Have you heard? Gurinder Chadha expresses admiration for Priyanka Chopra; Mumtaz on Fardeen Khan-Natasha's divorce

Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha has expressed her admiration for Priyanka Chopra Jonas, highlighting her desire to collaborate again in the future. Speaking to PTI, the director said, “I would love to find the right thing for her” for a project. Gurinder, known for Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Viceroy’s House (2017), praised Priyanka for her support of non-resident Indians, especially Punjabi women, adding, “Priyanka supported me for so long and has been such a great supporter of all NRIs, particularly Punjabi women.” Their recent collaboration on the Hindi version of George Michael’s Last Christmas saw Priyanka initially hesitant to sing, but she agreed “to support” Gurinder. The filmmaker called her “an incredible actress.”

‘My last chance’

Agastya Nanda in the poster of ‘Ikkis’

The upcoming war biopic, Ikkis, is Agastya Nanda’s second film. But the young actor, who made his debut with Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies (2023), has approached Ikkis as his “last chance”. “I am very well aware of my privilege. Do I think my first film was good? No. How was I in the film? Terrible. So, I view Ikkis as my last chance to prove myself,” Agastya said in a press meet. The Archies, which also starred Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana and late Sridevi’s daughter Khushi Kapoor, was largely panned upon release and the performances by the star kids were trolled. Agastya, grandson of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, said he used all the trolling as a driving force to do better. “Even if I don’t succeed, I will not stop acting. I will pick my camera, go back to Delhi and start shooting with a bunch of friends. Acting is for myself and business is for the audience,” said the actor, who plays late war hero Arun Khetarpal in Ikkis. 

Need to look 21 for ‘Ikkis’

Sriram Raghavan and Varun Dhawan. Pic/Yogen Shah

Much before Agastya became the protagonist of Ikkis, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan had his Badlapur (2015) star, Varun Dhawan, locked for the war drama. So, why did the director opt for a change in Ikkis’s leading man? “Varun didn’t look 21 anymore,” Sriram said at a press meet. The director shared that work on the film had begun in 2018 itself, with Varun locked to play the late war hero, Arun Khetarpal. But Covid-19 delayed the film, and by the time Sriram resumed work on Ikkis, he felt he needed a younger hero. “I told Dino [Dinesh Vijan, producer] that I couldn’t make it with Varun as he didn’t look that young anymore. I needed a new actor,” he shared.

Mera ‘heera ladka’ forever

Fardeen Khan

Veteran actor Mumtaz recently spoke about her daughter Natasha’s separation from actor Fardeen Khan, describing it as a difficult phase for the family, while also addressing her bond with her ex son-in-law. In an interaction with Vicky Lalwani, Mumtaz said the separation was painful but added that such situations must be handled with maturity. “These things happen in life, and one has to face them,” she said. Mumtaz was all praise for Fardeen, calling him a “heera ladka” and appreciating the dignity with which he has dealt with personal and professional challenges. She added that she continues to hold him in high regard despite his separation from her daughter in 2023.

Start dreaming

Prabhas. Pic/AFP

Telugu star Prabhas recently unveiled The Script Craft International Short Film Festival with a special announcement video on social media, encouraging aspiring filmmakers to take their first step in cinema. Calling it a space where dreams can begin, the actor said, “The Script Craft isn’t just a festival — it’s where stories become careers. Every voice deserves a beginning. Every dream story deserves a chance.” On the work front, Prabhas is prepping for the release of his next film, The Raja Saab. He also has Spirit, Salaar: Part 2, and the sequel of  Kalki 2898 AD.