Predominantly writes on desi mass/pop-culture. Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @mayankw14
There’s something about Karan Tejpal’s Stolen, that premiered at Venice, which has got film buffs and some of Bombay’s top filmmakers buzzing over it…... [Read More]
11 June,2025 04:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharAs it is, the only review the filmmakers — in their proverbial wish for ‘laughing all the way to the bank’ — must hope for, is the title itself... [Read More]
07 June,2025 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharThe script follows the time-tested tradition of revealing to audiences, first off, the ‘what’; as in, what it’s about. That is, this old man’s fight with Yamraj (God of death), who he manages to beat each time... [Read More]
06 June,2025 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharAs with films, in life too, the ‘second half’ matters far more than the first. Actor Rao is a case study for why! ... [Read More]
04 June,2025 06:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharHow politically relatable is Mountainhead? As much as Trump, pushed up by plutocrats. The movie’s timely enough that had it dropped only a year later, it could seem dated! ... [Read More]
03 June,2025 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharHere are all the records to watch out for from the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Pic: File Pic)... [Read More]
29 May,2025 04:39 PM ISTNot many are aware that a 20-year-old Mayank Agarwal had once made his IPL debut, and it was for the franchise of his home state RCB, whose colours he is donning against Sunrisers Hyderabad during their IPL 2025 clash on Friday (Photos: IPL... [Read More]
23 May,2025 10:06 PM ISTEntertainment 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 ISTGajraj Rao opened up about his early days in the industry, working with TVF and films like Black Friday. He shared how, despite the long wait, he always believed he`d land the role of his dreams. Rao also revealed that he never compared himself to Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, or Akshay Kumar because, in his words, their paths were never the same as his. ... [Read More]
09 June,2025 08:04 PM ISTGajraj Rao recently opened up about the success of his latest series, Dupahiya, sharing how the popularity of Panchayat played a key role in getting the green light for the project. He expressed immense pride in the show’s growing global reach, recalling a special moment when an industrialist praised his performance, something that truly validated the impact of his work. Rao also spoke about his nuanced portrayal of a Bihari man in the series, highlighting the importance of authenticity and cultural depth in his character.... [Read More]
02 June,2025 08:38 PM ISTGajraj Rao reflects on how Badhaai Ho (2018) was a life-changing moment, comparing it to moving from a 1BHK to a villa. On the latest episode of Mid-day’s The Bombay Film Story podcast, he recalls his initial anxiety about the role and praises director Amit Sharma and co-star Neena Gupta’s energy and vision.... [Read More]
31 May,2025 11:59 PM ISTLegendary writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar shares his powerful views on atheism, faith, godmen, and organized religion in this unfiltered conversation with Mayank Shekhar on the Sit With Hitlist podcast. From questioning the role of God in human suffering to explaining why rationalism is not dogma, Javed Akhtar brings bold clarity to some of the deepest philosophical questions.... [Read More]
31 May,2025 06:00 PM ISTBollywood never fails to surprise us. We’ve watched 60-year-olds convincingly play 24-year-olds—and we go along for the ride, because that’s the magic of cinema. On the latest episode of Mid-day’s podcast series The Bombay Film Story, actor Gajraj Rao, best known as the coolest on-screen dad in Badhaai Ho, shares his incredible journey. He opens up about the irony of being offered roles as the father to Bollywood superstars who are actually older than him.... [Read More]
31 May,2025 02:00 PM ISTYou’ve seen him in Badhaai Ho, now hear the untold story! Actor Gajraj Rao takes us on a nostalgic ride from his theatre roots and days in journalism to the glitz of Bollywood. Plug into the latest episode of Mid-day`s The Bombay Film Story podcast as he shares his fondest memories including the time Yash Chopra’s wife Pamela served him tea at the Taj Mahal suite.... [Read More]
30 May,2025 11:59 PM ISTWas Amitabh Bachchan the original choice for Mr. India? What was the reason that Javed Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan didn’t work together for 10 years? In this episode of Sit With Hitlist, legendary writer Javed Akhtar spills the never-before-heard stories. From Amitabh Bachchan as an inspiration for Mr. India to the split with Salim Khan, catch the exclusive details here. ... [Read More]
24 May,2025 04:00 PM ISTVeteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar recently opened up about his working process, fears, and personal philosophy. Speaking candidly, he admitted that even after decades in the industry, deadlines still terrify him, but he always manages to meet them. Delving into deeper reflections, Akhtar spoke about self-respect, ego, and morality. He emphasised the importance of finding a middle path in the industry. According to him, true self-esteem is rooted not just in ego, but in one`s moral compass.... [Read More]
20 May,2025 07:00 PM ISTDid you know that Gajraj Rao initially worked as a journalist, interviewing Yash Chopra and Mehmood? Or that the actor, who became Internet’s favourite father thanks to TVF’s Tech Conversations with Dad, wanted to abandon the shoot midway? Plug in as Rao charts his journey, from being a little-known actor who would be mistaken for Loy of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy fame to becoming hero, post Badhaai Ho.... [Read More]
30 May,2025 06:30 PM IST | MumbaiHow 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 | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
