On: Amazon Prime VideoDirector: Rahul PandeyActors: Amol Parashar, Anandeshwar Dwivedi, Vinay PathakRating: 3/5 First off, I have a soft corner for stuff set in villages. Even if Gram Chikitsalay feels like simply the first draft of that show. I also love the way all the characters refer to the doctor in this series as ‘Daak Saab’. That’s also how it shows up in the subtitles. It’s the colloquially correct pronunciation. Although the gentleman that the villagers call Daak Saab is actually a “jhola chhaap” quack. Of which there must be God knows how many in rural India. Actor Vinay Pathak plays this beloved role, doing Internet searches for symptoms/diagnoses; rather trigger-happy, doling out “booster shots” to unsuspecting patients! Pathak, as Chetak Kumar, equally gets his purbi (eastern Indian) accent right. We know Pathak (Bheja Fry, Khosla Ka Ghosla) first from his days as VJ on Channel V, where he held a legit American twang. He’s a rare actor, who can seamlessly switch between both. Where’s this purbi accent in the show from, to be precise? Well, in the first episode, you observe an old bloke on a cycle, asking for directions to Danapur, that is supposedly 2 km from this village named Bhatkandi. Danapur, I know, is a satellite town of Patna. Only, the vehicle number plates in this village mention Jharkhand state, while you observe its district headquarter in a document as Bulsitiya — quite funnily named, like Fakoli (Bazaar), off Panchayat’s Phulera village in UP, that was shot in Mahodiya, MP. I call attention to such trivia, only because villages that constitute 70 per cent of India is somehow seen as anonymous/generic onscreen, while most good films/series attempt to capture every nuance of the big/small cities, where they’re set. It’s also unclear when, why or how (perhaps mid 1990s onwards), India’s villages swiftly fell off the mainstream entertainment map. Anything that authentically reverses it is, foremost, a pleasure to dive into, even give a longer rope to — including the last such show I watched, Dupahiya (also on Prime Video), that was much richer, in terms of (comic-thriller) plot. That rural entry happens in this case, with the pastoral long-shot of an auto-rickshaw meeting a herd of sheep in Bhatkandi, with farms/fields and lake on either side. The gent, Prabhat Sinha (Amol Parashar), on that rick, is a doctor sent over from Delhi to take over its defunct primary health centre, or gram chikitsalay. The irony of the show’s title is there are hardly any properly functional gram chikitsalayas in India’s eastern heartland. Although seeming quite affected in his manners, the good doc looks around clueless in an altogether foreign shore, that he must figure out, in order to set up base, even if temporarily. For closest company, he has his associates, chiefly a friendly assistant (played wonderfully by Anandeshwar Dwivedi). Now, this is a predicable trope, alright — that of a city boy hit by cultural shock/struggles, supplanted into a village. Take Agastya Sen crash-landing into Madna as a bureaucrat in English, August (1994). Or, of course, Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar), similarly thrown into a gram panchayat in Panchayat. The reason for this is kinda obvious. While the film/series may be rural, in its setting, its gaze has gotta be urban — because that’s what its OTT subscription audience is. India may reside in the villages. That’s not where its pockets are deep. Also, it’s not that the premise of Panchayat was particularly unique. Consider the Doordarshan TV serial in the 1980s, titled Ummeed, where a bank manager from the city is posted in a run-down office, at a village, with one assigned assistant. He has to get used to rural life. Who played this lead character in that show? Shah Rukh Khan! For the most part, the beauty/charm of Gram Chikitsalay lies in its atmospherics; casual observations, say, the kavi sammelan at the funeral bhoj/dinner. Or untested faces in walk-on parts — the old man with swollen testicles; that bombastic bloke, who’s the local teacher seeking medical certificate; the other guy, who’s gone ahead and farmed on government property… Over time, I’ve come to realise, slice-of-life shows work best when they’re about nothing at all. Of course, there’s no show about nothing. What I mean is, say, Friends or Seinfeld in an Indian village. That’s what the first season of TVF’s Panchayat charmingly felt like. TVF has also produced Gram Chikitsalay that appears to lose grip over the narrative, when cursorily dealing with hard issues like mental health or electoral politics, without the depth to offer its characters, eventually. Or even the plot’s central conflict, for that matter — that nobody in the village wants to visit its health centre; now that it’s fully functional, for the first time! Why would they not? It helps that the show is short, hence sweet — at five episodes flat, of about 40 minutes each. As against overstaying its welcome. There is no reason to catch another season. But if vela/chilling, will pick a village over villas, any day!
