Two female spies fighting the baddies against Kashmir’s mountainous terrain—that’s how director Shiv Rawail had imagined one of the fight sequences in Alpha. In September, Alia Bhatt and Sharvari went to Pahalgam for the spy thriller’s third schedule. However, the team was unable to conduct the 10-day stint after the rains wreaked havoc in the region. Now, mid-day has learnt that the unit has headed back to the Valley. Shiv Rawail During their last trip, Bhatt and Sharvari could barely film three days due to the rains that lashed the region. A source reveals, “The director had cancelled the schedule due to the terrible weather. After that, Shiv and producer Aditya Chopra considered different possible cities where they could film the portions. However, they soon realised that the Valley’s picturesque locations were perfect for the sequences in question, and slotted the Kashmir leg again for mid-October.” We’ve heard that Sharvari flew out yesterday, while Alia will join the unit today or tomorrow. Over the next few days, the duo will film an action sequence and a song. The insider adds, “The action set-piece involves an elaborate chase. Besides Pahalgam, they will shoot in Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Srinagar.” With Alpha, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol also join the spyverse, which includes Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
15 October,2024 10:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRShraddha Kapoor is currently basking in the success of her last release 'Stree 2'. The film broke all box office records to become the first Indian film to enter the Rs 600 cr club. In a new interview, Kapoor recalled her initial struggle in the industry despite coming from a film family. The actress who made her debut with the film 'Teen Patti' revealed that she had a breakdown on the first week of the shoot and was left feeling that she did not understand this world In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Shraddha recalled her experience on the sets of her debut film. She shared, “I remember on the second or third day, I had a breakdown and told my mom I didn't want to go back, and I didn't understand this world since I had never AD'ed on a film set and was just 20 or 21. People were not always very nice cause if you were a 'somebody', you would be suddenly spoken to in a different way, and if you were a nobody, you would be treated like that. I could see all this and felt sad about it. My first film felt far more challenging than my second, where I was more confident and realised that if someone doesn't know something and is a little lost, you have to be kind to them.” Teen Patti was released in 2010 and also starred Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. However, the film tanked at the box office. Shraddha had her breakthrough with the 2013 romantic musical 'Aashiqui 2' opposite Aditya Roy Kapur. About Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao's Stree 2 Shraddha Kapoor’s 'Stree' was released in 2018 and was declared a hit. 'Oo Stree Kal Aana', a phrase from the movie, has been repeatedly used in memes. The film's music also gained significant attention with tracks like 'Milegi Milegi' and 'Aao Kabhi Haveli Pe'. The storyline of ‘Stree 2’ picks up in the haunted town of Chanderi, where the malevolent spirit known as Sarkata wreaks havoc. Unlike the previous film, which featured a ghost targeting men, this installment focuses on a sinister entity that preys on modern, empowered women. The narrative revolves around Bicky (Rajkummar Rao), Bitu (Aparshakti Khurana), JD (Abhishek Banerjee), and Rudra (Pankaj Tripathi) as they join forces with the enigmatic Stree to protect their village from Sarkata’s deadly pursuit.
15 October,2024 10:23 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVidhu Vinod Chopra shared a story about how his father reacted when he said he wanted to become a filmmaker. The director-producer, known for films like Khamosh, Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, and Mission Kashmir, revealed at the IFP Festival that his father slapped him when he first mentioned wanting to make movies. Chopra explained that he had to work hard to get into FTII, where he learned filmmaking. Vidhu Vinod Chopra on how his father's disapproval shaped his career Vidhu Vinod Chopra said, “When I told my father in Kashmir, ‘Paaji, I want to make a film,’ he slapped me and said, ‘Bhooka mar jaayega Bombay mein. Kaise rahega? (You will die of starvation, how will you survive?)’. He couldn’t afford to send me anywhere so I thought about it, I struggled, I topped Kashmir University in Economics Honours, I am First Class First, so I could get Rs 250 as national scholarship from Government of India, which I got.” “With that Rs 250 a month, I went to film school. Funny joke is, in 1979, when I was nominated for an Oscar, I told my father, ‘Paaji, meri picture nominate ho gayi hai. (My film has been nominated).’ He said, ‘Bahut acha ho gaya beta, kitne paise milenge? (That’s great news, how much money will you get?),” the director further added. Vidhu Vinod Chopra on his life while learning filmmaking Vidhu Vinod Chopra recently helmed 12th Fail. In an interview with Mid-Day, the filmmaker said, "There are a handful of honest people in the world, and this world is running because of them. The goodness in the world needs to be represented more. When I was an FTII [Film and Television Institute of India] graduate and had little money, I found farishtas who helped me out. The then I&B minister knew I was poor, so he put me on the Governing Council of film bodies. I used to get Rs 880 as airfare, and my then-wife Renu [Saluja] and I used to live on that money all month. I’d insist they put me on more committees, so that I could make more money. Once, a secretary told me, ‘Kya Vinod, paanch saal corrupt banke thode paise kama le.’ But I told him that if you turn corrupt even once in life, then it’s forever.” Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Vikrant Massey When you make such a personal story, it is crucial to find an actor who embodies the film’s spirit. To Chopra, Massey represented the integrity he was looking for. Recounting their first meeting, the filmmaker said in the same interview with Mid-Day, “When I asked him how he would play the 19-year-old, he sat on the ground in a child’s pose and started writing. We rehearsed together as a team for one year, and then shot for another year. This story is so important to me and Vikrant understood that.”
