"We always want our greats to live on forever,” says Manoj Bajpayee, moments into our call with him. On Monday evening, that wish was shattered as Shyam Benegal, one of the finest filmmakers of Hindi cinema, passed away at 90. For Bajpayee, Benegal, who cast him as the male lead in Zubeidaa (2001), represented someone who made him confident about his looks. “When nobody could understand why he cast me as a prince in Zubeidaa, he had his own idea. For him, I was a better-looking guy than all the real princes at that time. He gave me a lot of confidence when I didn’t have confidence in my own looks. Every day, I would rush to be on the sets with him, to listen to him and be directed by him. It was a time that I will never be able to forget,” recounts the actor. Amol Palekar Bajpayee echoes the sentiments of many in the film industry when he describes Benegal as “a pioneer, a pathbreaker, and a guiding light for so many filmmakers of this generation”. “It was all started by that great man. It’s a sad day for all of us, who define cinema not as a commercial medium, but as one of art. He never compromised with the art of cinema. He kept changing the grammar of cinema. I admire him because he was existing in the extreme times when mainstream cinema was ruling the roost, where Mr Amitabh Bachchan came like a tsunami. Here was a man quietly carving a niche for himself, carving a new path for all the new generations to come.” Amol Palekar fondly remembered the filmmaker with whom he collaborated on Bhumika (1977), which was fronted by the late Smita Patil. Saddened by the loss, Palekar said, “The film industry should bow to the last Trojan! I do.” The rich legacy Ankur (1974)Nishant (1975)Manthan (1976)Bhumika (1977)Junoon (1979)Kalyug (1981)Mandi (1983)Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1993)Mammo (1994)Zubeidaa (2001)Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023)
24 December,2024 06:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBR | Priyanka SharmaShyam Benegal’s last work, Mujib (2023), was possibly the most important film for Bangladesh; a biopic on the neigbouring nation’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He was 89, when the movie released. You did well, Mr Benegal. His first feature, Ankur (1974), was possibly the most important Hindi film for India’s art-house movement, heralding the Indian New Wave, from Bombay. In between is a life so full of all kinds of cinema—shorts, documentaries, features, TV movies, series—that his CV alone, let alone its range, might be longer than an obituary can do justice. This would include a series of firsts; again, starting with Ankur itself, that was actor Shabana Azmi’s screen debut. Nishant (1975) was Naseeruddin Shah’s. He picked both actors, after they’d graduated from Pune’s Film & Television Institute of India. Shyam Benegal. Pic/AFP One evening, while watching news on television, the anchor caught his eye, and he cast her in his children’s film, Charandas Chor (1975). That was Smita Patil. Bhumika remains, arguably, her greatest performance. Between Naseer, Shabana and Smita, forming an alternate, Bombay star-system of their own—besides Om Puri (Susman, Arohan), Anant Nag (Konduran, Kalyug), Rajit Kapur (The Making of the Mahatma, Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda), and so many others—Benegal didn’t just make films. He built an entire eco-system, for what came to be known as Hindi parallel cinema. Named such, because it did not intersect with the Bombay mainstream—remaining true to its realism, social consciousness, barely appeasing to audience’s baser instincts, or ignoring its intellect, while staying within commercial cinema, after all, for his features were still mostly privately funded (Blaze Productions, in particular). An unassuming, gentle soul, gifted with gravitas, foremost, Benegal was a young mind. How else do you explain a career scripted over seven decades. Consider that when he made his first short, in 1962 (Ghar Betha Ganga), Jawaharlal Nehru was still India’s Prime Minister; man was several years away from stepping on the moon; and it’d be 20 years before we’d get Doordarshan (DD) for a proper national broadcaster. Last checked, Benegal was still making movies. His partner, Nira, both in life and films, was his sounding board. He gave DD, and indeed Indian television, its greatest OTT slow-burn, decades before there was OTT, with Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), based