A man discarded by his own family is on his way to reclaim his life, with nothing but a wild spirit, a forgotten bucket list, and an 8-year-old orphan by his side. That's exactly what Kaalidhar Laapata brings. ZEE5 today dropped the much-anticipated trailer of the upcoming film which is a heartfelt dramedy exploring life, loss, laughter, and the liberating beauty of unexpected companionship. The movie also stars Zeeshan Ayyub and Daivik Bhagela in significant roles and is set to premiere on ZEE5 on 4th July. Kaalidhar Laapata trailer The film is produced under the Zee Studios and Emmay Entertainment banner, and helmed by Madhumita. It stars Abhishek Bachchan as Kaalidhar, a middle-aged man grappling with memory loss, abandonment and a lifetime of quiet betrayals. He overhears his siblings’ cruel plan to abandon him at the crowded Maha Kumbh Mela. That's when Kaalidhar decides to disappear on his own terms. However, fate has other plans when he meets Ballu (Daivik Bhagela), an outspoken, street-smart 8-year-old. Ballu has been surviving solo on India’s chaotic streets. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZEE5 (@zee5) Kaalidhar Laapata is more than just a road movie, it is an emotional journey through memory, identity, and what it truly means to be seen. The film is set against the rustic, raw beauty of India’s heartland, and follows this unlikely duo as they check off Kaalidhar’s long-forgotten dreams, while revisiting half-lived moments. On their way, they forge a bond that defies age, logic, and even time. At its core, Kaalidhar Laapata is a celebration of second chances and the revolution of finding joy in times when you least expect it. It delves into aspects of familial neglect, freedom, and the deep human need to be understood without judgment. Through Kaalidhar and Ballu’s journey, the film serves as a reminderthat sometimes, healing doesn’t come from fixing what’s broken, but from embracing the imperfection and choosing to live fully anyway. Kaalidhar Laapata team speaks Abhishek Bachchan said, “As actors, we often hope for stories that move us before they move anyone else—and Kaalidhar Laapata did exactly that. Playing Kaalidhar was not just a role, it was a revelation. He’s fragile, childlike and deeply human—and through him, I got to explore parts of myself I hadn’t visited in a while. His bond with Ballu—this fierce, fearless child—reminded me that the most unexpected friendships can sometimes teach us the most profound lessons. More than anything, it made me reflect on how we measure life—not in years, but in moments of connection, courage, and truth. Kaaldihar Laapata is another film in my journey that I feel incredibly proud of. Over the past few years, I’ve been consciously seeking stories that offer emotional depth, honesty, and something meaningful to say—and this one ticked every box. It’s a story that touched my soul, and I hope it touches yours too”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhishek Bachchan (@bachchan) Director Madhumita said, “With Kaalidhar Laapata, I wanted to tell a story that feels both intimate and universal. It gave me a canvas to explore themes like abandonment, dignity, and the redemptive power of human connection. Kaalidhar is someone many of us have encountered or perhaps even been at some point—a person sidelined by life yet still glowing with a quiet resilience. Ballu becomes his mirror, his spark, his unexpected anchor. One of the most beautiful surprises of this film was witnessing the on-screen chemistry between Abhishek and Daivik—tender, unfiltered, and deeply moving. Their dynamic brings a refreshing honesty that stays with you long after the film ends. Through their journey, we’ve tried to reflect the idea that even in the most fractured chapters of life, beauty, meaning, and belonging can still be found. For me, this isn’t just a film—it’s a gentle meditation on what it means to be truly seen and truly accepted.”~ Kaalidhar Laapata premieres on ZEE5 on 4th July ~
21 June,2025 09:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Ananya Panday has given her fans a glimpse of her vacation in Miami, Florida in the United States. On Friday, Ananya shared pictures on Instagram where she can be seen enjoying herself to the fullest. She shared everything from posting pictures of cute animals to enjoying food. "Miamiiiii," she captioned the post. Netizens showered love on the post in the comment section. A user wrote, "Bestest photo dump." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday) Another fan commented, "Too Good" Recently, the first look of her upcoming romance drama, 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri,' was unveiled. In the first look, actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya can be seen holding passports and sharing a romantic kiss on the shore. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) "Flying together...again! #TuMeriMainTeraMainTeraTuMeri - in cinemas next Valentine's Day : 13th Feb, 2026," Kartik captioned the post. After 'Pati Patni Aur Woh,' Kartik and Ananya are coming together for this film, which excited fans. The movie, directed by Sameer Vidwans, marks Kartik Aaryan's second collaboration with the director, following their work on 'Satyaprem Ki Katha'. It is produced under the banner of Dharma Productions. The plot details are still under wraps. 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' will be released in theatres on February 13, 2026, coinciding with Valentine's Day. 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
