In January, reports emerged that filmmaker Shashank Khaitan — currently wrapping up the Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari — would make his OTT debut with Single Papa. Following Kunal Kemmu’s casting, sources now reveal that Neha Dhupia has joined the family entertainer, in a pivotal role. Kunal Kemmu and Shashank Khaitan. Pic/Instagram A source close to the production reveals that the series is currently underway. “The show is in its final phase of shooting. Neha Dhupia has joined [the cast] to play one of the key leading parts in the show. The makers are [trying to] build a strong ensemble, bringing in actors with sharp comic timing. Neha brings both warmth and sharp wit to the table — qualities that perfectly complement Kunal’s energy,” shares the source. The insider added that the dynamic between their characters forms the emotional and comic core of the show. “Shashank was clear he wanted an actor who could hold her own opposite Kunal. Their pairing brings a fresh spark to the screens,” expressed the source, adding that the slice-of-life entertainer will “most likely stream on Netflix.”
25 May,2025 07:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuZEE5 has released the first look of its upcoming original series, Chhal Kapat The Deception. Set during an intimate wedding in Burhanpur, the story takes a dark turn when one of the bride’s best friends is found dead. The celebration unravels into a tense whodunnit filled with secrets, resentment, and betrayal among lifelong friends. Leading the investigation is Inspector Devika, played by Shriya Pilgaonkar, a sharp cop with a shadowy past and keen instincts. As buried truths emerge, relationships are put to the test, and the line between loyalty & deceit begins to blur. Shriya Pilgaonkar on playing a cop When Shriya Pilgaonkar got the opportunity to play a police officer for the first time, it was an easy yes. “My character Devika Rathore isn’t just an officer; she is someone haunted by a dark past, which, in turn, sharpens her investigative instincts. She sees what others might miss, not in spite of her past, but because of it,” she told Mid-day. “It’s exciting to portray a cop who breaks the mould — Devika is sharp, unapologetically foul-mouthed, and morally complex. Characters like her are rarely seen in this space, where officers are often portrayed as strictly black or white,” said the actor, who has portrayed fierce female characters in Guilty Minds (2022) and The Broken News. More about Chhal Kapat The Deception Directed by Ajay Bhuyan, produced by Juggernaut Production, and led by the dynamic Shriya Pilgaonkar, this gripping whodunnit also stars Kamya Ahlawat, Ragini Dwivedi, Tuhina Das, Yahhve Sharma, Pranay Pachauri, Smaran Sahu, and Anuj Sachdeva among others and is set to premiere on ZEE5 in June. Shriya’s work front Last year, Shriya joined the jury panel of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) for the Shorts category at the 2024 edition of the festival. She said in a statement at the time, “I am honoured and thrilled to be invited as a jury member for the short film category at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2024. I look forward to attending the festival in LA and watching these stellar shorts by emerging South Asian filmmakers”. “The atmosphere at film festivals is always creatively energising and deeply inspiring. I’m excited to meet and interact with diverse storytellers and performers, and to witness the incredible lineup of films at IFFLA”, she added.
24 May,2025 10:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHema, Jigna, Rakesh, Anil, sabki pasand hai Kapil! So this time, you get to see them on The Great Indian Kapil Show, now back for Season 3 on June 21, 2025, only on Netflix! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) The wait is finally over — The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3 premieres on 21st June 2025! After winning the hearts of audiences with the first two seasons, comedy maestro Kapil Sharma returns with a mission to make the family bigger and better than ever before. This time, the zany family and celebrity guests will be joined by some truly special additions - the superfans! Comedy dream team reunites with new surprises and classic chaos in season 3 Joining Kapil in this comedy extravaganza are his ever-hilarious partners Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, and Krushna Abhishek, ready to unleash even crazier gags, iconic characters, and stir up some classic comedy chaos. And of course, the lively Archana Puran Singh is ready to once