy villain Audiences believe, or at least producers do, that the hero is only as strong as the insurmountable villain he vanquishes. Except that since the hero himself appears on the screen without much context—the villain needn’t have a backstory either. It’s good enough that this pure evil, wrapped in human skin, growls, snarls, shows up in an atrangi (odd) attire, burdened with no redemptive qualities for you to care, once he’s done with. Payal Kapadia It’s kinda the return then of the Gulshan Grover type khalnayaks, that we thought were long gone. Hence, Abhishek Banerjee in Vedaa, Raj Arjun in Yudhra, Arjun Kapoor in Singham Again, Prithiviraj Sukumaran in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Fahadh Faasil in Pushpa 2, Bobby Deol in Kanguva… Back in the day, Bollywood awards would have a separate category for Best Villain. Think they did away with it at some point, when the stars themselves began to play more and more anti-hero roles, with multiple shades of grey. If that award gets reinstituted, as it must, Saswata Chatterjee as the eerie, intriguing Commander Manas might make the nomination for Kalki 2898 AD. Although looking forward more to how Kamal Haasan expands on his villain Supreme Yaskin’s part for the film’s sequel! The Malayalam mainstream Easily our favourite moment at the cinema in 2024 was Manjummel Boys in Week Four, packed from front to back rows, with audiences hooting out of excitement, hissing from anxiety, biting their nails, all through a weekday, midnight show! That was a Malayalam movie, hitting box-office gold in Mumbai, the way mainstream Telugu, Tamil or Hindi movies are more likely to. As did The Goat Life or Premalu, nationally registering footfalls worth over Rs 100 crore. What do we usually love Mallu movies for? The strength of its scripts, and the understated quality of its performances. Also, inevitably, if actor Fahadh Faasil, Fa-Fa to fans, is in the lead role. Laapataa Ladies (L) was sent as India’s entry to the Oscars; Laila Majnu (R) earned Rs 10 crore on its re-release He was, in Aavesham, another huge hit. Except, we saw him as a proper badass with a good heart, kicking ass, killing it with his moves, in a different kinda Malayalam movie, suggesting a new mainstream of sorts. Will this go the same route as other mainstreams? As we write this, there’s news of a Malalyalam picture, Haneef Adeni’s Marco, that’s picked up R50 crore over five days, and is being compared to Animal, for its grotesquery and violence. Hoping that’s an aberration. Re-release as the latest release It all started with Amitabh Bachchan! That is, right after the pandemic, when the fear of people never returning to theatres seemed quite real to some. As PVR-INOX’s head honcho Ajay Bijli put it, a National Cinema Day got rolled out, with tickets at throwaway prices—that’s the one time “the needle moved”, because people started entering cinemas to watch old Amitabh Bachchan movies, were having their theatrical re-runs, as part of an ongoing festival. Compare that to the number of old Bollywood movies that have re-released in 2024: Subhash Ghai’s Taal, Rakesh Roshan’s Karan Arjun, Nikkhil Advani’s Kal Ho Naa Ho, Imtiaz Ali’s Jab We Met, Rockstar… Speaking of the latter two, which was the biggest theatrical hit of the year, in terms of pure return on investment? Quite likely, Laila Majnu, produced and written by Imtiaz, that pocketed R10 crore in footfalls, on its re-release. Which is over three times it made, when it opened first in 2018, and it’s been on an OTT platform all along! What was the net investment for the re-run? Nearabout zero. Will this trend dissipate? Well, can’t wait for the re-release of Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya in January, 2025. What happened to OTT party? Where do all of the above leave OTTs and their desi content—most of the original Hindi films on which seemed sub-par? The others had a theatrical run first, that people didn’t turn up for. Because they knew the movies would show at home, in three-four weeks, anyway. So, OTTs ate into theatrical footfalls as well. Budgets for their own productions got slashed. Sword of self-censorship dangles over their heads. Fear is the party that produced risky, cutting-edge content is over. Which could be an exaggeration, since the same people/audiences are very much there. Feminine gaze/voice goes global First Indian film in 30 years to compete at Cannes; that too taking home the Grand Prix. That was Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light (AWIAL), set around three women. Kapadia became the first Indian director to be nominated for Golden Globe. Many felt AWIAL was a sure-shot Best International Picture Oscar nominee. Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies got sent as the entry instead, and got knocked out. It’s still among the most universally loved Hindi films of the year. Meanwhile, Sandhya Suri’s Santosh, centred on actor Shahana Goswami, is UK’s entry to the Oscars; still in the race. It’s not like the Oscars are all that matter, globally. So do top festivals like Sundance, Berlinale—both of which hailed Shuchi Talati’s Girls Will Be Girls with awards. And guess what, 2024 was the year that an Indian actor, for the first time, won an award at Cannes—that was Anasuya Sengupta, for The Shameless. That’s a lot of film history getting made with desi, feminine voice and gaze, simultaneously finding global resonance. Is this a trend? Definitely the present; as likely, the future.
