Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is celebrating 20 years of his film ‘Dus’. The action film is known for its stylish and pacy storytelling, and its music. On Tuesday, Anubhav took to his Instagram, and shared the film’s poster. He also penned a long note in the caption, and shared that although he has moved on from stylish and commercial potboilers, but looking at trailers of some big ticket entertainers, he does crave to go back to the genre. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinhaa) He wrote in the caption, “Twenty years today. Haven't seen this film film for a long time but still I get love for it almost everyday, somewhere. I remember Sanju saying after looking at the dubbing, ‘Sinha sir, your work is done’. ‘Dus Bahane’ song in the trailer itself had become a big hit across the country. Vishal Shekhar did an amazing job. Everyone did a great job in the film. The flaws that were, and enough, were all mine. Banaras' boy was making his first film with such big stars in Bombay, he must have gone astray. He went a stray. But still one of the biggest hit movies of that year”. He further mentioned, “Now I myself forgot I can make action movies, and can make super hero movies. Apart from some actors, no one ever discusses such movies with me. However, the thing inside my mind is that I often feel jealous after watching the trailer of a big movie, whether I should make another one like this. Then I sit down to write something more. The mind pulls there. And art is from the mind. I want to say to the fans of ‘Dus’ and ‘Ra.One’, and also to the fans of ‘Mulk’, ‘Article 15’, ‘Thappad’ and ‘Bheed’ that ‘dil to bacha hai ji’”. ‘Dus’, which starred an ensemble cast, was released in the mid 2000s when the modern Bollywood music was at its peak, and was firing on all cylinders unlike the Bollywood music of 2020s which seems to have been stuck in a loop. One reason behind the music of 2000s Bollywood performing well on charts was the entry of new music directors into cinema, who broke into the industry after their stint in advertising, and were armed with a knack for crafting melodious and groovy tracks. 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
09 July,2025 01:14 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS"Mera yeh dard-e-dil, meri shayari, mera junoon, ye sab meri zindagi ki haqiqat hai, aur main inhi haqiqaton ko lekar jeena chahta hu.(My pain, my poetry, my passion, these are all the realities of my life, and I want to live with these realities)"- Pyaasa (1957) Long before Instagram made aesthetics and longing captions viral and a necessity, there was Guru Dutt. He was a man who painted the truth of humanity with light and longing. Every frame he composed spoke louder than words. A tragic twin of Wes Anderson, if you may, from the black-and-white era of Indian cinema. The phrase 'way ahead of their time' is one that is associated with the legend of Guru Dutt. Sadly, he also passed away way before time at a young age of 39, heartbroken and dejected after his film never got the love it deserved during its time. Who was Guru Dutt? In 1925, yes, a 100 years ago, he was born as Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone. He changed his name to Guru Dutt when he came to Bombay. He used the movies as a canvas to reflect his soul and most of his work was almost autobiographical. In a short but unforgettable career, Dutt created some of the most hauntingly beautiful and emotionally complex films ever made. His death in 1964 at just 39 only added to the myth of the tragic genius. But even decades later, his art refuses to fade. Why Gen Z should know about Guru Dutt and his contribution to cinema? Visual Poetry Imagine the dreamy haze of Lana Del Rey’s music videos or the visual tension in a Wes Anderson film—but make it black-and-white Bollywood. Guru Dutt’s films look like moving art. His use of light and shadow, dramatic silhouettes, and tight close-ups still feels modern. Every shot could be paused and posted on Pinterest. Emotions that still hit His stories explored the universal themes of loneliness, disillusionment, heartbreak, and the pressures of society.In this age of burnout and hustle culture, Dutt’s films like Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool will resonate. In Pyaasa, Dutt himself plays a struggling poet who’s constantly told his art has no value. In Kaagaz Ke Phool, he showed the downfall of a filmmaker who is consumed by his own fame and emotional turmoil. Music and dialogues with meaning The songs in his films were a part of the narrative and would make you think and reflect of the world around you. Since he played with emotions that are timeless, the songs will still resonate with one. Lines like 'Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye toh kya hai' weren’t just lyrics—they were life philosophies. Same goes for the dialogues in the film. Run a Google search on the popular dialogues from his films and see the profound words having an impact on your current life. The Guru Dutt starter pack Pyaasa (1957)- This film is an ode to misfits and dreamers who refuse to give up or are looking for inspiration. It is for anyone who’s ever felt unseen. Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) - A hauntingly self-aware tale of fame, failure, and fragile love. Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) - The film deals with the themes of feminism, feudalism, and fatal love Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) - It's a tragic love story that will make you feel for the characters as the narrative is accompanied with Urdu poetry and visual grandeur. Why He Still Matters Today As said earlier, Guru Dutt was way ahead of his time—both emotionally and artistically. In a world that’s now obsessed with telling “relatable” stories and making content that looks good on screens, he did both—60 years ago. His films speak directly to Gen Z’s love for emotional depth, visual storytelling, and existential reflection. He questioned societal norms, portrayed emotionally complex men, and gave voice to women trapped in quiet oppression. He was, in many ways, the blueprint for everything we now consider “cinema with soul.” How to watch Guru Dutt If you are currently in parts of India where the rain is incessant, then this is the perfect time to tune into a Guru Dutt film. Draw the curtains to ice out the rain noise, get comfortable on the sofa, and most importantly, put your phone away. Let Guru Dutt draw you into his world of cinematic magic, and external distractions will be a hindrance to this experience. Side effects may include: Sudden tears. Existential introspection. A desire to write poetry. Final thoughts The thing that set Guru Dutt apart was that he never made films for validation or the money. He was a man who made cinema to express himself and portray the world on the big screen with beautiful visuals. For a generation that finds comfort in honesty and meaning, his films are a reminder that it’s okay to feel too much. While he had a tragic ending filled with heartbreak and dejection, you may see that he kept his spirit and soul alive through cinema.
09 July,2025 11:04 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress and producer Alia Bhatt’s former secretary has been arrested for cheating the actress of Rs. 77 lakh. The news was confirmed by the Mumbai Police in a statement. Alia's ex-secretary arrested from Bengaluru Alia Bhatt's ex-secretary has been identified as Vedika Shetty. The police had registered this case a few months ago on a complaint filed by Alia’s mother and veteran actress Soni Razdan. About five months after the case was registered, the accused was arrested from Bengaluru and presented in court on Tuesday. The court remanded Shetty to police custody till July 10. Juhu Police have registered a case and arrested Vedika Shetty under Sections 316(4) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After committing the fraud, Vedika absconded. She is accused of forging Alia’s signature and committing fraud of Rs. 76.9 lakh over a period of two years. Reportedly, Shetty worked with Alia Bhatt from 2021 to 2024. During this time, she handled the star’s financial documents and payments and planned her schedule. Alia Bhatt's work front Alia Bhatt is among the busiest and highest-paid actresses of her times. Apart from her acting projects, she runs a clothing line for kids and also heads a production house. At present, she is busy shooting for her upcoming film Alpha, where she will be seen playing a spy. The film also stars Sharvari. Alia was last seen on screen in the film Jigra directed by Vasan Bala. The film that co-starred Vedang Raina did not meet expectations at the box office. Apart from Alpha, Alia also has Love and War in the pipeline which will also feature Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The film will mark her second project with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In other news, Alia recently couldn’t stop gushing over the first look of her husband Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Ramayana. Taking to her Instagram handle, Alia shared the first look teaser from the movie and wrote, “Some things don’t need words. This feels like the start of something unforgettable. Diwali 2026 — we’re waiting.” The makers of the film dropped the much-awaited first look of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash from their upcoming film Ramayana on July 3. The announcement video opens with a striking portrayal of the holy trinity — Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — symbolizing the cosmic forces. It then seamlessly shifts, through vivid animation, to reveal the lead characters from the epic tale: Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the formidable Ravana.