15 October,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAlia’s film in discrimination row It appears that Alia Bhatt’s Jigra is not in the clear just yet, as the makers of the film have courted yet another controversy. After they were accused of apparently fudging box-office numbers, they have now been pulled up for discrimination by Manipur-based actor Bijou Thaangjam. Thaangjam, who has been part of projects like Mary Kom, and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, said he lost out on several projects after the makers locked him for Jigra but then didn’t respond to him. “I want to share the reality of how actors like me from the Northeast are often treated by big production houses,” he wrote, sharing that after he was “booked” throughout December, the team stopped responding. “Throughout the month, I was left in the dark, communicating with the casting team but receiving no updates. The last message I received was on December 26, stating, ‘Waiting for a revert’, and after that—complete silence. Meanwhile, I’d lost out on other projects because I was sitting around, waiting for them to give me the go-ahead. But of course, that never came. For an actor like me from the Northeast, it felt particularly dismissive.” And she lifts Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana revealed that her fitness routine comprises traditional resistance training exercises like body-weight chin-ups and deadlifts. In a video that features her working out at a city gym, she is seen executing the exercises, and responded to comments on nailing the chin-ups stating, “It was a struggle.” The young actor, who made her debut with Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, will work with her father in the upcoming film, King, which is directed by Sujoy Ghosh and produced by Siddharth Anand. The movie is expected to go on floors later this year and might hit screens in 2025. The film will also feature actor Abhishek Bachchan, who will be seen playing the antagonist. The mentor Bigg Boss 18 contestant Arfeen Khan revealed that he met Hrithik Roshan through common friends and shared how he became Roshan’s mind coach. “I accidentally met him through common friends. At that time, I was 20 kilos overweight. Hrithik gave me a diet plan that was supposed to help me lose 10 kilos in 10 weeks. But I dropped 14 kilos, instead. He was shocked and asked me how I did it. I said it’s the mind coaching that I do. That’s when he expressed his desire to learn.” A collab worth celebrating Tanishk Bagchi has introduced the South African music genre Amapiano in his latest Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 track. The title track fuses the haunting chants of the film with the rhythmic grooves of the genre. The track also brings together Diljit Dosanjh alongside global icon Pitbull, a collaboration that adds a cross-cultural flair to the song. Pitbull shared, “Music has no borders, and this track is proof of that. Teaming up with Tanishk and Diljit for this project was fire. I can’t wait to see the response from India—let’s make history!” Being Kajol Days after she was criticised for expressing anger at a celebratory event, Kajol lashed out at a reporter during a promotional event for her next, Do Patti. When a journalist took note of the film’s storyline and asked Kajol if she had experienced betrayal in her life, the actor responded, stating, “Don’t be daft. I am not going to share an anecdote. Obviously, I will not [share the details]. Betrayal is something that everyone experiences. Otherwise, you haven’t lived life at all, or you’ve been under a tree somewhere.” Pic/Sujit Jaiswal (AFP) Stirring up a storm In an upcoming podcast episode, Seema Pahwa will be seen tackling the subject of the growth of influencer marketing. Expressing her frustration with the trend of the common man gaining prominence via social media, she criticised the fact that fame is now measured by the number of likes one gets. Apparently referring to them as a disease, she said, “Nowadays, there’s a new disease of influencers. We should leave the industry because, how can we stand with them? You’ve earned fame by posting 20 reels; it took me 50 years to achieve that. How are you standing equal to me? I’m sad to say this to my industry, to casting directors and producers—you can’t do this. The audience may be watching influencers on reels, but these producers say, ‘This is a famous face; their likes have increased a lot. Put them in your film.’” Pahwa rose to prominence with her character Badki in the show, Hum Log, on Doordarshan. She has featured in Mili (2022), Bala (2019), and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), among a spate of other films. Reviving an old memory Ranbir Kapoor reminded fans of his iconic Channa mereya look from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil when he took to the stage for a fashion show for designer Tarun Tahiliani. Kapoor put on a display for a groom’s collection and was seen in an ivory silk sherwani and a matching churidar, and dupatta. Fans praised the actor’s ensemble and pointed out that it reminded them of the song from Karan Johar’s production venture. The soulful track was sung by Arijit Singh and featured Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. It was easily among the numbers that Kapoor came to be associated with.