on Nehru’s Discovery of India. He made India’s crowd-funded film, Manthan (1976), based on the life of dairy engineer, Verghese Kurien, with contribution of 500,000 farmers, decades before crowd funding became a term. With Junoon (1979), he made the sharpest effort, until then, to take art-house into a big-budget space, with stalwarts of the time, adapting Ruskin Bond’s A Flight of Pigeons. At the turn of the century, when multiplexes offered a short-lived window into exploring meaningful yet entertaining content, beyond simply the starry space, he brought forward intelligent comedies, Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008), Well Done Abba! (2009). This is before he swiftly switched gear, and embarked on the astoundingly ambitious series, on the making of the Indian Constitution, Samvidhaan (2014), for Rajya Sabha TV. Yup, Benegal has always been there. Not just in terms of works, but also for how he inspired. What’s the final shot in Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry (2013), if not the stone-throwing finale of Ankur! Given the widest possible gamut, surely, everybody has a Benegal Top 10. And each might read so different from the other. Kalyug (1981), modern adaptation of Mahabharat, set in Bombay’s corporate world, tops mine; Mammo (1994) might be a second; Mandi (1983) could be yours, or Zubeidaa (2001), if you’re younger. A cousin of Guru Dutt, who got interested in cinema, because of his photographer-father Sridhar Benegal, who gave him access to a movie camera, when he was only 12—once Benegal moved to Bombay, from Hyderabad, he started out as a man of advertising. It’s something he shared with Satyajit Ray, his inspiration of sorts. One of the most enlightening conversations on cinema that Benegal left behind for film buffs was his interview with Ray himself, for a documentary (that occasionally appears and disappears from YouTube). It’s where you see Benegal for simply a curious movie mind. And a consummate movie buff, you would always spot at screenings at cinemas and festivals. The last I met him, in 2019, at his Tardeo office, which is a shrine of sorts in filmmakers in Mumbai—it was right after his Manthan actor and long-time associate, Girish Karnad, had passed on. “Everybody’s leaving now,” he said. The very next minute, he began revealing how the then Bangladesh PM, Sheikh Haseena, had entrusted him with a film on her father, Mujib, along the lines of Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi. Benegal was 85 then—speaking about recommendations to the Indian censor board that never got implemented, or his public commitments in Goa, initiated from his Member of Parliament fund. We discussed movies as a changing medium. He told me the cellphone was the best way to watch films—the eye’s distance should, anyway, be one and half times the length of the screen’s diagonal, and the sound doesn’t get better than a headphone. I’ve followed his advice since. There was so much more to learn. The movies remain. He lives on forever.
24 December,2024 06:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharThere’s a new kingmaker Sujoy Ghosh and Siddharth Anand Shah Rukh Khan and daughter Suhana Khan’s King hasn’t gone on floors yet, but there is a plot twist already. The highly anticipated action thriller, which was to be helmed by Sujoy Ghosh, is now being directed by Siddharth Anand. What led to the change? Your guess is as good as ours. Even before this development, Siddharth was involved in King as a producer, and co-writer alongside Sujoy. Some reports at that time had also suggested that he would direct the action set-pieces, while Sujoy was to steer the rest of it. Now, with Siddharth as the new captain of the ship, it will mark his reunion with Shah Rukh after their blockbuster Pathaan (2023). Can they recreate their magic? We can already hear the superstar’s fans going, “Yes!” You’ll get hell next year How long can you wait for the next season of a series that you absolutely love? The answer to that question can vary, but one thing’s for certain—fans of Paatal Lok have been patient. And now, it’s time for them to be rewarded. The gritty crime thriller’s second season will première on January 17, over four years since the show opened in May 2020. While Jaideep Ahlawat will reprise his role of the cynical but trusted cop Hathiram Chaudhary, the new season will also see Tillotama Shome, Nagesh Kukunoor, and Jahnu Barua join the cast.
24 December,2024 06:48 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamVeteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal has passed away at the age of 90 at Wockhardt hospital in Mumbai. His daughter confirmed to Mid-day that he passed away on Monday evening. He was suffering from a kidney ailment for a while. His funeral will take place on December 24 at Shivaji Park. Shyam Benegal passes away in Mumbai The filmmaker's daughter Pia Benegal told Mid-day, "Mr Shyam Benegal passed away today at 6.38 pm at a city hospital." He had been unwell for some time. Shyam Benegal is often regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema. He is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers post-1970s. He has received several accolades, including 18 National Film Awards, and a Nandi Award. In 2005, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema. In 1976, he was honoured by the Indian government with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country, and in 1991, he was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour for his contributions in the field of arts. Shyam Benegal turned 90 on Dec 14, was working on 2-3 films The filmmaker, who directed path-breaking films such as ‘Ankur’, ‘Nishant’, ‘Manthan’, ‘Bhumika’, ‘Junoon’, and ‘Mandi’, turned 90 on December 14. "We all grow old. I don’t do anything great on my birthday. It may be a special day, but I don’t celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team,” Benegal told PTI on his birthday. Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Benegal remained committed to his passion for filmmaking. "I'm working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It’s difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen," said the director, whose most recent film was the 2023 biographical Mujib: The Making of a Nation. Shabana Azmi had shared photos from Benegal's 90th birthday celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18) He received independent financing for 'Ankur' in 1973. It was a realistic drama of economic and sexual exploitation in his home state, Telangana. The film introduced actors Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag, and the director won the 1975 National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film. Shabana won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
24 December,2024 12:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAfter delivering tracks like Guli mata and Zaalima, Indian music producer Anshul Garg shares that he is set to release a song in collaboration with American singer Selena Gomez next year. Garg, who had, until now, not confirmed his association with the singer, tells mid-day that they are set to shoot soon. In this interview, he shares why his keen interest in artistes from the west is beneficial for Indian music, and its musicians. Edited excerpts from the interview. How did your association with Selena come about?I did my first international collaboration for a song called Guli Mata. When I made that song, and made my team hear it, they opined that half of the song was incomprehensible. But, we know that when south music became popular in the north, many people from that area also did not understand the lyrics, but grooved to the music nonetheless. Also, while traveling abroad, I heard a lot of French and Afro music, and enjoyed them. So, I was keen to be part of international collaborations. Eventually, the song did pretty well on the global charts. In fact, we received an award for it in the UAE recently. I subsequently collaborated with other international artistes and kept building relationships with them and their management teams. Now, apart from Selena, we are in talks with to three to four big artistes. In 2025 or 2026, I should be able to bring them to India. What can you share about the song that you’ve done with her?Selena is an icon, and everyone I meet knows who she is. Even in India, she is a celebrated name. She has never come here, though. We’ve locked the song, and have decided which Indian singer should render it, but that’s a detail I am not permitted to reveal just yet. It’s a Hindi and English number, and we’ll have clarity around when it can be released after we shoot it next year, probably in March. What sparked your interest in creating fusions with artistes from the west?A lot of people told me to train my attention on the Indian market, and [criticised me] for changing the positioning of Indian music. They’d tell me that this development would lead people to forget our own music. But, I believe, the things I am doing will help take Indian music to the global stage. When I’m in Los Angeles, I don’t hear any Indian songs there. While I am at a restaurant, I’d like to listen to at least two to three Indian numbers. Hopefully, in the next five years, we will see that happening. Punjabi numbers are becoming so popular in the west. It will boom in the next three years. So, I feel, Indian music will be the next big thing in the world. You will see international artistes becoming inclined towards Indian music, and international actors putting Indian songs on their social media reels. That’s going to happen really soon. What makes you so confident about this statement?I’ve been in this industry for eight years, and have seen the conversation around Indian music change in the last two years. I’ve been talking to many artistes abroad, and they are [all] keen to come to India and collaborate with the musicians here. Martin Garrix is collaborating with Arijit Singh now. Have there been instances when you collaborated with an international artiste but had to shelve the song because it didn’t feel right?Many times. [Recently] I collaborated with a female Russian artiste. We were [in discussion] for months, and suddenly, I felt [it wasn’t right]. If I get bored of the song too soon, then I will [shelve it]. We aim to be at the Grammys. Hopefully, we should be nominated in 2026 or 2027. For that, we need to be very sure about what we do. Working on an international number takes time because there’s a whole lot of paperwork involved. We also want to ensure that the Indian and international parts are [appropriately included]. It’s a process that takes eight months. So, we make five to six songs with all the artistes that we work with, and shelve most of them. We retain only one or two. Is there any artiste you’re keen to join hands with?Drake and The Weeknd. Those will be very exciting. Getting them to India and having them sing a line or two in our language will also be very exciting.