again grace the beloved kursi (seat) with her infectious laughter and warmth. This season promises more surprises and many more familiar faces, but just like a comedic punchline, it's all about the timing! That's not all — this season Netflix invites superfans from around the world to step into the limelight and showcase their talents on The Great Indian Kapil Show stage. In a groundbreaking twist, Season 3 will invite the most atrangi (colourful), anokhe (unique), mazzedaar (fun) fans of Netflix and The Great Indian Kapil Show to share their unique and distinct talents. So if your Mamaji has a laugh that is louder than even Archana Ji’s or you have mind reading skills that can leave even Kapil speechless (if that’s even possible!), or your cousin has the wackiest dance move ever - then you’re the perfect candidate for the show!! With people all over the world tuning in, it's time to shine a light on the Kalaakars (artists) in all of us, making it a true funnyvaar for the whole parivaar (family). Kapil Sharma promises bigger laughs, deeper stories, and a heartfelt tribute to superfans Talking about the new season, Kapil Sharma shares, "Coming back for another season on Netflix truly feels like coming home to family — and this time, the family’s only getting bigger! Every season, we’ve brought together an exciting mix of guests from all walks of life to keep the laughs rolling and the energy fresh. We have aimed at showcasing diverse conversations about careers, life choices, family, love, and used comedy as the medium to reach everyone. This time, in season 3 apart from our interactions and amazing guests, Netflix and The Great Indian Kapil Show are doing something extra special. As a thank you for the incredible love we've received, we’re turning the spotlight on our superfans. Their stories, their quirks, their talent — they never fail to amaze us. Toh is baar socha kyu na apne fans ko show ka ek bohot hi mazzeddar hissa bana de. Hume to ab 192 countries ne dekh liya... ab aapko milwate hain humare superfans se (So this time, we thought — why not make our fans a truly fun part of the show? After all, we’ve now been watched in 192 countries… now it’s time to introduce you to our superfans!)!" Sharing her excitement about the new season Tanya Bami - Series Head, Netflix India adds, “The Great Indian Kapil Show is returning to capture our weekends, our screens and our hearts. The whole cast, crew and our team at Netflix are extremely excited because of a very special addition to India’s favourite parivaar this season. For the first time ever, we are inviting fans of Netflix and Kapil into the show to share the spotlight and add to the fun, humour and entertainment. We cannot wait to witness the excitement and the varied talent our audiences will bring on screen. So gear up every Saturday at 8:00PM Kapil and his delightful team of Krishna, Sunil, Kiku, Archana and the fans are set to make your family time, the most fun time of the week.” Whether you’re a veteran viewer or new to the TGIKS family, get ready for laughter and surprises on a stage that promises humour and hidden talents! Catch the masti and stay for the mazza! Stream The Great Indian Kapil Show starting from 21st June 2025, every Saturday at 8pm, only on Netflix!
24 May,2025 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFemale cops are few and far between in Hindi movies and shows. So, when Shriya Pilgaonkar got the opportunity to play a police officer for the first time in Chhal Kapat — The Deception, it was an easy yes. “My character Devika Rathore isn’t just an officer; she is someone haunted by a dark past, which, in turn, sharpens her investigative instincts. She sees what others might miss, not in spite of her past, but because of it,” notes the actor. Directed by Ajay Bhuyan, the Zee5 series is set against an intimate wedding in Burhanpur that takes a dark turn when one of the bride’s best friends is found dead. Pilgaonkar’s Devika is tasked with the investigation. While donning the uniform for the first time was enough to lure the actor, she was further drawn to the character for its complexities and grey shades. “It’s exciting to portray a cop, who breaks the mould — Devika is sharp, unapologetically foul-mouthed, and morally complex. Characters like her are rarely seen in this space, where officers are often portrayed as strictly black or white,” says the actor, who has portrayed fierce female characters in Guilty Minds (2022) and The Broken News. The murder mystery, set to première in June, also stars Pranay Pachauri, Tuhina Das, Anuj Sachdeva, and Ragini Dwivedi.