09 July,2025 09:46 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnurag Basu could very well be a character in his own film. Within a few seconds into our call, the filmmaker says, "Despite so many flaws, people are liking Metro... In Dino! That's validating." On being asked at the end of the half-an-hour long conversation, if he can list at least one flaw in the film, he replies, "I am not going to tell you. How can I talk about it in the release week? I will tell you later!" Like his characters, it's difficult to predict an end to Basu's beginning. Like his characters, he is honest about what he shares and what he doesn't. "When I hit the kitchen, half the people don't know what they are going to get served." In this interview with mid day, the filmmaker-writer opens up on the "Basu way of filmmaking", what he wants to tell people in love, and the wrong show size that Ranbir Kapoor sent him. Surrounded by the constant noise of “big”, “spectacle”, “action”, “horror comedy”, did you fear if a love story would work on the big screen anymore? Whenever I start making a film, I always ask myself, ‘What kind of film do I want to watch?’ That's the first step towards making and writing a story. So this is how Metro came to my mind, that I want to see a film like this in the theatres. But that was two years ago. I hope there are many audiences like me, who want to see a film like this in the theatre. It will be an understatement to call your process of filmmaking unique. Whoever one speaks to, says, ‘Dada has the script in his mind. He tells us briefly about our characters and some situations. Rest, we surrender to him…’ This has become such a big deal with Anurag Basu. Have you ever found yourself questioning this method or is this the only way you know? I don't know. This is how I am actually. When I hit the kitchen, I make the food the same way. Half the people don't know what's going to get served later. So I think this happens in everything in my life. So I just decide on a menu, I tell everybody, there are so many guests coming, I'll make this. When the dinner is served, everybody says, ‘Oh!, you made this also, and that is also there!’ So I improvise on the go. This is both, my strength and weakness. And I don't shy away from it. This is my personality, what can I do? This can go either way. But your collaborators place implicit faith in you. It's horrifying because the day I don’t deliver, it will really backfire. I have to deliver every time.This trust sometimes is very scary. When I see these interviews of actors promoting the film and they say they have this blind trust on me and they have surrendered, all these words actually horrifies me because the only person to be blamed for the film not working is then me. Every time a film doesn't work, everyone has an equal stake, right? But somehow, because of my way of working, it all comes on me by the end of it. That's when it's very scary. If something goes wrong, it will all fall on me. Right. What’s the magic pill you have that you get the actors to deliver some of their best works with you? Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan have been criticised in the past for their performances— especially Sara— but she was such a surprise element in the film. You seemed to know how to use their strengths. They are amazing actors. The thing that I have been criticised— keeping actors uninformed till the end— is actually my to take out good performance from them, to keep a blank slate in their mind and give them no information till the end and then see on the set whatever happens. Every director has his or her own way. This is my way. When you give a lot of information to the actors— because everybody is creative— they will take their own creative journey. They will form the scene in their head. And undoing that becomes very difficult later on. That's the reason I take this path. Everybody else is informed, otherwise. You cannot go on set with a hyperlink film without writing it. It's impossible to go on floors with a Ludo or a Metro…, which has such a complex, interlinked, domino effect of characters and stories, without writing the scenes beforehand. So, everything is set and ready. My whole unit knows what's happening. But the actors. At which stage did you decide that the film would feature musical bits, which were very carefully concealed from all the visual assets? From the very beginning, when this was conceived. In fact, Metro was conceived as a musical. It was always supposed to be this way. The first time when I sat writing the film, I wrote for a week or 10 days, and put it aside. Then Jagga Jasoos started, so the musical aspect of Metro automatically came into Jagga. After Jagga, I said, ‘Let's make it the way it was conceived years ago.’ The comical bits! Metro… is hilarious. That’s also where the film makes a stark departure from Life in a… Metro. You have put these characters, who feel very real, in these hyper-exaggerated, comical situations. Was this tone also decided in the beginning itself? I remember when I started writing Metro, the first thought about how the story would be, I captioned it— fish out of water kind of situation. That's how I started approaching the story. So, it happened by itself. I wanted this tonality. Otherwise, how would I make it different from the earlier Metro, I scratched my head. I didn't know how to make it different. This was the only way I cracked it, actually. How much has your outlook changed on relationships and love from Life in a metro to Metro… In Dino? Is there something which you feel has fundamentally changed in you or the way you look at relationships? The main theme of the film is that if you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you have to fall in love with the same person again and again. I cracked it only now, at this age and stage in my life! So, I've been doing this with my wife forever. I have understood this now in my life, at this age. So, the main theme of the film is inspired from my life. Even though both the films feature broken, unconventional, and incomplete relationships, the big difference between the two I felt as a viewer is that Metro… In Dino is more relationship and love driven, while the first one was more driven by the conflict within an individual and exploration of individualistic desires. Even if people, then and now, looked for love, Life in a… Metro felt more about ‘What do I want?’ while this asked, ‘What do I want with him/her?’ This one also leaves you on a more romantic, hopeful note. 2007 was also such a different time. Today, we are surrounded by more uncertainty than ever before. We see tragedies, violence and grimness all around. Love seems to be the only thing that could give one hope. So, it also felt like you are speaking to the times we are living in. Do you feel the difference in the world of then and now has also evolved your thought process? So, in the earlier Metro, I didn't take a stand as a director in the film. It was just a mirror to the society. This time around, there's a stand, that this is what I want to say. There’s a positivity. You have to keep trying. I am saying, ‘Don’t give it up.’ It's all a cycle of life. That's how the film ends. One’s end is the other's beginning, and vice versa. I think this is the only stand I have taken as a filmmaker in the film, to add this small message somewhere, otherwise, the film is just a mirror to the society. Why did you feel the need to add a message? Because what's happening around me is I feel like people don't try in love. They give up very quickly. I am seeing this a lot around me. I tell them thodi toh koshish karo, give it a try, a little bit more. I think people, my friends, who tell me their stories, everyone’s problem has the same root cause. They give up too quickly. One of the best things about the film is how you've treated your female characters, with agency, grace, and making space for them to fall. Can you talk to me about it? How do I answer this question, because this film I will dedicate and give the credit for these stories to the women who raised me, loved me, outsmarted me, my daughters. The credit goes to all of them. And this guilt that you're not giving your women. It’s a very convenient trope in cinema. Even in 2025, when a woman falters, it's not just her fumbling, it's almost like, ‘You are not expected to do that because you're a woman.’ But you just stripped them off any gendered expectation. Most of the story comes out with what if. So what if it happens to me and my wife? What if she goes to Goa? What if I discover that? How will I react? Stories come to you when you put yourself and your dear ones in the character and start thinking how he or she will react. It’s very painful to put yourself in such situations. But most of the times, as a writer, you put yourself and people you really know in those characters. For example, I would think how my cousin would have reacted if she was Fatima. I have a complaint to make, though. Fatima and Ali’s characters begin on an equal footing, but as the story progresses, it becomes more about the man’s coming of age, and Fatima's character took a backseat and became an observer. In the scene where he comes back and accepts his flaws, honestly, it felt like the natural end you would give them is separation, even if briefly to come back healthier as individuals and a couple. It felt very convenient that they got back together, especially because their situation felt the most realistic. When you were writing, did you ever feel, ‘Maybe I can part them for some time, or maybe they don't need to be together?’ No, I never felt like that. You're not the first one to make this observation. Two-three other people have also told me this. So, I think, what you're saying resonated with others. Sometimes a director’s wishful thinking about a character becomes dominant, and you feel, ‘Yeah, let’s do it this way’ So, that's how the end of their segment shaped up. I think it was my wishful thinking about their story, that this is how it should end. Maybe it’s not (right). But their story was always supposed to end like this for me. I want to talk about how your friendship with Pritam has come out in the film. There are 15 to 20 seconds of a scene just on Pritam's close-up. You seem to be so much in love with him. Of course, story-wise, there is a metro band, which appears everywhere. But it also felt like Pritam was the co-director, or the film’s second voice. It was! I said this before the release as well that it is Pritam’s film more than mine. It’s his baby as much as it's my baby. He has poured his heart into this one. Pritam wasn’t ready to make an appearance in the film initially. He said, ‘I was new at the time of the old Metro. Now, I don’t want to do it. I forced him to do it, by telling him, ‘I will also make an appearance if you do it.’ That’s why there’s a cameo of mine in the film. I told Pritam, ‘We will all make cameos in the film. You don't shy away from this thing.’ Vijay Ganguly (choreographer) has also made a cameo. Imtiaz (Ali, filmmaker) has also done it. Will a third Metro… happen? Not very soon, at least. A hyper-link film takes a lot of work. There have been reports of you reuniting with Ranbir for a project. Are you guys talking about something? Yeah, I hope it happens soon. I am dying to work with him. Woh bohot aadat kharab kar deta hai. We keep talking about working with each other. Baatein toh hoti rehti hai. Abhi dobara jootein bhejein hain usne. Pehle galat size bheje thhe.