23 December,2024 10:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaAnil Kapoor is known for his stellar acting over a career spanning more than four decades. His versatile and iconic roles are a household name. He has done different kinds of roles showcasing his versatility. At the age of 67 too, the actor is fit and is always seen jumping around with full energy, trying to make the audience laugh. On the occasion of his 68th Birthday, let us have a look at some of his quirkiest and funniest roles: Gharwali Baharwali (1998)in this dramedy, Anil Kapoor plays the character of Arun who is torn between loyalty towards his wife, Kaajal, and his father's wish to have a grandchild as Kaajal can't bear a child. However Arun rejects his father's plea to remarry but in a turn of events, Arun has to tie the knot with Manisha, a Nepali girl. This leads to chaos, comedy, and funny attempts to hide the truth. Quite problematic, but the film displayed Anil Kapoor's comic side. Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)Anil Kapoor essays the character of Kamal Mehra, a Delhi-based self-made billionaire. This comedy-drama film revolves around the Mehra family and their strained relationships with each other which are revealed on a 10-day cruise trip that commemorates Kamal and Neelam Mehra's 30 years of married life. Anil's character in this film is unpredictable, flirty, and quirky. Welcome (2007)One of the most iconic characters of Anil Kapoor is from this film. Anil portrays Majnu Bhai, a feared yet funny gangster who has a thing for painting and believes he can become a great painter someday. This is surely one of the quirkiest and funniest roles of Kapoor. Mr. India (1987)This 1987 sci-fi comedy film revolves around a criminal Mogambo who wants to conquer India and performs misdeeds. On the contrary, Anil's character Arun is a teacher and kin-hearted person who adopts 10 orphans to look after them. His poverty-laden life transforms when he discovers his late father's watch which makes the bearer invisible. What follows further is comedy, confusion, and chaos besides action and drama. No Entry (2005)Anil Kapoor essays a faithful man, Kishan, who is married to Kajal, who is always suspicious and suspects that he is cheating on her. Kishan's feud with his friend Prem puts him in an uncomfortable situation where he has to lie to his wife, further leading to a web of lies. As these lies are told, laughs are ensured. Eventually, the secrets unfold hilariously. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019)Anil portrays a happy-go-lucky single parent, Balbir Chaudhary, whose life is going happily until his quest to find a suitable match for his daughter reveals that she is not interested in guys and instead likes girls. Anil's character adds humour, his chemistry with Juhi Chawla keeps the audience hooked in this social message-driven film. Jugjugg Jeeyo (2022)This comedy-drama film presents a strained relationship between two couples of different generations and their approach towards them. Anil Kapoor plays a flirty, infidel middle-aged man, Bheem, who undergoes character development by the end. Anil's presence in the film uplifts it and ensures that laughter is made through serious conversations. Biwi No. 1 (1999)Anil Kapoor plays Dr. Lakhan Khurana, who agrees to help Pooja win her husband, Prem, back from his affair. He helps her get a makeover that makes her look modern. By the end, Lakhan also reunites with his wife, Lovely. Anil's character has incredible comic timing in this film.
23 December,2024 10:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Divya KhuranaMohammed Rafi was India's most renowned singer, and December 24 marks his 100th birth anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone of the legendary artist, here is an interesting fact about him. Rafi has sung some of the most iconic songs, including Aaj Mausam Bada, Kya Hua Tera Vada, Yeh Reshmi Zulfein, among hundreds of others. But what if we tell you that he has also sung Pehle Bhi Main from Animal, Lutt Put Gaya from Dunki, Tera Ban Jaunga from Kabir Singh, among others? Confused? You don’t need to be, because we are here to tell you the reality behind these songs in Mohammed Rafi's voice. New popular songs in Mohammed Rafi's voice When artificial intelligence gets to work, everything is possible. While we miss the singer with our whole hearts, several experts have found a way to recreate the magic by having the latest songs sung in Mohammad Rafi's voice using AI tools. It’s a fact that AI can be dangerous, but this same technology has helped many relive the magic of Rafi sahab's voice. Some of these popular edits include Pehle Bhi Main from Animal, Lutt Put Gaya from Dunki, Tera Ban Jaunga from Kabir Singh, among other popular songs. Fans react to Mohammed Rafi's AI voice As these Mohammad Rafi versions of the songs go viral, fans have poured their love for the legendary artist. One wrote, "No doubt this AI version of The Great legendary singer Mohd Rafi Sahab is far better than the original. We all miss you Rafi sahab". "Suro ki Taj hai moha sahab ji Koyeli awaaz hai beautiful voice CooooooL world famas singar My Rafi sahab ji ko salam Mastar voice CooooooL," another comment reads. A third comment reads, "Ye sunn ke pata chala ki mohammad Rafi sir ji kitne Great Legend singer hai". "Still Bollywood is living in legend song which was70s 80s........and in2024 this song are the top songs of the year, one wrote. Another fan, while reacting to clip, said, "people are still listening this voice, 44 saal pahle Rafi sahab chale gaye but His voice is still alive cause "Awaz kabhi nahi marti" Rafi sahab Kishoreda are immortal" Reportedly, IFFI this year will pay homage to the extraordinary legacy of Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and Mohammed Rafi through a series of tributes, screenings, and interactive events, providing the delegates a closer look at the contributions of these legendary film personalities to the world of cinema.
