The makers of Housefull 5 have announced the completion of the shoot and shared stunning pictures from the sets featuring the entire cast of the film. Taking to their Instagram handle on Tuesday, Nadiadwala Grandson shared a series of photos with the entire Housefull 5 cast and crew. In the photos, the comedy film's ensemble, which includes Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan, Sonam Bajwa, Jacqueline Fernandez, Chunky Panday, Shreyas Talpade, and others, can be seen. In the first image, cakes and plates are seen on the table as the crew celebrates the milestone. The photographs clearly capture the enthusiasm of the entire cast and crew. Along with the pictures, Nadiadwala added a caption that read, "That's a wrap for Housefull 5! A rollercoaster of emotions, filled with laughter, hard work, and unforgettable memories. Get ready to laugh your hearts out on 6th June 2025 in cinemas near you!! #SajidNadiadwala's #Housefull5.. Directed by @tarun_mansukhani" Check out the post: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nadiadwala Grandson (@nadiadwalagrandson) Helmed by Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 will be released in theatres on June 6, 2025. The film is backed by Sajid Nadiadwala. Housefull 5 marks the first-ever franchise film in Indian cinema to have five instalments. The first part of Housefull was released in 2010 and starred Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal, and Boman Irani. The film was declared a hit, followed by another successful sequel, Housefull 2, which was released in 2012 and featured a stellar cast of Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, John Abraham, Shreyas Talpade, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, and Asin. Both parts were directed by Sajid Khan. Sajid Khan was replaced by director duo Sajid Samji and Farhad Samji for the third instalment of the film, which was released in 2016. Director Farhad Samji helmed the fourth part of the franchise, which was a reincarnation comedy film. 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
25 December,2024 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIAs Bollywood star Anil Kapoor celebrates his 68th birthday today, his daughter and actor Sonam Kapoor shared an adorable birthday wish for him. She also posted a throwback picture of her father. In the first picture, Anil Kapoor is seen happily playing with his grandson Vaayu and along with the still, Sonam wrote, "Love You." Another picture is from her childhood days in which her father was seen carrying her in his arms. "The best dad in the world", she wrote in the caption. In the last picture, Anil Kapoor dressed in a grey suit can be seen posing happily with, Sonam, who wore a black dress. The actress wishes her father on a special day, mentioning, "Happy happy birthday @anilkapoor" On Anil Kapoor's birthday, the makers shared the first look of his upcoming film 'Subedaar'. The poster shows the intense look of the 'Animal' actor, giving fans a glimpse of his intriguing role.Sharing the announcement on Instagram, the makers wrote, "A special day calls for a special announcement! #Subedaar, new movie, coming soon." 'Subedaar' features Radhikka Madan as Shyama, the daughter of Anil Kapoor's character, Subedaar Arjun Maurya. The film is directed by Suresh Triveni, who previously directed T-Series' comedy-drama 'Tumhari Sulu' (2017) and 'Jalsa', both headlined by Vidya Balan. Vikram Malhotra, Suresh Triveni, and Anil Kapoor serve as producers for the film. In this action drama, 'Subedaar' Arjun Singh grapples with civilian life, navigating a strained relationship with his daughter, and societal dysfunction. The man who once fought for the nation must now fight enemies within to protect his home and family," read the official synopsis of the project. 'Subedaar' is a joint production by Opening Image Films and Anil Kapoor Film and Communication Network (AKFCN), with Vikram Malhotra, Anil Kapoor, and Suresh Triveni as producers. 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
25 December,2024 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Karisma Kapoor recalled working with veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal in the 2001 film Zubeidaa. Calling him her "second grandfather," she talked about the dedication and extraordinary directorial skills of the late director. Ace filmmaker and screenwriter Shyam Benegal, a legend in Indian cinema, died on Monday at the age of 90. He breathed his last at 6:38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, where he was being treated for chronic kidney disease. "Shyamji's legacy is eternal. He was like a second grandfather to me. His dedication to authentic storytelling and his courage to explore themes of identity and human struggles will continue to inspire generations," Kapoor said in a statement shared by her team. 'Zubeidaa' is a 2001 film directed by Shyam Benegal and written by Khalid Mohammed. It stars Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, Manoj Bajpayee, Surekha Sikri, Rajit Kapoor, Lillete Dubey, Amrish Puri, Farida Jalal, and Shakti Kapoor. The film recieved the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and won Karisma Kapoor a Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics). Karisma shared that working with the ace director was an "enriching experience" of her life and she appreciated him for going into minute details while making the project. "Working with him on 'Zubeidaa' was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. He had an extraordinary eye for detail, from insisting on sync sound to using real jewellery and costumes lent by the royal family. I fondly remember bonding with him over movies, music, and food; it was at his home that I tasted 'khow suey' for the first time. Indian cinema will forever be indebted to his genius, and I feel incredibly honoured to have been able to work so closely with one of the greatest maestros of Indian cinema," she added. Kareena Kapoor also took to Instagram stories, where she shared a poster of 'Zubeidaa' starring her sister Karisma Kapoor. She captioned the picture with a heart emoji. Benegal's films left an indelible impact on audiences, addressing relevant socio-political themes with remarkable depth. His most recent project, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), was an India-Bangladesh co-production depicting the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Shot extensively in both countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the biographical film added another feather to his illustrious cap. In addition to feature films, Benegal contributed significantly to documentaries and television. His iconic series Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan remain benchmarks in Indian television. He also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986 and was a member of prestigious juries, including the 14th Moscow International Film Festival (1985) and the 35th National Film Awards (1988).
25 December,2024 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIWar cry It’s finally happening. In June, Sunny Deol announced that he would headline Border 2, over 27 years after he led the 1997 blockbuster, Border. Since then, there has been much interest in the war drama’s sequel. Yesterday, director Anurag Singh took the ambitious project on floors. He shared a photo of the clapperboard on social media, marking the start of the shoot. Crafting the sequel to filmmaker JP Dutta’s much-loved Border is quite a big responsibility, but if Kesari (2019) was any indication, Anurag has a knack for war dramas. And the director has put together quite an eclectic cast—read Sunny, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. All hail the queen Many of us drooled over Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s exquisite lehengas when watching Jodhaa Akbar (2008). Now, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have acknowledged what Hindi cinema fans knew for long—that filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker and designer Neeta Lulla have an eye for detail. On Tuesday, the Academy posted a video of Aishwarya’s iconic wedding outfit from the period drama and announced that it would be part of the Academy Museum’s Color in Motion exhibition. It praised couturier Lulla’s creation that displayed India’s centuries-old craftsmanship, vibrant zardozi, and had a peacock made of jewels. Cross-cultural romance If chachu Anil Kapoor’s teaser was out, niece Janhvi Kapoor unveiled the first look of her next, Param Sundari. In October, mid-day was the first to report that the Janhvi and Sidharth Malhotra-starrer explored a north-south love story (When north meets south, Oct 27). Sure enough, sharing the poster, the makers introduced Sidharth’s character as ‘North ka munda—Param’ and Janhvi’s as ‘South ki Sundari’. Is Tushar Jalota’s directorial venture reminding anyone of Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor’s 2 States (2014)? Well, we can only give our verdict when the rom-com hits the theatres on July 25.
25 December,2024 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamOne of the first things director Shuchi Talati told debutant actor Kesav Binoy Kiran about Girls Will Be Girls was that his character Srinivas is neither a good or bad guy. “There are no labels on him,” says the actor. Girls Will Be Girls explores themes of love, sexuality, and generational conflict through the journeys of the teen-aged Mira and her mother Anila, played by Preeti Panigrahi and Kani Kusruti respectively. Kiran’s character serves as a catalyst for change in the protagonist’s life. “I played Sri as a boy who thinks he is a man. He liked having a motherly figure like Anila because he doesn’t have that in his life. The script was layered, and every character had so much depth,” marvels Kiran. For the actor, what stood out about Girls Will Be Girls—which won two awards at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival—was its depiction of male characters. He believes his character challenges the stereotypical representation of young men in pop culture. “‘Men will be men’ is used to excuse men for their deeds, but this film’s title turns the idea on its head. The film shows women as their own people, and it shows Sri as charming yet vulnerable. He isn’t the stereotypical young man you see in pop culture. Shuchi crafted him with care, allowing me to explore what it means to be a young man navigating his own insecurities,” he states.
25 December,2024 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuForeign shores are calling the team of Welcome to the Jungle. The ensemble comedy—which boasts 34 actors, including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueliene Fernandez, Disha Patani, Jackie Shroff and many more—had gone on floors in Mumbai in April, followed by another marathon schedule in August and September. Now, director Ahmed Khan is gearing up for a 15-day stint in the United Arab Emirates, during which three songs will be canned. Ahmed Khan The director has pencilled in February for the international leg. A source from the unit tells us, “The comedy has five songs, of which one has already been shot in India. In the February leg, Ahmed plans to film three tracks and a few comedy scenes in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al-Khaimah, which are known for their picturesque locales and golden deserts. The three songs will feature all 34 actors, and hence, will demand a lot of coordination. It has been a tough film to shoot as it required combination dates of many actors.” There will be little rest for the team after the UAE stint. By mid-2025, the cast and crew will head out again, this time to Kashmir, where Khan will conduct the final leg of the laugh riot. Originally, the unit was to shoot the second schedule in the glaciers and jungles of Kashmir in August. The source adds, “But at that time, the team couldn’t travel to the Valley due to security reasons. So, Ahmed had the set of a Kashmiri village constructed at the Golden Tobacco Studios in Vile Parle, where the actors filmed a chunk of their portions. This time, Akshay & Co will fly to Kashmir to shoot some action sequences that are set in the jungle. These portions are crucial to the narrative, and form the foundation for the film’s title.” After the 15-day schedule, it will be a wrap on the third instalment in the Welcome franchise. Confirming the development, director Khan tells mid-day, “We are to kick-start a mega schedule in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which will play an important role in the movie. The audiences can expect a cinematic extravaganza. The team is already [gearing up] to travel for the recce.”
25 December,2024 07:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRIt wasn’t until Sunidhi Chauhan welcomed her son Tegh in 2018 that she found merit in a statement that had often been said to her. “They’d say, post-pregnancy, a woman acquires a body that seems new; one that can be moulded as she desires. Back then, I did not believe it.” Her stage shows, social media posts, and press outings, however, suggest that Sunidhi 2.0, as internet users have dubbed her, was able to pull off a physical transformation that is inarguably enviable. In her most recent musical piece, she got Sanya Malhotra—easily among the fittest actors of the industry—to rub shoulders with her in a glamorous dance number that had Chauhan, 41, and Malhotra, 32 sport bikini-like attires that put their svelte frames on display. Sure, it is their physical appearance that was most talked about, but Chauhan can’t help but celebrate the multi-fold benefits she has derived from her new routine. “While shooting that song, I recall that I could dance for hours without tiring. The other dancers were getting tired, and would ask for breaks, but I could keep going for as long as three hours. [My choreographer] would say, ‘I’ve never seen a person like you. While others want a 30-minute break after a 30-minute rehearsal, you only need one for five minutes.’ I was shocked to notice that I had more energy when I was eating less. Eating right is so important!” In a bid to establish her “commitment to routine”, her fitness trainer Viraj Sarmalkar, seated beside us, chimes in to share that Chauhan had shed five kilos in 10 days to film the song. It is one among the multiple statements he makes in this conversation that take us by surprise. “She can lift 90 kilos, squat with 70 kilos on her back, and can pull off a few unassisted pull-ups. At one time, she completed a five-kilometre run in 25 minutes,” he shares. While these statistics may seem incomprehensible for the layman, they’re certain to make a fitness buff sit up and take note. Sure, these achievements couldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the commitment that Sarmalkar previously elaborated on. The singer reveals that even during her recently conducted Australia tour, she’d often return to Mumbai and pack in sessions with him. “Often, I’d train with him virtually while I was in Australia too. I’ve been fit before, but there’s something different now. Maybe it’s the kind of clothes that I’m wearing now; it was not like that before. Perhaps it’s the social media boom, or maybe it’s simply the fact that I am [carefree] after becoming a mother.” Food for thought? Prod her about the most vital lessons she’s learnt about fitness, and Chauhan speaks of the importance of discipline, consistency, and commitment. “And keep your mouth shut,” says her trainer, “as far as the food is concerned,” she completes his sentence. Chauhan, we learn, is indeed keeping her mouth shut, and, according to Sarmalkar, consuming less than 1,200 calories a day. He makes a case for a calorie-restricted diet, as Chauhan reveals she adheres to the principles of intermittent fasting. “The motivation to fast was to not only lose weight, but also give the intestines rest. [Our ancestors] would hunt and eat, and even go without food for days. With evolution, we adopted the pattern of eating three times in a day. It was never a requirement. All the snacking that we do is not good. At times, when I’m travelling, or shooting long hours, I’ve [gone without food for] 24 hours. I would never be hungry because my work would [keep me occupied]. Today, [fasting for] 16 hours is [not tough]. I get better sleep, and have better concentration.” Chauhan begins her day with eggs, and, when she’s permitted, a slice of sourdough bread. “Ideally, you must break the fast with protein and fat. They are more important than carbohydrates. If I am hungry, I grab a meal. I only crave food at around 5 pm. In the interim, I may have nuts, which keep me full for another three hours. On the days that I lift weights, which is twice or thrice a week, I also have a protein shake. My last meal is at 7.30 pm.” Eat, train, repeat In a world where the use of semaglutide drugs like Ozempic are considered the easiest way to beat obesity, Chauhan enjoys the rumours linked with her name. When she heard that individuals within her industry were claiming she had undergone surgery to shed the 21 kilos she gained during her pregnancy, she was elated. “It’s the best compliment I could have got,” she smiles, going on to add that her battle with the bulge is one she has waged on more occasions than one. When she first met her trainer in 2008 at the behest of her singer-friend Aditya Narayan, she recalls having shed 15 kilos in six months. Over the years, she has subsequently gained and lost weight, with each effort making her certain that she could always find her way back to her original fitness levels. “Training is part of my system now,” she says, adding that a statement shared by her trainer has stayed with her over the years. “He says, [exercising] is like paying rent. It’s an ‘everyday’ thing. When I am fit, I find a notable difference in my performances. I feel light, and can stretch myself a bit more. Today, before a show, regardless of how I am feeling, and even if I am unwell, I will always do a bout of cardio. It makes me deliver better.”
25 December,2024 07:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaIn January this year, rumours were rife that Kantara (2022) star Rishab Shetty was teaming up with filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker on a period drama centred on a ruler of south India. The buzz gained further credence when the Kannada star was spotted leaving the filmmaker’s office. As we catch up with Gowariker, who completes 20 years as a producer this month, we ask him the obvious question: Is a collaboration on the cards? “Not yet. It was a meet-and-greet because we like each other’s movies. It would fit if we work together. Let’s see,” he smiles, his reply leaving ample room for interpretation. Ashutosh Gowariker For now, Gowariker is prepping for his next, which will mark his return to direction six years after his last offering, Panipat (2019). Though he doesn’t divulge whether it will be a big-scale period drama, a genre that he has made a mark in, the filmmaker is aware that spectacles are the flavour of the season. “We always made big films. Making a successful film is on everyone’s mind. When a trend comes in, it makes it easier. I have nothing against trends and people making several movies of the same genre. [But] my thought was never to create a trend. It was more about the theme I wanted to tackle. In Swades [2004], I tackled nationalism; in Jodhaa Akbar, it was religious tolerance. I’m not necessarily thinking big when I’m thinking of world-building. I don’t make an effort to make it larger than life, but perhaps that’s in my filmmaking process.” The stardom of his leading actors—from Shah Rukh Khan to Hrithik Roshan—was a prominent aspect of Gowariker’s films. But he believes the younger actors today have a disadvantage. “The second [rung of] actors today aren’t able to choose the right films because they don’t know which one will open in cinemas and which will go to OTT. Hence, the chaos,” he reasons.
25 December,2024 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAnurag Kashyap, one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in Indian cinema, was very close to the legendary filmmaker, the late Shyam Benegal. As the industry and every film enthusiast mourn the demise of the legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, we have unearthed a treasured memory from when Mid-Day interviewed Shyam Benegal and Anurag Kashyap at his office in Tardeo. During the chat, Anurag Kashyap revealed that it was just his second day in Mumbai when he barged into Benegal’s office to ask for work, and what happened next will bring a smile to your face. When Anurag Barged Into Shyam Benegal's Office In conversation with Mayank Shekhar for Mid-Day, Anurag Kashyap shared the memory of walking into Benegal’s office. He told this story while sitting next to the Manthan maker and shared, “In 1993, I came to Bombay, and it was my second day in the city. I found a place to stay in Dadar, and I remember wearing my jeans as it was raining—it was June 4th. The first thing I did was find his office address. I came from Dadar, searched for the Everest building, and met Mr. Ravi Khemu there, but Shyam Ji wasn’t available.” He further continued, stating, “Ravi Ji, Kunal Kemmu’s father, was very kind. He sat with me and talked to me. He asked, ‘Why do you want to do this? What have you done?’ He realized that I had just graduated and had only watched movies at film festivals. He recommended that I go to FTII (Film and Television Institute of India). He also gave me addresses of other offices, and that’s when I realized I would need to do something significant before getting a job in Shyam Benegal's office.” Kunal Kemmu Paid Respect to Shyam Benegal As Shyam Benegal took his last breath last night, actor Kunal Kemmu took to social media to pay a moving tribute to the legendary filmmaker, who passed away, leaving behind an indelible legacy in Indian cinema. In his post, Kunal shared a personal anecdote that highlighted the profound impact Benegal had on his life and career. "The first film set I went to was Shyam Babu's," Kunal wrote. Shyam Benegal, a pioneer of meaningful cinema, has left behind a rich legacy of critically acclaimed films, including Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, and Bhumika. His work not only elevated Indian cinema but also brought stories of social relevance to the forefront.
24 December,2024 06:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharVarun Dhawan is one of the most loved actors in Bollywood. Varun is known for his over-enthusiastic behaviour and often catches headlines for it. Varun recently found himself in the midst of controversy after several videos allegedly showing him making his female co-stars uncomfortable went viral. In one video, he was seen kissing Kiara Advani's cheek during a photoshoot, which raised eyebrows, while another clip of him touching Alia Bhatt's belly raised questions. Now, while some have tagged these videos as healthy 'teasing,' others argue that he crossed his limits. Varun Dhawan reacted to kissing Kiara during a photoshoot As Varun Dhawan is currently promoting his film Baby John, he has reacted to these videos and denied having any inappropriate intentions towards his female co-stars. He further addressed these videos as 'harmless fun.' Appearing on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Varun was asked if he enjoys being naughty with his female co-stars, to which he replied, “Chhedam-chhaadi, if it is done in a happy space, a good space, whether it is a man or a woman… I have fun with my male co-stars as well, but nobody mentions that.” While specifically addressing the kissing incident with Kiara during a photoshoot, he said, "I’m glad you asked me this. It was planned. Both Kiara and I posted that clip. It was for a digital cover, and they wanted some movement and action, so we planned that." This kiss is so soft 🤌❤️🥰 Kiara Varun 😂❤️🥰 pic.twitter.com/T1ilUgKF3v — kavya (@rashee_14) January 28, 2024 When further asked about Kiara looking evidently shocked in the clip, Varun defended himself, saying, “She’s a good actress. It was completely planned. I’ll admit when things weren’t planned.” 1st video: Varun Dhawan asking Alia Bhatt before keeping his hand on his waist while posing for a photoshoot.2nd video: Varun asking Shraddha Kapoor her permission before lifting her up in a show. You are saying this guy har@sses his costars? Really?pic.twitter.com/4nPH32bMoK — Annesha (@ApnaaVarun) April 3, 2023 Baby John Advance Booking Update Varun's upcoming film Baby John, starring Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jackie Shroff, will hit theatres on Christmas. Advance bookings for the much-anticipated Varun Dhawan-starrer Baby John have opened, and trade analysts believe the film looks promising. The actioner, they claim, is expected to rake in Rs 16 crore on its opening day, with collections over the first weekend likely to cross Rs 50 crore. That the film—directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee—aims to cater to the masses implies that it is a strong contender at the box office. However, trade experts exercise restraint when pitting it against other offerings of the year. Girish Wankhede tells Mid-Day, “It’s too early to know the exact [figures] because the bookings are picking up as we speak.”
24 December,2024 05:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out at Mumbai's Fortune Enclave building in Bandra (W), where ace singer Shaan lives. While Shaan lives on the 11th floor of the building, the fire broke out on the seventh floor. Now the singer has reacted to the ordeal and shared that he was asleep when the fire broke out, and by the time they realised, most of the people in the building had already gone down. He also stated that he was stuck on the 14th floor at a neighbour's house for about 40 minutes until firefighters came up and took them down. Shaan & family were stuck in the building for about 40 mins Shaan, in his statement to HT, said, “The fire broke out on the seventh floor around 12:30 a.m. We were asleep and were woken up around 1 a.m. Most of the people in the building, on the seventh floor and below, had gone down. We were told to go to the terrace, but since the terrace was locked and the smoke was mounting, we took refuge at our neighbour, Mrs Kazi’s home, on the 14th floor. Unfortunately, they were stuck too. We were there for about 40 minutes until the firemen came up and took us down.” The fire didn’t damage the building He further revealed that the fire hadn't done any major damage to the building, but the seventh floor is completely gutted while the sixth and eighth floors are partially burnt. Shaan stated, “The seventh floor is completely gutted with fire. The sixth and eighth floors are partially burnt, but there hasn’t been much damage to the building. Our home is fine.” Everything is fine at their house Radhika Mukherji, Shaan's wife, also reacted to the shocking incident and stated, "We are fine. Our younger son, Maahi, was out, and it was Soham (elder son) who woke us up. The three of us had to be rescued besides our two house helps and two fur babies. Panic is inevitable in such situations, but we tried to stay as informed and prepared as possible. The first thing we did as a family was switch off all the mains and cover our faces with wet cloths to minimize smoke inhalation. We made three attempts to get to higher floors. Initially, we managed to reach the 15th floor, but the smoke was too overwhelming to go further." With God’s grace, everything is fine at their house, with no damage caused by smoke or fire to their abode.
24 December,2024 04:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
