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Vikramaditya Motwane: ‘You don’t have as much autonomy when dealing with OTTs’
For Vikramaditya Motwane, 2025 began with his show, Black Warrant, winning praise. What added to his joy is that the prison drama gave its leading man Zahan Kapoor his big break. The creator-director is impressed that the actor is keeping a low profile despite the series’ success. “I love that. Everybody presumes things about him, and wonders where this guy had been. They forget that he has been working in theatre for the last 10 years. I feel he’ll be judicious about the [projects] he’ll pick because he has a firm head on his shoulders,” says Motwane. The Netflix prison drama was praised for its storytelling as well as performances. But Motwane believes there is more to learn from Black Warrant. The creator hopes that it can serve as a model for the making of web series in India. He breaks it down, saying, “Satyanshu [Singh, co-creator], I and our team invested in the development process. We wrote a bible and two episodes, and then took it to Applause Entertainment. That way, you’ve already set the show’s creative tone. After Applause came on board, we made it and then took it to OTTs. This model offers a lot of independence and a correct creative approach.” Vikramaditya Motwane Most creators struggle to achieve such autonomy while dealing with streamers. It has become a talking point in the film industry, with many filmmakers echoing how their creativity is stifled by OTT giants. Does Motwane believe he would’ve enjoyed similar freedom if a streamer had come on board at an earlier stage? “You don’t have this much autonomy when directly dealing with streamers. I’m not against the idea of a collaboration, but it has to be correct. Things can’t be made by committees. You need to support creators. During the feedback process, rather than telling us we’re wrong, tell us the alternative [to a scene]. When executives are offered a lot of material, they tend to look at everything in an instinctive way. That becomes counter-productive because you are seeing everything in the same way.” Motwane rues that the industry is going through a lull, where “a lot of pitching is happening”, but not enough is graduating to production. He, however, has his hands full with various projects. “I’m writing a sports biopic,” is all he is willing to share at the moment.
30 March,2025 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka Sharma
Chitrangda Singh believes talent has no gender: 'Playing the woman card is...'
Chitrangda Singh is having a great start to the year. It began with Khakee: The Bengal Chapter this week and is currently shooting for the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Raat Akeli Hai 2. The Honey Trehan directorial venture is the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2020 film. The first instalment was a taut murder mystery that kept audiences guessing until the end. While details about the sequel remain under wraps, Singh teases, “The world of Raat Akeli Hai is dark and twisted, and this time, we’re taking things a notch higher. Expect more intrigue and secrets.” The actor claims that the role is so intense that it often takes time to get in and out of it. Singh shares that sometimes music helped her get into the zone. “It’s the first time that I’ve felt I don’t want to be on set because the story consumes you until you are done. It does take a toll on you as you’ve been in that zone. Sometimes certain kinds of music [helped me] get into it and stay [there],” she explained. Singh shares that she is thrilled to break the stereotype and experiment with characters that people least expect from her. She refused to bend to the pressure and play bold characters. When asked how she managed to break into the male-dominated business, Singh says that she doesn’t like to “cry woman” when she doesn’t get her way. “If you’re trying to get into a level-playing field, you have to be ready to give that much. Your work should speak for it, not your gender. You can’t have [success] faster just because you’re a woman. I’m all for equal opportunities. Talent doesn’t have gender. [Playing the] woman card is embarrassing because you are in a male-dominated world and you know it’s the fight,” she adds. Playing politico Chitrangda as Nandini in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter In the Netflix series, Chitrangda Singh plays a fierce leader of the opposition. “Her transformation into becoming her own person has been a joy to play. I don’t think I am like that. So, it doesn’t come easy for me. The writing tackled most of it,” shares Singh.
30 March,2025 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu
Priyanka Chopra & Richard starrer Citadel 2 postponed to 2026; spin-offs on hold
Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden have been filming for the upcoming season of their global spy thriller Citadel, but now reports have it that the series has unfortunately been pushed back for a 2026 release. This news of delay in the show's release isn't restricted to the main series but suggests that all the planned spin-offs are currently on hold. As per Hollywood Reporter, the series, which was expected to release later this year, has been pushed to a spring 2026 debut. It has been revealed that all the spin-off series are on hold, "until the second season is released, if not indefinitely." It has been said that Amazon MGM is "unhappy with what they have seen so far of season two." Reprising her role as Nadia Sinh, Chopra will share the screen with Richard Madden, Stanley Tucci, and Lesley Manville in the show that, she said at the Red Sea Film Festival, “is packed with fresh twists.” “The new season involves major developments for my character and the rest of the cast. [There will also be] new characters. It’s rooted and grounded.” Building on its global appeal, the next season has been shot in Europe and Latin America. Reflecting on the series’ scale, Chopra said, “Our writers’ room had around 100 people, and in total, we’re standing on the shoulders of almost 400 people.” About Citadel Citadel is a global series that kicked off with Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden as the leads. Apart from this, it also has Citadel: Diana as part of the Citadel franchise, along with Samantha and Varun Dhawan-starrer Citadel: Honey Bunny. Priyanka Chopra’s work front Priyanka is finally gearing up for her comeback to Indian screens. She will star in SS Rajamouli’s untitled next with Mahesh Babu. SSMB29 will mark the former Miss World’s return to Indian cinema after six years. She was last seen in the 2019 film The Sky Is Pink. On the Hollywood front, Priyanka is busy filming the next season of her series Citadel. She also has other exciting projects lined up, including Heads of State alongside Idris Elba and John Cena, as well as a role as a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in The Bluff.
29 March,2025 12:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Renee Zellweger adds star power to Only Murders in the Building for season 5
Academy Award-winning actress Renee Zellweger is set to join the cast of Hulu's hit series 'Only Murders in the Building' for its fifth season. The show, which has become known for its star-studded cast, has added Zellweger to its lineup alongside returning stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, and Michael Cyril Creighton, according to the official social media handle of the show. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Only Murders in the Building (@onlymurdershulu) Production on the new season, which will focus on solving the murder of Lester, began this week in New York. Zellweger joins a list of new cast members, including Christoph Waltz, Tea Leoni, and Keegan-Michael Key. The show's previous season featured an impressive ensemble cast, including Meryl Streep, Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, Eva Longoria, and Melissa McCarthy, among others. 'Only Murders in the Building' recently won its first SAG Award for Comedy Series Ensemble, with Martin Short also taking home the award for Male Actor in a Comedy Series. Meanwhile, Zellweger, who has won Oscars for her roles in 'Cold Mountain' and 'Judy,' is set to appear in the upcoming film 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,' the fourth installment of the Bridget Jones franchise. She has also made appearances on television, including in the Netflix series 'What/If' and NBC's 'The Thing About Pam.' In addition to her acting work, Zellweger is set to executive produce the upcoming Apple TV+ thriller series 'Raising Wild,' starring Cynthia Erivo, through her production company Big Picture Co. 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
28 March,2025 11:40 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Ishaan forms a special connection with Zeenat Aman
Ishaan Khatter is all set to work with veteran diva Zeenat Aman in the upcoming series “The Royals”. The actor revealed that they had the “loveliest time together” and that she quickly became one of his “favourite people in the world.” Talking about working with an icon like her, Ishaan told IANS: “So, as if she wasn't already, but from a distance she quickly became one of my favorite people in the world. and I think I'm very happy to report that we had the loveliest time together. But beyond that, she is a screen icon.” Ishaan, who was walking as a muse for designer Pawan Sachdeva at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour in Guwahati, revealed that people will get to see a lot of Zeenat Aman in The Royals. “She's someone that people so desire to see because she brings a grace that only she can and I'm happy to say that you'll get a lot of Zeena Taman with a lot of fun in Royals.” In the series, Ishaan is all set to star alongside Bhumi Pednekar. Netflix recently unveiled the teaser for “The Royals,” which is slated to be a part of their 2025 release lineup. Going by the teaser of the series, Ishaan portrays Aviraaj Singh, the charismatic heir to the royal throne of Morpur. He crosses paths with Bhumi's character, Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, a driven and no-nonsense CEO. “The Royals” marks the first collaboration between Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. Meanwhile, Ishaan recently featured in the music video titled ‘Pyaar Aata Hai’ with Tara Sutaria. The heartfelt song features vocals by Rito Riba and Shreya Ghoshal. Produced by Anshul Garg under Play DMF, the track was filmed against the stunning backdrop of Kashmir's picturesque landscapes. "Pyaar Aata Hai,” which marked Ishaan and Tara's first onscreen collaboration, was released on March 7. 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 March,2025 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Sharvari gets candid about the highs and lows of her career
Actress Sharvari is just five-years-old in the acting business and is grateful for her journey which has been full of ups and downs. Sharvari made her acting debut with the series “The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye” after which she was then seen in the dud “Bunty Aur Babli 2”. After a slow start, the actress rose to major stardom with her work in hits such as “Munjya”, “Maharaj” and “Vedaa”. Talking about it, Sharvari told IANS: “It has been a grateful journey. My journey has been full of ups and downs and I'm actually grateful for each day and each learning and teaching that came to me through this journey and I think that it has just started, you know? So, I'm waiting for it to go a long way.” Sharvari is all set to star in “Alpha” with actress Alia Bhatt. Directed by Shiv Rawail, “Alpha” will mark the seventh film in Yash Raj Films' expansive spy universe. This universe began with the “Tiger” franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, starting with “Ek Tha Tiger” and followed by “Tiger Zinda Hai.” The saga continued with "War," “Pathaan,” and “Tiger 3.” Upcoming films in the franchise include “War 2,” directed by Ayan Mukerji, “Pathaan 2,” and “Tiger vs. Pathaan. Talking about working with Alia, Sharvari, who was in the capital for the launch of Sheba’s new campaign, told IANS: “I think my most important takeaway of course from this film is to be able to learn from Alia. She's an incredible actor and an incredible human being.” “And it was like a master class actually to just be with her on set every single day. So, I think I will take everything that I have learnt from her and hopefully, you know, apply it in every coming project. So, I'm really grateful to have gotten this opportunity to work alongside Alia,” she wrote. It was on October 4, when the makers of the upcoming spy movie “Alpha” revealed that the film will hit the screens on Christmas, December 25. 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 March,2025 11:30 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Eijaz Khan and Pooja Gor take on enemies in 'Adrishyam 2' trailer
In the trailer for “Adrishyam 2—The Invisible Heroes,” actor Eijaz Khan joined forces with undercover agent Pooja Gor as they face off against dangerous enemies. On Monday, the makers dropped the intriguing trailer on social media and captioned it, “The threat is bigger. The mission is deadlier. And the invisible heroes are ready. Watch Eijaz Khan & Pooja Gor in Adrishyam 2 - streaming from 4th April on Sony LIV#Adrishyam2 #Adrishyam2OnSonyLIV.” The thrilling trailer teases a high-stakes showdown, setting the stage for an intense battle as the duo uncovers secrets and fights to stay ahead of their adversaries. Eijaz, who will be seen reprising his role as Ravi Verma in the thriller, shared his excitement, saying, “Adrishyam 2 is bigger, bolder, and more intense. This season, Ravi isn’t fighting alone. He’s joined by an undercover agent, Durga, played by Pooja Gor, as she brings a fresh perspective and an unstoppable force to the battlefield. Together, we’re facing enemies more dangerous than ever. If you thought Season 1 was thrilling, get ready, this is just the beginning.” Sharing her excitement for the show, Pooja Gor, who is portraying the role of Durga, mentioned, “This role is unlike anything I’ve done before. My character is not just another officer, she’s a relentless force, ready to fight, chase, and sacrifice for the safety of her people. The challenges she faces are brutal, pushing her to the edge, but she never backs down. Adrishyam 2 is an adrenaline rush, and I can't wait for audiences to experience it!” "Adrishyam 2 – The Invisible Heroes" delves into the world of a secretive team of elite operatives working behind the scenes to neutralize threats before they can cause harm. This new season uncovers more complex conspiracies, dangerous betrayals, and a fierce battle to safeguard the nation. The show also stars Swaroopa Ghosh and Tarun Anand. Backed by Bombay Show Studios LLP, with Sachin Pandey and Aditya Pandey as producers, “Adrishyam 2” will premiere on Sony LIV from 4th April. 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 March,2025 08:19 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Mimoh Chakraborty: Neeraj Pandey called us his ‘Khakee Avengers’
When making a show, content is king, but without a stellar cast to elevate the content on paper to the screen, everything would fall apart. Showrunner Neeraj Pandey’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, starring Jeet, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Saswata Chatterjee, and Parambrata Chattopadhyay, is the second instalment after Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022). The series revolves around an honest IPS officer, Arjun Maitra, cracking down on powerful gangsters and corrupt politicians in his mission to bring law and order to a region gripped by crime and chaos. Mimoh Chakraborty—son of veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty—who plays a cop on Jeet’s team, was thrilled when he was roped in for the show. Neeraj Pandey “I’ve always been a big fan of Neeraj Pandey sir’s work. After watching The Bihar Chapter, I knew I had to be a part of this show, no matter what,” shares Mimoh, who auditioned for the role after his friends introduced him to the casting team. “The main reason I wanted to do this project was because it’s an incredible production house, and an amazing show. And when it comes to thrillers and investigative stories, Neeraj sir is the best. My takeaway from him is the perception and attitude towards storytelling. He called us his ‘Khakee Avengers’. Viewers are hooked to the suspense part, and he knows exactly how to keep the flow of the story,” adds the actor. Sharing the screen with the stalwarts of Tollywood, one would assume Mimoh would feel lost in the mix. However, the actor says that the show is made in a way that every actor gets ample screen time and space to showcase their craft. “For me, it is one of the biggest opportunities as an actor, and I have totally cherished my part. Not for a single moment was I insecure. I had most of my scenes with Jeet, who is debuting on Netflix with this series. They all are dynamic, extraordinary talents. Sharing screen space with such talented people was a huge honour. Every day on set was a learning experience for me,” he adds.
25 March,2025 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
Patrick Graham: ‘Pop culture wrongly suggests serial killers are evil geniuses’
He allegedly raped and strangled 16 women, was convicted on two counts of rape and murder, and is now being considered for a release after serving a 16-year prison sentence. Docubay’s documentary, The Dupatta Killer, chronicles the case of Goa’s notorious serial killer, Mahanand Naik, and his 16 victims. But director Patrick Graham—who made his writing and directorial debut with Ghoul (2018), followed by Leila (2019)—claims that his focus was on the victims, the survivor and the family left behind, not the perpetrator. Interestingly, numerous true crime stories have been written on the case, with Vijay Varma-starrer Dahaad (2023) also loosely based on it. In conversation with mid-day, Graham decodes why he doesn’t like to focus on the perpetrator when chronicling such crimes, and why he took the case. Edited excerpts from the interview. When did the idea of making a documentary on Mahanand Naik’s crimes strike?Docubay had been in contact with journalist Mukesh Kumar in Goa, who had done a lot of investigation on this case. He had also written a book on it. It was one of the worst serial-killer cases in India. When the platform approached me with the story, I read it to figure out what interested me about it, and whether I’d be the right [person] to do it. (From left) Mahanand Naik and journalist Mukesh Kumar What stoked your curiosity in this case?[I was keen] to gauge what makes a woman vulnerable to someone like Mahanand Naik. How does he prey on a particular subsection of the society? Another thing that I found interesting was a survivor, a young woman whom he abused over a period of years. She was one of the people who came forward and was instrumental in putting him behind bars. Although her rape was passed at trial court, it was quashed at High Court. To me, that was a tragic story because this woman, who did so much, hasn’t received justice. Did you ever feel your own sense of justice coming in the way?Sure. I’m not trained as a journalist; I’m a filmmaker and storyteller. That allows me to approach these things from my own perspective. So, I form opinions and want to express them. But at the same time, bearing in mind that there is always a discussion and debate to be had, none of what I think in regard to this case is shown in the documentary. I’d like to think of it more as a conversational starting point. Did you try meeting Mahanand Naik in prison?Yes, but he didn’t want to be interviewed as part of this documentary. We already had an interview with him that was conducted by our investigative journalist, Mukesh Kumar. Since there is talk about his impending release, do you think he has transformed?That’s the big question we’ll leave the audience with. It should be up to a panel of psychologists, police experts and forensic experts with training to decide that. It shouldn’t necessarily be up to the court of public opinion because people are emotional. Do I think that a man who kills so systematically can change? Personally, I’m not sure, but the hard evidence that we have is his personal outlook on these murders. He doesn’t admit to any of them. Some would say that he has paid his dues and is no longer a threat to society. That is one side of the argument. For instance, there is Father Fernandez, who is acting as Mahanand’s guarantor; he doesn’t believe that Mahanand could be capable of such crimes, and says that God forgives. But there’s also the other side—if he hasn’t admitted to his crimes, hasn’t apologised or shown repentance, then to me, that’s a significant point. Why didn’t you delve into Mahanand’s psyche in the docu? There’s a limit to what we can do in an hour-long documentary. Sometimes, too much attention is given to serial killers. Popular culture wrongly suggests that serial killers are evil geniuses. But I think they are just malfunctioning, broken human beings. I’m much more interested in the victims, in what makes them so vulnerable than just another rehashing of an insight into a serial killer. Personally, I don’t find serial killers interesting. If the focus is on the survivor and victims, why is it called The Dupatta Killer?He is the central driving force, the one inciting the incident. We didn’t have much to go on when it came to the analysis of his behaviour. There were no family members whom we could talk to. We could offer conjecture through the means of criminologists and psychologists, which we did. Mahanand becomes a stereotype at the end of the day. 16Women raped and strangled to death
25 March,2025 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
Elnaaz falls victim to cybercrime; miscreant threatens to leak private pictures
Actor Elnaaz Norouzi, who rose to fame with the web series Sacred Games is the latest celebrity to fall victim to cybercrime. Elnaaz revealed how an email with her password as the subject line led to her finding private pictures of herself. The miscreant threatened her to reply if she didn’t want them to be released online. Elnaaz Norouzi threatened with private pictures In an interview with ETimes, Elnaaz recounted the incident which took place in January after she received an email. She shared, “I found my private pictures attached, along with a message that read, 'I have your pictures, if you don’t want them posted online, then reply to me as soon as possible. If not, the next email will be a link with the pictures online.'” Elnaaz contacted the Cybercrime Cell which revealed that the email was sent through a server based in Switzerland. The officials took swift action but couldn’t pinpoint an accused in the matter. The actor is worried that the miscreant might try to contact her again with a different account. Elnaaz seeking therapy to deal with the incident The incident has left Elnaaz shaken. She added, “Now, I’m scared to even open my emails or social media accounts. I’m terrified that the criminal might have posted my private photos online. I go to bed anxious and wake up in the same state. I’ve had to reach out to a therapist a few times to help me calm down. I feel like my privacy has been violated. It feels like someone is always watching me, and I am living in constant fear.” Elnaaz’s work front On the professional front, Elnaaz Norouzi was recently seen in the show Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond. The series, featuring Jimmy Shergill, Lara Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, and Prasanna, wove a gripping tale of politics, power, and ambition, offering a captivating look at the complex dynamics at play. The show delved into the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, highlighting how perception-building has become a critical factor in the modern era of war and conflict. Elnaaz is all set to make her mark in Hollywood with her next Hotel Tehran. She will be seen starring alongside Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi in the much-awaited project.
24 March,2025 11:09 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Adolescence co-creator Stephen Graham shocked by its popularity in India
Netflix's latest crime drama Adolescence is currently the talk of the town as it has impressed the Indian audience including celebs like Alia Bhatt, Anurag Kashyap, and Hansal Mehta to name a few. The drama depicts the disturbing consequences of online influence on teenagers. Now, actor and co-writer Stephen Graham has reacted to the show’s popularity in India. Stephen Graham on Indians loving Adolescence In an interview with Rolling Stone, Stephen shared, “I got a text from a mate of mine, telling me how big Adolescence is in India. And my first response was, ‘Hold on… did you say India?! Did I hear you correctly?’ Apparently, it’s really striking a nerve there.” He added, “The thing you have to understand when we set out to do this… it was very colloquial. But it’s like we dropped a stone into this pond, and the ripple effect it’s produced has been unbelievable.” Celebs praising Adolescence Anurag Kashyap wrote, “I am numb and envious and jealous that someone can go and make that. The performances from the Child actor Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham, who is not just playing the father but is also the co-creator of the show. The amount of hard work that has gone in the show. I can’t even imagine the rehearsals and prep they did, so they could shoot every episode in a single shot.” Alia Bhatt shared, "This show is truly perfection. From the writing to the staging to the EXCEPTIONAL cinematography I wonder what it felt like when after an hour of calling action to finally calling cut... how did the entire cast and crew feel???? The performances by each and every person that has walked into frame and out was ALIVE, real raw and so hot in the moment that the energy is very very palpable! & so moving. The magic of storytelling and an entire crew coming together to deliver, every department giving nothing but their heart and soul to every second on screen. I'm in awe!!!" About Adolescence The series tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl at his school. As the plot unfolds, the show delves into the dark side of social media, focusing on how internet subcultures, particularly incel culture, can shape the behaviour of impressionable adolescents. The series has garnered critical acclaim and become a global hit, topping Netflix's charts
23 March,2025 12:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent