Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and music maestro AR Rahman came together and created magic with Rockstar. Now, in an interview, the ace filmmaker opened up about some interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the time they collaborated and revealed a hilarious yet innocent incident from their visit to Pahalgam, where Rahman decided to record a song for the film — and a group of girls mistook him for an electrician. Imtiaz Ali recalls recording song with AR Rahman in Pahalgam While talking about their trip to Pahalgam for Rockstar, in an interview with O2India, Imtiaz said, “Rahman sir set up this recording console in the reception of the hotel. He was wearing a black T-shirt paired with grey trousers. These girls came in to sing chorus and suddenly asked who the music director was. Now, these people were not really exposed to cinema or its people, so they didn’t know me or Rahman sir. When they asked, ‘Who was the music director?’, I gestured at them to be quiet and showed them where they had to be for the recording. Rahman sir came out from under the table, and one of these girls was bold and she asked again, ‘Who is the music director?’ I finally pointed towards Rahman and told them, ‘Here he is, AR Rahman.’” “One of the girls then refused to believe it and said, ‘Yeh AR Rahman thodi hai, I have met him, he looks different.’ Rahman played along and said, ‘Yeah, yeah, forget about it.’ And then he sat behind the console and started recording. Until the end of it, these girls didn’t realise that they were actually singing for AR Rahman,” he further added. About Rockstar’s star-cast and story The iconic romantic drama Rockstar is written and directed by Imtiaz Ali. It starred Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri in the lead roles. Meanwhile, Aditi Rao Hydari, Piyush Mishra, Shernaz Patel, Kumud Mishra, Sanjana Sanghi, Aakash Dahiya, and Shammi Kapoor played pivotal roles in the romantic drama. Rockstar revolves around Janardhan Jakhar, played by Ranbir, a young man from Delhi who dreams of becoming a rockstar like his idol, Jim Morrison. He transforms and adopts the persona of Jordan when he meets Heer Kaul, played by Nargis Fakhri, a free-spirited girl with whom he falls in love. The movie portrays Janardhan’s journey as he navigates through love, heartbreak, and fame in pursuit of his musical ambitions. It explores themes of passion, self-discovery, and the sacrifices one makes for their art. Rockstar is renowned for its soulful music composed by AR Rahman, which includes chart-topping songs like “Sadda Haq” and “Nadaan Parindey.” The film received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and music, earning several awards and nominations.
25 April,2025 09:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnurag Kashyap found himself in hot water after he made a controversial 'Brahmin' remark. While amid heavy trolling he put out an apology, it looks like the trouble for him is not going to die anytime soon. Reportedly, a Surat court has issued a notice requiring Kashyap to appear before the court on May 7. Failure to comply, the court has warned, will result in further legal actions. Anurag Kashyap in legal trouble Additionally, the court has directed that a copy of the notice be sent to Anurag Kashyap's residence, heightening the legal consequences of his controversial statements. The complainant, Kamlesh Rawal, a lawyer, said that Kashyap will not be forgiven for his comments this time, setting the stage for a legal confrontation. The complainant claims that this is not the first time the filmmaker has made controversial statements, particularly regarding religious communities. The complaint alleges that Kashyap has repeatedly attempted to stir religious tensions, with prior remarks in 2020 about Hindu society and a reported altercation with actor Anil Kapoor in 2024 also forming part of the case against him. In the current case, Kashyap's social media posts regarding the censorship of the film Phule, a biopic on social reformer Jyotirao Phule, have triggered further backlash. The post led to accusations of insulting the Brahmin community and inflaming religious sentiments. Anurag Kashyap's apology He apologised for using inappropriate language against the Brahmin community, a group he acknowledged had many people he respected and who had contributed positively to his life. "I spoke badly about the entire Brahmin community — that community whose many people have been in my life, are still there, and contribute a lot. Today, all of them are hurt by me. My family is hurt by me. Many intellectuals, whom I respect, are hurt by my anger and my way of speaking," Kashyap wrote, offering a heartfelt apology to his family, colleagues, and the Brahmin community. Kashyap further vowed to work on his anger and ensure that such an incident would not occur again. He pledged to choose his words carefully in the future and urged the Brahmin community to direct their anger towards him, not his family, who he claimed had been unfairly targeted by some of his critics. (With inputs from ANI)
25 April,2025 09:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe highly anticipated biopic on Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has officially been shelved. The film, announced in 2017, was set to star Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor in the lead role, with Anil Kapoor co-producing and playing Bindra's father. The actor told mid-day, “Yes, it’s not happening at the moment. I have moved on to other projects and [there] will be an announcement soonish.” Despite years of development and excitement surrounding the project, the film fell flat because the script reportedly “lacked the drama and energy required for a feature film.” On this, Harsh said, “Whatever’s going to come next like my previous films, will be completely new and not routine,” Harsh Varrdhan added. The biopic was supposed to be based on Bindra's autobiography, A Shot at History: My Obsessive Journey to Olympic Gold, which details his relentless pursuit of excellence in shooting and his historic win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Harsh had been vocal about his passion for the project, emphasizing his desire to stay true to Bindra's journey. Anil Kapoor had previously reassured fans that the film was still in progress, telling mid-day in an earlier interview, "It is happening. The pre-production is underway. It's going to be a special film." Despite efforts and reassurances, creative challenges persisted, leading to the project's shelving. Harsh, who was last seen in action thriller film Thar (2022), is now focusing on other projects.
