Give him a fascinating role, and director Prakash Jha will happily leave his place behind the camera and face it instead. An example is his latest short film, Amar Aaj Marega, which has been selected for the Indian Panorama section at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The Rajat K-directed venture will première at the festival in Goa on November 24. What prompted Jha to front the project? He points to the quirky story that revolves around a 62-year-old widower, who is convinced that he has lived his life to the fullest and plans to end it. “It’s a quirky movie. Amar has decided to end his life after a small celebration with a close friend [Saurabh Sachdeva]. When the friend learns of his plan, he gets scared and starts calling people home. Then they all sit and decide whether Amar should die or not, even discussing the method of his death,” says Jha. Acting is not new to the National Award-winning director, who featured in Saand Ki Aankh (2019) and Matto Ki Saikil (2022). To him, it’s a joy to bring another director’s vision to life. “When Rajat approached me, I thought it was a good concept. The film being screened at IFFI is good for him as he is a first-time filmmaker. I love encouraging debutant directors. First-time filmmakers are the best. Even in Matto Ki Saikil, debutant Mohammed Gani made a beautiful film.” Though busy with Aashram’s fourth season, Jha says he will always make time for acting. It comes with a simple condition—the role should enhance the story. “If I say yes to a role, it should be pivotal. Otherwise, I get approached for many parts, including cop roles. But I don’t need acting as a profession; I do it purely out of love. Directing and writing will go on,” he states.
18 November,2024 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRAhead of his Hyderabad concert on Saturday, singer Diljit Dosanjh received a legal notice from Telangana government instructing him to not sing songs promoting drugs, violence and alcohol. While the singer abided by the notice by tweaking words in his song, he also gave a befitting response to the notice. After talking about it at the Hyderabad concert, he also took a dig at the notice during his Ahemadabad concert on Sunday. Before beginning the show on Sunday, he addressed the audience about singing songs mentioning alcohol. He said that he has hardly a few songs mentioning alcohol and is willig to stop singing them if all states announce themselves as dry state. He also said that Bollywood has thousands of alcohol songs and said that while Bollywood stars promote alcohol, he has never done that. Diljit Dosanjh bats for dry nation movement Diljit shared a video of his speech to the Ahmedabad crowd on his Instagram handle. He is heard speaking in Hindi, "Ek khush khabri hai. Aaj mujhe koi notice nahi aaya. Aaj bhi mai koi gaana sharab par nahi gaa unga. Accha poocho ky nahi gaunga, kyunki Gujarat dry state hai. (There is a good news. I did not receive any notice today. Even today, I will not sing any song on alcohol. Ask me why? Because Gujarat is a dry state.) View this post on Instagram A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) He further said, "Pichle 10 dino mai maine, do 2 gaane devotional nikale hai, uski baat koi nhi kar raha. Har banda TV par baithke patiala peg ke baare mai baat kar raha hai. Ek anchor TV par bol rahe the ki agar ek abhineta aapko alag se bolde toh aap usko badnaam kardoge, singer ko aap mashoor kar rahe ho. Maine alag se kisi ko phone karke nahi poocha ki aapne patiala peg lagaya ki nahi lagaya. Mai bhi gaana gaa raha hu aur Bollywood mai hazaaron gaane hai jo sharab par hai .Mere 2-4 gaane hai. (In the past 10 days, I released 2 devotional songs, but no one is talking about it. "Mai woh bhi nahi gaaunga. It is very easy for me to tweak the songs because mai khud sharab nahi peeta. Lekin Bollywood ke kalaakar hai woh sharab ki advertisement karte hai. Diljit Dosanjh nahi karta. Ab mereko chedo mat. Mai jaha jaata hu apna program karke shaanti se jaata hu (I won't even sing. It's easy fr me to tweak songs as I do not drink alcohol myself. Bollywood celebrities advertise alcohol but I never do that. Do not poke me. Wherever I go to perform, I do that come back peacefully)," he added. Diljit further encouraged a movement among the audience saying that all states should go dry. If that happens, he promised, to stop singing songs on alcohol. "Will this happen? It's a big revenue. Corona mai sab bandh hua tha, theke bandh nahi hue the. (Everything was shut during corona, except alcohol shops)," he stressed. The singer made another offer. He said that if the government announces a one-day dry day in cities where he is performing, he will stop singing songs mentioning alcohol. Kartik Aaryan joins Diljit Dosanjh Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan who is enjoying the success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 made a surprise appearance at the Ahmedabad concert and jammed with the singer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan)
18 November,2024 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhen Taba Chake stepped into a director’s Mumbai office for a scheduled meeting, he recalled having come across a series of film posters, one among which caught his eye. Madras Cafe (2013) had been among his favourite movies, but it was only then that he learned that the man he was set to meet was the one who had helmed the John Abraham-starrer. “Until then, I didn’t know who Shoojit Sircar was,” recalls Chake. “Madras Cafe is a film that left me impressed. Apart from the fact that it is really nice, it also featured a [fine performance by] John Abraham, who doesn’t do artistic films. He was invested in the art and the role. It made me wonder which director made this person act so well,” recalls Chake, the musical backbone of Sircar’s latest film, the Friday release, I Want to Talk. Shoojit Sircar (right) Abhishek Bachchan in the film During the initial interactions, Sircar had curtailed the amount of film-related information that was to be shared with Chake. Having admired the musician’s work, especially his philosophy on life, Sircar, we’re told, did not wish to distract him with details relating to the narrative. “But, he dropped a few hints. They wanted five songs, but I ended up writing more than 15. When I finished the first draft, I sought details like the surrounding in which they were shooting, whether it was a dry area, and if [the protagonist] would be surrounded by vehicles. Visualising these aspects helps me compose. For example, if you listen to the song, Dil ghabraye, you’ll notice that it is a number that comes from the heart; a person wants to say something, but they know they’re simply talking to themselves because, perhaps, they feel rejected. Similarly, the song Musafir was [shot in dry land]. I wanted to retain that aspect. The film [revolves around] a man. Men are known to hide their emotions and pain. So, I wanted the song’s music to tell the story. [I wanted the listener] to feel thirsty, as though they needed water while hearing it. That’s also how I felt when I was composing it.” Amid a spate of film songs that may appear all too similar, Chake’s compositions are a breath of fresh air. Listening to the soundtrack of Abhishek Bachchan’s I Want to Talk, we’re reminded of the novelty introduced into the industry by Gehraiyaan composers Oaff and Savera, who took Bollywood by storm upon the film’s 2022 release. Chake says it was this novelty in his music that caught the attention of Sircar. The director, he says, appreciated that he refrained from discussing oft-explored subjects of love and heartbreak, choosing instead to create meaningful music. “He said that though he has seen many independent artistes at work, he felt that my song-writing gives hope to people and boosts [their morale] during negative situations. This is why he said this project belonged to me. He said he could visualise my face and hear my voice while thinking about the film.” Although Chake celebrates the addition of this film to his resume, he wasn’t seeking a project of this nature. “I’m happy living my life independently, and am doing quite well. I am doing several shows each day and have been busy with song-writing assignments throughout the year. Several tours and collaborations are also underway, so I am always busy. While I never imagined a project like that coming my way, I have been keen to compose. I thought I’d get an offer for one song, but bagging the entire film was a huge [accomplishment].”
