Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has extended his support to actor Darsheel Safary as the young lad makes his OTT debut with 'Gamerlog'. The superstar released the official poster of 'Gamerlog'. Wishing the entire team of the show, the 'Tiger Zinda Hai' actor said, “Congratulations to all of you, very nice.” The poster was unveiled amidst applauses by producers Abhinay Deo and Neeta Shah, and director Arya Deo. Darsheel Safary reacts to Salman Khan launching his film poster Calling it a dream come true, Darsheel revealed that he has pinched himself around 15,000 times and ended up asking 10 other people to pinch him, just to be sure. The 'Taare Zameen Par' actor shared, "For some reason, Arya sir, Abhinay sir, and Neeta ma’am decided to keep this as a surprise for me… and I’ve sent them 15,000 messages since. To have someone as legendary as Salman sir associate with Gamerlog — a name I’ve looked up to all my life — it’s beyond anything I ever imagined. I’ve felt lucky ever since Gamerlog happened, but today feels extra special." Showing his gratitude for the 'Sultan' actor, he added, "On behalf of our entire team, a heartfelt thank you to Salman sir for supporting us. Your energy and presence have elevated our project and made us even hungrier to give it our best." He took to his Instagram handle and shared visuals from the moment and wrote, "When Bhai says watch it… you watch it. Thank you @beingsalmankhan for the shoutout" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Darsheel Safary (@dsafary) About Gamerlog 'Gamerlog' talks about Raghu aka Maverick (Darsheel Safary), a small-town gamer. In order to try his luck, he escapes to Mumbai, but will be able to deal with the high-pleasure world of esports? While in Mumbai, he becomes a part of 'Team Gamerlog' comprising of Joanna (Anjali Sivaraman), Lalit (Chinmay Chandraunshuh), Jaggi (Kunal Bhan), Saurabh (Chetan Dhawan), and Mahesh (Akash Menon) 'Gamerlog' is now streaming on Amazon MX Player. It is also available via the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, mobile, and Connected TVs. The coming-of-age esports drama reached the OTT platform on June 12 this year. (with inputs from IANS)
17 June,2025 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith almost two decades in the industry — dabbling in television, Hindi and Punjabi films, and diverse roles in digital entertainment — Anuj Sachdeva still feels he hasn’t received his due. He confesses that although he has the potential to do more, the opportunities coming his way remain few and far between. “I genuinely believe I can bring more to the table, emotionally, physically, creatively. If given the right space and opportunity, I can outperform myself; and that’s not coming from arrogance, just self-awareness,” says the actor, whose recent show Chhal Kapat received a mixed response. While he’s aware that it’s impossible to please everyone, he’s thrilled that the show, also starring Shriya Pilgaonkar, is slowly “gaining momentum”. “I wasn’t expecting the kind of love it’s getting. The reactions have been amazing. People are discovering it gradually. The initial promotion may have been limited, but I think word of mouth is doing the work. The content is connecting and that’s what matters most to me,” he shares. Sachdeva plays a politically connected character in the Zee5 thriller. Sources claim he is trying to emulate Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha. When asked, he says, “The idea wasn’t to mimic anyone, but to channel that aura of controlled intensity. There was a certain restraint and sharpness I wanted to bring. [Playing] someone polished, articulate, a little guarded but very focused. That’s something I worked on internally.” He feels blessed to have earned the trust of director Ajay Bhuyan, who gave him free rein to explore his character. Working with Pilgaonkar made the job smoother. “Ajay gave me full freedom to shape my character, and that kind of trust is rare. It helped me create something that felt authentic and spontaneous. Shriya was lovely to work with — very professional, collaborative, and secure. Our scenes came together organically because we were both open to building them, not just performing them,” notes the actor. He admits that shedding the ‘TV actor’ label has taken him years. However, he believes, “Storytelling is storytelling, no matter the platform. But yes, breaking out of a box people put you in takes conscious effort and patience.” Up Next Anuj Sachdeva has a Netflix film with Konkona Sensharma lined up. The actor also stars in the upcoming JioHotstar series, Mistry, set to release soon.