25 April,2025 07:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ PanchalZeenat Aman has been MIA from her social media. While fans were wondering if everything is okay, the veteran actress took to her Instagram to reveal the reason behind her disappearance. Aman, in her new social media post, shared pictures from a hospital bed and wrote, “Hello from the recovery room!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman) Zeenat Aman was admitted to the hospital While being her witty self, she revealed the reason behind her disappearance and shared, “The drudgery of paperwork and the anxiety of a pending medical procedure have kept me preoccupied these past few weeks. But, now that I am emerging on the other side of this experience, I’m feeling inspired to continue storytelling on Instagram.” “You see, there’s nothing like the sombre, clinical cold of a hospital to remind one of what it means to be alive and have a voice! So expect more cinematic crumbs, more personal history, more fashion, more dogs and cats, and yes… most definitely more opinion. Is there a topic you want me to write about? Leave it in the comments, and I’ll certainly pick a few to dwell on,” she further continued and added. Zeenat Aman celebrates 2 years of social media On a rather lighter note, she celebrated her two years on social media and achieving 800,000 followers this April and wrote, “I started the journey with trepidation that transitioned to empowerment that tipped into disillusionment that has now moved on to fresh curiosity! I love what this platform allows me, but there’s something about the machinations of monetised social media that’s unsettling.” “Since I engage with you here and also on occasion monetise this account, it’s so important for me to remind you that Instagram is NOT reality. Gone are the days of simple TV and print advertisements where it was clear — celeb sells product. Endorsements can now be insidious and unannounced, followers bought, images unrecognisably photoshopped and likes manufactured! It’s a point of pride for me that we have grown this community without indulging in these borderline unethical gimmicks,” the actress, while talking about the fake world of social media, shared. Take it from an old gal- Zeenat’s advice to Gen Z She further requested her Gen Z friend to not use social media for 6 hours a day and shared, “Take it from an old gal, and mute those handles that make you feel bad about yourself, heighten your neuroses or push you to buy buy buy! I’m very much looking forward to your engagement as I recuperate. Take many hugs and good wishes from your fond Aunty Z, who is in a chipper mood this evening.”
