A year ago, Vidhu Vinod Chopra had to submit his hit emotional drama 12th Fail independently for the 2024 Oscars as India chose Malayalam survival thriller 2018 as its official entry for the best international film category at the Academy Awards. Today, during a masterclass at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Chopra claimed that many artistes, including those working in Hollywood, preferred his directorial venture over filmmaker Jude Anthany Joseph's film as India's Oscar entry. "Can I tell you one thing in return that so many people have told me, including people in Hollywood, that 12th Fail should have represented India at Oscars not whatever went," the filmmaker said. He further asked the audience if they agree with him. "Say yes or no, do I care? What I care for is did I make a good film or not. So please don't give so much importance (to awards). Awards are people outside of (the industry) who are acknowledging you for God knows what reasons. So please don't bother,” he said. Not just Oscars, Chopra also believes even back home, National Awards shouldn't be taken too seriously. As he spoke about his 1989 acclaimed drama thriller, Parinda, someone in the audience asked, "Why thrillers don't get National Award?" To which the the filmmaker replied, "You are giving too much importance to the National Awards."
22 November,2024 09:26 PM IST | MumbaiBollywood star Ajay Devgn on Friday completed 33 years of being an actor in the film industry. The actor made his debut with the film 'Phool Aur Kaante'. Taking to Instagram, Ajay penned a note filled with nostalgia. Sharing a miniature replicating his iconic entry in the film, Ajay Devgn revealed that it his favourite but also finds it scary. Ajay Devgn celebrates 33 years of Phool Aur Kaante Sharing a video of the miniature which is flanked by plastic flowers and a cactus, Ajay Devgn wrote, "From the entry in Phool aur Kaante (my fav but scary) to everything I stand for today, this journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. For every clap, cheer and moments full of love, thank you always #33Years." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) Released in 1991, 'Phool Aur Kante' also featured Madhoo, Aruna Irani, Jagdeep and Amrish Puri. Kuku Kohli directed it. Ajay has since created a special place for himself as an actor as well as a director. Ajay Devgn's work front Most recently he was seen in Rohit Shetty's directorial 'Singham Again', which has been performing exceptionally well at the box office. In the film, he reprised the role of police officer Bajirao Singham whom he first essayed in the first part in 2011 and then again in 2014 in the second instalment of the 'Singham' franchise. Ajay in a candid conversation with ANI expressed gratitude to the audience and also talked about how the 'Singham' franchise changed the narrative around police portrayals in Bollywood films."I am thankful to the audience for giving us so much love. For a long time, the police were always shown in a negative light in films. Singham as well as Gangaajal was one of the first films that showed how an ideal police officer should be. After that, it became a trend of making positive films about police," Ajay emphasized. Singham Again also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone, among others. It was released in theatres on Diwali, facing a clash with Kartik Aaryan-starrer 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'. On the other hand, Ajay's film 'Naam' directed by Anees Bazmee was released in theatres today. The film was shot almost two decades ago. But due to various factors the film was never released.