24 May,2025 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaPrime Video today announced June 12 as the premiere date for the unscripted Original, The Traitors, an Indian adaptation of the internationally acclaimed thrilling reality show. Prime Video India will exclusively stream the highly anticipated reality series, with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 8pm (IST). Collaborating with leading independent distributor All3Media International for the local adaptation of IDTV’s BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning global format that is produced by BBC Studios India Productions, The Traitors is one of the fastest-growing reality show formats in the world, with over 35 adaptations across more than 30 countries. Hosted by the ever-charismatic Karan Johar, who brings his signature glitz and glam to the Indian series that will feature a congregation of prominent celebrities from varied spheres in its maiden season. The Traitor release date announced Prime Video set the stage with an intriguing outdoor campaign to tease the audience, then heightened the anticipation with a special video featuring host Karan Johar that revealed the premiere date while offering tantalizing hints about the celebrity players joining The Traitors and a glimpse into the thrilling chaos and high-stakes drama set to unfold in the reality series. “Prime Video has consistently been home to some of the biggest and most beloved scripted shows in the country. Now, we’re making a bold leap as we scale our Unscripted content slate with our biggest reality series yet—The Traitors,” said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video India. “Packed with drama, manipulation, suspenseful gameplay, and unexpected twists, the show is mounted on a grand scale with high production values. We’re thrilled to have Karan Johar as the host—who better to stoke the fire in this volatile mix of 20 celebrities, each vying for a massive cash prize and the title of ultimate winner! The Traitors promises immersive entertainment and next-level mind games that are sure to captivate our wide gamut of audiences.” 'Celebrities and intense drama' Sabrina Duguet, EVP APAC at All3Media International, said, “India is one of the most dynamic and exciting markets in the world, with an audience base that’s highly receptive to reality shows. The Indian adaptation of The Traitors offers this audience high calibre celebrities and intense drama, all wrapped up in a thriller-esque gameplay. The Traitors is one of the fastest-growing and most popular reality formats worldwide, ever - and we’re thrilled to bring an Indian adaptation of the franchise to the country with Prime Video India and BBC Studios India Productions; both partners reputation for delivering high-quality content precedes them.” “The Traitors has captivated audiences worldwide across ages and languages with its bold, dramatic, and psychological gameplay and we’re thrilled to join hands with Prime Video—renowned for its exceptional content—and All3Media International to bring an Indian adaptation that’s immersive, grand, and teeming with drama. With an all-celebrity cast and jaw-dropping twists, The Traitors is an unmissable treat for fans of high-stakes reality entertainment,” said Neha Khurana, Executive Producer for The Traitors, BBC Studios India Productions.
23 May,2025 01:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActors Pavail Gulatie and Fatima Sana Shaikh will be seen sharing screen space in the forthcoming web series, "Teen Kawwe". Produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur under the banner of UTV Motion Pictures, the project will also feature Sidhant Gupta in a significant role. The show marks the first on-screen pairing of the trio. Touted to be a laughter ride, "Teen Kawwe" is likely to be a slice-of-life drama with a perfect mixture of humour, emotions, and realism. Not much has been revealed about the show, except for the primary cast. While the web series is presently in the pre-production stage, the movie buffs are awaiting an official announcement for "Teen Kawwe". Up next, Fatima will be seen in Anurag Basu’s much-awaited anthology "Metro… In Dino." Billed as a romantic drama, the movie will boast an ensemble cast with Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Ali Fazal in crucial roles, along with others. "Metro… In Dino" is slated to reach the cinema halls on July 4 this year. Revealing the film's release date on social media, the makers penned, “When love, fate and city life collide magic is bound to happen! #Metro… इन दिनों brings the stories of heart from the cities that you love! Experience it on #July4th in cinemas near you”. Presented by Gulshan Kumar's T-Series, along with Anurag Basu Productions Pvt Ltd, "Metro .. In Dino" will feature compositions scored by Pritam. Fatima last graced the screen with the biographical drama, “Sam Bahadur,” which was based on the life of India's first field marshal, Sam Manekshaw. On the other hand, Pavail was last seen sharing the screen with Shahid Kapoor in the action entertainer “Deva". He essayed the role of ACP Rohan D'Silva in Rosshan Andrrews' directorial. 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
22 May,2025 03:19 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSRoyalty, reign, and revenge dominate the world of Rakt Bramhand, in which Ali Fazal plays one of the leads. The actor is undergoing intense training in Jujutsu ahead of the next schedule, in which creators Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK — better known as Raj-DK — will film the fantasy drama’s action sequences. Over the past month, Fazal has been picking up the Japanese martial arts under the guidance of expert Umberto Barbagallo. (From left) Ali Fazal with Umberto Barbagallo and Rohit Nair A source from the production tells us, “Ali was clear from the beginning that he wouldn’t rely on body doubles for the action scenes. That’s why the team brought in Umberto from Italy to teach him the combat form.” The Netflix series also stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Wamiqa Gabbi. The source adds that for Rakt Bramhand, the creators are envisioning gritty and gory fight sequences. “The action is grounded, brutal, and technique-driven. With Umberto, who holds a black belt and has worked with several European stunt teams, Ali is learning the techniques of combat conditioning, throws, and submission holds. Umberto will train him for six weeks before the next leg begins by June.”