18 November,2024 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaThe burning truth? Vikrant Massey’s latest release, The Sabarmati Report, couldn’t create waves at the box office. But it has earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Sunday, reacting to a post that described the Vikrant, Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra-starrer as a must-watch, Modi wrote on X, “It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too in a way common people can see it. A fake narrative can persist only for a limited period of time. Eventually, the facts will always come out!” The Ektaa R Kapoor production sees Vikrant play a journalist, who investigates the 2002 Godhra train burning, in which 59 people were killed. The tragedy had led to riots in Gujarat. At the time, Modi was the state’s Chief Minister. In response to the Prime Minister’s post, Vikrant penned a note, thanking him for his encouragement. Mic drop moment Stars can take notes from Diljit Dosanjh on how to turn a controversy into a power move. After the Telangana government issued a legal notice warning him against performing songs promoting alcohol and drugs at his Hyderabad concert, the Punjabi superstar took a jab at it by calling out the double standards. “If an international artiste comes to India, they are allowed to sing whatever they want. But when an artiste from your own country is singing, people have so many problems,” he remarked. He also tweaked the lyrics of his songs, replacing ‘daaru’ with ‘Coke’ in one. The musician also tackled rumours about his concert tickets being sold out, reminding fans, “This is years of hard work, not overnight fame.” My muse forever Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra recently expressed his admiration for Bollywood legend Rekha, and stated that he is “obsessed” with her iconic style and timeless beauty. On Sunday, Manish shared a series of photos featuring Rekha exuding elegance in a chic black ensemble. The actor paired her look with statement earrings and a gold sling purse, all designed by Manish’s label. “Obsessed with the one and only icon. There is always [a representation of herself] in every look of hers. I love her for that,” he shared. Jyotika stands by Suriya Suriya’s Kanguva opened to poor response from the audience, but the superstar has got a cheerleader in actor-wife Jyotika. Penning a note, she defended the big-budget action drama, even as she admitted that the first half-hour was not impactful. What surprised her was that the strong depiction of women was being ignored by reviewers. “[Such harsh criticism] is not done by them for the most unintellectual big-budget films with age-old stories where women are stalked, double meaning dialogues are spoken… What about Kanguva’s positives? The action sequences of women in the second half?”she asked, describing the film as a “spectacle in cinema.” Allu Arjun’s double treat And it’s here! The trailer of the much-anticipated film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, was launched by Allu Arjun and leading lady Rashmika Mandanna with much fanfare in Patna yesterday. Many wondered why the makers of the Sukumar-directed action fare zeroed in on the Bihar city for the grand event. Sources reveal that the leading man deliberately chose Bihar as the starting point, acknowledging the overwhelming response Pushpa: The Rise had received in the state on its 2021 release, despite the challenges of the pandemic. Not just that, while his fans were treated to Pushpa 2’s trailer, the Telugu superstar announced that the first instalment would re-release in theatres on November 22. Health emergency Govinda, who was in Jalgaon and neighbouring areas to campaign for the MahaYuti alliance, had to be rushed to a Mumbai hospital after he complained of severe chest pain. The incident reportedly happened during a roadshow in Pachora, which had to be halted mid-way. The actor-politician’s family was by his side as he was airlifted and brought to Mumbai for immediate medical attention. December shaadi for duo When is the big day? That’s all that fans have been asking ever since Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya got engaged in August. Well, the suspense came to an end yesterday. The couple’s wedding invitation card surfaced online, and it looks like the lovebirds are tying the knot on December 4. The invite, which includes a basket of goodies, went viral yesterday, with netizens impressed by how it was steeped in tradition. It included an ikat saree, a jasmine garland, a scroll and confectionery items, with the card incorporating traditional motifs such as temple bells, lamps and banana leaves. Sobhita and Naga, who have largely kept their relationship away from the public eye, are choosing to have an intimate celebration with only close friends and family in attendance.
18 November,2024 07:17 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamLove language Tamannaah Bhatia’s sartorial choices may have been unflattering, but the actor turns heads with her mile-wide smile when spotted at a bash with Vijay Varma Just in Farhan Akhtar and Mouni Roy
18 November,2024 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamOne’s blockbuster re-releasing in theatres can be a sweet reminder of the long way they’ve come in their career. But filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is still feeling the Friday jitters, ahead of the November 22 release of Karan Arjun (1995). “It’s a test for me and filmmakers to see whether those emotions work with today’s younger generation,” he explains. Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor Jitters or not, the director agrees that a re-release is the perfect way to celebrate the Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Rakhee-starrer’s 30th anniversary that is due in January 2025. Very few films since have been able to bring the two Khans together in the same frame. “Shah Rukh and Salman are still the biggest superstars. The film is talked about even today. There are memes of the dialogues, ‘Bhaag Arjun bhaag’, and ‘Mere Karan Arjun aayenge’,” says Roshan, proud of how the film has found a place in pop culture. One could attribute it to the film’s story that was gripping yet demanded suspension of disbelief—two brothers, essayed by Salman and Shah Rukh, are killed mercilessly by their menacing uncle and take birth again to seek revenge. Will the theme of reincarnation hold today? Roshan thinks so. “Even if I made this story today, people might have believed it because it’s a fairytale. Make what you think is not possible. The audience knows it’s not possible, but they get immersed in the storytelling.” He further reveals that Shah Rukh didn’t buy into the reincarnation plot. “Though he wasn’t convinced with the plot, he wanted to do it. After the film became a hit, he said, ‘I was absolutely wrong.’ Then, he also made Om Shanti Om [2007],” Roshan laughs. Rakesh Roshan The director made Karan Arjun with two up-and-coming stars, something that many filmmakers today believe is next to impossible. “Singham Again has five heroes,” Roshan cuts in. In fact, he has a simple mantra that he thinks would convince stars to headline a two-hero film. “If you want to make a two-hero film, you make it balanced. In Karan Arjun, I made sure both the characters had equal meat. I’ve been an actor. So, I knew that if I was offered a film where my role was even slightly weak, I wouldn’t do it.” So, if he made Karan Arjun today, who would he cast? The director admits that revisiting the movie won’t organically come to him at this stage. “If someone wants to revive the film, I’m up for it. There are many actors who will be magical on screen together. For Karan Arjun, Hrithik [Roshan] and Ranbir Kapoor would be my choices,” he grins.
18 November,2024 07:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaOver a year after a kidney injury put his musical career on the back-burner, Arjun Kanungo is set to present what he believes is among his finest work. On November 26, the singer-actor will unveil his latest track, Unspoken, which he calls a fitting number to mark his return to music after a tumultuous phase. “The song is about moving on. It is apt when one considers where I am in my life. It’s [a reminder to myself] that this chapter is over, and I must move on to bigger things,” he says, adding that the track is also special because it marks his “first project commissioned from Japan” where he launched a production house a while ago. The track, which he says received rave reviews when he first played it at an event recently, includes a “lot of VFX” work. “I continue to be an indie artiste, but the knowledge I have received in the last two years has made me look at the business of music-making differently. I want to now be the face of my music, unapologetically. Up next, I will release my album in April. We begin shooting for it in February. I have been writing it throughout this period, and it includes some prominent collaborations.” Music milestone 2004: The music of Swades was so well received that it earned Filmfare nominations for music direction (AR Rahman), lyrics, and playback singing (male and female)
18 November,2024 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaOver four years after Baaghi 3’s (2020) release, Tiger Shroff has stepped back in the film’s universe. On Sunday, the actor kicked off the shoot of the A Harsha-directed venture at the Golden Tobacco factory in Vile Parle. No prizes for guessing that filming began with an elaborate action set-piece, staying true to the franchise’s a-fight-a-minute blueprint. Sajid Nadiadwala Sources told us that about 100 supporting artistes were hired for the first action sequence. “It’s a high-intensity action piece featuring Tiger in his element, as he pulls off some jaw-dropping stunts. The actor and the supporting cast rehearsed throughout the day for the intricate fight sequence, and it was shot at night,” said an insider. Even as the film has rolled, the leading lady is yet to be finalised. “There are a few names in contention, but producer Sajid Nadiadwala wants a fresh pairing with Tiger,” added the source. It’s a hectic time for Nadiadwala, who is juggling two projects besides Baaghi 4. Sikandar, starring Salman Khan and directed by AR Murugadoss, has wrapped up its Hyderabad schedule and is now gearing up for a long shoot in Andheri. “Salman will begin shooting in an Andheri hospital from Tuesday. The unit wrapped up the Hyderabad leg before time,” says a source. Shahid Kapoor’s Hussain Ustara, a period thriller helmed by Vishal Bhardwaj, is slated to roll in early December.
18 November,2024 06:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuTouted to be this year's most controversial film 'The Sabarmati Report' faced a lot of challenges before its release. The director, Ranjan Chandel who was supposed to direct the film quit the movie because he found the subject controversial, the lead actor received death threats and was trolled online for his remarks on the movie in an interview. But seems like the film has finally received its due appreciation. PM Modi supports 'The Sabarmati Report' Today, Ekta Kapoor's happiness knew no bounds as the producer of the film and the owner of Balaji Entertainment took to social media to share a post featuring country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wholehearted support of the recent release 'The Sabarmati Report'. Modi acknowledges the film's huge contribution in bringing truth to the spotlight. He wrote that a fake narrative can't persist for a long time, eventually, the truth comes out. This comment, reshared by the Prime Minister, follows a user's expression of his feelings after watching 'The Sabarmati Report'. The user also stated reasons why the film is a must-watch. View this post on Instagram A post shared by EktaaRkapoor (@ektarkapoor) Kapoor rejoiced as she reshared his post and penned a heartfelt note expressing her gratitude towards the PM for his positive and kind words. The film producer also wrote that his words have boosted the team's morale and have proved to be an assurance of heading in the right direction. Ekta shared the post on both X and Instagram. 'The Sabarmati Report' and details related to the film 'The Sabarmati Report' is based on the Godhra Riots of 2002, specifically focussing on the tragic Sabarmati Express incident that occurred on the morning of February 27, 2002. The film stars Vikrant Massey, Rashii Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra and was released in theatres on 15th November. The film made a collection of Rs. 1.69 crore, the film also marked the highest first day earning for Vikrant Massey's films, surpassing the record set by '12th Fail'. But overall the film received negative reviews, Priyanka Sharma for Mid-Day writes, "It’s a struggle to write about The Sabarmati Report because for much of the film, we were appalled, disgusted, and shocked at how casually the makers used bigotry to take the narrative forward. At the same time, they make the film wear the veil of truth-finding and nationalism. A film, however complex, can be reviewed, but propaganda masked as art? No thanks."
17 November,2024 11:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Divya KhuranaMusic maestro AR Rahman received the 'XTIC Award 2024 for Innovation' from IIT Madras for directing the virtual reality film 'Le Musk'. The eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC), an IIT Madras Institute of Eminence Centre in Virtual Reality and related fields presented the music composer A.R. Rahman with the 'XTIC Award 2024 for Innovation'.The Award was given in recognition of his visionary work on the Virtual Reality (VR) film.While speaking to the media, he said, "So, It is very proud to have an institution like IIT in Chennai. We can see many people became successful from here. I came here when I was 13 years old. I did 'Le Musk' thinking global experience should be explored from India. I received one award from Hollywood in LA and now I feel proud to get an award here." View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARR (@arrahman) It was presented by co-inventors of Oculus Professor Steven LaValle and Professor Anna Lavalle who are visiting faculty at IIT Madras.This award recognises exceptional contributions to advancing immersive technologies and storytelling globally.On receiving the Innovation Award from IIT Madras, for directing the virtual reality thriller film 'Le Musk', AR Rahman shared, "Getting an award in Chennai is special. We constantly were looking for how could we push this understanding and not make the mistakes that people made earlier. The most important rule for me was making people comfortable."Speaking about the technology and innovations in the country, he added, "To make it we need special cameras. Whenever I go to Microsoft or Intel I think why next Apple or Nvidia not coming from India? The government needs to look into it. There is a lot more to do. I am crazy, I am putting all my money into this as a passion project. Many people can use VR for visiting Temples, and for even marriages."Earlier, AR Rahman unveiled the soundtrack for his immersive film 'Le Musk'. The soundtrack has 12 different songs."'Le Musk', an innovative sensory cinematic experience directed by AR Rahman himself, merges music, fragrance, and visual storytelling to immerse audiences in a new kind of film and narrative. The soundtrack, created to complement the immersive experience, features Rahman's signature style -- a blend of Jazz, Orchestra and eclectic elements combined with soulful melodies," according to the press release shared by AR Rahman's team.It is directed by A.R Rahman and presented at Cannes XR. While talking about the soundtrack launch, AR Rahman shared earlier, "Music is the heartbeat of Le Musk. It carries the soul of the film, guiding the audience through an emotional and sensory journey. The film is a labour of a lot of hard work and love, where we tried to push the boundaries of how we use technology to create something truly immersive and I am thrilled to finally share this soundtrack with the world and offer a glimpse into the world we've created."Collaborating on the 12 varied tracks with notable names, including Nora Arnezeder, Sana Moussa, Linda Lind, Mayssa Karaa, Hiral Viradia, Simona Gilbert, The Firdaus orchestra and the Budapest Orchestra, the soundtrack of 'Le Musk' also marks the association with the award-winning music engineer Greg penny. 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 'Le Musk' marks Rahman's directorial debut. Speaking about showcasing the film globally, Rahman added, "We are in the process of setting up immersive experience studios across the world to bring Le Musk to audiences the world over. The film would not have been possible if not for my team who worked tirelessly to push the boundary of what was known to be possible."The award-winning composer launched the soundtrack worldwide on Believe Music. (ANI)
17 November,2024 11:05 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIShah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan's Karan Arjun is one of the classics of the Hindi film industry. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the 1995 action drama starred Bollywood's biggest superstars, Salman and Shah Rukh, as brothers. Now, after 30 years, the film has been re-released in theatres, and Rakesh Roshan has talked about who could be the modern-day Karan Arjun. To our surprise, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are not the modern-day Karan Arjun according to Rakesh Roshan. Instead, the director chose Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor as a potential alternate duo. Rakesh Roshan reimagines Hrithik Roshan & Ranbir Kapoor as modern Karan Arjun In a new interview with ETimes, Rakesh ruled out any possibility of a sequel and shared, "I won’t remake Karan Arjun or make a sequel, but if I were to think of an alternate jodi (duo) for the movie today, I would cast Hrithik Roshan as Karan and Ranbir Kapoor as Arjun." Rakesh Roshan on casting Salman and Shah Rukh for Karan Arjun Further, he shared the reason behind casting Salman and Shah Rukh in his film Karan Arjun and said, "Salman’s physique was exceptionally good. None of the actors in those times had that build. He started that fit body trend. Also, I find his eyes arresting. I wanted someone for Karan's role, jo chup chap rehta hai par uski aankhein bolta hai. He fit the bill. I had worked with Shah Rukh in King Uncle (1993) and liked him immensely in Fauji, so I wanted him to be Arjun." When Karan Arjun was re-released in theatres, Hrithik took to Instagram and wrote, "Cinema was never the same again... When Karan Arjun came together on the big screen for the first time ever. Relive the reincarnation of Karan Arjun in theatres worldwide from 22nd November 2024!” Hrithik worked as an assistant director on this film. About Rakesh Roshan’s Karan Arjun Besides Salman and Shah Rukh, the film also starred Rakhee, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni, and Amrish Puri. It told the story of two brothers who are reincarnated to seek revenge on their mother’s behalf. Over the years, Karan Arjun (1995) has remained etched in pop culture due to its highly recalled dialogues like Mere Karan Arjun Aayenge, soul-stirring music by Rajesh Roshan in songs like Yeh Bandhan Toh..., Bhangda Paale, Rana ji Maaf Karna and Jaati Hoon Main, along with the endearing theme of brotherhood.
17 November,2024 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