21 June,2025 06:28 PM IST | Mumbai | ANI'War 2' is one of the highly anticipated movies of this year. It is directed by Ayan Mukerji. To match the expectations of the viewers, Ayan revealed how he focused on crafting the storyline of War 2 because he wanted a conflict that was big enough to pit two icons of Indian cinema, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. According to the press note shared by the makers, Ayan opened up about the responsibility of continuing the 'War' franchise after the prequel emerged as a massive hit at the box office. "It is a huge responsibility to take forward a hugely loved franchise like War and leave your own mark on it. I saw directing War 2 as a relishing opportunity to give a hat-tip to the first film. You can't have fun otherwise while coming on board such a huge blockbuster franchise. One has to take what has been set and then make the fans of the film and the fans of these gigantic superstars of our country go on a journey that is new, that hopefully leaves them hungry for more. As a director, I have to be honest, I immersed myself into delivering this feeling," said Ayan Mukerji as quoted in a press note. He adds, "Everything about War 2 has been crafted with a lot of planning to elevate the theatrical experience of the audience. The maximum time spent was on the action set pieces and crafting the storyline and the conflict, which was needed to mount the face-off between Hrithik Roshan and NTR," as quoted in a press note. Ayan calls 'War 2' a film that celebrates the might of Indian cinema as it brings Hrithik and NTR together for a jaw-dropping, adrenaline-pumping theatrical experience. The director says, "War 2 is truly the coming together of Indian cinema with these two huge actors joining forces. We were aware of the expectations this pairing would set in the minds of their fans and the audience, and every second was spent thinking of how to give them an experience of a lifetime when they sit in the theatres," as quoted in a press note. War 2 is scheduled to hit theatres worldwide on August 14, 2025. The film is a sequel to the 2019 action thriller 'War,' which starred Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, and Vani Kapoor in the lead roles. Directed by Siddarth Anand, this high-octane action drama minted Rs 200 crores within seven days of its release in 2019. It's touted to be one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of that year. 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
21 June,2025 06:23 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIThere has always been a big Messi vs Ronaldo debate among football fans. Actor Kartik Aaryan is currently in Argentina to shoot for her next, "Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri". Kartik recently took to his Instagram and dropped a fun video asking the Argentinean aunties who is their favorite between Messi and Ronaldo. While all the ladies take Messi's name, Kartik shared that his favorite is Ronaldo. As he said this, one of the ladies said, "No no no no no no" in an assertive tone. To this, Kartik hilariously reacted with, "Ye marengi". "Argentina ki Aunty Maaregi...Mera fav toh Ronaldo hai," he captioned the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) Recently, Kartik and Ananya Panday completed the Croatia schedule for "Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri". Commemorating the occasion, Kartik and Ananya were seen grooving to the song "Dheeme Dheeme" from their previous release, "Pati Patni Aur Woh". Sharing the fun clip on his Instagram, Kartik captioned the post, "Apni Ananya ka schedule wrap ho aur hum Dheeme Dheeme par dance na karein, aisa kaise ho sakta hai @ananyapanday#TuMeriMainTeraMainTeraTuMeri #Croatia 🇭🇷." Backed by Karan Johar, along with Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia, and Kishor Arora, "Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri" is slated for a theatrical release on February 13, 2026. Revealing the release date for his next, Karan Johar dropped a photo on his IG which showed Kartik and Ananya locking lips behind an Indian passport. The Dharma head captioned the post, “Signed, sealed & delivering hamaari Ray ki Rumi! @kartikaaryan @ananyapanday #TuMeriMainTeraMainTeraTuMeri - in cinemas next Valentine’s : 13th Feb, 2026”. Made under the direction of Sameer Vidwans, the much-awaited drama has been presented by Dharma Productions in collaboration with Namah Pictures. Over and above this, Kartik has also collaborated on another project with Karan Johar, "NaagZilla". 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
21 June,2025 06:10 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Riteish Deshmukh has termed wife Genelia D'Souza's "Sitaare Zameen Par" with Aamir Khan as "the best film of the year". The 'Housefull 5' actor penned an appreciation note on his Instagram handle that read, "Please do yourself a favour — go watch the best film of the year! #SitaareZameenPar is not just a movie, it’s an experience. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry — and by the time it ends, it leaves you a better human being." "The true ‘sitaares’ of this film are the children — absolutely phenomenal performances that steal your heart and never let go," he added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd) Calling Aamir Bollywood's finest actor, he added, "Aamir Khan once again proves why he’s one of the finest actors this country has ever seen. His performance is deeply layered, incredibly nuanced, and profoundly moving." Praising his better half, Riteish wrote, "@geneliad is pure magic on screen. She lights up every frame with her presence — her eyes say everything, and I say this not just as a husband, but as a genuine fan of her craft." Giving a shout-out to the director, he went on to share, "@rs.prasanna — take a bow, captain! You’ve created a film that is beautiful, honest, and timeless." "@divynidhisharma — your words are the soul of this story, beating with empathy and truth. @nikhilkovale — the production design feels lived-in and authentic, grounding the emotion in a world that feels heartbreakingly real. @shankarehsaanloy ‘s music is pure @aamirkhanproductions," Riteish concluded by praising the technical crew of "Sitaare Zameen Par". Earlier, actress Tisca Chopra, who has been a part of Aamir Khan's "Taare Zameen Par" also showered "Sitaare Zameen Par" with love and admiration. Posting a happy photo with the film's team, Tisca penned on her IG, "What Aamir does, only Aamir does. Had the absolute fortune of watching Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by the immensely talented @rs.prasanna, with the entire cast and crew last night.." Lauding Aamir, she added, "Having worked with Aamir on Taare Zameen Par and followed his extraordinary body of work over the years, my admiration for him—as both an actor and a filmmaker—only continues to grow." Released on Friday, "Sitaare Zameen Par" has opened to positive reviews. 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
21 June,2025 06:09 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Aamir Khan has made its comeback to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par after a hiatus of three years. His last release was in 2022, where Laal Singh Chadha failed miserably at the box office and among the critics, leading the actor to doubt whether he should make films or not. Nevertheless, he returned with the spiritual successor of his 2008 film Taare Zameen Par. The film was released yesterday, 20th June and the box office reports for its Day 1 are out. Sitaare Zameen Par box office collection day 1 According to trade analyst Taran Aadarsh, Aamir Khan's latest sports drama has managed to cross the Rs 10 crore mark on its first day 1. It closed day one with earnings of Rs 10.7 crore at the domestic box office. Taran noted, "As expected, the opening day began on a slow note, but witnessed a sharp turnaround post 4 pm… In fact, the evening and night shows completely changed the tide – solid word of mouth had come into play." Proving ALL pre-release projections and predictions wrong by a wide margin, #SitaareZameenPar opened in double digits on Day 1… The power of strong word of mouth has silenced the naysayers.Sure, the Day 1 total may not match the *pre-pandemic era* openings of an #AamirKhan… pic.twitter.com/sz7dhyORkP — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 21, 2025 He further added, "While major screens in urban centres reported excellent occupancy, the performance beyond metros – especially in mass circuits – ranged from average to dull." Notably, Laal Singh Chadha had grossed over Rs 11 crore on its day one in 2022. Taran notes, "Sure, the Day 1 total may not match the *pre-pandemic era* openings of an #AamirKhan film, but #SitaareZameenPar – much like #TaareZameenPar – deals with a niche subject with minimal commercial hooks... In that context, a double-digit opening is certainly a positive development." Day one collections of 2025 Although the figures may not be record-breaking ones by Aamir's past standards, it is certainly a decent start for an emotional family drama given that its 2025 and the market is currently dominated by larger-than-life actioners and franchise comedies. With 10.7, Sitaare Zameen Par managed the 6th best opening for an Hindi film in 2025. National Award dedo movie ko - Public SHOCKING : That differently Abled Kids did better job than Aamir Khan 😱SZP is better than TZP This movie is for Educated Mature Audiences, not for Action Masala lovers A MUST WATCH MOVIE #SitaareZameenParReview #SitaareZameenPar pic.twitter.com/r2zFlZB7hI — 𝙰𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚛 ✨ (@AamirsABD) June 20, 2025 Here's a list of the top openers of 2025: Chaava - Rs 31 crore Sikandar - Rs 26 crore Housefull 5 - Rs 24 crore Raid 2 Rs 19.25 crore Sky Force Rs 12.25 crore Sitaare Zameen Par Rs 11.7 crore Jaat - Rs 9.5 crore Kesari 2 - Rs 7.75 crore Bhool Chuk Maaf - Rs 7 crore
21 June,2025 03:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn an age of constant hustle and distraction, finding stillness can feel like a luxury. But for Laapataa Ladies fame Nitanshi Goel, yoga is that rare space — a gentle pause, a return to self. On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2025, Nitanshi opens up about her personal relationship with yoga, how it shaped her as an actor, and why she believes it's much more than just movement. A warm hug for the mind and body “When I think of yoga, I think of a quiet space — a space where I can return to myself,” she says. “It’s more than just movement. It’s a kind of stillness that stays with me long after I’ve stepped off the mat.” For her, yoga is a grounding ritual that encourages her to slow down, breathe, and truly listen — not just to her body, but to her emotions and inner voice. “It’s like giving my mind and body a warm hug.” The First Attempt: Confusion and Quiet Comfort Reflecting on her earliest yoga experience, she