22 May,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAfter the huge success of "Dil Ko Raffu Karr Lei" and "Lovely Lolla", Dreamiyata Drama is back with another promising tale, "Haale Dil". Featuring the dynamic duo Manisha Rani and Nishank Verma in lead roles, the show has already stirred excitement with multiple behind-the-scenes glimpses shared online. From candid on-set moments to intense rehearsals, fans are getting a sneak peek into the magic in the making. Ravie Dubey, one of the producers of Dreamiyata Drama, is donning the director’s hat for this project and is seen in full action mode on set, orchestrating each scene with precision. Sharing the BTS pics of himself from the shoot on his official Instagram handle, Ravie penned the caption, "Get ready for Haale Dil and Tujhse Haii Ashiqui trailers ……..become members of Dreamiyata Dramaa youtube now …lots of surprises loading ..love you all @dreamiyatadramaa @dreamiyata". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ravie Dubey (@ravidubey2312) Additionally, the makers dropped a video of Manisha posing in a simple yet beautiful saree with the caption, "surprise from #haaledil is loading." The teaser for "Haale Dil" is expected to release shortly, further building anticipation around this emotionally gripping drama. Dreamiyata Drama will also soon be releasing the teaser of their show "Tujhse Haii Ashiqui", featuring Abhishek Kumar, Amandeep Sidhu, and Mahir Pandhi. Speaking during the launch event of Dreamiyata Dramaa, Manisha, who will be seen as Indu in the show, shared her excitement about working with producers and actors, Sargun Mehta and Ravie. The 'Bigg Boss OTT Season 2' contestant revealed that she has always looked up to the work of Sargun and Ravie, and was grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with them on "Haale Dil". Talking about her role in the show, Manisha said that the character of Indu feels very special to her, as it is a reflection of her own innocence, with a slight difference in personality. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2025 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSSeasoned actor Vihaan Samat, who is in the spotlight for his role as Yuvaraj Digvijay "Diggy" Singh in Netflix’s The Royals, had to undergo an intense prep to play the young king in the series alongside Ishaan Khatter. While his Clark Kent trope in the series added a comic flair, Vihaan isn’t that bad of a cook in real life! IYKYK. In an exclusive chat with Mid-day, Vihaan gets candid about the challenges he endured to play Diggy, his journey in showbiz, and more. Vihaan Samat on playing ‘Diggy’ in The Royals In the series, Vihaan plays an heir who is trapped in royalty and wishes to expand his horizons. To do so, he secretly participates in a knock-off MasterChef competition to display his culinary skills. His disguise? The classic Clark Kent trope - a pair of glasses to make him look like a nerd. Vihaan explains he always wanted to do something of that sort. But what about his cooking skills? He maintains “not the best,” but did prepare meals for himself during college days. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vihaan Samat (@vihaansamat) “I love cooking and I love good food. It used to be chicken and rice, or like pasta. I never actually even dared to touch the dals, masalas, and the sabjis that I used to have at home. Because it would never be as good, and I would just ruin it. So I drew from American ingredients and just cooked whatever I could. I used to make my milkshakes with the berries, and I learned how to poach eggs. I used to make these amazing baked potatoes with just the right amount of spice, and sweet and citrusy,” adds Vihaan. Vihaan on Call Me Bae season 2 By the end of Call Me Bae season 1, fans of the Ananya Panday-fronted series came up with a theory that Vihaan, who plays her husband, has the hots for her brother, essayed by Shiv Masand. When asked about the same, Vihaan shared, “I don't understand these theories. They’re definitely about me and Shiv’s character having a relationship. It's very random, and I think all of us are a bit confused. And we find it a bit funny. Whatever draws in the views, I guess. But I think Agastya is a very straight man. I would assume he's the kind of character that would assert his masculinity in a lot of ways, probably (laughs).” Vihaan on his journey into showbiz Vihan admits that his story hasn’t been the typical struggling type, where he didn’t have to wonder where his next meal came from, but he asserts that he’s faced a fair share of challenges because he got into showbiz sans any connections. “Every single thing I have gotten so far has only been through auditions. I don't think someone said, ‘Hey, let's take him without testing him first.’ So I take great pride in my audition skills. Of course, my dreams and aspirations are huge, and I won't stop for a very long time. I intend to be here for another 50 years at least,” Vihaan concludes.
20 May,2025 06:44 PM IST | Mumbai | Oshin FernandesShe is someone who cannot justify her existence by doing only one thing; that is why she dabbles in several forms of art, confesses actor-comedian-writer Sumukhi Suresh, when we get on a call with her as she preps for her stand-up in Dubai. The actor, who was recently seen in Netflix’s The Royals, plays assistant to Bhumi Pednekar’s character. The role, originally written for a male actor, was transformed by Suresh, who made it her own by adding her unique flavour. In conversation with mid-day, Suresh talks about the reaction to the show, how it helped pull more audiences for her stand-up special Hoemonal, and why she didn’t have the heart to ogle at Ishaan Khatter’s shirtless avatar. Excerpts from the interview. What was your reaction when you got the script for The Royals? And did you write your own dialogues?The first time the role came to me, it was a male part and the character was called Keertan. I was excited to play the part. It was cool if a boy’s role was becoming a girl’s — I didn’t mind that. It was a smaller role, but since they brought me on board, they gave me the liberty to improvise a lot, and it ended up being a longer schedule. It became quite fun eventually, and I had a blast doing it. Imagine how good the writers are, to allow an actor — to trust them — to improvise for a fiction show. That is quite a feat. Dino Morea in The Royals. Pics/Instagram What kind of reactions are you getting?The show is getting a lot of eyeballs. In fact, I was in the immigration line to go to Dubai for my show Hoemonal, and someone asked me if I was Keertana from The Royals. I said yes, and told her to come to my show. I see it this way: if it gets more people to my shows, then that’s amazing for me. Who did you ogle at more in the show — Ishaan Khatter or Dino Morea?You may have seen the final product, but we all saw Ishaan work hard to do what he did. We all felt, “Haaye bechara, kitna kaam kar raha hai.” But I did ogle at Milind Soman and Dino Morea. I also got to dance with Dino. I’m going to carry that memory with me to the next three shows. I’ll do a bit on it. After Dubai, I’m performing in Ahmedabad, and my last Hoemonal show is in Mumbai. Is acting just a hobby, or do you wish to act more in content you’ve written?I love acting. I did Pushpavalli because I wanted to act, so I thought I’d write it. I would have acted in Pushpavalli even if someone else had written it. Naveen Richard and Sumaira Shaikh were also the writers, so it was perfect. If other people are casting me — that’s the dream — then I can just act and enjoy myself. What is tougher — acting, comedy, writing? What frees your spirit?Acting really frees my spirit. I enjoy being in front of the camera; there’s a certain amount of freedom to it. It’s exciting to play someone else. Writing, for me, is more of a discipline — it’s something I’m learning, and hopefully I get better at it. Writing is the legacy I want to leave behind. Stage is what fuels me — it’s where we fail more than we succeed. We bomb a lot and get a lot of silences, and that really humbles you. After your popularity soared, have you ever bombed on stage?Yes, of course. The audience doesn’t care how popular you are. If you’re not good enough, they won’t laugh. When it bombs, it’s really beautiful. It reminds you why you’re doing this in the first place. How difficult is it to become a writer in this industry?The learning itself is a different journey. But just the opportunity, payment terms, and contracts — they’re not the most beneficial for us. The money might be good, but the cash flow is tough. If you want to become a writer, you have to do other things that can pay your bills. I’m fortunate to do stand-up, or act, or post my work on Instagram, which helps me write without the pressure of making money from it. Have you ever felt that you’re not good enough?I feel that every day. As I’m talking to you, I’m having a full-on crisis in my head, wondering if I’m a good actor. It’s both a good and a bad thing. The anxiety of over-performing stays in my head. I like to do something new on a daily basis. All that makes Sumukhi talented! 2024: CTRL (Writer) 2022: Dongri Danger (Director)2022: Hum Do Teen Chaar (Actor)2021: Comedy Premier League (Writer and performer)2020: Pushpavalli (Creator, actor, writer)2018: Comicstaan (Host and Judge)
20 May,2025 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamAfter her breakout role in Made in Heaven 2 (2023), actor and doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju returns to the screen with her second project, the psychological thriller, Kankhajura. The SonyLIV series — also starring Mohit Raina, Roshan Mathew, and Sarah Jane Dias — is the official adaptation of the Israeli series, Magpie. The show follows two estranged brothers, forced to revisit their haunted past as memories twist into a dangerous reality. Haldar plays a Catholic trans woman from Goa who finds herself entangled in a dark mystery. She says working with Mathew — her on-screen partner — was a dream collaboration. “With Roshan, it was wonderful and also a little scary as I am a huge fan of his work in Malayalam and Hindi cinema. I was a bundle of nerves just being on set with him. He has generous energy as a co-actor,” she shares. Despite her initial nerves, their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie quickly found a rhythm. Thrilled by the roles coming her way, she adds, “The volume of roles that are coming in now are interesting. There is more curiosity and openness to casting me.”
20 May,2025 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
