Predominantly writes on desi mass/pop-culture. Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @mayankw14
While the film/series may be rural, in its setting, its gaze has gotta be urban — because that’s what its OTT subscription audience is. India may reside in the villages. That’s not where its pockets are deep... [Read More]
09 May,2025 10:13 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharIf YouTube is indeed the new TV, who then is the new Mihir Virani? Hey, how about Mayo, the ‘Japani’!... [Read More]
07 May,2025 10:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharRaid 2 Movie Review: Making the point about how a sure-shot way to tell a middling underling is they make up for their mediocrity, by lauding their supposed superior, always... [Read More]
03 May,2025 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharWhat about the Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively sequel, Another Simple Favor (drops May 1), that makes us drown in such guilty pleasure?... [Read More]
30 April,2025 06:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharSadly, we don’t savour films for the stories. We watch them for the storytelling. And that’s where this uniformly dull, dry biopic suffers—sorely lacking in any kinda absorbing energy/drama... [Read More]
26 April,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharEntertainment Top Stories: End your day with the most happening highlights. It`s time to relax and take a look at the latest news and events... [Read More]
28 April,2025 06:53 PM ISTShamita Shetty turned 46 today. With a disciplined diet and workout life, the actress seems to be ageing in reverse. These 7 looks of the actress prove the same... [Read More]
02 February,2025 12:27 PM ISTA robbery took place on Friday night at Mayank Jewellers in Vasai’s Kaul Heritage City, Agarwal & Dosti Complex. The incident occurred at around 9:15 PM when the shop owner, Ratanlalji Sanghvi, was preparing to close the store. (Pic/Hanif Patel)... [Read More]
11 January,2025 12:49 PM ISTThe year 2024 saw the audience choosing OTT over cinemas. As the audience gravitated toward digital streaming platforms, a lot of web series were released this year. If you are confused about which ones were the best, here`s a list of the Indian web series that ruled 2024... [Read More]
28 December,2024 04:44 PM ISTChaudhary Charan Singh was born in 1902. He became the Parliamentary Secretary in Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant`s Government in 1946 and worked in various departments such as Revenue, Medical and Public Health, Justice, Information, etc. (Text/ANI, Pics/PTI)... [Read More]
23 December,2024 05:57 PM ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jaipur to attend the `Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh` programme, marking one year of BJP governance in Rajasthan. PM Modi was welcomed by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, with the crowd chanting "Modi! Modi!" (Pics/PTI) ... [Read More]
17 December,2024 02:21 PM ISTPolice have arrested 46 individuals in connection with the violent clashes that erupted during a Ganesh idol procession in Nagamangala town, Mandya. Pics/ PTI... [Read More]
12 September,2024 02:51 PM ISTA nationwide strike, known as `Bharat Bandh`, has erupted in response to the Supreme Court`s recent ruling on SC/ST reservations. Organised by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, the bandh has led to widespread protests across the country. Pics/ PTI... [Read More]
21 August,2024 05:46 PM ISTImagine an angry, not-so-young man standing up for his rights. That was Javed Akhtar in 2012, as he had the Copyright Amendment Bill passed in the Rajya Sabha – a move that drew the ire of Bollywood producers and music labels. In a tell-all chat on Mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist series, the noted scriptwriter recalls how he rescripted the future of Indian musicians by fighting for their royalties. Full episode to be out on May 10.... [Read More]
09 May,2025 10:32 AM ISTDoing the rounds of studios with only the shirt on his back, being paid less than a peon in a job, and not knowing where his next meal would come from – that was Javed Akhtar’s life between 1965 and 1970. What kept him going? The belief that success would be his. Join the multi-hyphenate on Mid-day`s Sit With Hitlist series, as he chronicles his journey from arriving at Mumbai Central station with Rs 27 to owning a Bandra bungalow. Full episode to release on May 10.... [Read More]
08 May,2025 12:00 AM ISTVeteran filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya has shared rare insights into how he manages the legacy of Rajshri Productions while staying true to his creative instincts. Unlike many in the industry, Barjatya doesn`t chase magnum opuses. Instead, he values creative freedom and simplicity. He emphasises the importance of finding joy in the little things, whether it`s engaging in fun activities during family functions or simply spending time alone with a good book. Despite running one of India`s most respected production houses, Barjatya says he`s having the most fun when he`s by himself, reading and recharging.... [Read More]
04 May,2025 06:51 PM ISTSooraj Barjatya reflected on how Vivah became a silver jubilee success through powerful word of mouth, holding its ground even against Dhoom 2, which was a blockbuster. He emphasised that while audiences may be drawn to different genres, they always return to family-centric stories for their emotional resonance and enduring charm. Barjatya also drew parallels with films like Kedarnath and Chhaava, highlighting how their emotional core and rooted storytelling contributed to their success. ... [Read More]
01 May,2025 02:49 PM ISTSooraj Barjatya reflected on why Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon didn’t work for him, admitting it was a wake-up call for stepping out of his comfort zone. Despite full support from stars Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, and Abhishek Bachchan, the film became a box office failure. Barjatya also shared an anecdote involving Govinda post-release and stressed how, over time, marketing had started overshadowing creativity in filmmaking... [Read More]
28 April,2025 05:20 PM ISTDid you know that Rajshri Productions’ rule book dictates that a fight scene cannot have more than 14 punches? Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya during his appearance on Sit With Hitlist, elaborated on his banner’s working, beyond its songs and shaadis.... [Read More]
26 April,2025 01:43 PM ISTIn an exclusive interview with Mayank Shekhar, Philip Barantini, the director of Adolescence, reflected on its unexpected global success, driven by universal themes like social media’s impact on youth. The show’s one-take format was chosen to fully immerse viewers, creating an intense, uninterrupted experience. Despite technical challenges, the approach added authenticity. The opening credits feature childhood photos of characters and highlight human fragility and innocence lost. The director expressed pride in the project and its powerful storytelling. ... [Read More]
04 April,2025 04:08 PM ISTAs Kangana Ranaut celebrates her 39th birthday, we revisit one of her most loved and viral interviews on Mid-Day`s Sit With Hitlist. In this candid conversation, the Emergency actress opened up about her early days in Mumbai and her inspiring rags-to-riches journey. Kangana recalled her life in Mandi, Himachal, and the culture shock she experienced when she first arrived in Mumbai in 2005. She also shared a fascinating story about her debut film, which she found "sleazy" and ultimately ghosted the makers due to its uncomfortable demands, leading to its never being released. Additionally, Kangana spoke about her role in Gangster, the film that marked her Bollywood debut, and how it changed her career trajectory.... [Read More]
22 March,2025 09:11 PM ISTHow did Boman Irani go from waiting on Shashi Kapoor and Dilip Kumar at the Taj, to co-writing with an Oscar winner? How did he begin his third career, acting, at 40 and fourth, direction, in his 60s? Plug in as Irani talks about his love for movies that began at Alexandra Cinema and took him to the big screen... [Read More]
25 February,2025 07:01 PM IST | MumbaiWho suggested that Rakesh Roshan name all his films with the letter ‘K’? Why did the director travel around the world before beginning the shoot of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai with son Hrithik Roshan? Plug in as Roshan traces his journey from a not-so-successful actor to a blockbuster filmmaker and star maker... [Read More]
11 February,2025 08:00 PM IST | MumbaiFrom Bhikhu Mhatre in Satya (1998) to Joy Bag in Despatch (2024), actor Manoj Bajpayee takes you through his Mumbai madness — both personal, and onscreen; especially exploring this city as the crime scene, from his first hit, to his last film. Plug in, as we have fun with the Family Man, discussing everything, including the good ol’ Delhi-Mumbai debate!... [Read More]
07 January,2025 08:17 PM IST | MumbaiDid you know that a "broke" Guneet Monga Kapoor had e-mailed Richard Branson and Ratan Tata, requesting them to sponsor her maiden trip to Oscars in 2010? Or that she had sold her Delhi house to finance Monsoon Shootout? Plug into our latest episode as she breaks down the hustle, heartbreak and jugaad it takes to go from indie producer to two-time Oscar winner.... [Read More]
26 September,2024 07:36 PM IST | MumbaiDid you know that Hansal Mehta was to direct Gangs of Wasseypur before Anurag Kashyap? Or that he left Mumbai after a spate of flops and resurrected his flagging career with Shahid from the outskirts of Lonavala? Plug in as Lootere creator Hansal, with his filmmaker-son Jai, charts his journey from helming TV’s most popular cookery show to delivering one of Indian OTT’s biggest series in Scam 1992.... [Read More]
18 June,2024 08:24 PM IST | MumbaiHow did a home in a rough Mumbai neighbourhood propel Sonali Bendre’s acting career? How did she land Humma humma, the mother of all item songs? Plug into our latest episode as the actor takes us back to the ’90s when a star’s X-factor was as important as talent, and actresses sometimes needed to “dumb themselves down” as a survival tactic.... [Read More]
14 June,2024 06:57 PM IST | MumbaiWhich director was the first to call Prosenjit Chatterjee after watching Jubilee? Which Hindi film did he turn down, only for it to be picked up by Salman Khan? Plug in to our Durga Puja special episode where we have an “adda” with Bengal’s biggest star, as he takes us from Kolkata’s Park Street to Chembur’s RK Studios and Juhu’s Sun-n-Sand... [Read More]
22 October,2023 01:15 PM IST | MumbaiHow did filmmaker Jag Mundhra’s daughter reveal Yash Chopra’s son, Yashraj scion, Aditya, actually exists? What was it like to be the last to interview Rishi Kapoor, for the Netflix series, The Romantics? How did Oscar nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra find ‘Sima Aunty’ for Indian Matchmaking? Plug in for more!... [Read More]
02 March,2023 06:00 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
