Have you heard? Dinesh Vijan's Stree was made without external funding; Unni Mukundan starts shoot of Narendra Modi's biopic

Producer Dinesh Vijan has revealed that Shraddha Kapoor’s Stree (2018)  was made without external backing as financiers were unwilling to support the project. Speaking to PTI, he shared, “When we made Stree, no one was funding me, so I had to make it on my own,” adding that several felt the film’s title “would not work”. The horror-comedy movie went on to become a sleeper hit, later spawning a sequel in 2024. Reflecting on the journey, Vijan noted that the experience has made him more confident about backing unique and unconventional ideas.

Calling a spade a spade

Mohit Suri

Filmmaker Mohit Suri recently called out fellow directors for complaining about dwindling theatrical audiences while rarely visiting cinemas themselves. In an interaction with THR India, Mohit, whose Saiyaara was one of the most successful films this year, reacted when Cactus Pears director Rohan Kanawade admitted he had not watched many recent releases in theatres. Shaking his head, Mohit said, “We all cry about theatres, but you all don’t go to theatres. All of you are crying that no one goes to the theatres. I go every weekend for whichever film releases.”

PM on the roll

(L-R) Unni Mukundan and Kranthi Kumar CH on the set of ‘Maa Vande’; (right) the film’s poster

The makers of Maa Vande, a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi starring Unni Mukundan, commenced filming with a traditional pooja on the first day of the shoot in Mumbai, on December 21. Sharing visuals from the ceremony on social media, the team marked the beginning of the project, which was announced on Modi’s birthday in September. Described as a biographical drama, the movie aims to chronicle the leader’s formative journey. The film, directed by Kranthi Kumar CH, is set for a 2026 release.

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