17 June,2025 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamIt’s hard to make the transition from television to films or the web, but Karan Tacker took the gamble and waited until the right part came to him. After Neeraj Pandey’s Special Ops in 2020, he followed it up with Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022), and since then, the perception of the industry has changed. But the waiting game does make one question: is it worth it? Tacker feels it is. Now, with the sequel to the JioHotstar series set to stream on the platform, the actor says he is eagerly waiting to see how the audience reacts to the growth in his character. In conversation with mid-day, he talks about the show, the influence the filmmaker has had on him, and what it means to have this project on his filmography. Excerpts from the interview: TV makes you a household name, movies give an actor the thrill of being showcased on the 70mm screen. What does OTT do for you?As far as I’m concerned, whether it’s OTT, films, or television, the love of what I do has not changed at all. Even if today Special Ops or Khakee: The Bihar Chapter had been on a film screen versus television, I would have put in the same amount of effort and love. So, it doesn’t change anything for me as an actor. Of course, the consumption pattern changes somewhere, but I feel in today’s times, what’s most important is the fact that people stick to the product. Whether you’re pressing play on a TV set to watch a series or buying a ticket to go to the theatres, as long as people stick around to watch the entire film or show, that’s what truly matters. (From left) Kay Kay Menon and Karan Tacker in a still from Special Ops 2. pics/Instagram Post Special Ops, did anything change with respect to the kind of offers that came to you? Did it change the perception the industry had about you?Oh, 100 per cent. I think post Special Ops, the biggest perception change was the fact that Neeraj Pandey offered me Khakee. That was just the beginning of it. Thereafter, it has been really humbling because I feel like I’ve been accepted with open arms. The general perception of me as an artiste has changed drastically. People look at me differently now. I get invited to rooms I didn’t earlier. I have makers who respond to my texts and call me in for meetings, which never happened earlier. These are the small things that you truly enjoy over a period of time as an actor. You have the luxury of saying no to work you don’t creatively feel inclined towards and wait around for that one offer you really want to work on. Going back into the world of Special Ops 2, did you have to start from scratch, or did the role come easier to you?I mean, Special Ops 2 is a different world altogether. Of course, I had to start from scratch, and that’s a delight because I absolutely love playing Farooq. I feel like the character has become a part of me. So, getting into it wasn’t hard as we always knew there was going to be a sequel. I always had that character as muscle memory. This time, the character has this innate silence and he is more in the shadows than he’s ever been. There’s a lot of action, and thrill, so I had to prepare for a lot of hand-to-hand combat. Months before the show kicked off, I started prepping on my own. The best part is this show has nothing to do with gimmicks like flips and tricks. We’ve done a lot of long one-shots to make it look as believable and real as possible. Neeraj sir likes to shoot his content in a way that feels like you’re in the front seat of where the combat is happening. He insisted that the action has to connect. You can’t hide from the camera, and he doesn’t like cheat shots. He loves one-takes. So as an actor, you’ve got to be prepared to get down and dirty and come out bruised. I’ve taken a lot of falls, punches, and kicks. But it’s all worth it. I don’t know if it comes easier to me, because the idea is, even if it seems easy on paper, we actors are masochists by nature. We want to make it tougher. So we’ll constantly find more layers and sub-layers. What have you learned from Pandey as an actor?I think I’ve learned about decorum, love for the job, to not blow your own trumpet, and to let the work do the talking. I’m so happy to have him as a mentor, and if I may say so, as a friend, someone I look up to.
17 June,2025 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRSpecial Ops received an overwhelming response from fans when the first season was released. And now, makers are back with another breakthrough season of the show. With Kay Kay Menon returning to his iconic role as R&AW officer Himmat Singh, the new season features a deeper, darker, and more urgent mission than ever before. The trailer of the upcoming season was recently unveiled by JioHotstar today, and it reignites the nation’s love for high-stakes storytelling with real-world relevance and blockbuster intensity. Special Ops 2 trailer Special Ops 2 is seemingly set in a volatile geopolitical landscape, as it mirrors the heightened security anxieties of modern times, where wars are no longer fought solely on battlegrounds. They could be virtual, being fought in the cloud, while the enemy is embedded in everyday life. Coordinated cyber breaches threaten national stability. Himmat and his elite squad step in as they are thrust into a silent war. This one does not have a warning, smoke, or visible scars, but comes with consequences that strike at the very soul of the nation. This time, everyone is a Target!Cyber-Terrorism vs. Himmat Singh and his squad.#HotstarSpecials #SpecialOps2, streaming from July 11, only on #JioHotstar@neerajpofficial @kaykaymenon02 @prakashraaj @pathakvinay @karantacker #TahirRajBhasin @SaiyamiKher #MuzamilIbrahim… pic.twitter.com/QpM4WLtWfJ — JioHotstar (@JioHotstar) June 16, 2025 With his ace team by his side, Himmat races against time to avoid a faceless adversary. This one who by no rules, leaves no trace, and is always one step ahead. This season features a fresh new antagonist portrayed by Tahir Raj Bhasin. The second season is helmed by Shivam Nair, and it features a stellar ensemble cast including Prakash Raj, Vinay Pathak, Karan Tacker, Saiyami Kher, Muzammil Ibrahim, Gautami Kapoor, Parmeet Sethi, and Kali Prasad Mukherjee among others. Special Ops Season 2 is all set to hit the screens on July 11. What the makers say Alok Jain of JioStar commented on the new season, “With Special Ops 2, we continue our commitment to delivering sharp, genre-defining storytelling that is bold, disruptive, and deeply meaningful. This season isn’t just the return of an iconic franchise; it’s a timely, cinematic response to cyber threats and the complex digital battleground that surrounds us today. At JioHotstar, we’re focused on bringing impactful narratives that matter, stories that resonate with audiences and reflect the world we live in.” Creator Neeraj Pandey added, "This season reflects the times we live in, where the enemy doesn’t announce their arrival. The new-age warfare has altered everything we know about threat, security, and sacrifice. Special Ops 2 is about the war we don't see, until it hits home. It’s a reminder that in today’s world, the greatest battles are fought without a single bullet fired, but the damage runs just as deep.” Special Ops star Kay Kay Menon aka Himmat Singh, said, "Himmat Singh has always fought with grit, intellect, and instinct. But this time, the war isn’t visible. The stakes are bigger, the threats more unpredictable and that made this season both relevant and deeply personal to portray. There’s a quiet burden Himmat carries of duty, of sacrifice, of knowing more than he can say. This chapter allowed me to explore not just the strategist, but the man behind the mission, the father, the patriot, the constant protector.” Mission ki tayyari karne me time toh lagta hai!#HotstarSpecials #SpecialOps2, coming soon only on #JioHotstar@neerajpofficial @kaykaymenon02 @prakashraaj @pathakvinay @karantacker #TahirRajBhasin @SaiyamiKher #MuzamilIbrahim @tota_rc @parmeetsethi #KaliPrasadMukherjee… pic.twitter.com/wDqEc4CGQx — JioHotstar (@JioHotstar) June 6, 2025 Director Shivam Nair notes, “With Special Ops 2.0, we’ve truly raised the bar—in scale, storytelling, and intensity. This season dives into a world where intelligence operations collide with the fast-changing landscape of AI, digital warfare, and cybersecurity. It’s not just thrilling—it’s timely. Reuniting with Neeraj Pandey has been creatively rewarding, and together, we’ve built something that feels both urgent and cinematic. We’re thrilled to partner with JioHotstar once again to bring this gripping new chapter to audiences.” Tahir Raj Bashin, who steps into the antagonist shoes shares, “Joining the world of Special Ops has been an electrifying adrenaline rush. This role pushed me emotionally and physically, and I’m grateful to Neeraj Pandey and JioHotstar for the trust. Speaking of the character, what makes this antagonist exciting to portray is how layered and rooted in the real world he is. He doesn’t need guns, he uses code, data, and people’s blind trust. That’s what makes him truly dangerous! He doesn’t belong to fiction, he exists in the world we live in today”. The war is silent, the danger is real, and the clock is ticking. Watch Special Ops 2 unfold on JioHotstar, streaming from July 11