23 December,2024 09:58 PM IST | MumbaiActress Shabana Azmi started her career with Shyam Benegal's film 'Ankur' in 1973. The film, a realistic drama of economic and sexual exploitation in Telangana, won Shabana the National Film Award for Best Actress. It is probably fitting that Benegal's last photo, from his 90th birthday celebration, was shared by the actress who just completed 50 years in films. Shabana Azmi shared photos from Benegal's 90th birthday Shyam Benegal, often regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema, passed away on Monday evening at a Mumbai hospital, after suffering from kidney ailment for a long time. He celebrated his 90th birthday on December 14, and Shabana had shared photos from the celebration. Sharing the photo featuring Benegal and actor Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana wrote, "On #Shyam Benegal’s 90th birthday with my coactor of many films and my favourite actor @Naseeruddin Shah . Why aren’t more people casting us together ?!!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18) Sharing another photo on X, she had written, "Some of his actors with Shyam Benegal’s on his 90th birthday Mashallah." In the heartwarming photo, the veteran actress shared the frame with Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajit Kapur, Atul Tiwari, Divya Dutta, filmmaker-actor and Shashi Kapoor’s son Kunal Kapoor. Some of his actors with Shyam Benegal’s on his 90th birthday Mashallah pic.twitter.com/cnDrjAphf2 — Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) December 15, 2024 How Benegal transformed Shabana Azmi for Ankur At the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram, earlier this month, Shabana Azmi remembered how director Shyam Benegal transformed her into the village girl in the movie Ankur from an urban college girl. She had never stepped into a village before that. The screening of the film at IFFK coincided with Benegal's birthday. Azmi graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 1973, and just a year later, made her cinematic debut in Shyam Benegal’s critically acclaimed social drama 'Ankur' (1974). Her powerful portrayal in the film not only won over audiences but also earned her the National Award for Best Actress - an incredible feat for her debut performance. The actress has said that she fondly sees Benegal as much more than a filmmaker. "He is my mentor and guru, albeit a reluctant one. But above all the other equations that I share with him, I consider him a dear dear friend," she said.
23 December,2024 09:05 PM IST | MumbaiShyam Benegal, the veteran filmmaker, passed away today at the age of 90. His daughter told Mid-Day that the ace filmmaker left for his heavenly abode on Monday evening. This news has left everyone in a state of shock. Benegal recently turned a year older on December 14. Even at the age of 90, he was quite committed to his work. Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Benegal remained dedicated to his passion for filmmaking. Shyam Bengal was working on 2-3 projects On his 90th birthday, Shyam Benegal, in conversation with PTI, said, "I’m working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It’s difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen." Benegal was a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s, creating a body of work known for its realism and social commentary. Shyam's most recent work was the 2023 biographical Mujib: The Making of a Nation. The filmmaker, who directed path-breaking films such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Junoon, and Mandi, turned 90 on December 14. While addressing the media on his birthday, Benegal had said, "We all grow old. I don’t do anything great on my birthday. It may be a special day, but I don’t celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team." Shyam Benegal passes away in Mumbai The filmmaker's daughter Pia Benegal told Mid-Day, "Mr. Shyam Benegal passed away today at 6:38 pm at a city hospital." He had been unwell for some time. Shyam Benegal is often regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema. He is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers post-1970s. He has received several accolades, including 18 National Film Awards and a Nandi Award. In 2005, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in the field of cinema. In 1976, he was honoured by the Indian government with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country, and in 1991, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour for his contributions to the field of arts.