28 December,2024 07:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharFor director Harsh Mohan Mishra, his upcoming documentary, Rhythm of Heritage—The Untold Story of Pandit Ram Mohan Maharaj, is deeply personal. As the son of the legendary Kathak dancer, the filmmaker sees the docu as a tribute to not only him, but also to grandfather Shambhu Maharaj and uncle Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj. More importantly, he views it as an ode to the art form of Kathak that has been an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. “The film tells the story of Pandit Ram Mohan Maharaj, the last torchbearer of the illustrious Lucknow Gharana. As someone born into this legacy, I felt a deep responsibility to honour the sacrifices of the artistes who came before me. We often celebrate our culture’s grandeur, but rarely see the personal struggles of those who dedicate their lives to preserving it,” says Harsh. Harsh Mishra Known for its intricate footwork, expressive gestures, and emotive power, Kathak has been a timeless dance form. But Harsh rues that it is grappling for survival today. “The film is also a mirror to the fading relevance of our classical art forms. It captures the fragility and strength of a legacy that has weathered centuries but now stands at crossroads,” he laments. Next year, Harsh plans to take Rhythm of Heritage to international film festivals, as well as have a home run with International Film Festival of India, and MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. With the docu, he aspires to reignite the younger generation’s interest in Kathak. “It’s about preserving who we are as a culture. Taking this film to Sundance and Cannes is about giving Kathak a global stage. It’s about showing the world that this ancient art form is as relevant today as it was centuries ago.”
28 December,2024 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThose looking forward to watching Fawad Khan’s The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022) were disappointed when the film’s India release was stalled again this October. But it looks like we’ll see the actor on the big screen in 2025. mid-day has learnt that Khan and Vaani Kapoor’s romantic comedy, Abir Gulaal, has been wrapped up and director Aarti S Bagdi is now readying it for a theatrical release. The film will mark the Pakistani actor’s return to Hindi cinema almost nine years after his last Bollywood offering, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). Sources tell us that beginning late September, the rom-com was shot in a straight schedule in London. The story revolves around two emotionally wounded people who inadvertently help each other heal. A source from the unit reveals, “Abir Gulaal borrows its name from its lead characters. Fawad plays Abir, a London-based Indian chef, and Vaani, Gulaal, a traditional woman from Jaipur. The shoot began from September 29, with Aarti having planned a 40-day start-to-finish schedule. Filming was wrapped up in 37 days, as Vaani, Fawad and the supporting cast—including Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Parmeet Sethi and Soni Razdan—were well-prepped. Initially the plan was to shoot a few scenes in Mumbai, but eventually, the entire shoot was conducted in London as the story is set against the British capital. Every technician, including designer Sheetal Sharma, was hand-picked from India. Now, the post-production is underway. A part of Fawad’s dubbing is left; that will be done online.” Aarti S Bagdi Producer Vivek B Agrawal, who has been part of Udta Punjab (2016) and Vikram Vedha (2022), is aiming for a theatrical release between early and mid-2025. It may be noted that collaborations with Pakistani artistes had come to a grinding halt in Bollywood after the Uri attack in 2016. However, in October 2023, the Bombay High Court rejected a petition to ban cross-border collaborations, observing that doing so would be a step backward in promoting peace, unity, and cultural harmony. The makers are optimistic that Abir Gulaal, which is an Indian production, will have a smooth journey to the cinemas.
