While shooting for The Broken News’ second season, Shriya Pilgaonkar often found herself going to director Vinay Waikul and asking, “Are you sure we need to push this much?” Reason—in the actor’s words, her character Radha has been “flipped”. While the newsroom drama’s first edition ended with the ethical journalist behind bars, the upcoming instalment will see her seeking revenge. Pilgaonkar says, “When I read the script, I was blown away because every character in season two has flipped, especially Radha. We saw her as a journalist, who is ethical and principled. After being called a terrorist, my character, in season two, is going through an inner conflict. She has taken things personally. It took me a while to let go of control while playing Radha because she was making certain choices that I would never make. I had to stop myself from judging her.” The actor enjoyed not only discovering new layers to her character, but also reuniting with co-stars Sonali Bendre and Jaideep Ahlawat. She will spend her birthday today with them, promoting the ZEE5 series. “Later in the day, I will catch up with my friends. When I am not shooting on my birthday, I like to travel,” she smiles. Pilgaonkar recently wrapped up the second season of Bhuvan Bam’s Taaza Khabar. “That set is fun. They are all talented, mad people. This season, the team has worked hard on the script and added more plot points.”
25 April,2024 06:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAll-good or all-bad is boring. The magic lies in the grey, says Lara Dutta, echoing most actors’ sentiments. Which is why she relished playing the role of Manisha Saigal, a leading news channel’s primetime anchor, in Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond. “My character is something of a spin doctor, and it is inspired by a couple of people who exist [in today’s journalism world]. These are powerful journalists who work behind the scenes, spinning narratives for people to see and [influencing their] perception,” says the actor. The JioCinema offering— also starring Jimmy Shergill, Ashutosh Rana, and Ashish Vidyarthi—is set against the backdrop of the 2019 Balakot air strike and offers a fictionalised retelling of the events. Every actor craves layered roles, but Dutta admits she could not have done justice to this character earlier in her career. “You need maturity to portray this character. You will see cynicism, lived experience, moments of weariness and frustration in her. I couldn’t have brought that to the table with less life experience under my belt.” The show is set against the backdrop of the 2019 Balakot air strike. Pics/Instagram Dutta believes life and its wisdom have made her ready for more complex parts today. It shows in her recent choices. The glamorous roles of the aughts—from Andaaz (2003) to No Entry (2005) and Partner (2007)—have been replaced with mature turns in Ishq-e-Nadaan (2023) and Charlie Chopra and The Mystery of Solang Valley (2023). Is she enjoying this change of pace? “I am 1,000 per cent happier today,” beams the actor, 48. “Age has finally freed me from all these shackles of perception, of being perceived only as a pageant winner or a glamorous leading lady. That was never the work I wanted to do. The work I got over the last few years was the kind I had always wanted to do.” In the pipeline are Suryast, Welcome to the Jungle, and Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, in which she plays the manipulative Kaikeyi. She couldn’t be happier about the diverse roles filmmakers are imagining her in. “Today, we are getting offered amazing roles, and for that, I give credit to all the women who have come before us. Apart from those in front of the camera, today you have so much female talent as producers, directors and technicians. It has been a hard-fought battle, but it’s exciting to be a part of this change.”
25 April,2024 06:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRRanneeti: Balakot & Beyond, a gripping new web series, all set to captivate audiences on April 25 on JioCinema, features Jimmy Shergill, Lara Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Prasanna, embarking on a thrilling journey through the intricate web of politics, power, and ambition. The trailer of Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond has caused quite a stir online, getting everyone really excited. People can't wait for the series to come out so they can dive into the story of India's biggest defense mission. For the first time, a web series takes audiences behind the scenes of a major defence operation like Balakot. It promises a gripping journey, offering insights into the bravery and sacrifices involved. The director of the show Santosh Singh has revealed an interesting fact from the show. "Prasanna, whose role is inspired by Indian Fighter Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, has worked really hard for the show and has shown a high level of dedication. We were shooting in Kashmir with temperatures around minus 4 degrees and he had to shoot a fight scene in water. He completed the scene with full finesse," Santosh said. The series is produced by Sunjoy Waddhwa and Comall Sunjay W from Sphereorigins Multivision Private Limited. The high-octane fictional drama, inspired by real-life events that shook the nation, is shot at a grand scale, setting new benchmarks in cinematic excellence for the entertainment landscape. Boasting some never-seen-before aerial sequences, stellar performances and a powerful narrative that deftly captures every aspect, both on and off the battlefield, of India’s biggest and most sought-after defence operation - the web series promises a cinematic experience unlike any other. Prasanna had said at the trailer launch, "It’s been an absolute honour to play the role of a national hero. I just followed the script, but the team who was part of the actual operation created unscripted history with their courage and unmatched love for the nation. I remember feeling actual goosebumps, while shooting the scenes when the Group Captain was captured by the Pakistani forces. Meeting some of the members who were a part of the operation was an absolute fan-boy moment for me that I will always treasure."
