While commemorating the anniversary of Irrfan Khan's passing, one cannot help but recall not only his immense talent but also the impact he made on the world of cinema. Irrfan Khan transcended the role of mere actor; he was a master who brought every character he portrayed to life, leaving an enduring mark on audiences worldwide. Today, homage is paid to this extraordinary artist by revisiting his remarkable body of work and contemplating the legacy he has left behind. 1. The Lunchbox (2013): This is one of the most loved films of Irrfan Khan. In the classic drama, Irrfan Khan plays the role of Saajan Fernandes. The movie follows the story of a lonely office worker whose life takes an unexpected turn, and love comes in the most unexpected way to him as he meets a woman through a lunchbox mix-up. His nuanced portrayal captures the character’s loneliness, longing, and eventual emotional awakening, earning widespread critical acclaim. 2. Maqbool (2003): Maqbool, the adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by legendary filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, has Irrfan in the titular role. In the movie, Irrfan Khan plays the role of a loyal henchman of the underworld who has bigger ambitions 3. Life of Pi (2012): In Ang Lee's visually stunning adaptation of Yann Martel's novel, Irrfan Khan plays the adult Pi Patel who recounts his incredible journey of survival at sea to a writer. Through his narration, Khan infuses the character with wisdom, introspection, and a profound sense of spirituality, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. 4. Paan Singh Tomar (2012): Paan Singh Tomar is another brilliant performance by Irrfan Khan. Playing the real-life athlete, Irrfan wowed the audience with his powerful performance. This biographical drama led to Irrfan earning critical acclaim and a National Film Award for Best Actor. 5. The Namesake (2006): Based on Jhumpa Lahiri's novel, this Mira Nair film explores the complexities of identity and belonging through the journey of an Indian-American family. Irrfan Khan shines in the role of Ashoke Ganguli, a loving and introspective father whose quiet strength and wisdom anchor the narrative. 6. Piku (2015): Irrfan Khan as Rana Chaudhary is one of the best things one could watch. In the film, Irrfan was "pookie" before it was a thing. In the heartwarming comedy-drama, he played a pragmatic taxi company owner who finds himself entangled in the eccentricities of the titular character’s family dynamics. This slice-of-life drama remains one of Irrfan’s best performances to date. These movies, among others in Irrfan Khan's illustrious filmography, exemplify his ability to inhabit diverse characters with authenticity, depth, and emotional resonance, solidifying his legacy as one of Indian cinema's finest actors.
07 January,2025 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Payal Kapadia's acclaimed project All We Imagine As Light failed to win at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards despite two nominations. The film lost to Emilia Perez in the Best Non-English Motion Picture category, while Payal lost to Brady Corbet the director of The Brutalist in the Best Director category. Payal Kapadia’s first reaction after losing at Golden Globes Hours after the ceremony, Payal Kapadia shared a throwback photograph with her producers Thomas Hakim, Julien Graff, and Ranabir Das as they were heading to the Golden Globes. "We didn't win anything but had so much fun (sic)" she captioned her Instagram Story. The filmmaker also gave a shout-out to designer Payal Khandwala and stylist Indrakshi Pattanaik. "And a special thank you to @payalkhandwala for this amazing outfit... and @styledbyindrakshi for being the kindest, smartest stylist who helped me feel so confident," wrote Kapadia. Payal looked radiant in a customized black jumpsuit, her hair tied in a messy bun. She earlier told Mid-day, "Many people worked so hard on this film and it’s because of a collective effort that it has reached here. I’m very thankful to them." About All We Imagine As Light Starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, the film is an official Indo-French co-production between Petit Chaos from France and Chalk & Cheese and Another Birth from India. The film follows Prabha, a troubled nurse who receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, and Anu, her young roommate seeking intimacy with her boyfriend. A trip to the beach town of Ratnagiri allows them to confront their desires. She stated in an earlier interview, “I wanted to make a generational film about female friendship. I felt it is convenient for society to be designed in a way that women shouldn’t be friends with each other. It doesn’t want us to be supportive of each other. I’ve made many mistakes with friends and other women I was close to, where I didn’t respond to them in the right way. We make films to answer certain questions that are within us. This was a core conflict, and I wanted to talk about it.” In 2024, the film won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. It recently won the Best International at the New York Film Critics Circle, as well as the Best International Feature trophy at the reputed Gotham Awards 2024. Former President of the United States, Barack Obama also mentioned it in his list of favourite movies of 2024.
07 January,2025 11:18 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Shakti Kapoor, who has shared screen space with Bollywood superstar Govinda in multiple projects revealed that the latter would arrive on sets extremely late, but now arrives early. The entertainment industry was aware of Govinda not being punctual given the multiple films he’d sign at once in a bid to make money. Shakti Kapoor on Govinda being ‘insecure’ In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Shakti Kapoor was asked what is the one change he has observed in Govinda, to which he replied, “The one thing that has changed about him over the years is his punctuality. Earlier, he would arrive at 9 pm for a 9 am shift. Now, he arrives at 8:30 am for a 9 a.m. shift.” He added, “Insecurity aadmi ko kaha se kaha pahucha deti hai. (Insecurity changes people). Now he is very professional and the entire industry knows it.” In an earlier interview with Friday Talkies, Pahlaj Nihalani, who worked with Govinda in Rangeela Raja said, “He would sign dozens of B-grade and C-grade movies without a second thought. He’d be working on five or six movies at the same time; nobody would know where he was. He was constantly late and would lie. He said he was doing it for the money, and I told him that this was a dangerous way of thinking. He did things that were against the profession.” The films also featured Shakti Kapoor, Digangana Suryavanshi, Mishika Chourasia, and Anupama Agnihotri. A dancing superstar of Hindi cinema of the late 1980s and early 1990s, Govinda has appeared in more than 165 films in his career spanning four decades. Shakti Kapoor’s acting journey On the work front, Shakti has been a part of movies like Kasam Khoon Ki, Alibaba Marjinaa, Lootmaar, Qurbani, Yeh Rishta Na Tootay, Khuda Kasam, Satte Pe Satta, Kanoon Meri Mutthi Mein, Mera Jawab, Yaadon Ki Kasam, Insaaf Main Karoonga, Ghar Jamai, Coolie No. 1, Diljale, Judwaa, Hero No. 1, among numerous others. He was last seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal where he essayed the role of PK Mishra COO of Swastik Steel. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri.
07 January,2025 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt appears that the stars aren’t aligning for this love story. Over two years ago, it was announced that the third instalment of Aashiqui was set to go on the floors, with director Anurag Basu taking charge of a film that would be fronted by Kartik Aaryan. Soon after, Animal (2023) actor Triptii Dimri hopped aboard the project that was supposed to roll this year. However, it appears that there is a new twist in the tale. mid-day has it that not only is Dimri no longer part of the project, but Basu is set to create an entirely new love saga, far distanced from the Aashiqui franchise. “Triptii was excited to headline the romance, but that’s not going to happen now. Aashiqui 3 is undergoing a [title]-related dispute. So, it has been postponed indefinitely,” says the source. The reasons behind Dimri’s departure aren’t known yet. A lot has happened since the third edition of the film was announced. The drama was to initially be produced by Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt, but that discussion did not go forth following a tussle between the producers. In March 2024, the T-Series head honcho Kumar announced that he was backing the Aaryan-Basu project alone and rechristened it, Tu Aashiqui Hai, as a separate entity. In November, sources told mid-day that Aaryan was keen to restore the film under the Aashiqui banner. Aaryan and Basu have now decided to move forward with another project, informs another insider. The yet-untitled film is also being produced by Kumar. “All three of them were keen to collaborate with one another, and they found the perfect opportunity in a love story. It will roll later this month or in the first week of February in Mumbai,” the source shares. The casting process for the role of the lead actress is underway. The second instalment of Aashiqui, released in 2013, featured Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur.
07 January,2025 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaSinger Monali Thakur has finally issued a detailed statement after she walked off the stage mid-performance during her Varanasi concert in Uttar Pradesh on December 22. For the unversed, the incident took place when Monali exited the stage after performing for just around 45 minutes. In videos that went viral on the internet, Monali was seen addressing the audience, saying, "I am disheartened that my team and I were so excited to perform here. Let's not talk about the infrastructure and its condition, as that is the management's responsibility. I can't explain what they have done to the stage just so they can steal money." The singer took to her Instagram account on Monday where she shared details about the alleged mismanagement, and mistreatment against her and her team by the event organizers. "I had hoped not to end 2024 or begin the new year 2025 by addressing the horrific and negative incident my team and I faced in Varanasi. However, after much reflection, I feel it is important to share these unfortunate truths-not only to raise awareness but also to call for reforms in how such matters are handled. Attached is a confession and apology letter issued by the founder of the event-organizing company. Hope this letter is sufficient to clear any confusion anyone might have had about the credibility of any of the false defamatory accusations made against my team and me, as well as the treacherous and unethical conduct of the organizers," wrote Monali. Monali also shared that her team faced "severe negligence" in basic infrastructural safety that forced her to leave the stage in the middle of her performance. "It has been deeply troubling for me to process the reckless and irresponsible behavior of the event management company's team. Especially, their misuse of laws designed to protect against sexual harassment-laws that are vital for safeguarding people, specially women in our society-is both appalling and unacceptable. Weaponizing such laws for personal vendetta, ego satisfaction, or retaliation against those who refused to comply with unethical practices is not only a gross abuse of rights but also deeply disrespectful to genuine survivors of these heinous crimes," the singer wrote. "Thise reckless behavior undermines the credibility of survivors who show immense courage in seeking justice and hampers the hard work of those fighting to eradicate such crimes. It is particularly disheartening to see young women participating in such actions, as it damages the cause and creates distrust around an issue that should always be treated with the utmost seriousness," she added. Monali also criticized the "treatment of vendors" and those "working behind the scenes" at the event. "It is absolutely unacceptable to treat vendors poorly, cheat them of their hard-earned money, or con them in any way," she said. "Disrespecting and harassing those working behind the scenes... is not the way forward. Such behavior should never be tolerated or entertained." The highlight of the post, though, was the confession and apology letter from the organisers that she had attached. "I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Team Monali Thakur for their kindness, humbleness, support, and encouragement from the very beginning," wrote Aman, co-founder of Backroom Entertainments. Take a look at her post View this post on Instagram A post shared by Monali Thakur (@monalithakur03) Monali Thakur is best known for her superhit Bollywood tracks that include 'Sawar Loon', 'Zara Zara Touch Me', 'Chham Chham' among others. 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
07 January,2025 08:26 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIDebutants Aaman Devgn, Ajay Devgn's nephew, and Rasha Thadani who is Raveena Tandon's daughter, are all set to make their big-screen debut with the upcoming period drama 'Azaad'. The makers of the film have unveiled the trailer of the period drama. Following this, Aaman's aunt and actor Kajol posted a heartfelt shoutout for the actor. Kajol shared a link of the trailer on her Instagram Story and wrote, "If wishes were horses, I would wish for this one! So proud of you @aamandevgan! And so many more congratulations to come!" The week started with the makers releasing the trailer, giving fans a glimpse into the action-packed story. The trailer introduces Ajay Devgn as a rebel (baaghi) and a skilled horse rider deeply connected to his loyal horse. A dramatic turn in the story shows the horse going missing during a battle against the British forces, and Aaman Devgn's character steps in to help find it. The clip also hints at the bond between Ajay and Aaman's characters, with the younger one looking up to his mentor. Meanwhile, Rasha Thadani plays a character from a royal family. A couple of days ago, a new song from the film titled 'Uyi Amma' was unveiled, where Rasha was seen showcasing her dancing skills. Madhubanti Bagchi lent her vocals to the song, which is composed by Amit Trivedi. The lyrics were penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya. Earlier, while speaking to ANI, Ajay had praised his nephew Aaman's dedication to the film. He said, "I have a significant role in his film as well. The trailer has been released, and people are liking it. Fingers crossed. He is a very hardworking boy." Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, the film is set in pre-independence India and will hit theatres on January 17, 2025. 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
07 January,2025 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIBollywood couple Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan never fail to bring the oomph factor in their fashion sense. This time they again impressed the audience with their fashion choices. On Monday, Bebo treated her fans with their New Year Celebration 2025 on Instagram and wrote, "Headed home with this mood for 2025." Kareena and Saif served royalty in these pictures. In one of the pictures, Jeh made an appearance in the clicks. Kareena wore a stunning metallic Ralph Lauren dress, while Saif looked handsome in a black bow-tie suit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) Bebo also posted pictures and it seems like she is enjoying the moment. Earlier, Kareena shared a bunch of photos of her son Taimur, holding her heels. Along with the post, she wrote, "MAA ki seva iss saal and forever...Happy new year friends...More Pictures coming soon.....stay tuned." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) Kareena, Saif, Taimur, and Jeh rang in the New Year in the picturesque surroundings of Switzerland, where they were seen enjoying their time together as a family. On the work front, Kareena has been receiving accolades for her recent performances. She recently won the Best Actress Filmfare OTT Award for her role in the critically acclaimed film 'Jaane Jaan', which is an official adaptation of Keigo Higashino's bestselling novel 'Devotion of Suspect X'. This year, Kareena was also seen in films, 'Crew', 'The Buckingham Murders', and 'Singham Again'. Each of these films has received positive feedback from audiences and critics alike. 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
07 January,2025 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIBollywood actor Shahid Kapoor penned a heartwarming message for Rosshan Andrrews, director of his upcoming film 'Deva' director as he celebrates his birthday today. Taking to his Instagram handle, the 'Kabir Singh' actor shared behind-the-scenes of 'Deva' while extending his birthday wishes. In the photos, the duo seems to be having fun while working on the action-thriller 'Deva.' Cherishing priceless moments with director Rosshan Andrrews, Shahid Kapoor wrote, "Happy Birthday Brother. Never a dull moment with you" ' The makers have already released the teaser of the film. The 'Deva' teaser showcases Shahid's raw, unfiltered action performance, complemented by his electrifying dance skills. Shahid shared the teaser on social media with a caption, "D day is here. Machana chalu," which translates to "The day is here. Let's begin." The film revolves around Shahid Kapoor portraying a rebellious police officer tasked with solving a high-profile case that unravels layers of deceit, betrayal, and a dangerous conspiracy. As Deva dives deeper into the investigation, his journey turns perilous, filled with nail-biting chases and gut-wrenching action sequences. The film is slated for release on January 31, 2025. 'Deva' also marks Shahid's return to the big screen after almost a year, following his last appearance in the film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya', co-starring Kriti Sanon. 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
07 January,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | ANISteer clear Stree Shraddha Kapoor’s jewellery brand faces backlash for allegedly selling bootleg versions of iconic designs from high-end luxury brands like Cartier. Social media users and design enthusiasts have highlighted striking similarities between her products and signature pieces from renowned labels, accusing the brand of blatant plagiarism. Critics have pointed out that while the website claims the designs are original, several products, including their nail bangle bracelet, replicate a Cartier design. The brand has yet to release a statement addressing these allegations. In the game business Abhishek Bachchan has partnered with the ICC-sanctioned European T20 Premier League (ETPL), a privately-owned franchise tournament involving three member cricket nations—Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. As a co-owner, Abhishek has invested in the league, which will run from July 15 to August 3. The tournament will feature top talent from the three nations alongside world-class players. Sharing his excitement, Abhishek said, “Cricket is not just a sport; it’s a unifying force that transcends boundaries. With cricket being included in the 2028 Olympics, its popularity will further surge. I’m humbled and excited.” Like mother, like daughter Aamir Khan has heaped praise on the upcoming rom-com Loveyapa, starring his son Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor. After watching a rough cut of the film, Aamir lauded Khushi’s performance, saying it reminded him of her legendary mother, Sridevi. Khushi Kapoor and Junaid Khan in Loveyapa “When I watched the film and saw Khushi, I could see Sridevi in her. Her energy was there,” he remarked. Directed by Advait Chandan, Loveyapa explores the quirks of modern relationships shaped by technology. It is a remake of the Tamil film Love Today (2022). The trailer will be released on January 10 at an event. A collaboration to see Shruti Haasan and A R Rahman Shruti Haasan, besides being an actor, is also a talented musician. She has collaborated with music maestro AR Rahman for the track, It’s a break up da from the film Kadhalikka Neramillai. AR Rahman has composed the music, while Shruti and Adithya RK have lent their voices. This marks Shruti’s third professional collaboration with Rahman, following their Tamil anthem Semmozhi and the MTV Unplugged recreation of Ranjha ranjha. Written and directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, Kadhalikka Neramillai stars Jayam Ravi and Nithya Menon.
07 January,2025 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamAt a time when the volume of content being churned out by the film industry often leads to a tussle for screens across India, releasing a small-budget offering alongside three big-budget productions may seem like a poorly calculated move. But April 11 is a date of significance for Anant Mahadevan, given that it coincides with the 197th birth anniversary of social activist Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, on whom his film, Phule, is based. Mahadevan acknowledges that releasing the movie merely a day after mammoth productions like Prabhas’s The Raja Saab, Yash’s Toxic, and Akshay Kumar’s Jolly LLB hit the theatres may seem daunting for a filmmaker, but he is certain that the Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer will catch the attention of the audience he intends to target. “April 11 is a milestone; a date to celebrate. It is relevant for us to release the film on that day, regardless of which other film is also released. Our date is finalised. In March, we will begin promoting Phule, and ensure that people belonging to each corner of India know what the film is about. I have shot at actual locations, like at a wada [fortress] in Bhor, Kolhapur, and Satara. I did not shoot on a set because my producers, Ritesh and Anuya Kudecha, insisted that the film be made as authentically as possible,” says Mahadevan. Pratik Gandhi (L) with Anant Mahadevan (R) Celebrating the socialists, Phule, and his wife Savitribai (played by Patralekhaa) for their innumerable contributions to society, Mahadevan calls the former the “Abraham Lincoln of India.” “When Jyotirao learnt that Lincoln abolished slavery in America, he was deeply inspired. He was fighting a battle on two fronts—against the British, and [against society]. The fight was to dispel practices like gender and caste discrimination and promote the education of the girl child. Today if women have an opinion, are educated, and are taken seriously, [it is because of them]. Savitribai and Fatima Sheikh [Indian educator] were the first female teachers in India.” Ask him if he considered casting Rajkummar Rao as the film’s leading man to have the husband-and-wife duo Rao and Patralekhaa reprise the relationship on screen, and he responds in the negative. “Pratik is an effortless actor,” he backs his leading man. “He is a chameleon, and we can all just marvel at him. He works hard on each role, but that effort isn’t made obvious on the screen, and that is what acting is all about. Of course, Rajkummar is very accomplished, and I could have approached him via Patralekhaa, but when I saw Pratik and Patralekhaa together, I felt the real characters had come alive.”
07 January,2025 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRAmong the wide assortment of big and small-budget releases that are set to hit theatres this month is a special production by British-Indian director Sandhya Suri. What makes her film Santosh special is that the tale of a newly widowed woman who inherits her late husband’s job as a police constable is the UK contender for the upcoming Oscars. However, it appears that the film may be unable to keep its January 10 date with the audience because it has not yet received the clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The delay, says a source from the board, is merely owing to the recently concluded year-end holidays. “The trailer was approved on January 1, and the main film is yet to get the nod. In all likelihood, there will be a delay in the film’s release. In the past few days, screenings have not happened on time,” said the source, adding that whether or not Suri’s film—with its socio-political undertone—strokes the board members the wrong way, is yet to be seen. “Unless the film is watched, the board cannot be certain. Sure, the film’s essence should not be compromised, but it has to [align with] local sensibilities.” PVR Pictures, which is to release the film in India, is yet to unveil the trailer. They have also gotten rid of the release date in their social media promotional content for the film, simply stating that Santosh will release “in cinemas soon.” A marketing hand at PVR tells mid-day, “There is a big release called Game Changer out soon. For Santosh, there is a need for dedicated screens in select areas. Once the film is certified, we will schedule it. It might be pushed by a few days, but it will be released in January.” The movie features Shahana Goswami in the titular role.
07 January,2025 07:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