28 December,2024 07:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRDays after Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s daughter Raha stole the limelight at their annual Christmas brunch with her flying kisses, she repeated the same after the family was spotted at the Mumbai airport as they jetted off to celebrate New Year’s Eve. In the video shared by the paparazzi, Raha can be seen cutely interacting with the shutterbugs which left Alia laughing uncontrollably and Ranbir smiling. Watch the clip below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) 'Raha is naughty and chatty' In an interview with Allure magazine, Alia, who graced the cover described her daughter saying, “She’s naughty. She’s chatty. She has moments of being shy. She’s just her own person, but she’s very bright.” On balancing motherhood and work, Alia said, “That’s my main focus. How do I ping-pong between the two and do them well, but also find a way to carve out time for myself, which I'm not able to do? I'll be very candid right now—there’s no such thing as me time. I've not even been able to get a therapy session for the last two months. Your soul is sort of fulfilled, but you are also always full of fear and nerves because of just wanting to do it right and wanting to do it well.” Alia and Ranbir tied the knot in April 2022, after several years of dating. Their daughter, Raha was born in November 2022. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s work front Meanwhile, on the work front, Alia is busy filming her upcoming movie 'Alpha'. Directed by Shiv Rawail, 'Alpha' is set to be a notable addition to Yash Raj Films' acclaimed spy universe and is scheduled for release on December 25. On the other hand, Ranbir was last seen in Animal alongside Triptii Dimri and Rashmika Mandanna. The actor also has the sequel of Animal, titled Animal Park. Apart from this, he has Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love And War alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. He will also be seen in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’. Produced by Namit Malhotra, the epic saga will feature Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. Sai Pallavi will star as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, with the first installment slated for release in 2026, and the second part will release in 2027.
27 December,2024 10:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn 2022 it was reported that Mahesh Babu joined hands with SS Rajamouli, one of the most celebrated directors in Indian cinema whose films Baahubali and RRR have left a huge impact on the audience. While Mahesh has already begun prep for the same, it is now being suggested that global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been roped in as the female lead. This will mark the former Miss World’s return to Indian cinema after six years. She was last seen in the 2019 film The Sky Is Pink. Priyanka Chopra to play female lead in SSMB29 According to a report by Pinkvilla, a source informed, “The film is in the final stages of writing and is all set to go on floors in April 2025. SS Rajamouli was looking for a female lead with a global presence, who better than Priyanka to play the lead role? The filmmaker had multiple meetings with PC over the last 6 months, and the energies have aligned for both the stakeholders.” The source further added, “Priyanka Chopra is excited to collaborate with a maverick like SS Rajamouli and partner with Mahesh Babu to create an adventure like never before. It’s an unchartered territory for her as well, and the character has scope for a lot of action along with the leading man – Mahesh Babu. It’s a well-crafted role, and Priyanka has already started her prep for the film.” The pre-production phase is in full swing, with the script finalized. In May, Mahesh embarked on a trip to Germany to prepare for his physically demanding character in the movie. Earlier, Rajamouli disclosed that his film with Mahesh Babu is going to be a globetrotting action adventure. Priyanka Chopra’s work front Meanwhile, on the work front, Priyanka Chopra wrapped the shooting of her upcoming film 'The Bluff' which is directed by Frank E Flowers and also features actor Karl Urban. 'The Bluff' is set in the 19th-century Caribbean and follows the story of a former female pirate, played by Priyanka, who must protect her family when the sins of her past catch up to her. It was mostly filmed in Australia. Apart from 'The Bluff', Priyanka is also set to star in 'Heads of State' alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. Besides that, she also has the second season of ‘Citadel’. She will reprise her role as Nadia.