24 April,2024 03:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood's 'Fabulous Wives' Maheep Kapoor, Bhavana Pandey, Neelam Soni, and Seema Sajdeh recently went on a trip to Sydney, Australia for a meet and greet with their fans. Maheep took to her Instagram account to share a glimpse of their memorable trip with her followers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maheep Kapoor (@maheepkapoor) Her post included several pictures and videos. In the first picture, the B-town ladies pose together on stairs, exuding grace and style in their fashionable outfits. The following two images show Maheep dressed casually, posing against the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Moreover, there are snapshots of the group having a good time at the bridge. A video depicts Maheep capturing moments of her girl gang from inside the car, enjoying themselves. Another video shows Maheep looking gorgeous in a cream mirror work blazer set. Maheep captioned the post, "Fabulous us take on Sydney, AU...and it was amazing!" Fans filled the comments section with love and admiration for the quartet. A user wrote, "Oh my gosh! I love you ladies so much." Another user commented, "Awesome click." Now, the OG Bollywood wives, Maheep, Neelam, Bhavana and Seema are in Singapore. The show 'Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives' focuses on the personal and professional journeys of Neelam Kothari, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavna Pandey, and Seema Kiran Sajdeh. It first aired on November 27, 2020, on Netflix, and its second season premiered on September 2, 2022. 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
24 April,2024 06:43 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActress Shriya Pilgaonkar, who is set to return with her role of journalist Radha Bhargava in Season 2 of the streaming series 'The Broken News’, has said that amidst the alarming rise in the usage of deepfake and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the onus also lies on people who consume news. The actress said that the series stresses the fact that news consumption cannot be a one-way traffic. The ones who are consuming the news also have to be aware of AI and should verify news from their end as well. The actress told IANS: “This season explores different themes in the world of news reporting that are so relevant. One of them is fake news and how easy it is for sensationalised stories to spread faster than actual truth and facts. Given the recent alarming incidents of the Deepfakes, it raises concerns about misinformation and trust in the media.” “Today, we can’t afford to blindly believe everything we read on social media without fact-checking from multiple sources because of how common fake news has become. Our series addresses the fact that the onus also lies on people consuming news to make sure that they discern fact from fiction.” He also spoke about her character Radha, saying that in the second season of the show, Radha will be seen avenging the false accusations against her. She told IANS: “The character arc of Radha takes an unpredictable turn as she is determined to avenge the false accusations and her being unfairly maligned by the press, particularly Dipankar played by Jaideep Alhawat. As an actor, the process of exploring this inner conflict was both intense and exhilarating. I enjoy playing characters that are on the edge and creating that dynamic with an actor like Jaideep was extremely fulfilling.” “I love a good challenge and the experience of shooting for Season 2 has been super thrilling and a challenge because of the many layers and complexities that unfold in my character. I loved every bit of the process and also learnt a whole lot about the world of news reporting”, she added. 'The Broken News 2' drops on ZEE5 on May 3. 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
23 April,2024 11:24 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSManoj Bajpayee turns a year older today. On his birthday, filmmaker Raj and DK who created 'The Family Man' which has Bajpayee play the lead dropped an interesting video featuring their lead star. Raj and DK took to social media to share a video edit featuring fun moments of Manoj Bajpayee as Srikanth Tiwari on the sets of the show. The team has come up with two seasons so far and will soon start season 3. The film makers also hinted at Season 3 starting soon. Along with the video, the filmmaker duo wrote, "One thing we can all agree,It’s time to gear up for 3!!Together, let’s make history…Happy happy Birthday Srikant Tiwari!" One thing we can all agree,It’s time to gear up for 3!!Together, let’s make history…Happy happy Birthday Srikant Tiwari!@BajpayeeManoj pic.twitter.com/DttbjNyJZL — Raj & DK (@rajndk) April 23, 2024 About The Family Man: Manoj Bajpayee was introduced as Srikant Tiwari in Raj and DK's universe. He plays a middle-class man secretly working as an intelligence officer for the Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC), a fictitious branch of the National Investigation Agency. He has a wife and two kids as well and puts his life on the line for his country. While he seems to be an ordinary man frustrated with the day-to-day rut of life, he is also the best-skilled man at his job. The series balances the storyline between his demanding job and his unsettled family life. It also stars Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Neeraj Madhav, Sharib Hashmi, Dalip Tahil, Sunny Hinduja and Shreya Dhanwanthary. After a gripping season 1, Bajpayee returned to season 2 as a suspended TASC officer who gets a taste of the corporate desk job life. However, he is unwilling to be a part of it and finds his way back into the team. The second season's storyline focuses on a Tamil Tigers-esque military resistance from Sri Lanka and their plans for a freedom fight. Update on The Family Man 3: Earlier this month, while talking to Mid-day, Manoj Bajpayee had said that he will start shooting for the series in 20 days. "One has to keep in mind that when you are getting into it again, it’s new ground and you can’t take it for granted. You have to find a new process. You have to involve yourself in the preparation. My preparation is immense, it’s never linear," he said. He states, “The Family Man has now become a kind of a cult series. Fans want to see more of it. If the response is massive, go with the audience and think of a great script for the next one. But without a [good] script in place, don’t start the next instalment. The learning is don’t try to rush it. Write a great script, go through it again and again, and when you are truly satisfied, only then think of making the next part.”
23 April,2024 01:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the heart of India’s lush forests, resides a young tigress Ambar, who raised four cubs. While teaching them skills to survive in the jungle, she protected them from other wild predators, including pythons, bears and male tigers. Navigating the lives of this ambush of tigers are director Mark Linfield, and co-directors Vanessa Berlowitz and Rob Sullivan in Tiger. The Disney+ Hotstar documentary, narrated by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, is the result of 1,500 days of filming. Was it an instant yes when the project came their way? Hardly. Lin remembers the journey started almost 15 years ago. “At that time, Disney had just started doing feature-length wildlife programmes, and one of the earliest films we were asked to make was about tigers. Vanessa and I had filmed a number of shows on tigers, [so] we said, ‘No way, it’s too hard.’ It’s difficult to capture 75 minutes of tiger behaviour with lots of action, drama and story. So, we parked it and we went on to make films about monkeys, elephants, chimpanzees, bears and what have you,” says Linfield. The crew of Tiger filming Six years later, the husband-wife duo was contacted by Indian forest conservationists to consider making a film on tigers again. The stars aligned as they had a perfect story in a fantastic tigress and her cubs. So, Linfield and Berlowitz contacted the channel to check whether it was still interested in a film on the big cats. It was a big yes. With that began the six-year journey to shoot the documentary—produced by Linfield, Berlowitz and Roy Conli—amid the two waves of COVID. Berlowitz chimes in, echoing the excitement and challenges they faced during the show’s making. “The documentary took over six years, with 1,500 filming days spread across nearly five years. It was a labour of love amidst formidable obstacles,” she says. Shooting big cats is challenging given their elusive nature. Linfield and Berlowitz credit the local guides who helped them capture the beasts in all their glory. “Tigers are incredibly hard because they regularly spend two-thirds of the day sleeping. When they’re not asleep, they’re often hidden behind foliage. They’re often very far from the road, [deep in] the forest. If we hadn’t had such fantastic local Indian guides and experts, we would have been nowhere. We were totally reliant on our guides; they had an antenna for the majestic creatures. We also had the assistance of the forest department.” Berlowitz explains that while the tigers are secretive and elusive, there was no danger to human life. “We observed all the forest rules. Of course, they are fierce predators; that’s why you stay in your vehicle.” Mark Linfield and Vanessa Berlowitz. Pic/Getty Images; (right) Priyanka Chopra Jonas Linfield notes that a lot of it wouldn’t have been possible without high magnification telephoto lenses that are gyro-stabilised. “We used them from a vehicle, [which could capture animals] even a thousand millimeters away. We could film a tiger while driving and as the tiger is walking. The roads aren’t good in those [areas]. These gyro-stable cameras with high lenses give us incredibly smooth shots. You’ll see a lot of the track shots that are slowly tracking tigers that are very far away. Technology really helped us. When we first filmed tigers [decades ago], we didn’t have that. We used to be on a truck or the back of a jeep. We’d get a glimpse of a tiger from one angle, and then it would be gone [in a second].” Tiger not only showcases the captivating lives of these endangered animals, but also highlights how India has had remarkable success in its conservation efforts. “Their numbers have gone up from one-and-a-half thousand in 2006 to over three-and-a-half thousand. So, there is a sense of pride among the forest department,” says Berlowitz. At present, India has 55 protected areas designated as tiger reserves. As of 2023, there were 3,682 wild tigers in India, which is almost 75 per cent of the world’s wild tiger population. Tigers on the Rise, a companion show, sheds light on India’s conservation efforts. “It specifically celebrates what an amazing job India is doing concerning its tigers. There aren’t many good conservation success stories in the world at the moment, but your tigers are absolutely one of them,” adds Linfield.