remembers being young and unsure. “I didn’t really know what I was doing. I struggled with poses and wondered if I was doing them right,” the Laapataa Ladies actor admits. But even then, there was a strange familiarity — “like my body was trying to speak a language I hadn’t yet learned.” Over time, that language became second nature. On and off the mat: How Yoga grounds her craft For an actor who constantly shifts between roles, environments, and emotional states, yoga offers a much-needed anchor. “It brings balance — not just in my posture but in my perspective,” she shares. Whether it's helping her breathe through long shoot days or preparing emotionally for intense scenes, yoga serves as her internal compass. “Before difficult scenes, I just sit quietly, soften my shoulders, and focus on my breath. It brings me to a quiet, honest place from where emotions can flow naturally.” Strength in stillness Though she enjoys different forms of movement, yoga holds a special place in her heart. “It’s not about pushing limits or proving anything. It’s about tuning in,” she explains. “There’s dignity in its slowness — a peaceful, powerful kind of strength.” A new definition of beauty and success Perhaps the most profound impact yoga has had on her is in reshaping her understanding of beauty and success. “Yoga teaches you that beauty is softness — it’s how you carry yourself when no one’s watching,” she says. “Success becomes less about external achievements and more about being in alignment with your values and joy. It shifts your attention inward.” Her message to young girls To young girls who think yoga is “boring” or “too slow,” she has this to say, “Try it with an open heart. Sometimes slow is exactly what we need. Yoga is like a quiet superpower — it grows on you.” For those just starting out, she recommends beginning with simple, grounding asanas like Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), and Balasana (Child’s Pose). “They help build a gentle connection with your body — and once you start, yoga feels like a little daily magic.”
21 June,2025 03:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarRandeep Hooda married his girlfriend, Lin Laishram, in 2023 in a traditional Manipuri ceremony. As pictures and videos from the ceremony emerged after their marriage, the internet couldn’t stop gushing over the beautiful wedding. And now, in an exclusive chat on Mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, the actor has spilled the beans on how things unfolded at the unusual wedding. Randeep Hooda shares his love story Randeep shared, “I didn’t think to get married at all, but I think now it’s very wise that if you want to get married, get married younger. But life happens. Lin is a wonderful girl.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda) Talking about how they met and how love bloomed, he shares that they met at Motley, Nasseruddin Shah’s theatre group, while they were both working on the same play, titled ‘Arms and the Man.’ He recalls, “We first met in Motley during Arms and the Man. She had just come back from New York, met Nasser, and was helping around the entire play. She was a part of the crew. We kept meeting over the years, and when lockdown happened, we happened to be held up together, and that’s what led to all this.” Randeep Hooda about his marriage ceremony Randeep recalled how their wedding took place, saying, “It was a big thing where people said I wasn’t getting married to a Jatt girl. My marriage itself was a big drama since there was a problem going on in Manipur, and we were thinking of getting married. I said this won’t be a marriage unless we go there.” “Ladki ke ghar jaake shaadi nahi ki toh kya shaadi hui (Is it even a marriage if you don’t get married at the girl’s house),” he quips. He adds, “I had a friend like this brigadier with Assam rifles. I called him and he said, ‘Come, I’ll get you married.’ So 10-12 of us went there, and we had never been there. We had no idea about their ceremonies. She tried to show me videos of it, but I was busy editing Savarkar at that time. I pretended to watch it, but I didn’t,” he laughs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda) Randeep shared that when they reached her house, they were served pure vegetarian satvik food, which is unusual in Manipur. He further recalled how they worshipped all their Gods before getting married, which led to his friends jokingly asking him if he had brought them for a sacred pilgrimage instead of his wedding. Recalling the wedding ceremony, he recalls, “Because of security reasons, we stayed at the Army camp.” During the ceremony, he shared how the ceremony was a unique one where the groom and bride are considered Gods for the day and hence are not allowed to move once inside the mandap, and a helper would help them around. He also shared how his mother was sitting in front of the mandap and crying, laughing, watching her son. He emphasises how it was so different from his culture, saying, “Haryanvi (culture) is rough and crass, theirs was so systematic and elegant.” Talking of getting married in a civil war-like situation, Randeep opens up about how, after their ceremony, they could hear hundreds of AK-47 rifles firing around. When asked why they chose not to wait in that situation, he shares that they did. They lived together for 4-5 years before getting married, and the ceremony brought a lot of cheer to that place. They also went to relief camps and helped people there, bringing a lot of cheer to them as well.
21 June,2025 12:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith his performances in films like Highway and Sarbjit, Randeep Hooda has, over the years, established himself as a reckoning force in the acting space. After spending several years (22 to be precise) in front of the camera, the actor stepped behind the lens and turned director, producer, and writer for his 2024 film Swatantra Veer Savarkar. And now, he can’t wait to helm more projects. In case you didn’t know, Randeep is already working on his next film, which will be an action flick. And when he sat for a candid, unscripted chat on Mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, he couldn’t stop gushing about his new role. ‘I Want to Own My Story’ — Randeep on Directing He spoke to us about what it is like to sit in the director's chair now. He shared, “I have come to a stage where I want to own my story. An actor is also a storyteller. It’s not that I will stop acting. I love acting, and I find it to be a very cushy job. Despite what I put myself through for any job, it is still easier than being a director.” He explains his transitions, citing an interesting example, saying, “I used to be an individual tennis player in my locker room, go out there, play my shot and come back. Now, I was made the captain of a football team, but I have to make everybody play individual tennis. That was hard.” हिंदुत्व एक राजनैतिक, भुगौलिक, सांस्कृतिक, इतिहास है किसी धर्म का नहीं। जो हिन्द को अपना माने, वो हिंदू है ।। - #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar, The Quintessential Avatar of India’s Struggle, Symbol of Unity, Strength, and Sovereignty 🇮🇳 Witness how he defined #Hindutva and term #Hindu… pic.twitter.com/lnBTUn4cX0 — Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) March 30, 2024 Talking about how things are different, he admits, “Funnily, I have never been sure of myself as an actor in my life. I’ve never been sure that this is it. I never planned a shot that this is how I’m going to do it. Over the years, I have practised more and more, and if it doesn’t happen, I don’t pretend to do it.” “You worked on it, you know all the aspects, where you are, what’s happened before, what’s gonna happen, what’s the script, you know everything, but you don’t plan how you do it. I always leave myself open. But as a director, I was cocksure of everything. Every shot, every performance, I was so sure that it was a strange thing for me. “Becoming a director, in my opinion, is not at all a democracy. Filmmaking is one of the most legitimate dictatorships left.” Randeep about Showbiz Further in the interview, he also spoke about managing showbiz, admitting that he is not good at it and it's not something he likes. He says, “I have never been very good at it. For the longest time, I felt that one should not know you beyond the screen. Taking a leaf from all the legendary actors, like even Bachchan Sahab, who did not speak to the press for 10 years." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda) He adds, “I did have this feeling that the people should not know much about you outside your screen. But that is no longer possible. It is just not possible. In this fleeting culture, it's just not a possibility.” “So I have opened myself to do that and show the business part of it. Getting ready, turning up at places, being called at awards, and stuff like that. It's very tough and I still find it very tough. It's something which I have not been. I would not ask anybody to take the leaf out of my life,” he concludes.
21 June,2025 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRandeep Hooda continues to be one of the most celebrated performers in Bollywood. With his performances in films like Highway, Sarbjit, and more, he has proven his mettle as an actor. Despite being well-known, he often chooses to stay away from the media glare and manages to keep his life relatively private. Randeep Hooda recently appeared on Mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, where he spoke about his friendship with Salman Khan and how the latter manages stardom. He also recalled the stardom Salman and Sunny enjoyed over the years. Randeep Hooda talks about Salman Khan’s private side Speaking about his friend, Hooda says, “He (Salman) is very intelligent, he's very creative, and I think a bit isolated also now. He gave me a lot of advice on how to be a nice person, to be nice to people, and be helpful.” “He's given me a lot of advice over the years, which I have not followed,” he jokes. “But he gives it to you in all his earnestness, and wants the best for you,” he adds. Notably, Salman and Randeep have shared the screen three times. They first appeared together in 2014's Kick, followed by Sultan in 2016. 2021's Radhe was their most recent film together. Randeep Hooda on Working With Salman and Sunny Deol Further in the interview, he also opened up about working with Salman Khan and Sunny Deol in action films, he says, “The action is designed around them. They're both great. When you see them, you feel like they can do what they're doing, and over the years. Both the actors, Salman and Sunny, were stars before the advent of the internet. They are those stars that even to see them, you had to see Chitrahaar or a Filmi Kaliyan ka central spread poster which you'd stick with toothpaste in your Almiras.” “They were rare commodities, and now it's different. Now, for every star, you know what they're eating, what they're doing, it's all available on social media, so they have their persona, and that's what I was trying to kind of aim for, so it's believable what they do,” he adds. Randeep emphasised how today in the world of social media, everything stars do is out there on the internet, and it is difficult to stay away from it. He also shared that he is not like that but is trying to fit in.
21 June,2025 11:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRandeep Hooda is one of the finest actors of our times. While not all would agree, it’s fair to say he is one of the underrated actors that we have. Despite his powerful main leads in films like Sarbjit, Highway, and Swatantra Veer Savarkar, it always feels like there’s more he could do and more that the audience would love to witness. Nevertheless, he continues to turn everything he touches to gold with his sincere and realistic portrayals. He sat down for an exclusive chat on Mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, where he touched down on how he has often been known as a ‘co-star’ more than Randeep Hooda. Talking about the same, he shares how Indian co-stars like Salman Khan and Sunny Deol carry a certain persona. However, it isn’t the same across the borders. Randeep Hooda about working in Hollywood Randeep opened up about working on Hollywood projects with stalwarts like Chris Hemsworth and John Cena and how things are different there. He shares, “I worked with a Chris Hemsworth or John Cena or somebody. They have a different approach. The difference is that they all come and rehearse for weeks and weeks before they do it (action sequences).” Further sharing his experience, he says, “Me and Chris were rehearsing for six weeks before we did (action). And it looks real. That happens with rehearsals like in a theatre. That's the way they do it, and they're not as worshipped as our Indian action stars are. That's what probably somewhere keeps it more real in that sense.” 133. extraction (2020)running time: 1h 56mgenre: action, thrillerdirector: sam hargravestarring: chris hemsworth, rudhraksh jaiswal, golshifteh farahani, randeep hooda pic.twitter.com/LOA9iRydnc — val (@ybdlv) June 29, 2023 He further shared that when he went on sets there everyone thought he was an action star, but he jokes he had not actually punched anyone in a film. He reveals, “When I went for Extraction, I had this kind of an action image with everybody around me. Then I realised I've never punched anybody in a movie. So for 19 years, I had this tough guy image in various roles, but I'd never punched anybody in a movie.” He added, “I had to learn how to take a punch, how to give a punch. It's much like dance. That's how they prepare for it. I mean you something think you've been done a lot and then sometimes you wake up in the morning and it's like ‘sh*t I've not done anything in my life.’” Randeep Hooda’s Hollywood projects Randeep Hooda appeared in the 2020 Hollywood film Extraction alongside Chris Hemsworth. He played the role of Saju Rav, a former lieutenant colonel in the Indian Army's Para Special Forces. Saju, A symbol of Duty over Self!#4YearsOfExtraction #Saju #Extraction pic.twitter.com/DygzwdlnCC — Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) April 24, 2024 Next, he is expected to share screen with John Cena in an upcoming Apple Original Films action thriller titled Matchbox, helmed by Extraction director Sam Hargrave. The film is currently on the floors and is scheduled for a 2026 release.
21 June,2025 11:04 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