27 December,2024 09:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress Khushi Kapoor, who made her debut with the streaming movie ‘The Archies’, has shared pictures from her Christmas sweater party. On Friday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared an array of pictures from her recent party. The pictures also feature her rumoured beau and her ‘The Archies’ co-star Vedang Raina. Social media star Orry can also be seen in one of the pictures. The actress wrote in the caption, “A cute ugly Christmas sweater party”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ᴋʜᴜsʜɪ ᴋᴀᴘᴏᴏʀ (@khushikapoor) Earlier, the actress attended the haldi ceremony of Aaliyah Kashyap, the daughter of Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap. She took to her Instagram, and shared an array of pictures and videos from the haldi ceremony. In one of the videos, Khushi was seen applying haldi on Aaliyah. Another video shows Aaliyah sharing a kiss with her fiance. Khushi wrote in the caption, “Haldi morning”. The actress was seen donning a yellow coloured ethnic outfit as per the theme of the wedding festivity. Khushi is the sister of Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor. She made her debut with ‘The Archies’ which was directed by Zoya Akhtar. In the film, she was seen essaying the role of Betty Cooper in ‘The Archies’ in which she starred alongside Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi ‘Dot’ Saigal and Yuvraj Menda. The film is a live-action adaptation of ‘The Archies’, a fictional rock band who appeared in the 1960's animated cartoon, ‘The Archie Show’. The film, directed by Zoya Akhtar, was dubbed a disaster with critics unanimously panning the film. Meanwhile, the actress will be next seen opposite Junaid Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan in ‘Loveyapa’. The film is directed by Advait Chandan of ‘Secret Superstar’ fame, and is an adaptation of the hit Tamil romantic comedy movie ‘Love Today’. The shoot of the film reportedly started in Mumbai followed by its 2nd schedule in June this year in Delhi-NCR.
27 December,2024 08:21 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood beauty Deepika Padukone is set to celebrate her birthday on January 5. Ahead of her special day, the iconic film Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani will be re-released in theatres. The 2013 film, remains one of the most iconic narratives that beautifully captured the essence of love, friendship, heartbreak, and dreams. Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, and Aditya Roy Kapur, Ayan Mukerji's directorial struck a chord with audiences worldwide. As the year draws to a close, Dharma Productions announced the re-release of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani in theatres. Deepika Padukone mesmerised as Naina Talwar One of the film's most iconic characters was Naina Talwar, portrayed by Deepika Padukone. She beautifully captured the essence of a shy, introverted girl who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Deepika’s heartfelt performance brought out Naina’s emotions, struggles, and transformation, making her relatable and inspiring. Now, 11 years later, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani is set to re-release in theaters on January 3, 2025. Fans are thrilled to see their favorite character, Naina Talwar back on the big screen. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama that has gained immense popularity since its original release. Songs like 'Badtameez Dil', 'Balam Pichkari', 'Subhanallah', 'Kabira', 'Ilaahi', and 'Dilliwaali Girlfriend' remain fan favourites, making the film an unforgettable cinematic experience. Deepika Padukone’s work front Deepika Padukone’s birthday will be even more special as she recently turned mother to baby girl Dua. The actor, who tied the knot with Ranveer Singh in 2018, welcomed her first child on September 8, 2024. As for her work front, Deepika and Ranveer were seen together in Rohit Shetty's cop drama, 'Singham Again', where Deepika played the fierce Shakti Shetty, aka Lady Singham. The film also featured a powerhouse ensemble including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, and Akshay Kumar. Before that, she was seen in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. Set in a post-apocalyptic world in 2898 AD where nature has vanished and darkness prevails, it marks the first installment in the Kalki Cinematic Universe. The film follows the journey of Bhairava, a bounty hunter, as he navigates this dystopian future. Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Disha Patani also feature in the film.
27 December,2024 06:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor and politician Ravi Kishan, who had an eventful 2024 with Maamla Legal Hai, Singham Again, and Laapataa Ladies, recalls the time he faced the casting couch while searching for work opportunities in Mumbai. He opened up on being ‘attacked’ multiple times due to his chiselled physique, and long hair. Ravi asserted that there are no shortcuts to success and stated how he waited for his time to shine. Ravi Kishan on facing the casting couch In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Ravi Kishan was asked about men encountering sexual predators while looking for work in Mumbai, to which he replied, “When you’re young and good-looking when you’re fit but have no money, some people attempt to take advantage of you. This happens in several fields, not just in the films. They try their hand and hope it works out. I have faced many such attacks in my youth. I was lean, I had long hair, and I wore an earring.” He added, “I would like to tell everyone out there that there are no shortcuts to success. I know of many people who’ve tried to take such shortcuts and have regretted it immensely. They’ve slipped into addictions, or they’ve taken their lives. I haven’t seen anybody become a star through the shortcut method. Wait for your time to come; have patience. I would tell myself that one day the sun will rise for me. All my friends in the ’90s, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, became superstars. But I waited for my time.” Ravi Kishan’s acting front Ravi Kishan was recently seen in ‘Singham Again’. The Rohit Shetty directorial also stars Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Jackie Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor. Meanwhile, on the work front, he will reprise his role as VD Tyagi in ‘Maamla Legal Hai’ season 2. Besides Kishan, the show will also mark the return of Naila Grrewal, Anant V Joshi, Nidhi Bisht, and Yashpal Sharma. Directed by Rahul Pandey, 'Maamla Legal Hai' provides a novel perspective on the legal profession, presenting a diverse group of lawyers ranging from idealistic rookies to cynical veterans.
27 December,2024 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentToday is the 227th birth anniversary of Mirza Ghalib, one of Urdu literature's most iconic poets. Real name Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, popularly known as Ghalib (meaning conqueror), his poetry remains popular not only in the Indian subcontinent but also among the Hindustani diaspora around the world. Many of his verses have been sung as ghazals by iconic singers and continue to be adapted even today. Who was Mirza Ghalib? Born in 1797, the poet, one of the most popular and influential ones in Urdu and Persian language, wrote at a time when the Mughal empire was entering its last quarter and the British were taking over in India. His ghazals have been interpreted and sung in many different ways by different people as his writing which is still extremely popular among the Hindustani diaspora. Ghalib continues to inspire even the youngsters not just in India but across the world. He began composing poetry at the age of 11. His first language was Urdu, but he was equally efficient in Persian and Turkish. A descendent of Aibak Turks, Ghalib was born in Kala Mahal in Agra. He received education in Persian and Arabic. Keeping with the conventions of the classical ghazal, in most of his verses, the identity and the gender of the beloved remained unknown. Bestowed with the honorific Dabir-ul-Mulk and Najm-ud-Daula, Ghalib lived in Gali Qasim Jaan, Ballimaran, Chandni Chowk, in Old Delhi which is now known as "Ghalib Ki Haveli". His residence has been turned into 'Ghalib Memorial' and houses a permanent Ghalib exhibition. Mirza Ghalib breathed his last on February 15, 1869. His tomb is located near Chausath Khamba, Nizamuddin area in Delhi. Javed Akhtar, Shilpa Rao pay tribute On the occasion of his 227th birth anniversary, Javed Akhtar wrote, "Today is the birth anniversary of the greatest poet of 19th century. Ghalib, who could see centuries ahead of his own times. "Hoon garmi-e- Nishat-e tassavur se nagma Sanj / maen andaleeb- e- Gulshan- e naafreeda hoon ( I am singing in the joy that my imagination has given me / I am the lark of a garden that is yet to be made)." Today is the birth anniversary of the greatest poet of 19th century . Ghalib , who could see centuries ahead of his own times . “ hoon garmi-e- Nishat-e tassavur se nagma Sanj / maen andaleeb- e- Gulshan- e naafreeda hoon “ . ( I am singing in the joy that my imagination has… — Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) December 27, 2024 Singer Shilpa Rao shared a video of her singing 'Dil-e-nadaan tujhe hua kya hai'. Take a look: Aaj Mirza Ghalib ki saalgirah hai.Thank you for your beautiful words ❤️.#mirzaghalib #ghazal #shilparao pic.twitter.com/feDCmk16tK — Shilpa Rao (@shilparao11) December 27, 2024 In 1988, Gulzar paid a commendable tribute to Ghalib with the Doordarshan series titled 'Mirza Ghalib', with Naseeruddin Shah playing the role of the poet. The series featured ghazals sung and composed by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh.