22 November,2024 08:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe mad, mad world of the blockbuster comedy, Bhagam Bhag, is set to return. 18 years after it wowed audiences all over, the much-awaited sequel, Bhagam Bhag 2, is finally happening. For all the die-hard fans of the film, which has attained cult status over the years, thanks to the Internet and social media, this news is nothing short of a celebration. Starring Akshay Kumar, Govinda and Paresh Rawal in lead roles, Bhagam Bhag is considered as one of ace director Priyadarshan’s iconic films. Even in Akshay’s vast repertoire, Bhagam Bhag holds a very special position along with landmark films like Hera Pheri and Welcome. Bhagam Bhag 2 is happening! The rights for the sequel were recently acquired from Shemaroo Entertainment by Sarita Ashwin Varde of Roaring River Productions who has simultaneously also been working on the film’s script. She will be producing the film along with Shemaroo. Why did it take so long for the sequel? “Because a special film like Bhagam Bhag deserves a sequel that’s just as much special; when the time was right, we decided to take the plunge,” says Sarita. Incidentally, Sarita has been associated with filmdom for long now. She has been the creative force behind her husband, Ashwin Varde, who is also a producer with films like Boss, Mubarakan, Kabir Singh, OMG-2 and Khel Khel Mein to his credit. “We are excited to partner with an incredible team to create a film that will continue the legacy of its predecessor by bringing more laughter, fun and entertainment,” says Hiren Gada, CEO, Shemaroo Entertainment. Bhagam Bhag 2 latest update Currently in the final stages of writing, Bhagam Bhag 2 is slated to go on floors in mid 2025. Right now, all that the makers promise is that the sequel will be “madder, crazier and funnier.” All other details will be revealed soon when the film is officially announced. While the first film was directed by Priyadarshan, there is no clarity yet on who will helm the sequel. Apart from the three leads, Bhagam Bhag also starred Lara Dutta, Rajpal Yadav, Jackie Shroff, Arbaaz Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, Razak Khan, Sharat Saxena and Asrani. The film tells the story of a theatre group which travels to London for a show only to be accused of a murder they did not commit, while mistakenly becoming the enemies of a drug dealer and a gang.
22 November,2024 07:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMusic composer AR Rahman had everyone in shock as he and his wife Saira Banu announced their divorce, bringing their 29-year-old marriage to an end. The Mozart of Madras and his better half married in 1995 and share three children--Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen. The music maestro's divorce news was followed by the news of his bassist Mohini Dey's separation from her husband. Many speculated that the two announcements were connected which led to several theories and rumours. AR Rahman's son reacts to rumours of divorce being connected to Mohini Dey Mohini Dey, a renowned bass player from Kolkata and a member of Gaan Bangla's Wind of Change, announced her split from her musician husband, Mark Hartsuch, via a joint Instagram post. Amid rumours of Rahman's' divorce and connection with Mohini Dey announcing her separation, the music composer's son has come to his father's defense. AR Rameen, took to his Instagram stories urging people to not engage in false and baseless rumours. "My father is a legend, not just for is incredible contributions, but for the values, respect, and love he has earned over the years. It's disheartening to see false and baseless rumours being spread. Let us all remember the importance of truth and respect when speaking about someone's life and legacy. Please refrain from engaging in or spreading such misinformation. Let's honor and preserve his dignity and the incredible impact he has had on all of us. " Why are AR Rahman and his wife divorcing? Rahman and Saira have attributed their separation to "significant emotional strain" in their relationship. Lawyer Vandana Shah, in a podcast, has talked about reasons why celebrity couples opt for divorce. She mentioned that in Bollywood, it’s usually not infidelity that causes separations, but rather boredom. According to her, celebrities often go through multiple marriages, quickly moving from one relationship to another. While one-night stands are quite common, the real problem is the monotony that leads to relationship failures. Vandana stated, “Their lives are very different. I do not think infidelity is the reason for the failure of their marriages in Bollywood. The cause is boredom. They move from one marriage to another because of boredom, which is peculiar to Bollywood and super-rich families.” She pointed out that this pattern isn’t something she sees in many other types of marriages. She added, “They all live very different sexual lives. The expectations of their sex life is much higher in these setups than a non-Bollywood marriage.” She further explained, “Third, adultery happens very much and one-night stands don’t really matter as much. I am not part of Bollywood, but these are my observations from the cases that have come to me.”