23 April,2024 05:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamOne would think that the big screen is the perfect medium for JP Dutta and his ambitious war dramas. But at a time when most are jumping on the OTT bandwagon, it looks like the veteran filmmaker too is ready to adapt to the times. mid-day has learnt that the director— known for Border (1997), Refugee (2000), and LOC: Kargil (2003)—is set to foray into digital entertainment with a war drama. “The series’ script has been locked. It will be a big-scale patriotic drama based on a real war. Disney+ Hotstar is keen to begin the shooting as soon as possible,” says a source close to the development. The offering will be produced by his daughter, Nidhi Dutta, under their banner. It turns out Nidhi’s director-husband Binoy Gandhi was keen to direct the show. But since he is busy with Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon-starrer Ghudchadi, the veteran filmmaker decided to take things ahead. The source adds, “It’s an ambitious project for the streamer, and the top brass didn’t want to wait too long to kick-start it.” The makers are expected to begin casting soon. This makes it the Duttas’ second project lined up this year alongside Border 2. Last year, it was reported that the sequel to the 1997 blockbuster would roll in 2024 with Sunny Deol and Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead. Border 2 has been designed to explore the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, with personal stories of the war heroes.
23 April,2024 05:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaLast year, the second season of Made in Heaven starred transgender actor Trinetra Haldar in a pivotal role, making a strong case for diversity on screen. Following its global mandate of inclusivity, Amazon Prime Video has now cast queer designer Rick Roy in its upcoming young adult series, Dil Dosti Dilemma. Initially roped in as a stylist on the Anushka Sen and Tanvi Azmi-starrer, Roy remembers walking into the pre-production meeting with the streamer to discuss the show’s visual palette. “I had gone to the meeting dressed to the nines. It started as a joke that I should be cast for the role of a big, [eccentric] designer in the show. Everyone said I would be perfect for the part, and we all laughed about it,” he recalls. While he passed it off as a joke, he soon received a call from the series’ executive producer. “She said they wanted to cast me. It felt real to me only when they reached out to my manager to discuss the details. The director [Debbie Rao] gave me the confidence to do it. This show is close to my heart for many reasons, the most important being that it’s a joy to work with good people. As a stylist, I see that the show has been size-inclusive and doesn’t fall for stereotypes.” Dil Dosti Dilemma is an adaptation of the book, Asmara’s Summer Roy has spent two decades in the industry, having worked as a costume designer on Desi Boyz (2011), Tumhari Sulu (2017) and Shiddat (2021). For his maiden acting gig, he landed a role that was an extension of him. “Everything that I am is what the role had. I had six pages of scenes,” he says. The acting break also taught him a few things. “I realised that being an actor requires a lot of patience. But the perks are that you get paid well and sit in a lovely vanity van. As an actor, you get taken care of far better than the technicians. We are not equal on set, and I realised that in the four-day acting gig.” Will he pursue acting seriously and make a second career of it like designer Masaba Gupta did? “If I ever pursue acting, the only inspiration will be Bebo [Kareena Kapoor Khan]. She is great fun, a superstar, and yet she is nice. She keeps it real, and I respect that in a person.”
23 April,2024 05:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuIt would not be wrong to term actor Manoj Bajpayee as the king of OTT. He is one of the first mainstream stars to jump onto the OTT bandwagon during the pandemic and has had a good run on streaming platforms so far. Having started with 'The Family Man' where he played an intelligence officer, the actor has experimented on the OTT platforms with different kinds of roles. Here's looking at his work on OTT through some of the series and movies that were directly released on digital platforms: The Family Man: Manoj Bajpayee was introduced as Srikant Tiwari in Raj and DK's universe. He plays a middle-class man secretly working as an intelligence officer for the Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC), a fictitious branch of the National Investigation Agency. He has a wife and two kids as well and puts his life on the line for his country. While he seems to be an ordinary man frustrated with the day-to-day rut of life, he is also the best-skilled man at his job. The series balances the storyline between his demanding job and his unsettled family life. It also stars Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Neeraj Madhav, Sharib Hashmi, Dalip Tahil, Sunny Hinduja and Shreya Dhanwanthary. The Family Man 2: After a gripping season 1, Bajpayee returned to season 2 as a suspended TASC officer who gets a taste of the corporate desk job life. However, he is unwilling to be a part of it and finds his way back into the team. The second season's storyline focuses on a Tamil Tigers-esque military resistance from Sri Lanka and their plans for a freedom fight. The Killer Soup: Manoj Bajpayee plays a double role in this intriguing thriller series created by Abhishek Chaubey. It is a clever and witty crime and investigative comedy. Manoj plays a businessman married to Konkona SenSharma. He isn't the best human being in the town and has a looming debt in his name as well. He also essays the role of Umesh Pillai, Konkona Sensharma's character's lover. Silence...Can You Hear It? Released in 2021, this mystery investigative film, sees Manoj Bajpayee play the role of ACP Avinash. The story of the film revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a woman. Silence 2- The Night Owl Bar Shootout: A sequel to the above film was released on ZEE5 in April, 2024 with the same cast. Bajpayee reprised the role of ACP Avinash Varma. The cop and his team are assigned a case of a mass shootout that happened at a club named Night Owl Bar in Mumbai. As the team works on the case they realise there is something much bigger and darker at play. Sirf Ek Bandaa Hai: This is probably a first for Manoj Bajpayee where his film was released in theatres after its OTT release. Owing to critical acclaim, the makers dropped the film in select theatres even after making it available on OTT platforms. Helmed by Apoorv Singh Karki, 'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai' is a courtroom drama that narrates the story of a sessions court lawyer who is fighting against a godman, accused of exploiting a minor girl. The film explores the themes of corruption, power, and abuse. Ray: Ray is an Indian anthology drama streaming series on Netflix created by Sayantan Mukherjee, based on the works of Satyajit Ray. The series is directed by Srijit Mukherji, Vasan Bala, and Abhishek Chaubey. Manoj Bajpayee played a musician in the short directed by Chaubey. Bajpayee's character meets a sports journalist during a train journey and it focuses on their conversation.
22 April,2024 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs his birthday is around the corner, actor Tahir Raj Bhasin took a moment to reflect on his journey and the love that he has received through the years. He also expressed excitement about 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein' sequel. "It will be my biggest year in the industry with the sequel of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein! So, I'm feeling extremely happy and grateful for this birthday. To have a huge project like this under my belt that is a sequel to my super hit series makes this birthday really thrilling for me," he said. "I have been shooting for Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein and I'm feeling creatively very satiated. I'm an actor who wants to constantly reinvent myself on screen and I'm blessed that those reinventions have been loved and appreciated by the industry, by the media as well as by audiences. Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein is a project that keeps giving me love even now. I'm constantly bombarded on my social media with questions about the series. The love and the anticipation is palpable," Tahir added. Set in the fictional north Indian town of Onkara, 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein' revolves around a romantic simpleton, Vikrant, who becomes an object of desire for Purva, who will go to any lengths to get him. In order to escape Purva's clutches and reclaim his life with his true love, Shikha, he goes down a dark path only to regret it later. The show's first season premiered on the streamer on January 14. The eight-episode series draws its title from the famous Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol song from the hit 1993 film 'Baazigar'. 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
20 April,2024 06:14 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