27 December,2024 04:44 PM IST | MumbaiAs scores of celebs condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, remembering him as a visionary and a great statesman, an old video of Shah Rukh Khan sharing the stage with him has gone viral. In the clip, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can be seen asking King Khan to share advice for politicians. His answer left Singh impressed garnering applause. When Manmohan Singh was impressed by SRK The video is from an event during which Rahul Gandhi asked Shah Rukh Khan, “I'm going to keep it simple. One piece of advice you have towards politicians.” Shah Rukh Khan replied to it by stating, “Look who you asked. Lie and cheat and do deceit for a living. I'm an actor so I'm all show. But I think the only idea would be just work honestly and have pride in your nation. Love the country and let's not take money under the table and let's not do shady stuff. If we do it right, we're all going to make money, we're all going to be happy, and we'll all be a very proud nation. So my advice to all the politicians is please be as honest as realistically possible.” Watch the video below. When Shah Rukh Khan impressed Late Dr. Manmohan Singh ji. pic.twitter.com/watG9aToYj — ℣ (@Vamp_Combatant) December 27, 2024 Former PM Manmohan Singh’s demise Manmohan Singh, the architect behind India's economic reforms, passed away on Thursday night at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at the age of 92. He served as the prime minister from 2004 to 2014. As the nation's finance minister in 1991, he played a pivotal role in shaping India's economic framework, earning widespread recognition in global financial and economic circles. Shah Rukh Khan’s work front Shah Rukh Khan will next be seen in 'King' alongside Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. Rumour has it that Suhana’s second film is inspired by the English language French production, ‘Leon: The Professional’ (1994). It has been tentatively titled ‘King’. The original film revolves around a professional hitman who reluctantly takes in a twelve-year-old after her family is murdered by a corrupt official. The two form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns to be like him. Director Sujoy Ghosh is adapting the revenge drama, with Shah Rukh Khan playing a role that was essayed by Jean Reno and Suhana stepping into Natalie Portman’s shoes.
27 December,2024 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentExperience the journey of light and resilience as Disney+ Hotstar brings the critically acclaimed All We Imagine as Light to your screens on January 3, 2025. Directed by the visionary Payal Kapadia, this evocative drama explores the intertwined lives of two Malayali nurses in Mumbai—Prabha, a straitlaced woman yearning for her absent husband, and Anu, her outgoing roommate entangled in a forbidden love affair. Through their friendship, the film captures themes of love, identity, and the contradictions of life in the city. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Disney+ Hotstar (@disneyplushotstar) All We Imagine as Light scripted history at Cannes 2024 All We Imagine as Light made history as the first Indian film in 30 years to compete in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Grand Prix. The film has received overwhelming acclaim, including topping the BFI’s Sight & Sound poll for the best film of 2024, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards Jury Grand Prize, the Gotham Award for Best International Feature, and more. It has also received Golden Globe nominations for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director for Payal Kapadia, making her the first Indian woman director to achieve this historic feat. This further cements the film's legacy as one of the most significant releases of the year. It stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, Hridhu Haroon, and Azees Nedumangad who have delivered powerful performances in pivotal roles. All We Imagine as Light team excited about its OTT release Talking about the streaming release, Director Payal Kapadia said, “I am thrilled at the love All We Imagine as Light has received from all of you. After a successful theatrical run, I am happy that it will now be available to watch on Disney+ Hotstar. I am very excited now to share it with a wider audience.” Kani Kusruti, portraying Prabha expressed, "When I read the script, what struck me most was the profound self-discovery and quiet transformation of Prabha. Working with Payal was a serendipitous experience. She creates a nurturing workspace where everyone can grow while listening intently and helping us discover our characters with care.” Divya Prabha, portraying Anu expressed, “Stepping into Anu’s shoes was both thrilling and unfamiliar. Through her story, I understood the beauty of living in the moment and discovering love, hope, and freedom without constraints. Payal’s clarity created a sense of security for me. Her deep attention to detail allowed me to fully immerse myself in the character.” Chhaya Kadam, who delivers a moving performance as Parvaty said, “Playing Parvaty was an emotional journey for me. All We Imagine As Light speaks to the quiet strength that so many women embody, even when the odds are stacked against them. To be part of a story that uplifts these voices has been truly rewarding. I hope audiences all across the country enjoy the film.” Mark your calendars for January 3, 2025, and prepare to be swept away by a film that has redefined storytelling in Indian cinema. All We Imagine as Light will be available for streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar.
27 December,2024 03:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
