28 July,2025 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist Team
Fatima Sana Shaikh and Aneet Padda
Basking in the glory of her latest, Saiyaara, with Ahaan Panday, actor Aneet Padda is set to surprise audiences with a powerful new avatar in the courtroom drama Nyaya. We have learnt that despite her three-film contract with Yash Raj Films, Aneet had completed Nyaya before landing her breakthrough role in Saiyaara. The series, inspired by real-life events, will see her play a 17-year-old girl seeking justice after being sexually assaulted by a revered spiritual leader. "It's a stark departure from Vaani in Saiyaara," say insiders. Fatima Sana Shaikh stars as a determined police officer, alongside Arjun Mathur. The show is directed by Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia. It is expected to stream on an OTT platform soon.
Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman recently met OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to discuss his upcoming AI-driven project, Secret Mountain. Sharing a photo on social media, Rahman revealed that they spoke about creating a "virtual global band" using AI tools, and explored ways to inspire Indian minds to embrace tech-driven creativity. "It was a pleasure meeting Sam to talk Secret Mountain, our virtual band, and using AI to tackle generational challenges," Rahman wrote. OpenAI VP Srinivas Narayanan called it "an honour" to host Rahman, praising his vision for merging music and technology. Secret Mountain features Luna, a young woman's journey into a culturally rich musical metaverse.
Nearly two decades after Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006) became a surprise box-office hit and earned cult status, a sequel is apparently in motion. The buzz is that Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 will go on floors this November, with Umesh Bist at the helm. The script is already locked and casting is underway. The movie is expected to retain the comedic spirit of the first. Huma Qureshi has reportedly been signed on as a lead. Reports suggest that talks are ongoing with T-Series to produce the project, with Anupam Kher and Boman Irani's return still under wraps. Huma, meanwhile, is busy with Jolly LLB 3 with Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, and the fourth season of her OTT show Maharani.
Actor Ali Fazal, known for playing the brooding Guddu Pandit in Mirzapur, recently opened up about the character's physical and emotional toll on him during mid-day's podcast The Bombay Film Story. "Guddu was hard," he admitted to the Entertainment Editor, Mayank Shekhar, revealing how gym claustrophobia and overeating affected him. "I didn't like the claustrophobia of a gym. I ate more than my tummy could handle." He added, "I used my hunch to intimidate, and it came out of feeling a bit insecure." Ali confessed to sustaining lasting wrist and posture issues, saying, "The role keeps getting darker, it messes with your head." On Mirzapur: The film, he teased: "We're prepping. I've heard the script, and it's quite banging."
Actor Ananya Panday has launched a nationwide Kindness Curriculum through her initiative So Positive, in collaboration with NGO Slam Out Loud. Aimed at school children across India, the art-based programme promotes empathy, compassion, and emotional awareness through storytelling, poetry, and visual arts. "Kindness is not just an idea, it's a way of life," said Ananya. "If we instil it young, it becomes second nature." Over 2.5 lakh children will access the curriculum via Slam Out Loud's Jijivisha Fellowship and Arts for All programme. It is also available on So Positive's YouTube channel, with plans to feature on the Government's DIKSHA portal, making it more widely accessible to parents and educators.