25 April,2025 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAb prahar hoga! That’s the collective cry echoing within Indian hearts after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. At a time when emotions are running high, watching a film about an Indian army officer hits differently. Walking into Ground Zero, there was an immediate adrenaline rush, moist eyes, and goosebumps. There was an immediate silence every time a soldier died. Plot & Premise Ground Zero, directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, is based on true events. It follows the story of Narendra Dubey (Emraan Hashmi), another unsung hero in our patriotic archives, who managed to track down and eliminate Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Ghazi Baba (Rockey Raina) — the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament Attack, among others. Screenplay & Dialogue Dubey is portrayed as a daring officer who doesn’t back down, with the belief, “Aaj risk nahi lenge to kal risky ho jayega.” This approach brings its own set of roadblocks, but it’s also what leads him to one of the most dangerous terrorists on Indian soil. The film throws in some emotionally-charged dialogues like “Let’s get the b***ard” and “Kashmir hamara hai” — clearly aimed at tapping into the viewer's patriotic nerve. But surprisingly, the movie avoids dramatic twists or excessive jingoism. It’s rare to see a patriotic film grounded in realism, and Ground Zero deserves credit for that. Performances This wasn’t Emraan Hashmi’s first brush with a patriotic theme. He previously worked in Bard of Blood, a Shah Rukh Khan production, where it was a similar character. Props to Emraan for keeping it subtle and not raising his decibels for every dialogue. Sai Tamhankar, who plays Emraan’s wife, only stands out when she confronts the media for asking uncomfortable questions after an attack. Among the supporting cast, Zoya Hussain does a decent job. But the real disappointment came from seasoned actor Mukesh Tiwari, who went overboard with his role as the stern commander. Music Tracks like Fateh, So Lene De, and Pehli Dafa blend into the film’s narrative well, but it's doubtful they’ll stick with audiences after the credits roll. The Verdict The real-world horror of Pahalgam had already triggered deep anger, which intensified while watching Ground Zero. But keeping those emotions aside, it does not surpass classics like Border, LOC, Uri, and Shershaah. However, if you're looking for a solid, no-nonsense patriotic film, Ground Zero is worth your time.
25 April,2025 04:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Shachi ChaturvediKapkapiii, a spine-chilling horror comedy starring Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade, has dropped its teaser—and it's every bit the ghostly rollercoaster fans of the genre crave. Directed by the late Sangeeth Sivan, the film promises a thrilling ride packed with laughs, frights, and supernatural mischief. Kapkapii teaser The teaser offers a peek into the quirky world of Kapkapiii, where a group of friends dabble with a Ouija board and accidentally unleash a hilarious haunting. With its perfect mix of slapstick humor and spooky suspense, the film lives up to its cheeky tagline: "Aatma Ji Darshan Do Na." It’s spooky, silly, and seriously entertaining. What truly makes the teaser stand out is the electrifying chemistry between Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade, who reunite after years to bring back their trademark comic timing. Their banter, timing, and sheer ability to turn a haunted house into a house of laughs is exactly the throwback fans have been waiting for—only this time, it comes with jump scares and a lot more screaming (some from ghosts, most from them). It cleverly blends visual gags with haunted house horror tropes, delivering a sneak peek that leaves you both curious and chuckling. Is Kapkapii a remake of Romancham? Movie buffs were quick to draw comparisons of Kapkapii teaser with that of hit Malayalam film Romancham. The film directed by Jithu Madhavan stars Arjun Ashokan, Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Sajin Gopu, Siju Sunny, Abin Bino, Anantharaman Ajay, and Afsal P. H. Set in a men's hostel in Bangalore, the plot revolves around seven bachelors who tries to summon a spirit via Ouija board. The film's soundtrack was composed by Sushin Shyam. Technical team of Kapkapii Produced by Jayesh Patel and Umesh Kumar Bansal under Bravo Entertainment, and presented by Zee Studios, the film brings together a vibrant cast including Sonia Rathee, Siddhi Idnani, Abishek Kumar, Jay Thakkar, Varun Pandey, Dherendra Tiwari and Dinkar Sharma. The teaser will officially be attached to the theatrical release of Phule, giving audiences a first look at the chaos to come. The screenplay, penned by Saurabh Anand and Kumar Priyadarshi, blends horror and comedy with flair, while paying homage to Sangeeth Sivan’s legacy—known for cult hits like Kya Kool Hain Hum and Apna Sapna Money Money. Kapkapiii is set to hit theatres on May 23, 2025.
25 April,2025 02:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJewel Thief—The Heist Begins is Saif Ali Khan’s first project after the gruesome knife attack earlier this year. Released on Netflix, Saif, as the thief, only scratches the surface in this thriller despite his unmatched charm. On the other hand, Jaideep Ahlawat shoulders it majorly, courtesy of his acting prowess, making it a bearable watch. A predictable plot The story for Jewel Thief, penned by David Logan, is extremely predictable from the word go. Saif (Rehan Roy) is forced to conduct a heist after Jaideep (Rajan Aulakh) threatens to defame his father. Parallely, he is on the run from Kunal Kapoor (Vikram Patel). Saif has to get the Red Sun, a priceless jewel for Jaideep, which sets the tone for this movie. To set things in motion with regards to their heist, the characters indulge in about 6-7 narrations throughout the film, which is a massive turn-off. It also ends with a clichéd outcome. There's hardly any element that sets this one apart. The film is heavy on its stylised portrayal and is shot at some of the most beautiful locations, but we wish they’d spent that budget on writing and screenplay. What made it even worse were the dialogues written by Sumit Arora, whose resume includes Stree, Jawan, and The Family Man. For instance, Saif had to say something like - “We will steal it in the air,” but he says - “In the gagan.” Perhaps the line was meant to be funny, but it just didn’t land. Do the performances make up for it? The answer is NO! Saif, who has done some incredible work in the past, generated a yawn here and there. Jaideep, however, makes up for it with his menacing act, but even that looked forced and unnatural. Giving an actor tattoos, coloured contacts, and some highlights is not the recipe for an iconic villain. Nikita Dutta, who is the only female lead, doesn’t contribute much to the narrative besides being a glam addition. What’s funny is that after 1.5 hours into the movie, you get to know what her character’s name is. Kunal Kapoor, presumed to be a phenomenal actor by default, also disappoints. Final verdict Despite all the resources, Jewel Thief couldn’t even surpass the level of a Dhoom 2 (2006), which remains as one of the best heist movies in Bollywood. Intentional or not, this one ended up being a comedy rather than a thriller for bypassing the basics of the genre, which is good storytelling that keeps one on the edge of their seat.
25 April,2025 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Oshin FernandesTips Films and Northern Lights Films have announced the new release date for the much-awaited action entertainer, Maalik. The film's release date has been pushed as it is still under post-production. The film stars Rajkummar Rao in and as Maalik, transforming into a ruthless gangster with a striking new intensity, promising action-packed entertainment. Maalik to arrive on a new date Directed by Pulkit, known for his work in thrillers and dramas, Maalik is currently in post-production. Maalik is produced by Kumar Taurani under the Tips Films banner and Jay Shewakramani's Northern Lights Films. The film will release theatrically on 11th July 2025. On Friday, the makers took to social media to announce the new release date of the film. The actioner, which was earlier scheduled to hit theatres on June 20, will now be released on 11th July 2025. Announcing the same, the makers shared a striking poster featuring Rajkummar holding a gun and wrote, “Raub, Rutba, aur RAJ hoga Maalik ka, 11 July se. Aa rahe hain #Maalik, 11 July se sirf cinemagharon mein.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by RajKummar Rao (@rajkummar_rao) Rajkummar Rao to be seen in new avatar Known for his versatile roles in the past, Rajkummar’s transformation into a menacing and powerful character has generated significant buzz. His portrayal of a gangster promises to showcase a side of him that fans haven’t seen before, adding an intriguing edge to the film. The ‘Stree’ actor has previously dazzled audiences with his comedic performances in films like “Bareilly Ki Barfi,” “Shadi Mein Zaroor Aana”, and “Chhalaang.” In these films, he showcased his impeccable comic timing. “Maalik,” however, will offer a stark contrast, with Rao taking on the role of a menacing and intense gangster, showcasing a darker side to his acting prowess. Maalik first look On August 31 last year, coinciding with Rajkummar's 40th birthday, the actor announced his project. Sharing his look from the film, RajKummar Rao took to Instagram and wrote, "#Maalik ki duniya mein aapka Swagat hai. Shoot shuru ho chuka hai, jald hi mulaqat hogi!" In the poster, RajKummar could be seen in gunda avatar with a gun in his hand. He gave an intense look. The poster read, "Paeda nahi huye toh kya, ban toh sakte hai (What if we aren't born that way but we can become)." Rajkummar Rao is currently awaiting the release of his film "Bhool Chuk Maaf," which also stars Wamiqa Gabbi. The film will hit theatres on May 9. (with inputs from IANS)