09 July,2025 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaBollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who was last seen in ‘Singham Again’, recently had a great time chilling at the beach. On Tuesday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared an array of pictures from her recent beach outing in the UK. The actress is currently enjoying a summer vacation with her family in London. Kareena rocks a bikini She rocked her bikini look in ‘Kambakkht Ishq’, and after 16 years, the actress still knows how to make the hearts skip their beat when she dons beach wear. In the pictures, the actress can be doing exactly the same. Kareena flaunted her toned body as she wore a nude coloured bikini with geometric patterns. The last picture in the carousel was a selfie taken by Kareena on the beach. She wrote in the caption, “Learn to get candid on the beach from me baby”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) Kareena's birthday wish for Neetu Kapoor Earlier in the day, Kareena wished her aunt, Neetu Kapoor on her birthday with a heartfelt post. She took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and dropped a candid photo of her enjoying some yummy food with Neetu, most likely Kareena's favorite Sindhi curry. The picture was accompanied by a heartfelt wish that read, “Happy birthday, Neetu Aunty. Sindhi curry forever, ok? Lots of love”. Kareena is a well-known foodie, and shared during an interview that she loves Sindhi curry. Kareena’s mother Babita also belongs to a Sindhi family. Kareena Kapoor Khan work front Meanwhile, on the professional front, the actress recently clocked 25 years in Hindi cinema. She was last seen in the Rohit Shetty film Singhama Again. She also turned producer last year with the film The Buckingham Murders directed by Hansal Mehta. She is set to join forces with Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran for the first time in ‘Daayra’. The film is directed by Meghna Gulzar, and explores the dark subjects of crime and justice, delving into topical and unsettling societal truths. It is currently in pre-production and co-written by Meghna, Yash Keswani, and Sima Agarwal.
09 July,2025 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA long awaited reunion Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan are reuniting as producers after a gap of 17 years with Ek Din, slated for a theatrical release on November 7. This project brings together two generations of talent and two iconic names in Indian cinema again. They last collaborated on the much-loved Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008). Directed by Sunil Pandey, Ek Din stars Junaid Khan and South star Sai Pallavi in the lead. The film will mark her Bollywood debut. Speaking about the film, Junaid had earlier praised Sai calling her “exceptional” and added that he’s keeping his fingers crossed for the film’s success. The actor, who made his debut with Maharaj (2024), was last seen in Loveyapa. Meanwhile, Sai will next be seen in Ramayana opposite Ranbir Kapoor, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film’s first part is set to release in 2026. Why should boys have all the fun? (From left) Riteish Deshmukh, Milap Zaveri, and Aftab Shivdasani. Pics/Yogen Shah, PTI, Instagram Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani, who first teamed up in Indra Kumar’s 2004 hit Masti, are reportedly returning for the franchise’s fourth instalment — this time with Milap Zaveri as the director. Unlike the previous films that centred on men in extra-marital affairs, Masti 4 will take a new direction. As per reports, the film will have the female leads involved in relationships outside marriage, leading to a comic tug-of-war between the couples.