15 October,2024 08:57 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamTo Shashank Arora, Superboys of Malegaon stands for a lot of things. But above all, the film—inspired by Malegaon’s Nasir Sheikh and his group of friends, who make spoofs of Bollywood blockbusters—reminds him of his love for storytelling. “The story is about a man who had nothing, and made films with his friends. It’s inspiring [to see] what he went through to live his dream. A film like this reminds you that you like telling stories. I became an actor because I like listening to and telling stories. These are people who went against all odds to make movies,” marvels Arora, who plays Shafiq to Adarsh Gourav’s Nasir. As he came aboard Reema Kagti’s directorial venture, the actor envisioned Shafiq as “a late bloomer.” “He loved cinema and acting, but didn’t have a chance to participate in it until his friend came along. Shafiq is not around today. I hope when his two daughters see the film, they think of him in a positive light.” Superboys of Malegaon is a research-heavy film, but what made matters easier for Arora was Kagti’s clarity of vision. “Every director shapes you as an actor. Here, Reema made it easy for us. She is one of the finest writers I’ve worked with. She is clear about what she wants from you.” Meanwhile, the actor’s film with Dibakar Banerjee, Tees, continues to be in discussion due to its lack of release. How does that affect him as an artiste? “You feel heartbroken, but you pick yourself up, like on any other day.”
15 October,2024 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThere's a lot of buzz online about Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, with fans sharing their guesses about the plot and twists. Director Anees Bazmee recently added to the excitement by mentioning in an interview that he filmed two different endings, and only four people know which one is real. He mentioned that the climax will surprise everyone! Kartik Aaryan hints at Kiara Advani scene in 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' Kartik Aaryan has responded to the talk about the two different endings. In an interview with Pinkvilla, he spoke about Anees Bazmee’s choice to shoot two climaxes, and he may have accidentally hinted at Kiara Advani being part of the project. He said, “I think one or two more people know about the actual climax. But yes, two climaxes have been shot for this film. In fact, when the script came to us, only these five or so people received the last 15 pages.” Kartik also mentioned that even the assistant director and production teams didn’t get to see the climax script. At one point, he accidentally brought up filming with Kiara Advani but quickly tried to correct himself. “When we were shooting, in fact, when we were shooting with Kiara…” He sheepishly paused and stated, “Sorry. I meant when we were shooting with Vidya ji…” Realizing his slip-up, he quickly asked, “This is not live, right?” He further continued, “I would just like to say that we have shot two climaxes. This was the first time I had to hide many things. It’s a different space; it’s a different film. There will be many surprises for all of you in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.” About 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' Directed by Anees Bazmee, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' not only marks the return of Vidya as Manjulika but also introduces new layers of intrigue, particularly regarding the question of who the "real" Manjulika is between her and Madhuri. The trailer promises a blend of thrilling moments, including a jaw-dropping scene where Vidya appears to scale a pillar while dragging Madhuri, hinting at the film's captivating and comedic undertones. In addition to the formidable trio, the film features Triptii Dimri as Kartik's love interest, alongside returning comic favourites Sanjay Mishra and Rajpal Yadav. Fans can expect a delightful mix of horror and humour, which has made the 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' franchise a beloved part of Indian cinema. Set to release this Diwali, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' faces a significant box office challenge from Rohit Shetty's 'Singham Again'. With both films generating considerable buzz, the clash promises to be a thrilling showdown in theatres. (With inputs from ANI)
15 October,2024 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe demise of veteran actor Atul Parchure has left everyone saddened. The Indian film industry has mourned his demise. Actor Arjun Kapoor has expressed grief on social media. On Monday, Arjun posted a picture of the Late Atul Parchure and wrote, "I never had a chance to work him, but he always seemed to be such a likeable person no matter what role he played..." "He was taken by cancer despite fighting the disease for many years. May his soul rest in peace," he concluded. Atul Parchure passes away at the age of 57 after battling cancer. He was known for his comedy roles in the Hindi and Marathi films. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid his tributes to the seasoned actor and said his untimely death is painful. "Sometimes making the audience laugh.. The untimely death of Atul Parchure. Atul Parchure started his brilliant acting career in children's theatre. He left his mark in all the three fields of drama, film and serials," Shinde said in a post on X. "Be it plays like Tarun Turk Mhatare Ark, Natigoti... Be it Deshpande's verbal, lyrical comedy, Atul Parchure has added depth to it with his innate qualities. He has played great characters in Marathi and Hindi films as well. Marathi cinema has lost a classic actor......... May God give them the strength to bear this sorrow. On behalf of the state government, I pay tribute to him. Om shanti." चतुरस्त्र अभिनेत्याची अकाली एग्झिट :रसिक प्रेक्षकांना कधी खळखळून हसवणारे, कधी डोळ्यात आसू उभे करणारे. कधी अंतर्मुख करणारे अभिजात अभिनेते अतुल परचुरे यांचे अकाली निधन वेदनादायी आहे. अतुल परचुरे यांनी बालरंगभूमीपासू्नच आपली देदिप्यमान अभिनय कारकीर्द गाजवली. नाटक, चित्रपट, मालिका… pic.twitter.com/RqvCuXSmCn — Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) October 14, 2024 Atul has worked in movies Navra Mazha Navsacha, Salaam-E-Ishq, Partner, All the Best: Fun Begins, Khatta Meetha, Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap, and Brave Heart. He was known for playing different roles in 'The Kapil Sharma Show'. 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
15 October,2024 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIKriti Sanon's fans love her for impeccable style and acting talent and she never misses a chance to win their hearts with her kind gesture. On Monday, Kriti once again grabbed the attention because of her sweet behaviour with her little fan. During the trailer launch of 'Do Patti' in Mumbai, several kids were seen shouting her name and she also responded to them with generosity. She met a girl who came to see her favourite actress with a picture of her. Kriti hugged her on stage and took the gift from her. Actresses Kajol and Kriti Sanon are now all set to share screen space in Netflix's thriller 'Do Patti'. Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, the film, which also stars Kriti Sanon and Shaheer Sheikh, will be released on Netflix on October 25. On Monday, the team of 'Do Patti' unveiled the film's trailer at an event in Mumbai. The trailer shows Kajol in cop avatar and Kriti Sanon in a double role. Expressing her excitement about the project, Kriti, who will be seen in a dual role, in a press note shared, "Do Patti is incredibly special to me, not just because it's my first film as a producer, but also because it allowed me to explore my own duality on-screen. This film has been like my baby; Kanika and I have nurtured it from the start, especially in our capacity as producers and it's truly fulfilling to see this journey through with Netflix. Do Patti also has a poignant message woven in which is the reason why I chose to produce this film as my first, and I can't wait for audiences to experience it." 'Do Patti' is produced by Kanika Dhillon and Kriti. 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
15 October,2024 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIBollywood star Kajol, who is set to play a cop in her new film "Do Patti", on Monday called herself the "real Singham" when she was asked who was the boss at home. The actor is married to "Singham" star and frequent collaborator Ajay Devgn, who is set to reprise the role of the fan favourite police officer in "Singham Again". "I have said this before and I have said this at every stage 'The real Singham'," Kajol said, pointing a finger at her when she was asked who is the "real Singham" at home. She also said she hasn't taken any tips from Devgn to play a cop. "I have been working for so many years and whenever I am on the set and have put on clothes it feels like a uniform whether it is salwar suit, saree or pants suit. It all feels uniform. But when you wear an actual uniform and go on set, I don't know. "I have not asked Ajay as yet what he feels like, but I definitely felt it gives you a certain sense of authority. There is a certain respect that you feel for yourself and for everybody else in uniform," she added. Also starring Kriti Sanon in a double role, "Do Patti" is billed as a twisted tale about twin sisters, harbouring deep secrets, and a determined police inspector seeking to uncover the truth in an attempted murder case. The film, directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi and written by Kanika Dhillon, will start streaming on Netflix from October 25. "Do Patti" also touches upon the theme of betrayal. Asked whether she had faced betrayed in real life, Kajol said yes but refused to reveal the details as "it's too personal." "If I am alive then definitely betrayal might happen with someone... Obviously, we cannot share anecdotes on this topic, but we can tell you that betrayal is something, which everyone faces... Otherwise you haven't lived life at all or you've been a monk under a tree somewhere," she added. The film marks the second collaboration between