16 June,2025 08:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter weeks of build-up and speculation, The Traitors has finally arrived on Prime Video and the drama isn’t holding back. In just three explosive episodes, alliances have sparked and crumbled, murders have shaken the palace, and accusations have flown fast and fierce. The game is merciless, and the exits are only getting more shocking. And while some exits left players heartbroken, others walked out with unfinished business.Here’s what they had to say on their way out. After Nikita Luther, who was eliminated in the first five minutes, four more contestants have been eliminated. Raj Kundra on his elimination Sharing his thoughts on the ruthless nature of the game, Raj Kundra noted, “Aapko kuch pata nahi chalta, kaun kiski peeth pe peeche kya bol raha hai. But that is the beauty of the show. You never know who is playing who. At one point, I suspected Janvi or Ashish Sir, then I stayed silent. I didn’t expect people like Rebel Kid, and Raftaar to actually connect the dots and turn on me. But I loved it. It is a Kalyug show, and truly the baap of all shows.” Karan Kundrra on his elimination On his elimination, Karan Kundrra remarked, "I’m used to a different format, you know, jisme thoda time lagta hai game samajhne mein. But yahan par, game samajhne se pehle hi itna kuch ho gaya. It was like being in hyperdrive. I really wish that day, if I had survived the Circle of Truth, then I would’ve gone quite far. Because this is a very different kind of game.” Lakshmi Manchu on her elimination Expressing her views on her being a part of the show, Lakshmi Manchu highlighted, "This format was very new for me, personally. It was my first time doing a reality show. But it was a beautiful experience. As I said, it was a wonderful experiment I did on myself, stepping into a reality series, and I’m glad I did it. I really am glad that I got to do a show with such an incredible cast and crew.” On being murdered on the show, Sahil Salathia shared, “It would never be Elnaaz who I thought would kill me. But when Raj Kundra told me on the way back that Elnaaz did, my faith in basic human love language was lost. ” Now, with the palace steeped in paranoia and new bonds forming under pressure, all eyes are on the ones staying too quiet. Are they watching, or just waiting to strike? With suspicions deepening and secrets closing in, the palace is about to turn colder with each episode. Produced by BBC Studios India Productions, Prime Video brings the Indian adaptation of IDTV’s BAFTA and Emmy award-winning global format, The Traitors, in collaboration with All3Media International. The first three episodes are now streaming exclusively on Prime Video, with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 8 PM.
16 June,2025 02:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter playing Robin Agarwal in Mirzapur, Priyanshu Painyuli is thrilled to reunite with the makers of the cult show. This time, it’s for the Jio Studios project, Paan Parda Zarda, a gritty gangster drama. “It has been a creatively fulfilling journey,” he says. Set against the backdrop of illegal opium smuggling in Central India, the series also stars Mona Singh, Tanya Maniktala, Tanvi Azmi, Sushant Singh, Rajesh Tailang, and Manu Rishi. (From left) Priyanshu Painyuli and Tanya Maniktala in Paan Parda Zarda The series, which wrapped up in March this year and recently completed last-minute patch work, marks what Painyuli believes is “the biggest role of his career”. “Coming from the makers of Mirzapur, this project felt like a natural progression. The writing, its world, and the characters are incredibly rich, and I believe it will be embraced by movie lovers and fans of the genre,” says the actor, who was previously seen in Rashmi Rocket (2021) and Pippa (2023). Directed by Gurmmeet Singh and Shilpi Dasgupta, the series is penned by Radhika Anand, Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, Vibha Singh, and Suparn Varma. Painyuli is confident that Paan Parda Zarda breaks the mould of typical crime thrillers. “When I read the script, I knew it is unapologetically bold. The storytelling demands something raw from you as an actor. With this, we are pushing the boundaries of what a desi crime saga can look and feel like. It’s got a pulse of its own,” explains the actor.
15 June,2025 07:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActor Saahitya Pansare is not new to wearing the uniform on screen, but in 'Criminal Justice Season 4', his role as a cop takes on a new depth. The gripping courtroom drama has returned with fresh twists, and Pansare, who’s part of the ensemble, is thrilled with how viewers are responding. “The response has been phenomenal,” he says talking to Mid-day. “It recorded one of the highest openings on OTT with around 8.4 million views. The love and attention the show is getting are incredibly motivating.” Each season of Criminal Justice introduces a brand-new case, which allows the storytelling to remain compelling and relevant. But Season 4, Pansare believes, raises the bar. “What really stands out this time is how every character has a distinct arc. They all contribute meaningfully to the case’s development. That layered narrative builds up beautifully to the twist in the end.” Saahitya on his cop inspiration Pansare has openly spoken about his affinity for police characters. He’s clear about where the inspiration comes from. “Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh, Nana Patekar in Ab Tak Chhappan, Sanjay Dutt in Shootout at Lokhandwala—they’ve all delivered unforgettable performances,” he says. “And of course, Ajay Devgn’s Singham gave the genre a whole new energy in mainstream cinema.” That admiration for intense, honest portrayals drives his own work, and nowhere is that more evident than in his performance this season. On working with Pankaj Tripathi and Zeeshan Ayyub In Criminal Justice 4, Pansare shares the screen with powerhouses like Pankaj Tripathi and Zeeshan Ayyub—an experience he doesn’t take for granted. “It’s always a privilege to share screen space with Pankaj sir. Even though I have only a few scenes with him—in the courtroom sequences—I was constantly observing. Watching someone like him perform is a learning experience in itself.” His connection with Zeeshan Ayyub runs deeper. “When I moved to Mumbai seven years ago, I joined the theatre group run by Zeeshan sir and Rasika Agashe. To now share screen space with him—it feels like a full-circle moment.” Film vs. Series: The actor’s process When asked whether preparing for a web series differs from a film, Pansare is reflective. “In terms of performance, the approach is quite similar. But series require a longer shooting schedule because of the extended storyline. Coming from television, I’d say the biggest difference between TV and web series lies in budgets, time, and pre-production. But every format teaches you something.” Staying grounded in a competitive industry In a space as fiercely competitive as the film and digital world, actors often struggle to keep on going. But for Pansare, the key is consistency, not motivation. “Motivation is overrated. If you truly believe in yourself, you won’t need to be hyped up constantly. My environment plays a big role. I surround myself with people I can learn from and grow with.” His work with Saurabh Sachdeva and The Actor’s Truth acting studio keeps him connected to his craft. “It’s about staying engaged with the process, not chasing validation.” The long hours debate There’s been growing discourse around the long working hours in the entertainment industry. Pansare acknowledges the issue but offers a nuanced view. “Filmmaking is a collaborative process. Every department has to be in sync, and that takes time. However, better pre-production can definitely cut down confusion and save time on set.” He adds, “Still, it's a creative field. Sometimes the most honest, magical moments happen when you least expect them. So you need to be open to both discipline and improvisation.” As Criminal Justice continues to grip audiences with each new episode, actors like Saahitya Pansare stand out not just for their roles, but for their honest reflections and deep commitment to the craft.
14 June,2025 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarVeteran actress Rati Agnihotri's son, Tanuj Virwani, recently revealed that his spot boy was caught stealing at their house. Interestingly, the spot boy had been working with the actor for more than 10 years and was caught stealing personal belongings from his Mumbai home. Tanuj and his family allegedly began to realise that things were going missing from their house. Soon, they found the culprit and recovered many of the stolen items from him. Tanuj Virwani reveals his spot boy was caught stealing While talking to Bollywood Bubble, Tanuj revealed, "Off-late, we had been noticing that a lot of items in our home, starting from currency of other countries where we travelled or other expensive items like watches and stuff have just been going missing. To be honest, we aren't the kind of family who prefers keeping CCTV at home. We ideally believe in trusting our people. But, it was brought to our notice that it was my spot boy. He has been spot boy for more than 10 years and even lives with me in the same house. Naturally, he has a lot of access to things." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tanuj Virwani (@tanujvirwani) The Inside Edge actor added, "We believe in trusting our staff, and we believe in treating them like our family. We don't discriminate. So, when we found out, we went through his bags and we recovered some items. However, many items like watches and other stuff haven't been recovered yet. So, we informed the Mumbai Police soon. I believe it is truly the best police in the world and they were swift to come in and take action. As of now, they are going to be interrogating him." Tanuj says he needs to be careful The Rana Naidu actor admits that he now feels the need to be a lot more mindful. He calls the Saif Ali Khan stabbing incident a massive eye-opener, saying, "It doesn't matter how good your society or building security is. Sometimes, the traitors can just be in your very home. Now that I am married with a baby daughter, I have to be all the way more careful. I am not always going to be at home." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tanuj Virwani (@tanujvirwani) He further added, "As actors, we have to travel significantly, be it within Mumbai or outdoors. So whenever I leave, I have to be peaceful about the fact that everything is fine at home. So, this is definitely a huge shock and also upsetting. I mean he has been working with me even before Inside Edge happened. So that's a long time. I remember even putting up an appreciation post for him on social media earlier. So yes, it's really hurtful on a personal level."
13 June,2025 06:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt’s election time in Phulera, and the stakes have never been higher. Prime Video has officially announced the new release date of its most loved and eagerly awaited series— Panchayat Season 4. The recently unveiled trailer has already created a nationwide buzz, clocking over 5.5 million views in just two days. With the iconic ‘lauki’ making its return, the brand new season brings an electrifying mix of naare bazi, rural charm, and a gripping power struggle at the heart of it all. Leading the charge this time are two formidable forces—Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar)—whose characters have evolved into powerful voices in Phulera’s political landscape, adding new layers and depth to this heartland franchise. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) Neena Gupta takes pride in her character Reflecting on her character’s evolution in the series, actress Neena Gupta said, “My growth with Panchayat really began in Season 1, especially during the flag hoisting scene— that was Manju Devi’s turning point. In most villages, women are often okay with not knowing or learning certain things, but what I loved about my character was that she decided to break that pattern. She slowly became more firm, more curious, and eventually more independent. And that kind of change doesn’t happen overnight— in real life, it’s a slow process. It’s a fact that the concept of Pradhanpati still exists in many parts of our country. Through this series, I’m so glad we could show that if women want to take charge and lead, they absolutely can." Kranti Devi stands tall as equal — Sunita Rajwar Sunita Rajwar echoed that sentiment while speaking about the strength she found in her character Kranti Devi, "Playing Kranti Devi has always been a fascinating experience for me. What drew me to her character was how she stands tall, not just beside her husband, but as an equal. She’s not just a housewife from a village—she thinks and reacts like any empowered woman would, no matter where she comes from. That strength and equality in her relationship really stood out to me. I’ve truly loved embodying this side of her. And when you get close to a character like this, you start relating to them in your own life, too. At the end of the day, we’re all human—we all carry a bit of innocence within us. It’s not just the audience who connects with the character; the actor does too. I feel genuinely happy and grateful to play her." Returning with its signature humor, heart, and grounded storytelling, the latest season welcomes back its beloved ensemble cast, including Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Sanvikaa, Durgesh Kumar, Sunita Rajwar, and Pankaj Jha. Produced by The Viral Fever, Panchayat Season 4 is created by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Chandan Kumar, written by Chandan Kumar, and directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Akshat Vijaywargiya. Get ready for some heightened emotions as Panchayat Season 4 promises another unforgettable chapter in Phulera—streaming on Prime Video from June 24.
13 June,2025 04:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe idea for "In Transit", a four-part docu series about the lives of trans and non-binary individuals, was born out of the many stories filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti came across while auditioning for a trans character in the second season of their critically-acclaimed series "Made in Heaven". Directed by Ayesha Sood and produced by Akhtar and Kagti through their Tiger Baby banner, "In Transit" is set to premiere on Prime Video on Friday. "Made in Heaven" has been praised for giving centrestage to LGBTQ individuals, first with a gay lead in Arjun Mathur's wedding planner Karan and then by introducing a trans character with Meher, who was played by Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, in season two. Zoya said they "got crazy feedback from the LGBT community" through the show as the community felt represented in an authentic way. "When we wrote a trans character, we realised we knew very little... So, we started interviewing people and the people that spoke to us were very honest and they shared a lot, including their dreams. Mehar was a specific kind of character, so that story came out of these interviews. "We realised that this is something that we need to expand on in a different format. They need to tell the audience their own story and we pitched that to Amazon Prime who went for it in one call so we are lucky," Akhtar told PTI in a virtual interview. The filmmaker said they decided to rope in Sood to direct the series as they wanted someone who could shepherd the project in an authentic way, without adding any shock value to it. Sood, a filmmaker, photographer and editor who runs the media company Jamun Collective, said when Akhtar and Kagti approached her with the idea, she was a little flummoxed as trans experience is a huge canvas. "I was like, 'How do you tell the story of trans people?' Like women in India, the canvas is huge... There are so many diverse experiences of being a woman in India, likewise, being trans in India is our baseline setting and it is vast, unique and complex. How do we bring that out in the stories? "So, we talk about things that are universally moving to all of us, like identity, our place in the world, our relationships with families and finding love. These are universal things that move everybody," Sood told PTI. The team had a long period of research, and eventually found a way as well as a structure to tell these stories. "The Indian idea of being trans is vast. So we wanted to get a broad range of stories and people from different contexts and we wanted to be uniquely rooted in India. These are real people from different walks of life who are expressing their trans-ness," Sood said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) "It was also a matter of who could tell their stories to us. It's not easy for everyone to be on camera... These are tough lives, so it was also about who could actually tell us these stories," she added. "In Transit" is the second project from the documentary slate that Akhtar and Kagti are planning to produce through their banner, following "Angry Young Men", a cinematic exploration of iconic screenwriter duo Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan's filmography. A third, "Turtle Walker" by Taira Malaney, will chronicle the extraordinary journey of conservationist Satish Bhaskar. Akhtar, known for films such as "Luck By Chance", "Dil Dhadakne Do" and "Gully Boy", said she loves documentaries as the format allows a filmmaker to explore different stories. There is also a lot of interest for documentaries in India now, she added. "There's a lot more exposure and I think people are interested in stories. Certain stories are good as short films, certain things lend themselves to eight hours of narrative. Certain things are good as features, and certain stories need to be told in their most authentic, true self," Akhtar said. Sood credited the OTT platforms for nurturing the format. "We now have a growing audience for documentaries. The platforms are entirely to be praised for this. They have brought documentaries into your living room and everybody is watching them. Along with it, the craft has also elevated." In "In Transit", Sood brings in a lot of pop culture references to describe the trans experience. The documentary explores the lives of nine individuals, including a classical musician from Bangalore, a school educator from Tripura and a corporate professional in Mumbai. The director said these pop culture references show why representation matters, whether it is a film or a television serial like "Hum Paanch". "That's what people consume and spend their time being inspired, watching and discussing. It wasn't like I needed to get a Bollywood reference out here. It's the world that the characters live in. "And those are the things that struck them when they were growing up, like the first time they saw themselves on screen, or the first time they felt something about a character or love or any such thing," she said. 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
13 June,2025 02:27 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIActress and film producer Nicole Kidman and co-star Mark Strong shared their shooting experience for season 2 of the series 'Nine Perfect Strangers', reported People. While season 1 was based on Liane Moriarty's novel of the same name, the second instalment wasn't, which Kidman says offered more creative freedom to explore her role more deeply. "It was a whole new landscape -- the whole thing was up for grabs," she added, saying, "That's why in episode five, it's the origin story, which is really interesting. You get to see more of Masha's past and why she is who she is," reported People. Kidman is the only returning character in season 2, where she plays Masha Dmitrichenko, a Russian wellness guru who operates a transformational retreat where participants receive psychedelic therapy to heal from trauma. In the June 11 flashback episode, which Kidman touts is "a standalone in its own," viewers learn more about the relationship between Masha and Strong's character David Sharpe after it is revealed that he is the father of her deceased daughter, Tatiana (Emilie Paclova), as reported by People. "When they first came up with that idea, I was like, 'Okay, now we're really onto something,'" recalled Kidman, who also serves as a producer on the show. "And the way in which Jonathan [Levine, executive producer] wanted to do it was we wanted to really give it that thriller aspect. And obviously, I get to speak Russian and Czech, and it was just like, 'Oh my god, let's go!'" Strong shared that he hopes viewers feel like they have been "taken somewhere special" when they watch the episode. While the first season was set in California and shot on the warm Australian coast, the second season took on a darker tone in the Austrian Alps during the winter. "I love the Austrian Alps," said Kidman, sharing why they decided to film there. "I fell in love with that. There's something so invigorating about being outside and actually being on the locations and actually being really cold and walking in snow. And I think there's just something about the air and the water and the landscape and having it be authentic. So, we were there. The castle that we were shooting in, that was a place. It was so beautiful." Kidman revealed they were shooting for around six months in the snowy conditions, admitting that one downside was, "we were cold out on the streets." "You hate the cold, don't you?" said Strong, adding, "I know you." "No, I like the cold," she explained. "It's just night shooting in the cold or that sort of thing. I'm like, 'Okay, I'm tired and I'm cold.'" "But then that can penetrate and infiltrate the story and the performance," Kidman said of the discomfort. While Kidman wasn't quite at ease on set, her family could enjoy the low temperatures while the Oscar-winner worked. "They were skiing, and so that was great having things for them to do while I was working," she said of husband Keith Urban and their two daughters: Faith Margaret, 14, and Sunday Rose, 16. "They would spend a day skiing, and I would commute from a little ski lodge to work." "I'm fortunate because of how my family is," she continued. "They can travel in the way their schooling is set up. So we're able to stay together and manoeuvre that way, which is good." Strong, whose two kids visited him while he was filming, points out that it was also a nice opportunity to show them around Europe, reported People. "It's not ideal being away for months and months on end, but if you see each other -- and there was skiing to be had -- the places we were, Salzburg and Munich they were beautiful," he said. For the rest of the season, Kidman hints that there is much more of each character's storyline to "unravel," citing Masha's "unpredictable" side. "It's a beautiful, long slow burn over the whole series," Strong adds. "That's what's clever about it," reported People. New episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers drop every Wednesday on Hulu. 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
13 June,2025 02:23 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