22 November,2024 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Randeep Hooda is currently working on a couple of exciting projects. In an interview with ANI on the sidelines of the ongoing Randeep gave a brief detail about his action film as a writer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Press Information Bureau India (@pibindia) " Directing Swatantrya Veer Savarkar was quite challenging....worked extremely hard on it....However, currently, I am now focused on doing films as an actor only for a while...Working on two or three films as an actor...I am also writing an action film," he shared. While Randeep did not provide a lot of information about the film, the update was enough to make his fans excited. Meanwhile, Randeep is quite happy about getting a chance to showcase his directorial 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' in the Indian Panorama at the IFFI. "I am proud of his film.... and it feels extremely special to attend this festival first time as a director. Making this film was a rebellious and challenging step but it was an important one. I made this film for the youth of our country to tell them the story of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar," he added. Actor Ankita Lokhande was also featured in the movie as the wife of Veer Savarkar. Speaking with ANI at IFFI, she said, "It was a great experience working in the film..." The film encapsulates the journey and struggles of Freedom Fighter Swatantrya Veer Savarkar for India's independence. It was released on March 22. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur.In 1911, Savarkar was sentenced to 50 years in the cellular jail of Andamans, also known as Kala Pani, for revolting against the Morley-Minto reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909). 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 November,2024 04:54 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIVarun Dhawan, who is basking in the success of 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', took a break from his hectic schedule to treat fans with his latest post. In a post on Instagram on Thursday, the actor shared a stunning shirtless picture of himself, looking dashing with his chiseled physique and bright smile. Flaunting his chiselled body in a shirtless avatar, Varun Dhawan sported a bright smile in the picture. Posing against a picturesque background, the actor looked every bit handsome as he rocked short hair, and a clean shaved look. Along with the picture, the actor added a caption that read, "Vitamin Sea." View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) Meanwhile, talking about 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', the action series, written by Sita R Menon and directed by Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK), is the Indian instalment of the global 'Citadel' franchise. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers' AGBO, Citadel and its subsequent action-espionage original series span the globe, exploring the story of spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore. 'Citadel: Honey Bunny' premiered on Prime Video on November 7. The actor will also be seen in 'Baby John'. Directed by A Kaleeswaran and backed by acclaimed filmmaker Atlee, 'Baby John' will also star Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav in key roles. The film is produced by Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee and Jyoti Deshpande. 'Baby John' is touted as one of the highly anticipated action entertainers and is set to release in theatres this Christmas December 25, adding to the festive cheer. 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 November,2024 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Sanjay Mishra delved into details of his film 'Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jaayenge'and shared how he can relate to the subject of the movie, which is being shown at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. In a conversation with ANI, he talked about the film and shared, "Every father wants his son to follow his footsteps and become successful in life similarly in this picture the father wants the same for his son..." He recalled his childhood memories related to IFFI, "This is the first screening of the film on such a platform from where I am related since childhood because my father was in PIB and whenever this festival used to take place, there were similar kinds of books in our houses," shared the actor known for films like 'Ankhon Dekhi' and 'Vadh'. Directed and written by Nikhil Raj, the film combines drama, humour, and life's emotional complexities into a story that resonates deeply with viewers. The director shared that his film takes inspiration from what he has seen and observed in his life. "This story is lot related to what I saw in my childhood or the message that you are talking about, what I saw in my youth in Mumbai, the problems that I saw, I combined them and wrote this. So there is nothing in this whole story that I have written in my mind. I experienced it from my life, I saw it, I felt it." Actor Karan Anand shared how he prepared for the role, saying, "I went to Lucknow, where we had our shooting. I had gone there 4 days before the shooting. I tied a cloth around my face and I drove like a rickshaw driver. I have earned Rs 148. I have kept it in my house. This is how I prepared for my role to make it look realistic." Supporting performances by Monal Gajjar, Ishtiyak Khan, Neeraj Sood, and Neelam Gupta. 'Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jaayenge' is available to stream exclusively on ) Prasar Bharati OTT platform Waves. Meanwhile, talking about the event, IFFI 2024 will present over 180 international films from 81 countries, including 16 world premieres, 3 international premieres, 43 Asian premieres and 109 Indian premiers. With the selection of celebrated titles and award-winning films from the global circuit, this year's festival is set to leave a lasting impact on audiences. Notably, the organisers have planned to come up with an extensive tribute program to honour the 100th birth anniversaries of four Indian Cinema Legends: Actor-Filmmaker Raj Kapoor, Director Tapan Sinha, Telugu Cinema star Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and Singer Mohammed Rafi, as per Variety. The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is taking place in Goa till November 28. 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 November,2024 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIPunjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh's song 'Nain Matakka' from Varun Dhawan-starrer 'Baby John' is all set to be out soon. Dheekshitha Venkadeshan, aka Dhee, also lent her vocals to the track. As per the makers, 'Nain Matakka' is a "foot-tapping, peppy number that showcases the sizzling on-screen chemistry between Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh." Recently, the teaser of Baby John was unveiled. It paints 'Baby John' as a mass action drama enriched with emotional undertones. Dhawan plays a police officer and single father, portraying a character who is not afraid to confront adversaries head-on. In a powerful scene, he declares, "Mere jaise bohat aaye hoge, main pehali baar aaya hu" ("Many like me might have come before, but I have come here for the first time"), setting the tone for his heroic journey. The teaser also introduces Keerthy Suresh as the female lead and features veteran actor Jackie Shroff in a brief yet impactful role as the antagonist. Wamiqa Gabbi and Rajpal Yadav round out the cast, contributing to the film's dynamic ensemble. The film is directed by A Kaleeswaran and backed by acclaimed filmmaker Atlee. It will be out in theatres this December. 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 November,2024 04:51 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIVarun Dhawan recently joined the professional networking platform LinkedIn. he has described himself as an actor, investor and assistant director. He has filled the profile with his list of achievements and work in the movie industry. He has also put a list of his key projects and described all of them in one line. The list mentions movies like Student Of The Year, Badlapur, Sui Dhaga, Judwaa, Coolie No 1, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, and Bhediya. He, however, did not mention Shoojit Siracar's October that won him praise for his nuanced performance. Here's how Varun Dhawan described his films Student of the Year: Graduated top of the class by showcasing my prowess in extra curricular activities. Badlapur: Self-motivated myself while doing a balancing act between morals and ethics. Sui Dhaga: Dabbled in the world of fashion by mastering the art of weaving dreams and clothes. Judwaa: Doubled down as a multitasker who could do the job of 2 people for the compensation of 1. Coolie No. 1: Shouldered the burdens of many and was honoured as the top performer in the load bearing industry. Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania: Learnt the art of persuasion leading to a long term partnership. Bhediya: The project that made me realise that transformation is more than just makeup—it’s a mindset. Varun's first post on LinkedIn His first post on LinkedIn was labelled as a new chapter'. He went down to pen: “Starting a New Chapter – Bringing My Journey to LinkedIn Hello everyone.” “I’m excited to join the LinkedIn community! As someone who's been working in the film industry for over a decade, I’ve had the privilege of learning a lot about the importance of hard work, teamwork, and constantly evolving.” The actor said that what excites him the most about being on the platform is “the opportunity to connect with professionals from all industries – not just entertainment.” “The lessons I’ve learned on set, from directors, producers, and co-actors, have shaped how I approach challenges, collaborate, and constantly push myself to do better. I’m looking forward to sharing insights, discussing creativity, leadership, and yes – even some behind-the-scenes glimpses of the world of film. “If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that there’s always something new to learn, no matter where you are in your career. Thanks for welcoming me to this amazing community!” Varun Dhawan's work front Varun was recently seen in the action-packed series 'Citadel: Honey Bunny' created by Raj and DK. The series co-starred Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The series is from the same universe as the American Citadel fronted by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden. The actor will also be seen in 'Baby John'. Directed by A Kaleeswaran and backed by acclaimed filmmaker Atlee, 'Baby John' will also star Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav in key roles. The film is produced by Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee and Jyoti Deshpande. 'Baby John' is touted as one of the highly anticipated action entertainers and is set to release in theatres this Christmas December 25, adding to the festive cheer.
22 November,2024 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA little over a year after welcoming their first child, a baby boy, Sana Khan and Anas Saiyad are set to welcome their second. Sana took to Instagram on Friday to announce her second pregnancy. In a video shared by her, it read that their son Saiyad Tariq Jamil is excited to be a big brother and that their joyous family of three will soon grow to four. Sharing the adorable announcement video, Sana wrote, "Alhamdullilah ❤️🤲🏻❤️ “Ya Allah, grant me from Your own (power) a goodly progeny. Verily, You are the One who listens to the prayer.” “Oh my Allah give us from our spouses and our children comfort of eyes and make us heads of the God- fearing” Only Allah has the power to grant such a gift and reaffirms his responsiveness to sincere prayers. Bless us with a family that is not only abundant in number but also in virtue. May Allah accept our prayers and make it easy on all of us " View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saiyad Sana Khan (@sanakhaan21) About Sana Khan: The actress appeared in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu films before leaving the industry in 2020. She married a cleric and devoted her life to her faith and family. Sana Khan joined the entertainment industry at a young age, starting her modelling career at just 18. She went on to act in 18 films across five different languages and appeared in more than 50 commercials. One of her most popular appearances was on the reality show Bigg Boss 6. Sana Khan gained recognition after her appearance on Bigg Boss 6, where her time on the show drew both praise and criticism. Afterward, she dated Melvin Louis for nearly a year, and they were quite open about their relationship on social media. However, their breakup became very public when allegations surfaced that Melvin was cheating on her with multiple women. Sana also shared that he treated her poorly in front of her friends. Sana was deeply affected by her breakup with Melvin and turned to religion for comfort. In 2020, she chose to leave the entertainment industry to focus on her spiritual journey and "serve humanity." She shared the news on social media, surprising everyone with her decision. The post read: “I declare today that from today onwards, I have resolved to say goodbye to my Showbiz lifestyle forever and serve humanity and follow the order of my Creator. All brothers and sisters are requested to pray for me to Allah to accept my repentance and grant me the true ability to live in accordance with my determination of spending my life following the commandments of my Creator and in the service of humanity, and grant me perseverance in it.” In November 2020, Sana Khan married a Muslim cleric named Mufti Anas Sayed. They welcomed their first child, a son named Saiyad Tariq Jamil, in July 2023. Sana has now transitioned into a businesswoman and founded two ventures: "Face Spa by Sana Khan" and "Haya By Sana Khan." Together with her husband, she also runs the "Hayat Welfare Foundation." According to reports, Sana Khan’s estimated net worth is around Rs 20 crores.
22 November,2024 04:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran television producer Vinta Nanda, who was among the first women to break their silence and amplify the MeToo movement in the film industry a couple of years ago, slammed ace filmmaker Imtiaz Ali for his recent statement on women's safety during the 55th IFFI International Film Festival in Goa. Vinta Nanda was one of the earliest female celebrities to come out with her MeToo story, along with actress Tanushree Dutta in 2018. She had accused actor Alok Nath of sexual harassment and rape in the 90s. Vinta Nanda asks who selected Imtiaz Ali to speak for women Vinta’s note on Instagram read, “Imtiaz Ali should stop pontificating about what women face in the entertainment industry. Naturally, Kareena Kapoor is safe because she is privileged. And, he surely must know that the casting couch exists! Why has IFFI Goa selected him to speak on behalf of women? Is it to whitewash the truth? If men like him had the courtesy to abstain from speaking on a subject they have no experience about, one will believe that change is indeed taking place.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vinta Nanda (@vintananda) She wrote in the caption, “It’s shocking to see reports of @imtiazaliofficial making all sorts of statements about women’s issues on an important industry platform like @iffigoa With zero experience, he should have abstained from speaking instead.” What Imtiaz Ali said at IFFI Imtiaz Ali recalled how Kareena Kapoor felt safe on the sets of ‘Jab We Met’. He shared, “Kareena was ready for the shot and on the top berth in a railway compartment. She had to mumble in her sleep in the scene, and we needed extra lights on the berth. I asked her to come down until the crew members finished putting the light on. She said that I would keep lying there and they could just put the light on. “Three men went up and put it while standing on the lower berth where she was lying down. I asked her, ‘Are you sure and comfortable?’ She didn’t understand what my problem was. She said, ‘Abhi kon utrega aur phir chadhega!’ And that’s because she felt so safe with those three men hovering over her to put the light on. Nobody looked at her wrong in any way,” Imtiaz added.
22 November,2024 02:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