09 July,2025 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThe adrenaline rush of action sequences may look effortless on screen, but for Priyanshu Painyuli, the behind-the-scenes reality involved physical strain, injury, and an eventual surgical intervention that changed everything. “I was shooting for Paan Parda Zarda, which is an action series. The prep and shoot stretched over a long period. Naturally, you cut down on carbs, increase your protein intake. I had a fitness coach. But when you push for too long, it takes a toll and I had intense pain in my abdomen,” he shares. The strain compounded when he began training for a period drama. “I was doing Mixed Martial Arts [MMA], horse riding, archery as I was playing a warrior. I think I stopped listening to my body. I wasn’t taking breaks, and then I crashed. My pain was unbearable and it turned out to be hernia. My doctor operated on what we thought was a single hernia, but during surgery, they found three more.” Luckily, his team offered support and pushed the shoot schedule for three months for him to recover before he got back on the set. “I couldn’t lift anything. I had to be very careful. Coming back after surgery was a shock. It felt like life had paused. I didn’t even know how to rest. But slowly, I realised how deprived of it I had been. I was bedridden and couldn’t do basic chores.” The emotional impact was equally intense. “For the first week, I couldn’t even turn in bed. I was stuck on my back for two weeks. That’s when the mental frustration started. I couldn’t sit on a chair. My back and core took a hit. I had to work on it slowly.” And that’s how he got back to yoga. “My trainer and yoga teacher helped me get back to basics. I had taken a break from yoga, but now I’m regular and I swear by it.” His relationship with fitness has changed. “I see health as a tool for longevity. Even 15 minutes of yoga can clear your mind, open up your body, and reset you.” Reflecting on his recovery, the actor says, “Sometimes, we take our body for granted. We don’t give it the right food, or rest. Surgery taught me that rushing through life puts pressure on the body and mind, and that hinders recovery.” The actor recently learned surfing in Sri Lanka, and is playing different sports. He tells us why, “I’ve started taking life less seriously. Why are we always stressing so much about everything?” The Cheats Akshay Oberoi What’s your cheat meal?It’s usually pizza. That’s my go-to indulgence. Sometimes ice cream or fast food too. How often do you indulge?I don’t follow a fixed schedule. There’s no set ‘Sunday cheat meal’. I go by how I feel, and balance it out over time. Cheat meal or cheat day?I don’t believe in either. I eat clean 99 per cent of the time, but once in a while, I’ll throw in something fun to keep it real. Do you compensate later?I don’t stress about it. If most of my meals are healthy and I’m consistent with my workouts and yoga, there’s no need to overcorrect. Inside Anshula Kapoor's Fridge Green veggiesSeasonal fruitsGreek yoghurtOvernight oatsGreen chutney Fitness tip that works For Nargis FakhriHousefull 5 actor Nargis Fakhri recently spoke about her health and fitness and shared that she fasts for nine days, twice a year. During this period, she survives only on water.
09 July,2025 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuSangram Singh shares that he was just three when he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors had informed his parents that he’d never walk again, but his mother refused to accept that. “She wasn’t educated, but she believed in nature. She massaged me 15 times a day — sometimes with ghee, sometimes with mustard oil. Slowly, I started recovering,” he recollects. From dragging himself across the floor to becoming a Commonwealth Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, Singh’s story is built on discipline. At 40, he became the first Indian wrestler to enter professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and win. “People said MMA is for 20-somethings. But I beat boys half my age. I’m now competing with kids whose fathers I once wrestled.” Singh believes fitness is possible at any age. “If you’ve never worked out, start now, even if it is just walking, walk for a few minutes. Move your body. You don’t need fancy equipment, all you need is consistency.” He follows five non-negotiables for staying fit. “Eat clean, home-cooked food. Quit smoking and drinking. Move every day, exercise, walk, run, lift weights, practise yoga! Practise mindfulness and clear thinking instead of overthinking. Focus on emotional health, to be able to pay attention to your physical health,” Singh signs off.
09 July,2025 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ PanchalSalman Khan's latest body transformation has his fans saying “Bhaijaan is back in form.” It is a marked shift from the body-shaming he faced after an appearance in Vancouver, earlier this year. Reliable sources tell mid-day that Khan has been following a strict fitness routine to achieve the look for his next, Battle of Galwan, in which he plays a soldier. “He’s been doing high-intensity interval training [HIIT] combined with volume sets, focusing on one muscle group per session, six days a week,” says a source. The source adds, “He trains without air conditioning or fans to trigger mild dehydration, and speed up fat and water loss. Each session lasts an hour and includes resistance work along with brisk outdoor cardio.” His diet has also been reworked. It now includes home-cooked meals focused on lean protein, vegetables and just one spoon of rice a day, while completely cutting out processed carbs and alcohol. “He’s completed a look test and photoshoot. Training will intensify further during the Ladakh schedule,” the source concludes.
09 July,2025 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuCannes, Oscars shortlist, BAFTA — Shahana Goswami’s Santosh has made its presence felt on several prestigious film platforms. Ironically, the one place the Indian co-production hasn’t reached is Indian theatres, courtesy the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). As we get on a call with Goswami, she is disillusioned by the cuts demanded by the CBFC. “It is the systemic reality right now. Is it right? I don’t think so. The CBFC is meant to be a board of certification, not of censorship,” she states. Director Sandhya Suri’s Santosh tells the story of Goswami’s protagonist, a widow who steps into her late husband’s role of a police constable and becomes entangled in the investigation of a Dalit teenager’s rape and murder. After premièring at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, it became Britain’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars and made it to the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film. Director Sandhya Suri (C) with the lead actors at Cannes 2024 where Santosh premièred Its global acclaim was in sharp contrast to its fate in India. The drama’s January 10 release was held up after it didn’t receive the CBFC’s clearance. In March, the release was stalled after the board reportedly expressed concerns over its depiction of Islamophobia, caste discrimination, and police violence, and demanded many cuts — a move that the makers disagreed with. Goswami is disturbed by the censorship meted out to the film. “[The board] is only meant to dictate who should have access to the film or not; they should leave the choice to people to engage with [a film] based on its certification. So, in [its absence], there is a sense of disappointment.” She adds that those who have seen the movie, haven’t found it controversial. “It’s nothing that we haven’t known or seen before. So, we don’t know why it was problematic for the board. If there is more dissent on the matter, there may be a shift.” The actor, who is looking forward to the India release of her Lionsgate Play show, Four Years Later, understands that in the current climate, it’s hard to tell stories that reflect today’s reality. But the self-confessed eternal optimist believes the tide will turn. “We live in a world right now where the sensitivities are very high. People take [matters] forward by filing FIRs and creating trouble for those who are making such shows or films. But I believe everything is cyclical. Moments like these will come to a head, and at some point, something will shift.”
09 July,2025 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamFew could explore themes of love, disillusionment, and artistic struggle on screen as beautifully as Guru Dutt did. That’s probably why the actor and filmmaker’s cinema continues to strike a chord over 60 years after his demise. To mark the late filmmaker’s birth centenary, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will honour his legacy with special screenings of his most celebrated works, Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959). The screenings, the dates of which will be announced early August, are expected to draw over 2000 cinephiles from across Australia to Melbourne. The event will be part of a curated retrospective celebrating Indian cinema’s golden age. Dutt greatly influenced Hindi cinema in his two-decade career, giving us classics like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), and Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam (1962). Noting that he continues to inspire today’s generation of filmmakers, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, festival director, said, “Guru Dutt was far ahead of his time, both in terms of cinematic technique and the emotional depth of his narratives. His films, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool, are not just classics, they are cultural treasures that speak to the soul of Indian cinema. This tribute is our humble way of remembering his genius and introducing his timeless work to new global audiences.”
09 July,2025 07:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT