Bollywood actor Zayed Khan, who has been away from the big screen since 2015, shared financial advice for aspiring actors, trying to make it big. The ‘Main Hoon Na’ star, who is married and has two kids, discussed the seriousness of one’s spending habits and why it is important to not indulge for the sake of showing off and becoming broke. Zayed Khan says 80% of aspiring actors are becoming broke In an interview with Subhojit Ghosh, Zayed shared, “We are in the age of social media, where your image is… You’re probably living a life you cannot afford. Some people are doing really well, but 80% of them are not. They’re becoming broke. They have EMIs and debt, and then they do stupid things in order to rectify stupid things. It’s a rabbit hole. Live within your means. Showing off isn’t about bling. It could just be the courtesy that you show in life.” He added, “Try to do things that benefit you or give you an edge over someone. The numbers will follow. You don’t have to wear something new every day or be embarrassed about where you come from. Just be who you are. There are going to be a*****s in life. Are you impressing them?” Zayed Khan on stepping away from acting Looking back on his career, Zayed Khan admits he wishes he had done a few things differently. After a brief run in the movies, the actor tried his hand at television with ‘Haasil’ in 2017, but went missing from the screen a year later. “I took a step back from acting [then] as I got into family mode. I shouldn’t have detached myself completely from acting; it wasn’t the smartest move. To earn those stripes again takes a lot, and that was a lesson I learned,” Khan told Mid-day, adding that finding his way back in has been tougher, this time around. “There is so much more competition and professionalism today. Actors bring so much to the table now. Just because you have access to people doesn’t mean that you get the opportunity.” Zayed’s last movie on the big screen was ‘Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene’, a Hindi comedy thriller starring Rannvijay Singh and Tina Desai.
19 September,2024 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJacqueliene Fernandez is making her Hollywood debut with the upcoming sequel, Kill ‘Em All 2. The film, which also stars action legend Jean-Claude Van Damme, promises to be a thrilling ride, with Van Damme reprising his role as John, a former mercenary with a complex past. Jacqueliene’s entry into this high-octane sequel brings a fresh and exciting dynamic to the already action-packed storyline. Jacqueliene Fernandez shines in Kill ‘Em All 2 trailer The recently released trailer provided fans with glimpses of Jacqueliene Fernandez in action, showcasing her involvement in scenes with guns and high-speed bikes. Her presence in the trailer suggests that she will play a significant role alongside Van Damme and her role in the film promises to be a standout, showcasing her versatility and ability to hold her own alongside seasoned stars. ‘Kill ‘Em All 2’ is set to release digitally on September 24, and the anticipation is building for Jacqueliene’s latest Hollywood venture. Her transition to international cinema represents a significant milestone in her career, and fans around the globe are eagerly awaiting to see how she fares in this new setting. Jacqueliene Fernandez’s work front In addition to her Hollywood film, Jacqueliene is also set to reunite with Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh in ‘Housefull 5’, continuing her successful collaboration with the beloved trio from the Housefull franchise. She also has 'Welcome to the Jungle' directed by Ahmed Khan. The star cast of the film also includes Akshay Kumar, Disha Patani, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Sanjay Dutt, Rajpal Yadav, Shreyas Talpade, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mika Singh, Rahul Dev, Mukesh Tiwari, Sharib Hashmi, Inaamulhaq, Zakir Hussain, and Yashpal Sharma. Jacqueliene has also wrapped up the shoot for 'Fateh' alongside Sonu Sood. The action thriller is based on real-life instances of cybercrime experienced by people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Helmed by Vaibhav Mishra it also stars Shivjyoti Rajput and Vijay Raaz in prominent roles. Some of the prominent names in Hollywood including the director of photography, research team, and action choreographers have been roped in for this film. It will be released in 2025. As Jacqueliene makes waves in both international and domestic cinema, her future projects are certainly generating excitement and expectations.
19 September,2024 04:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPayal Kapadia's directorial 'All We Can Imagine As Light' will get a theatrical release in the start of Kerala starting September 21. With this, the hopes of the film's qualifying for the Oscars from the country live on. The film made history at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival 2024. About All We Imagine As Lights Oscar run Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media has acquired the Indian distribution rights for the film and will be releasing the film in Kerala. The film has dialogues in Malayalam and Hindi. The film will be made available in limited cinemas from September 21 to complete Oscar qualifier criteria. The rules demand that a film qualifying for Oscars should play in cinemas for at least seven days before September 30. The film, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes earlier this year, stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Hridhu Haroon, all of whom hail from Kerala. The film directed by Payal was backed by Thomas Hakim and Julian Graff through their France-based company Petit Chaos, in co-production with the Indian companies, Zico Maitra’s Chalk & Cheese Films and Ranabir Das’ Another Birth, as well as by the Netherlands’s BALDR Film, Luxembourg’s Les Films Fauves, Italy’s Pulpa Films and France’s Arte France Cinéma. Earlier, France had announced the film as a contender for the Oscars to represent their country, they later chose auteur Jacques Audiard’s redemption thriller 'Emilia Perez' for the international feature film race. About All We Imagine As Light's winning moment at Cannes Film Festival 2024 In 30 years, Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine As Light' became the first Indian film to be selected for Palme d'Or, the main competition at Cannes 2024 Film Festival. Payal Kapadia accepted the award from the jury on the closing night of the prestigious film festival. She also invited on stage her lead cast-Kani Kusruti, Chayya Kadam and Divya Prabha- while accepting the award and thanked them. "It really takes a village," said Kapadia while thanking her team behind the film. "This film is about the friendship between three different women and often times women are pitted against each other. This is the way our society is designed and it is really unfortunate. But for me, friendship is an important relationship. It can lead to greater solidarity and inclusivity and empathy towards each other which is why I feel these are the values which we should always strive for," Payal said in her acceptance speech receiving a thunderous applause. Kapadia was in competition with "European heavyweights such as Jacques Audiard and Yorgos Lanthimos, American auteurs David Cronenberg and Paul Schrader, and Asian visionary Jia Zhangke", as 'IndieWire' reminds us. The film did leave international critics impressed after the screening, with Peter Bradshaw of 'The Guardian' showering praise on it for its "freshness and emotional clarity" and comparing Kapadia's "fluent and absorbing" storytelling with Satyajit Ray's in his classics, 'Mahanagar' and 'Aranyer Din Ratri'.
19 September,2024 02:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe highly anticipated anime film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is set to make its theatrical debut across India, releasing in Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu. The teaser and the poster was unveiled by Geek Pictures India and it has already stirred excitement among fans. Adding to the film's grandeur, legendary screenwriter Shri K V Vijayendra Prasad, known for cinematic blockbusters like Baahubali, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and RRR, has contributed his creative vision to this adaptation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Geek Pictures India (@geekpictures_india) “The Ramayana in anime is a groundbreaking testament to the strength of Indo-Japan collaborations. This fresh, dynamic portrayal of the timeless legend of Ram will undoubtedly strike a chord with audiences across all regions and age groups, bringing this epic to life in a way that’s never been seen before“ said Arjun Aggarwal, the co-founder of Geek Pictures India. The Legend of Prince Rama, releasing during the Indian festive season of Dussehra and Diwali, promises to be a cinematic celebration, combining India’s cultural richness with the brilliance of Japanese anime. Distributed across India by Geek Pictures India, AA Films and Excel Entertainment, the film is set to captivate audiences nationwide. Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram took Hindu mythology across the globe 'Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Ram' was a widely popular version of the epic Hindu mythology. It was popular not just in India but also in America. Did you know it was actor Bryan Cranston, famously known for his role as Walter White in the series Breaking Bad, who voiced for Lord Ram in the English version of the animated film. This information of the actor known for playing the morally ambiguous character in Breaking Bad might come as surprise. The actor had given a very quiet and sensible voice to the role that is considered God in Hindu mythology. The film was released as in the United States as the English-dubbed version of the 1993 animated film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama. Cranston lent his voice to Lord Ram, the main protagonist, while his fellow voice actor Tom Wyner brought the villain Ravana to life. Interestingly, the film was narrated by none other than James Earl Jones, known for his iconic voice as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa from The Lion King.
19 September,2024 02:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe cop universe created by Rohit Shetty just got bigger and better! As if a starry cast wasn't enough, Shetty has reportedly pulled off a major casting coup for his next film titled 'Singham Again'. According to a report in times Now, Salman Khan will be wearing the cop uniform for the film. His character Chulbul Pandey from the Dabangg franchise is a hit among the audience and now Shetty plans to introduce him to his universe of cops that include Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff. Salman Khan to return as Chulbul Pandey for Singham Again? According to the report, Salman Khan will be making a special appearance in the film. Not long ago, a picture of Salman and Ajay in cop uniform on a film set had gone viral sparking rumours of their collaboration for the cop franchise. The reports further state that Rohit Shetty managed to convince Khan to come on board and the latter agreed without any hesitation or questions. There are also rumours of 'Baahubali' actor Prabhas making a cameo in the film. If that is true, the film can expect a sizable audience from the south to be attracted to the film. Last year, Salman Khan made a cameo appearance in Shah Rukh Khan's 'Pathaan Vs Tiger'. The scene was much lauded and loved by the audience. Now, with a powerhouse actor like Salman coming as Chulbul Pandey will attract more eyeballs for the Diwali release film. On the other hand, 'Singham Again' will see a box office clash with Anees Bazmee's Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a successful franchise. The film stars Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit. The grand climax plan for Singham Again Mid-day had recently reported that Shetty has plans for an elaborate climax sequence for the film. Even as the post-production goes on the director is shooting some vital scenes for the film. Shetty has envisioned a play-like sequence where many characters will be dressed as demons. A source tells us, “Rohit is shooting a grand play-like scene and has many characters dressed as rakshasas, thus adding a folk-based twist to the proceedings. The team has set up a large stage, where Rohit will film an elaborate performance that forms the centerpiece of the climax. In the next few days, Ajay is expected to join the shoot.” On the first day of shooting, a crowd of about 500 people had gathered at the Vile Parle set. “The scene needed a huge crowd. So, the production team included the people gathered in the scene. Filming is expected to continue until September 11,” adds the source. Singham Again, the third instalment in the Singham franchise, also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor and Tiger Shroff.
19 September,2024 01:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe launch of the Kareena Kapoor Khan Film Festival hosted by PVR Inox proved to be an evening full of insights into the actress' 25-year-long journey. The actress shared an anecdote from the time when the 2006 film Omkara had released. The Vishal Bhardwaj-directed film, based on Shakespeare's Macbeth, had an ensemble cast. But one actor who had stunned everyone with his onscreen transformation was Saif Ali Khan. Kareena had hosted a trial screening of Omkara back then, hoping to collect praise for her role from the film fraternity. Little did she know that Saif would steal the show. Saif played the role of Langda Tyagi in the film. Narrating the incident, the actress said, "Saif was out of this world in Omkara. I had a trial where I had called everybody. I said, it’s such a good performance, I am going to call all the directors, from Mani Ratnam to everybody, because I think I have done really well in this movie." "So I had this trial in Film City, everybody was there, from Vishal (Bhardwaj) Koko (Konkona Sen Sharma), Vivek (Oberoi) and Saif. I was very excited that everyone was going to watch me as Desdemona, because Shakespeare never really wrote too many female characters. So I made them all watch it. At interval, everyone came out and said, yeah, really nice, we loved everyone, and Saif is amazing. And when the movie ended, everyone said, ‘You are fab, but where is Saif?’ I thought, what is happening? I expected everybody to praise me. Everyone just flocked to Saif," she shared. This was before Tashan (2008). Saif and Kareena fell in love on the sets of Tashan and later tied the knot. He is an extremely supporting husband, who, Kareena revealed, is looking forward to watching her films at the festival. Kareena said he was extremely happy when he heard about the festival. "When I told him about this, he was very excited. So he wants to watch 'Omkara' and 'Ashoka' for sure," she added. The week-long film festival will run in over 30 cinemas halls in 15 cities from September 20 to September 27.
19 September,2024 01:22 PM IST | MumbaiKangana Ranaut's Emergency was initially supposed to release in theatres on September 6. However, a delay in the censorship led to delay in the release. However, it looks like the film still does not have a release date, at least not until next Wednesday. The Bombay High Court today asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take a call on the movie 'Emergency' by Wednesday. The high court was hearing a petition by the movie's co-producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises, seeking the release of the censor certificate so that the movie can hit the screens. What the Bombay High Court bench told Censor board? A division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla expressed its displeasure with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for not taking a decision on the issuance of a certificate to Kangana Ranaut-starrer film 'Emergency', and ordered for the decision to be taken by September 25. It asked if the CBFC thinks the people of this country are so naive to believe everything that is shown in a movie. On the petitioner's claim that the CBFC was delaying issuance of certificate to the movie due to political reasons, the HC noted the film's co-producer Ranaut was herself a sitting BJP parliamentarian and questioned if the ruling party was acting against its own MP. Ranaut, who has directed and co-produced the film besides playing the lead role of former prime minister late Indira Gandhi, earlier this week accused the CBFC of stalling certification to delay the release. The bench said, "You (CBFC) have to take a decision one way or the other. You must have the courage to say this film cannot be released. At least then we will appreciate your courage and boldness. We don't want the CBFC to sit on the fence." Kangana Ranaut's Emergency gets U/A certificate The actress had earlier revealed that the film received a U/A certificate days after its initial release date. However, the team is yet to receive the certificate copy and a release date approval. According to reports, the makers have been asked to make more edits to the film before it hits theaters. The political drama chronicles the life of India's late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, with an emphasis on the Emergency she imposed in 1975 and her assassination by her bodyguards. Written and directed by Kangana Ranaut, 'Emergency' stars her in the lead role and also features Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles. Produced by Zee Studios, Manikarnika Films, and Renu Pitti, the film’s music is orchestrated by Sanchit Balhara and G.V. Prakash Kumar, with screenplay and dialogues by Ritesh Shah. The release date will be announced soon.
19 September,2024 12:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNoted music composer Aadesh Shrivastava died of cancer in 2015 at the age of 51. In the course of his career, he composed over 100 songs. He composed songs for films like 'Joru Ka Ghulam', 'Kunwara', 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', 'Baghban', 'Chalte Chalte' among others. In a recent interview, Aadesh's wife and former actor Vijayta Pandit spoke about her son Avitesh Shrivastava and how he needs help. She said that Avitesh is a singer, music composer, and actor. She requested her husband's good friend Shah Rukh Khan to support her son like he had promised Aadesh on his deathbed. Vijayta Pandit recalls Shah Rukh Khan's promise to late Aadesh In an interview with Lehren Retro, Vijayta said in Hindi, "He (Avitesh) works so hard, he has recorded music with Akon and French Montana, among others. But unfortunately, my son is not getting support or direction in the film industry. People from the industry know that today Aadesh is not there, they should help my son. You won't believe when Aadesh was in the hospital, Shah Rukh Khan used to come and meet. One day before he died, Aadesh held Shah Rukh's hand, when he could not even talk, and gestured pointing towards our son that he should look after him. Today, I am just not able to contact Shah Rukh; the number that was given to my son is not working. I just want to remind Shah Rukh that he was a good friend of Aadesh, and this is the time, we need you. I need you for my son because he is my and our family's future. I am not earning, I am not doing anything." She added, "Shah Rukh Khan can make a film with my son under his production banner Red Chillies Entertainment. He (Avitesh) is such a good actor, he is doing a film called Sir Ek Friday that will have an OTT release... he is working so hard. I want to remind Shah Rukh that this is the time, come and help my son. He just needs a little push. Shah Rukh is a very sweet man, he came twice to see Aadesh in the last stages of his cancer. Now that he has promised, I want to ask him to help my son; he needs you; he does not have a father. Aadesh made you promise that so you have to do something." Vijayta also pointed out how her brothers Jatin-Lalit have contributed to the superstar's career by giving him hit after hit on the music front of his films like 'Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman', 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge' and 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' .
19 September,2024 09:45 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVipin Reshammiya, veteran music director and father of singer Himesh Reshammiya, has passed away at the age of 87. He breathed his last on Wednesday at 8:30 PM at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where he had reportedly been admitted due to breathing difficulties and age-related health complications. As per sources, his last rites will be conducted today in Juhu, where his mortal remains will first be brought home. The music fraternity, alongside family and friends, is expected to gather to pay their final respects to the veteran composer. Kumar Sanu pays tribute to Vipin Reshammiya The singer took to social media on Thurday morning to grieve the demise of the music director. He shared an old picture of the late Vipin Reshammiya while paying him a heartfelt tribute with his words. "Saddened and heartbroken by news of Vipin Reshamiya Ji’s demise. He was a very kind soul with a smiling face. I shared so many beautiful moments with him. Ap bahot yad aoge!! Om Shanti," he wrote alongside the picture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kumar Sanu (@kumarsanuofficial) About Vipin Reshammiya's notable contribution to music Vipin Reshammiya's musical contributions are well-remembered, including his work on films that helped shape the careers of many artists in the industry. Vipin Reshammiya was an Indian music composer and singer, known for his contributions to the Bollywood music industry. He is associated with various genres and has worked on numerous projects, both in film and independent music. His style often blends traditional Indian music with contemporary sounds. He has composed music for several Bollywood films, blending various musical styles and often collaborating with other artists. His notable works include The Xpose (2014), Teraa Surroor (2016) and Insaf Ki Jung (1988). When Himesh spoke about his father Vipin Reshammiya During Indian Idol 12 in 2021, Himesh shared a video of himself on his Instagram handle. In the video, he revealed that his father had composed a song with the late singers Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, which was never released. He promised to soon release the song. Sharing the video, the composer wrote, “I feel that it’s one of the finest classic melodies of all time which should come out in the market for all music lovers and I will be bringing the song out in the market soon, my dad had composed it with a lot of love and I’m happy that this song will be coming out soon for all of you , give it all your love when it comes out and you hear it ,we shot for the Kishore Kumar 100 songs special this week and the very talented singers of #indianidol sang beautifully like always lots of love.”
19 September,2024 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCalling Bae, again A lot more from Bella, aka Bae’s journalistic world, is set to unfold on screen again as Prime Video announced that Ananya Panday’s show will return with a second edition. “We’re stoked to announce that we’re working on developing the second season of Call Me Bae,” producer Karan Johar said in a statement. “The first season has been a game changer for us, and we’re grateful for all the love and appreciation it has garnered from audiences across the globe. It’s been an absolute privilege to be a part of this journey, seeing the show go from script to screen and finally revel in immense love from viewers.” In her debut web series, Panday played the role of a wealthy Delhi woman who is forced to start life afresh after a scandal affects her marriage. Ishita Moitra’s show also features Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, and Vihaan Samat. Stranger things? American astronaut Sunita Williams, who is currently on a space mission, received a heartwarming gift on her 59th birthday. Yesterday, a music company shared a collaborative reel featuring music stalwarts Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Hariharan, and Neeti Mohan, along with producer-director Karan Johar. “Come on, India, let’s sing #HappyBirthdaySunita along with India’s biggest icons and send our collective wishes to astronaut Sunita Williams up in space,” read the caption. In the video, the artistes rendered Mohammed Rafi’s classic song, Happy birthday, Sunita. Veteran musician Shankar Mahadevan also took to social media to share his wishes. “We are all waiting for your safe return back to planet Earth,” he wrote. A full package While jokes about her redundancy make up a large part of the script of The Great Indian Kapil Show, Archana Puran Singh, says comedian Sunil Grover, has a profound understanding of humour and the human psyche. “She is a brilliant actress, and has done all kinds of roles. She is a full package. Her understanding of humour and the human psyche is [at] another level. For us, as performers on the show, this quality becomes a privilege because we know that we can make a joke of any genre, and she will still catch it,” said Grover, who is gearing up for the release of the second season of the streaming sketch comedy offering. The second season—which will kick off with the team of the upcoming movie, Jigra, comprising Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, and Karan Johar—drops on September 21. Bickering saas-bahu in 2024? With the OTT boom redefining the way decades-old content is being revived, veteran filmmaker Sachin Pilgaonkar revisited the idea of presenting his 1994 iconic show, Tu Tu Main Main, for the web space. Pilgaonkar, who is gearing up for the release of his film, Navra Maza Navsacha 2, disregarded the idea of recreating the show for television, considering that today, people enjoy “daily soaps”, while his was a weekly release. “A daily soap cannot carry such humour unless it [is made for the] OTT platform, as a limited series. I would love to bring it on OTT in my own way. The first casting that comes to my mind is Surpiya [Pilgaonkar’s wife] as the saas now, and not as the bahu,” he said. Lips sealed Anupamaa actor Rupali Ganguly avoided answering questions about her former co-star Sudhanshu Pandey, who essayed the role of her ex-husband Vanraj Shah in the family drama. Asked if she missed working with Pandey, who exited the show in August, Ganguly simply walked out of the camera frame. Pandey, on his part, has also been asked about the reason behind his departure, a subject he has also seemingly brushed under the carpet. Rumour mills were abuzz with news that Ganguly had played a role in his exit from the popular television show, but the Band of Boys member had simply stated that he wished to explore other opportunities. Coldplay back again British rock band Coldplay is bringing their Music of the Spheres world tour to India in 2025. They previously performed in the country in 2016 as part of the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai. The upcoming concert will mark Coldplay’s first-ever solo act in India. In October 2015, the Chris Martin-fronted band shot their music video, Hymn for the weekend, at several locations in Mumbai, Vasai, and Kolkata. The track also featured actor Sonam Kapoor. As part of the tour, they have performed in Asia, Latin America, Europe, North America, and Australia in the last two years. The band’s members also include Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion. Tricks up his sleeve Amitabh Bachchan took to social media to share a trick that he learnt from his co-star, Shashi Kapoor. A new video shared by the makers of the quiz-based reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Big Bachchan, shows the veteran actor telling a contestant a method to recall the names of people one interacts with at social gatherings. “I learnt this trick from Shashi Kapoor, years ago. If he [couldn’t recall the name of a person], he would introduce himself first, saying, ‘Hello, I’m Shashi Kapoor’. This would make the other person feel obliged to share their name,” he said on the show, to the amusement of his fans. Meanwhile, on the work front, Bachchan will be seen sharing the screen with Tamil megastar Rajinikanth in Vettaiyan.
19 September,2024 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamIsha Koppikar, who first appeared in Bollywood with the movie Fiza after acting in several South Indian films, has shared a terrifying casting couch experience she had when she was 18. In addition to her roles in movies like Darna Mana Hai, Pinjar, LOC Kargil, Krishna Cottage, and Don, Isha also performed in popular dance numbers such as “Ishq Samundar” from Kaante and “Khallas” from Company. As the actress turns a year older today, we take a look at the time she opened up about casting couch in the industry. Isha Koppikar on her casting couch experience Isha Koppikar, who started her career in Hindi films with Fiza, talked about her casting couch experience from her early days in the industry. She shared the details of this traumatic incident with Siddharth Kannan, “I was 18 when a secretary and an actor approached me for casting couch. They told me that to get work, you have to be ‘friendly' with actors. I am very friendly, but what does ‘friendly' mean? I am so friendly that Ekta Kapoor once told me to have some attitude.” Isha Koppikar also shared a story about a time when a top actor asked her to meet him alone, “When I was 23, one actor asked me to meet him alone, without my driver or anyone else, because there were rumours about him being involved with other actresses. He said, ‘There are already controversies about me, and the staff spreads rumours.' But I refused and told him that I couldn't come alone. He was an A-list actor from the Hindi film industry.” About Isha Koppikar's hiatus from work Isha, who took a ten-year-long hiatus just after her marriage, earlier in conversation with us, opened up about her decision to take a break and said, “I felt that sometimes I was wasted [as an artiste]. What happened was that people overpromised but underdelivered. I want to help the film as much as I want the film to help me. It has to be symbiotic. That is why I became more selective. After a certain point in your career, you don’t want to do run-of-the-mill films. As an actor, you want to show versatility,” adding that it was her hunger for creative parts that led her to Marathi and Telugu films. “I have no regrets,” she asserted. Isha Koppikar's personal life Isha got divorced from her hotelier husband Timmy Narang in November last year, ending their 14 year long marriage. Speaking with Times of India, Timmy shared that the duo had contemplated 'divorce for almost a year and a half' before deciding to go through with it.Timmy said, "After contemplating divorce for almost a year and a half, we proceeded to file for it. The divorce was granted in November last year and it was on amicable terms. Both of us are now free to move on with our lives, which is a fact. So, I don't see why there should be any confusion regarding that. While I haven't read the latest report, considering the legal option isn't even an option because the divorce has already come through. It's as simple as that." He also confirmed Isha and their daughter Rianna have moved out of his home.
19 September,2024 08:23 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