23 December,2024 08:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger Sonu Nigam had announced a few days back he is going to perform at a tribute concert on the special occasion of Mohammed Rafi's birth centenary. Titled 'Sau Saal Pehle', the concert organised by NR Talent and Event Management is set to be held on December 24, on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of the legend, at NMACC in Mumbai. Sonu will be performing live with a 50-member orchestra for the legendary singer. Sonu Nigam's tribute concert for Rafi in Mumbai The ‘Satrangi Re’ singer spoke up about the relationship he has with the late singer, who inspires him everyday. "Rafi sahab has been my first guru after my father and mother, because they are the ones who introduced me to his greatness. I have not just treated him like a teacher, I have treated him like a God. I have worshipped him and he has taught me, of course I have listened to so many other singers. But my primary inspiration has been Rafi sahab and I am so elated that on his 100th birthday, I have been given the honour to celebrate his 100th birthday by his family, Shahid Rafi, Firdaus and my guru Ghulam Mustafa Khan sahab's children, Rabbani and his wife Namrata," he told IANS. He further mentioned, “I am so honoured that out of all his disciples, I got this good fortune and I am really thankful to God." The 50-year-old singer had earlier said that this was a tough feat, sharing a video on Instagram. "Pareeksha ki ghadiyaan aaj se shuru hoti hai. Apne Ustad ko Yaad karna, celebrate karna aur Saath hi Saath unke gaano ke Saath insaaf karna, bohot badi zimmedaari hai. Jaise Bachpan mein nervousness hoti thhi, kuch vaise hi jazbaat aaj hain," he said. Biopic on Mohd Rafi There’s also a biopic based on Mohammed Rafi in the works. Ask him if it is 4 decades too late to honour the legend with a biopic, and he disagrees saying everything is predestined, and it will happen at its time. He said, "Even I learnt about it recently. I am very happy. I always feel that you can't plan anything, whenever it's bound to happen, it happens. Like people have been trying for Kishore Kumar’s biopic, but it hasn't happened as yet, you see. So it will happen eventually when it's meant to happen and same with Rafi sahab's biopic also. And I really hope that it turns out to be a super duper hit." (With IANS inputs)
23 December,2024 07:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Anil Kapoor is set to have a working birthday this December 24, which is very characteristic of the actor. The cinema icon will be on the set of an upcoming project in Mumbai, continuing his streak of working through major holidays. Earlier this year, he was filming for a new film Subedaar in UP on Diwali. Anil Kapoor's career-defining year with significant milestones Anil Kapoor has had a phenomenal year, marked by career-defining milestones and global recognition. His performance in the hit series The Night Manager garnered a nomination for Best Drama Series at the prestigious International Emmys 2024. TIME magazine honoured him by including him in their list of the 100 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence, for his efforts in exploring cutting-edge technologies in storytelling. Kapoor’s memorable role as the father of Ranbir Kapoor in Animal earned him the IIFA Best Actor in a Supporting Role award and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. On OTT platforms, Kapoor captivated audiences as the host of Bigg Boss OTT, while his remarkable performance in the action-packed Fighter had everyone talking. Anil Kapoor continues to inspire with his passion, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His fans are eagerly waiting for the release of his film Subedaar, marking his first collaboration with director Suresh Triveni, and a bunch of other films. View this post on Instagram A post shared by anilskapoor (@anilskapoor) Earlier this month, Anil Kapoor had posted behind-the-scenes pictures from the set of his upcoming film Subedar. Radhikka Madan will also star in this picture alongside Kapoor. Anil Kapoor shares emotional post, says 'miss him deeply' Today, the 'Lamhe' actor took to Instagram to commemorate his late father Surinder Kapoor's 99th birth anniversary. Anil shared a post on his Instagram account. The actor was overflown with emotions and he praised his dad's honesty, simplicity, and happiness. He further praised him by mentioning that he had a magnetic presence. The Animal actor mentioned that he misses him a lot but his lessons and memories are always there to guide him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by anilskapoor (@anilskapoor) The actor captioned the post, "Celebrating my dad’s 99th birthday today. His simplicity, honesty, and joy not only defined him, but gave all our lives meaning. His presence was so magnetic and though I miss him deeply, his memories and lessons guide me every day, filling my life with strength and warmth. Here’s to the legacy of a remarkable man who will always be my greatest inspiration"
23 December,2024 07:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