25 April,2025 02:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Sara Ali Khan has shared her grief over the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, a place she described as serene and beautiful. The tragic incident, which took place at one of India's most picturesque tourist destinations, has left the country in mourning. On Thursday, Sara took to her Instagram Stories and posted a throwback picture from her past trip to Kashmir. Along with the picture, Sara also expressed her sadness, calling the attack an act of "barbaric brutality." "Heartbroken, shocked, and horrified by this barbaric brutality," she wrote. Sara also described Kashmir as a place that has always felt "serene, peaceful, and beautiful." "Heatbroken, shocked and horrified at this barbaric brutality. Our heaven on earth- a place that felt so serene, peaceful and beautiful. Praying for peace and justice," read her post. The dastardly terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam has left the nation shocked and has been strongly condemned by political parties, as well as world leaders. Even Bollywood celebrities came forward to express their sorrow and anger. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was among the first to speak up. In his message on X, he called the attack "sheer evil." Shah Rukh Khan took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to express his pain over the loss of innocent lives and urged people across the nation to stay "strong and united." "Words fail to express the sadness and anger at the treachery and inhumane act of violence that has occurred in Pahalgam. In times like these, one can only turn to God and say a prayer for the families that have suffered and express my deepest condolences. May we, as a nation, stand united, strong, and seek justice for this heinous act," SRK wrote in his post on X. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. 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
25 April,2025 02:19 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIAcclaimed filmmaker Siddharth Anand — known for Pathaan, War, and Fighter — under his banner Marflix Pictures, has joined forces with producer Mahaveer Jain — of Uunchai and NaagZilla fame — via Mahaveer Jain Films, to announce their next ambitious collaboration: an international production titled White. About Vikrant Massey's White An edge-of-the-seat global thriller, 'White' will feature the versatile Vikrant Massey in the role of renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Production preparations are currently underway in Colombia, with filming scheduled to begin this July. The film brings together a distinguished international crew to depict the powerful and inspiring story of how Colombia’s brutal 52-year-long civil war was resolved — a largely untold chapter of modern peace-building. Speculation around Massey’s involvement began when the actor was seen sporting significantly longer hair and undergoing physical transformations, hinting at his preparation for a character of deep spiritual presence. With critically acclaimed performances in films like 12th Fail and The Sabarmati Report, Vikrant Massey continues to impress with his ability to undergo remarkable transformations. White will be directed by noted ad filmmaker Montoo Bassi and co-produced by Peacecraft Pictures, alongside the powerhouse duo of Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain. Siddharth Anand’s White seeks to spotlight how ancient Indian wisdom played a pivotal role in resolving one of history’s longest-running conflicts. With a stellar team of creators known for their impactful work in cinema and storytelling, White is poised to become a landmark international production from India — bringing an important, little-known story of peace and humanity to global audiences. Vikrant Massey's work front The actor was last seen in the film 'The Sabarmati Report' based on the Gujarat riots of 2002. The actor played a Hindi speaking journalist in the film that also starred Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra. He has multiple films in his lineup despite announcing a break from movies back in December. He has the film Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan which marks Shanaya Kapoor's debut in the film industry. It is a modern romance centered around two visually impaired individuals. He also has the film Yaar Jigri in the pipeline.
25 April,2025 12:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFor the past seven years or so, Aamir Khan has nurtured the dream of bringing the Mahabharata to the big screen. In a recent interview, the actor and filmmaker revealed that work on the epic’s adaptation will begin this year. Even as Khan sets the stage for his biggest production, we have learnt that he is simultaneously in advanced talks with Mythri Movie Makers, the Hyderabad-based studio behind the blockbuster Pushpa franchise, to headline a pan-India film. Naveen Yerneni, Y Ravi Shankar and Mohan Cherukuri One would imagine the Mahabharata adaptation, with its multiple parts, to be an all-consuming project. But the superstar has indicated that it will be helmed by different directors to ensure quicker turnaround, and it isn’t confirmed whether he will star in it. Sources say that will leave Khan time to explore another film. “The team at Mythri is exploring a pan-India mass entertainer. As seen in Pushpa, their cinematic language includes stylised action and dialogue-baazi. With Aamir, they want to roll an out-and-out mainstream film, which will mark his attempt at a masala movie after long,” reveals an insider. The source, however, notes that Khan, known to give his undivided attention to films, will take a call only after Sitaare Zameen Par’s release in June. “If things work out, pre-production on this project will begin in early 2026,” adds the source.
25 April,2025 12:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
