Actor Vicky Kaushal is celebrating his 36th birthday today. Making him feel special on his special day, his fans, friends, colleagues and family members took to social media to wish him. Leading his social media wishes was his brother Sunny Kaushal. He dropped a few pictures on Instagram. The first picture is of Vicky from his childhood days. In the second snap, Vicky could be seen cutting his birthday cake. "36 saalon mein zyada toh kuch nahi badla...Happy birthday cutie @vickykaushal09," Sunny captioned the post. Sunny recently appeared with Vicky on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show', where the duo flaunted 'bromance'. In the episode, Vicky recounted an incident where he got into trouble with their parents and ended up being scolded. "We have both been beaten up by our parents," Vicky revealed. "Mummy would punish us on a regular basis and she still does. As for dad, he would beat us on 3-4 important events of the year. Those 4-5 beatings will be the ones that you can never forget," he shared. The brothers also talked about their love for dance. "We used to dance in front of our guests. In childhood, we used to participate in the building's cultural programs, so we used to participate and prepare coordinated dances on medleys. So between 26th January and the next, we would showcase our previous performances to our guests, together in the hall. So our father used to say 'they dance really well, show them something' and we would excitedly perform in front of them," they shared. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunny Kaushal (@sunsunnykhez) Bollywood's star couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra also penned a special birthday wish for him. Taking to Instagram, Sidharth shared a throwback picture from Koffee with Karan Season 7 along with a message. He wrote in the caption, "Happy birthday, @vickykaushal09. Have a rocking year ahead! Big love and hug!" Vicky Kaushal and Sidharth Malhotra added a 'Punjabi-Munde' edition when they graced the couch of Koffee with Karan Season 7. Kiara Advani also wished his 'Govinda Naam Mera' co-star on social media. Sharing a photo with Vicky, 'Kabir Singh' actor wrote on her Instagram stories, "@vickykaushal09 "Happy Birthday Vicksterrrrr. Shine bright my friend." The picture captures Vicky and Kiara twinning in black outfits. Meanwhile, on the work front, Vicky will be seen sharing screen space with Rashmika Mandanna in 'Chhava'. Vicky plays the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and Rashmika takes on the role of his wife, Yesubai Bhonsale, in the film. The film is being produced by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films and is all set to hit the theatres on December 6, 2024. (with inputs from ANI)
16 May,2024 11:40 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent'Heeramandi' actor Taha Shah Badussha made his debut appearance at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival recently. At the festival, talking to Brut India he reflected on his 14-year journey in the film industry and getting recognition through Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi'. The web series put Taha on the map after his long journey in the film industry. He began his acting career in 2011 with the Shraddha Kapoor-starrer 'Luv Ka The End'. Weeks after the release of Heeramandi, the actor is now at Cannes making his debut appearance at the film festival. Such is the popularity of the Netflix series, that French people are also recognising the actor as Tajdar in the country. "I remember about 10 years ago, I chased him out of a hotel. He was about to get in his car and I was like, "Sir please, please I just want to work with you give me , just give me one chance. And he just looked at me and sat in his car," said Taha talking to Brut India at Cannes. He further said, "Finally, circle of life ,he comes back and he actually takes me on as his lead character. It's nothing short of a blessing and it's all thanks to God". Life has changed for Taha after his performance in 'Heeramandi'. His followers on Instagram also shot by over a million since the release of the show earlier this month. Talking about the recognition he has received, Taha said, "Life has changed. French people know me. French people recognise me as 'Tajdar'. So I believe that it (Heeramandi) has gone global and for me as an actor who has been working for the last 14 years, I believe a little bit of recognition is always an encouragement and I am getting so much. So I'm just very grateful and very humbled." "Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an incredible filmmaker. Not only a filmmaker but he is also a great visionary and person of great caliber. I believe that he doesn't do anything less than perfect. It is exactly what he demands from all of us and himself. He is a maestro. I have been getting kind and really just blessed messages comparing me to some really great actors. We are so glad that after 14 years, persistence, patience and hard work is finally paying off," he concluded.
16 May,2024 11:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Deepika Padukone has added another feather to her cap as she joins the ranks of global disruptors for the class of movers and shakers 2024. Alongside international luminaries Eva Longoria, Uma Thurman, and Lee Sung Jin, Padukone has been recognised by the international publication Deadline for her significant contributions to the entertainment industry. This esteemed acknowledgement places Padukone among an exclusive cohort of influential personalities who are actively reshaping the global entertainment landscape. As the only Indian star featured on the Global Disruptors List, Padukone solidifies her position as a trailblazer on the world stage, hailed as "Racket to Rocket: India's Surprise Superstar is on a mission to break barriers and taboos." In a statement reflecting on her journey and motivations, Padukone emphasised her profound appreciation for the collaborative nature of the film industry, stating, "Of course, the success of a movie is important, but for me, the time I've had with people and the experiences I have on the set of a film are the most important." The information has also been shared by Deepika Padukone's team on her official website. Padukone's stellar career trajectory includes back-to-back box office successes in India and significant representation on global platforms. From gracing the stage as a presenter at prestigious events like the Oscars and BAFTA to serving as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival, Padukone's journey from Bollywood to global stardom has been marked by numerous milestones. Beyond her acting prowess, Padukone is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. Through her foundation, Live Love Laugh, she works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in India and beyond, earning widespread admiration. Currently, Padukone is expecting her first child with her husband and actor Ranveer Singh. Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika will next be seen in 'Singham Again,' the third installment of Rohit Shetty's cop universe. Deepika steps into the role of Lady Singham alongside a stellar ensemble cast. Joining her are industry stalwarts including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor. But that's not all on her plate. Deepika Padukone is set to dazzle audiences in the sci-fi epic 'Kalki 2898 AD,' sharing the screen with Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Disha Patani. Additionally, she's gearing up for 'The Intern,' a promising project where she will star alongside the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. 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
16 May,2024 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIBollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who has been a regular at the Cannes Film Festival headed for the festival at the French Riviera late on Wednesday. She was accompanied by her daughter Aaradhya. But it was her right arm, cast in a sling that raised concern among fans. The actress just smiled and made her way to the airport as she got clicked by the paparazzi. In the video shared by the paparazzi on Instagram, Aishwarya can be seen stepping out of the car and heading to the airport, She was seen in a blue knee-length coat over a black outfit. Aaradhya, on the other hand, opted for a light blue hoodie and black pants. She was seen holding her mother's tote bag. While Aishwarya smiled and waved to the paparazzi for a few seconds, Aaradhya was seen flashing her big smile and waving to the paparazzi. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) The Cannes Film Festival is back with its 77th edition and will take place from May 14 to May 24. India is set to host a 'Bharat Parv' for eminent dignitaries and delegates from around the world to showcase the myriad creative opportunities in the country. Besides that, many Indian films are set to be screened. India at Cannes At the internationally recognised festival, several Indian movies and productions will be showcased. The highlight will be filmmaker Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light", which has been selected in the Competition section, where it will vie for the top prize Palme d'Or. British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri's "Santosh" will be showcased at the 77th edition under the Un Certain Regard section. "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know", a short film by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students, has been shortlisted in the La Cinef Competitive section. Karan Kandhari's "Sister Midnight" will be screened in Directors' Fortnight and Maisam Ali's compelling "In Retreat" in L'Acid. A restored version of veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal's 1976 film "Manthan" will be screened under Cannes Classics, a section created 20 years ago that features celebrations, restored prints, and documentaries. National Award-winning cinematographer Santosh Sivan will be the recipient of the prestigious Pierre Angenieux tribute at the festival, where he will also deliver a masterclass, becoming the first Indian to be recognised with the honour.
16 May,2024 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnupriya Goenka’s Break The Silence is travelling to the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. The actor is grateful that through the annual film gala, director Hemant Chauhan’s short film will highlight an urgent subject—the exploitation of special needs children—to a wide audience. Break The Silence follows two cognitively challenged siblings whose world is shattered when one of them is sexually abused. Goenka, who is looking forward to the short’s première on May 20, recalls that the story had moved her. “We shot for only a day. The storyline resonated deeply with me. I’m glad that the film is gaining attention. I hope it gets released soon as the message we tried to convey is the most important [aspect],” says the actor, who joins Karthikey Raj, Priya Raina, and Yukti Kapoor in the film. She understands that doing the round of the Cannes Film Festival will give the project legitimacy. “What has made it work is the message it conveys about special needs children and their vulnerability to exploitation. They need support to ensure they are raised in a safe environment.”
16 May,2024 06:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuWhen performing scenes with Jaideep Ahlawat, an actor could well be in a dilemma. Should he try to be on a par with him, or simply make notes watching him weave his magic? Taaruk Raina, who has shared screen space with the actor over two seasons of The Broken News, says he has learnt valuable acting lessons from him. “Our relationship is such that we’re always having fun, sometimes more than required. He is an easy person to work with. I have learnt plenty from him,” he says. The actor plays an aggressive primetime news anchor His biggest takeaway from Ahlawat’s process is to be true to the moment. “The biggest lesson is that he doesn’t overthink. He is relaxed when he is performing. When he is in front of me, he is also helping me perform better. It’s great to have an actor of that calibre because he rules out the possibility of anything going wrong as he is there with you,” he shares, adding that he hopes to be equally giving to his co-stars. From the Zee5 newsroom drama, the actor has moved on to the YA world of Mismatched. To him, the Netflix series, also starring Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli, feels more like home and less like work. Akarsh Khurana’s show is loved for the camaraderie between the primary actors. Is it difficult to not feel competitive with your co-star? Absolutely not, says Raina. “Mismatched has worked because of its camaraderie. If there was competition between us, we couldn’t have made the show the way it is. We learnt that if we elevate each other, it rewards all of us. So, why not have the glory together than not have it at all?”
16 May,2024 06:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaJanhvi Kapoor, who has made several public appearances with beau Shikhar Pahariya, spoke of the qualities she looks for in a partner. “The person should consider my dreams as his own, and be my solid support system through thick and thin,” said the actor, who has previously let slip that Pahariya is on her speed dial. Kapoor is set to essay the role of a cricketer in the Rajkummar Rao starrer, Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, which is set to release on May 31. A wrap Arjun Kapoor wrapped up filming for Rohit Shetty’s cop drama, Singham Again, which sees him in a negative role. “Wrapping up my part of the shoot for my 20th film, and a mass entertainer like Singham Again feels like a significant achievement in my journey as an actor. This is the stuff you dream of when you watch masala films growing up! Working alongside Rohit Shetty sir has been an absolute privilege,” shared the actor. He further added, “Together with him and his team, we’ve poured our hearts and souls into this project.” Singham Again went on floors on September 16 with Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh. Sharing pictures from the muhurat puja, Shetty had written, “Today, we begin filming the fifth film of our cop franchise. We’ll give it our best.” Singham Again is scheduled to be released in theatres on Independence Day 2024. Time for action? Vijay Varma and Mini Mathur are among the actors who have expressed grief at the loss of lives after a hoarding in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar collapsed on Monday evening due to heavy rain and dust storms. They have raised questions over the “illegal” billboard. Taking to her Instagram stories, Mathur wrote, “Life in our country has zero value. Whose hoarding is it? Who allowed it to stand there for years? The blame game this week will lead to no answers and the corrupt nexus that allowed the open flouting of rules will never be taken apart. Disgusting.” Varma shared a video of the accident on Instagram Stories, and wrote a simple, “Oh no.” Sixteen people have been killed in the hoarding collapse so far. Shutters down With no Telugu or Hindi blockbusters slated for release this summer, single-screen theatres across Telangana have decided to shut down for 10 days. The managements made the decision to mitigate financial losses. Telangana has around 250 single-screen theatres. About 100 of them are in Hyderabad. The movies of major stars, like Prabhas’s Kalki 2898 AD, and Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2, are under production. All good things Nawazuddin Siddiqui has shared his experience of working with Aamir Khan in films like Talaash: The Answer Lies Within, and Sarfarosh, which recently clocked 25 years of its release. Siddiqui played a small role in the film. “Sharing the screen with Aamir in both Sarfarosh and Talaash has been a remarkable journey. Off the sets, our bond was just as strong, full of mutual respect and an unspoken understanding. Aamir’s dedication and passion for his craft are truly inspiring, and our discussions often went beyond scripts and scenes; we loved discussing cinema,” he said. Working birthday It was a working birthday for actor Babil Khan, who dubbed for his upcoming project yesterday. Babil, who is the son of the late actor, Irrfan Khan, turned 26. Specifics about the new project are currently under wraps. Babil was last seen in the streaming series, The Railway Men. Also starring Kay Kay Menon and R Madhavan, the series narrated the untold story of the railway workers who saved many lives during the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. Fan girl Speaking of her admiration for Hollywood icon Meryl Streep, Kareena Kapoor Khan took to social media to share that she believes there is “no one like” her. Sharing a post about the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Kapoor posted an image of Streep wearing a white pantsuit featuring high-waisted trousers and a blue-and-white striped shirt. “O Meryl, there is absolutely no one like you,” she wrote. Streep received the honorary Palme d’Or at the festival on Tuesday.
16 May,2024 05:37 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamAt one point in our interview, Manoj Bajpayee abruptly pauses our chat because he remembers he had to make a call two hours ago. That is just a glimpse of how swamped he is as a first-time producer. The actor is not only leading Bhaiyya Ji, but also turning producer with it—a role that he describes as “a hell of a job!” “As an actor, when the shoot is over, the film is over. But here, the work starts early and it ends way after the release. I’m taking baby steps, trying to get a hang of it,” he smiles, visibly happy about the next chapter in his three-decade career. The idea is to produce all kinds of stories, some that won’t even star him. “The purpose is to find fresh voices, new directors and talent. I want to give people a chance to tell their piece. I don’t want to be genre-restricted; middle of the road, massy, indie, I want to create a home for every story. It’s important that storytellers get the space to tell their tales how they want to and be treated with respect.” For his first step in that direction, the actor-producer has reunited with Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (2023) director Apoorv Singh Karki. With Bhaiyya Ji, the duo has designed a masala action fare set in Bihar. It is a monetarily turbulent time with most movies under-performing at the box office, but Bajpayee is unperturbed. “Call it my naïveté or faith, but selling a film isn’t such a tough job as people make it out to be. Get the budget right. I’ve tried to make sure that every stakeholder feels safe and happy. The industry is in a flux. So, the solution is to plan well, stick to the budget, get a good story, make the best film you can and minimise risks, but certainly make the films,” he explains. To him, the action fare—also starring Zoya Hussain—has the advantage of being a story rooted in Indian culture. He believes that is what the Indian audience is seeking. “If we are to get past this phase [of uncertainty in movies], we should go back to our stories. Stories should be rooted in our world, and the hero has to represent the people of the country. I believe this is why south Indian films are working; their emotions are pure, they are rooted in our culture and people relate to the protagonist’s fight. Our [Hindi] films are set in urban areas and most of these characters are alien to the country’s masses.” A few weeks ago, Bajpayee’s acclaimed work Joram (2023) was the subject of a social-media furore. On behalf of director Devashish Makhija and him, netizens were angry that the thriller was released on YouTube. Was it not getting OTT takers? The actor clears the air, stating, “People took past interviews where Devashish had spoken about how hard it is to make an indie film, and posted them on social media. When the news came, the film was running on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and then Zee Music released it on YouTube. It is being watched and recovering money. What else do people expect from a Joram? It can’t become a blockbuster! People like Devashish and I make a Joram because cinema is art for us. What hurts me is that despite winning love from people, the film hasn’t been getting many mainstream awards. When it comes to giving respect, films like Joram are forgotten. It happened to me with Pinjar (2003) too. When I won the National Award for it, I felt there was some poetic justice.”
16 May,2024 05:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuVicky Kaushal comes across as one of the most family-oriented celebrities in Bollywood. Be it through photos with his wife Katrina Kaif or cute posts featuring his parents and brother, the actor is always vocal about the love he has for his family. On Vicky Kaushal's birthday, here are some excerpts from a chat he had with Mid-day some time ago, where he talked about how he retains his quality of innocence and his willingness to take on a negative role. There's always this very nice guy vibe that you give off, very grounded and humble. Have you been that person all your life? I really don't know how to take compliments. I don't know... I'm as special and flawed as anybody else. And if all those words are true, then the credit goes to my parents, to my family, to my friends, whom I am surrounded by. Whatever I am, it's because of them. So all credit to them. Do you also think that roles that you are offered to you, there is a certain quality of innocence in probably most of them? Do you think that kind of comes from the person that you are? For example, in a role like Bhajan Kumar in The Great Indian Family? I think so. I would like to believe so. Until and unless it's tested by a dark character, which I get to play, I don't know when. But I feel in every character, there is honesty. In every person around us, there is honesty. They have their own reasons to believe that they are sincere and honest and innocent in some way. That innocence is always the trait which brings a character alive. So even if it's not there on the surface, I try to find that in every character I play. That's how I approach any character. I guess that's what reflects eventually then in every character that I get to play. Would we ever see you play a vicious villain? Oh, I would love to. I would love to because there's so much, like - you must have heard this from many actors because it is probably true - that there is so much ras in that. It just sounds fun to get to play a full-blown negative character. I don't know when that'll happen, but I really would do it.
15 May,2024 10:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Bohni BandyopadhyayHarshaali Malhotra, who portrayed the role of Shahida in the 2015 Salman Khan starrer 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', scored an impressive 83 percent in 10th grade. Reacting to those who spewed hate against her taking on acting before completing her studies, she shared a video on Instagram and wrote, “From perfecting my Mudras to acing my academics, I managed to strike the perfect balance between my Kathak classes, Shoots, and Studies. And the result? An impressive 83% score! Who says you can’t have your feet in both the reel and real world? A heartfelt thank you to everyone who believed in me and continues to offer their unwavering support.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harshaali Malhotra (@harshaalimalhotra_03) In an interview with Hindustan Times, Harshaali said, “My first reaction after seeing the marks was just a lot of excitement. We got to know that the result was out at the last minute, so it is good that we didn’t have any time to get nervous before. We just opened the site and saw the result. My parents were also elated to see my hard work pay off”. In 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', Harshaali played the role of Shahida also known as 'Munni', a Pakistani Muslim girl who gets lost in India and travels back to her homeland with the help of an Indian, Pavan Kumar Chaturvedi. Her performance as a mute girl was critically praised and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination, making her the youngest person to be nominated in the category. Director Kabir Khan said the casting of Munni was central to the film, and a wrong casting choice would have drowned it. In an interaction on IMDb, Khan said, "After all these years, If I were to speak about one aspect of the making of 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', I would speak about the hunt for the girl who would portray Munni. After writing the script, I knew our biggest challenge would be to find the correct casting for Munni. “We must have ended up auditioning at least 2,000, you know, little girls from the age of five to six or seven. We finally zeroed in on Harshaali Malhotra, who was pure magic on screen, and the chemistry with Salman was bang on. And I remember the first time I took her to Salman's house in Galaxy (in Mumbai). Right from there on, you could see the chemistry between them,” he added. Harshaali has also appeared in television soaps like ‘Qubool Hai’ and ‘Laut Aao Trisha’, besides a few commercials.
15 May,2024 09:45 PM IST | MumbaiA powerhouse performer and four-time National Award-winning actress, Kangana Ranaut is currently busy inspiring millions with her service to the nation. Up next, she’s set to entertain audiences and create history with her portrayal of the former Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi in the upcoming period political drama ‘Emergency’. Speaking of which, a new update about the film has emerged. Taking to social media, Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika Films announced that the film will have a new release date as the actor-politician is occupied with her Lok Sabha 2024 Elections campaign. The actress-turned-politician is contesting from the Bharatiya Janata Party and has been occupied with her political commitments for the Mandi constituency. Due to this, she has prioritised her duties to the nation and her role as a politician over the release of her film, showcasing her dedication to both her country and party. Announcing the same, Manikarnika Films wrote, “Our hearts are filled with love pouring in for our queen Kangana Ranaut. As she prioritises her duty to the nation and her commitment to serve the country, the release date of our much-awaited film ‘Emergency’ has been postponed. We promise to update you soon with a new release date. Thank you for your continued support." Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de Manikarnika Films Production (@manikarnikafilms) In an interview with ANI, Kangana said that she is not going to leave the film industry. "I cannot leave the industry right now as many of my films are pending," she said. On Tuesday, Kangana filed nomination for the election, saying "Hopefully will get success in the field of politics as well". Kangana belongs to Bhambla village near Hamirpur town, some 200 km from the state capital Shimla. She owns a cottage in the picturesque tourist resort Manali, which is part of the Mandi parliamentary constituency. Written, directed, and produced by Kangana Ranaut, Emergency’s release date, as promised by the makers, will be announced soon. ‘Emergency’ also features Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles. Produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, ‘Emergency’ is touted to be the actress’s most ambitious project to date. The film’s music is orchestrated by Sanchit Balhara with screenplay and dialogues by Ritesh Shah.
15 May,2024 09:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