Kajol and Sanon who last worked together on Rohit Shetty's 2015 directorial "Dilwale", also starring Shah Rukh Khan and Varun Dhawan. Kajol said she is happy to see Sanon's growth. "We didn't share that much screen time in 'Dilwale'. This time around, we have a lot of scenes together. To watch her growth from 'Dilwale' to today. It's been quite amazing to watch her grow and come to this point and actually acquire a National Award along the way as well. So it's huge. And kudos for that." Sanon said she was overjoyed when Dhillon said Kajol will co-star with her in "Do Patti". "I was really excited because I was finally getting to do really meaty scenes with the performer that Kajol ma'am is. She's a senior, a great performer. I can talk to her as a co-actor and we can make the scene work beautifully. I feel her eyes are magical. She gets something really amazing on the screen," she said. "Do Patti" is backed by first-time producers Sanon and Dhillon via Blue Butterfly Films and Kathha Pictures, respectively. Sanon said she is happy to make her production debut with the film. "It was a beautiful journey. I always felt the hunger to be creatively involved other than being just an actor, especially when there are some stories which touch your heart, you feel passionate about. "I wanted to make that shift. I am glad that I made it with 'Do Patti'... I also understood that producing a film is not easy. It is a tough job, there are a lot of things involved and I am happy that I had the best team to work with," she said. "Do Patti" also features TV star Shaheer Sheikh in his film debut along with Tanvi Azmi and Brijendra Kala. 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
15 October,2024 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIActor Pooja Hegde has treated her fans with a glimpse of her birthday celebration. On Monday, Pooja dropped pictures and a video on Instagram and wrote a thank you note to her fans that read, "Birthdays in the wild. Thank you for all the love, messages and wishes... will try and respond to as many as I can... for now, I'm just trying to be fully in the NOW. Love you. Blessed." The birthday girl can be seen enjoying her day in Yala, Sri Lanka. In a video, Pooja can be seen cutting a cake. Netizens chimed in the comment section with lots of love and blessings. They dropped heart emojis in the comment section. Meanwhile, on the work front, Pooja will be seen in 'Deva' alongside Shahid Kapoor. It will be released in theatres on February 14, 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pooja Hegde (@hegdepooja) In the movie, Shahid is portraying a rebellious police character delving into a high-profile case. As he digs deeper, he unravels a complex web of deceit and betrayal, plunging into a perilous journey of investigation while Pooja Hegde is the leading lady in the role of a journalist. Directed by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews, and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur 'Deva' promises an action-packed roller-coaster ride full of thrill and drama. On the other hand, Pooja has come on board for Thalapathy 69. Film banner KVN Productions made the announcement officially through their Instagram handle stating, "Bringing the stunning duo back to the big screen once again. We know you've already cracked it, but officially... Welcome onboard @hegdepooja #Thalapathy69CastReveal." Sharing the news on her Instagram story, Pooja expressed her enthusiasm, writing, "Yaaaaasss! Hoping to create magic once again with the one and only Thalapathy @actorvijay." 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
15 October,2024 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Sanjana Sanghi on Monday took a stroll down memory lane and recalled working in the film 'Dhak Dhak', which was released in theatres a year ago. "A year ago, the greatest adventure of our lives was given the warmest embrace by you all. Thank you for making #DhakDhak your own in a way we could only have ever dreamt of. May the adventures with the best team continue. So eternally grateful," she wrote on Instagram. Sanjana also shared some BTS pictures from the shoot of 'Dhak Dhak'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjana Sanghi (@sanjanasanghi96) Helmed by Tarun Dudeja the film also stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The film's narrative revolves around four women from different walks of life who come together for an extraordinary journey filled with emotions, adventures, and self-discovery as they embark on a biking trip to Khardung La. The film explores how this journey forever alters their destinies. 'Dhak Dhak' is produced by Viacom18 Studios, in collaboration with Taapsee Pannu and Pranjal Khandhdiya's Outsider Films, in association with BLM Pictures. Directed by Tarun Dudeja and co-written by Parijat Joshi and Tarun Dudeja, the film was released in theatres on October 13, 2023. The cast will now return for 'Dhak Dhak 2'. 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
15 October,2024 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