09 May,2025 10:13 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharBreak routine on this Mother’s Day, 11th May 2025. Bring in the popcorn and watch these fierce, fabulous and flavourful OTT shows with your mom on Netflix, JioHotstar and ZEE5. These web series aren’t your regular mother-son reunion or patriotism-guised love for ‘Mother’ India. Saas, Bahu or Flamingo - Saas-Bahu in #MenDominatedFields. Who else could fit the role of Queen of an empire other than Dimple Kapadia as Rani Ba— the name says it all. Angira Dhar as Kajal and Isha Talwar as Bijlee, Rani Ba’s two daughters-in-law along with Radhika Madan as Shanta, the daughter form a strong, loyal bond as the women of the house. This gang of women runs– not the kitchen, but a narcotics empire disguised behind the innocent facade of herbal and handicrafts businesswomen. The plot intensifies as Rani Ba declares someone new as the heir to her drug kingdom, sparking rumbling, power-hungry family conflict. Mai- When Mother turns Warrior This is the story of a mother who transforms from reverent to ruthless on her journey to find her daughter’s killers. Sakshi Tanwar, as Sheel, turns the underworld upside down to seek justice for her daughter, Supriya- played by Wamiqa Gabbi. She hunts the truth at all and any costs, ready to kill— this form of love can only be exhibited by a mother who has lost her daughter. Dabba Cartel- Dal, roti aur saath main… achar? Five women, with different reasons, start a lunch service company— dabba khana. There was more than just homely meals in these dabbas.. They become a part of the drug smuggling chain, not knowing that one of them had already been known in the underworld. This web series breaks motherly stereotypes and gives them the edge of a fiery, underworld don tucking the pallu and putting on shades. Watch this with your mom and see what alternative ideas she has when Shabana Azmi, Shalini Pandey, Jyothika, Nimisha Sajayan and Anjali Anand get into something they’ve never known before. Mentalhood- the mental motherhood This series produced by Rupali Guha, is based on the very reality of all mothers— the Mom to Mom battle. Dropping kids to school in MET verified, couture-giving looks, being a ‘Rohan ki mom’ in public and ‘Rohandas ki mataji’ at home, living up to their children’s expectation of a ‘cool’ mother and raising her children right is just the tiny bit of commonality you will find throughout this OTT show. For once, you’ll be on the outside, looking at mothers like yours and seeing the atrocious expectations children set for their parents. Starring the sherni—Sushmita Sen—as she navigates the illicit world of drug smuggling after her husband’s untimely and mysterious death. Now in its third season, this series has won hearts across all ages and genders—it's a must-watch. She begins as a novice, rises to a position of power, and faces the ultimate test as the plot twists and turns, putting her family in a now-or-never situation. Discover what unfolds and watch how Sushmita Sen does full justice to the role of an underworld queen and fiercely protective mother. Aarya Starring the sherni—Sushmita Sen—as she navigates the illicit world of drug smuggling after her husband’s untimely and mysterious death. Now in its third season, this series has won hearts across all ages and genders—it's a must-watch. She begins as a novice, rises to a position of power, and faces the ultimate test as the plot twists and turns, putting her family in a now-or-never situation. Discover what unfolds and watch how Sushmita Sen does full justice to the role of an underworld queen and fiercely protective mother.
09 May,2025 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShahid Kapoor made his web series debut in 2023 with the Raj and DK series 'Farzi'. The sequel to the series is currently in the works. The show revolved around counterfeit currency, with Shahid’s character portrayed as a talented artist who recreated Indian currency notes with precision, proving his worth through his skills. The second season of the show is reportedly set to become the actor’s highest-paid acting project in his over 20-year-long career. Shahid Kapoor charges whopping fee for Farzi 2 According to a report by Pinkvilla, Shahid Kapoor will be earning Rs 45 crore for the upcoming season, which is expected to go on floors later this year. This marks the highest fee Shahid has ever charged in his film or digital career. Reportedly, Kapoor usually charges between Rs 25-30 crore per film. However, he has adapted his fee structure for digital content, charging differently for OTT shows and theatrical releases. About Farzi 2 Farzi ended on a cliffhanger, teasing an intense face-off between Shahid, Vijay Sethupathi, and Kay Kay Menon. Since then, fans have been eagerly waiting for its second season. Shahid and Raashii Khanna had confirmed in March 2024 that they would begin working on the sequel soon. Reports suggest that Farzi 2 is expected to go on floors in December 2025. A source revealed, “Raj and DK are currently occupied with Rakht Brahmand. Once they wrap the show, they’ll dive into pre-production for Farzi 2. The show is expected to premiere on OTT in the second half of 2026.” Before that, Shahid is expected to complete shooting for Dinesh Vijan’s Cocktail 2, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon. The film is a sequel to the 2012 romantic drama Cocktail, which featured Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty. About Farzi Farzi featured an ensemble cast including Shahid Kapoor, Vijay Sethupathi, Raashii Khanna, Kay Kay Menon, Bhuvan Arora, Regina Cassandra, and Amol Palekar in key roles. The story followed the life of Sunny (played by Shahid), a small-time con artist who finds himself drawn into the criminal underworld while attempting the perfect con. However, a fiery and unconventional task force officer (played by Vijay Sethupathi) is determined to bring him down and eliminate the national threat he poses. Directed by the acclaimed duo Raj and DK, this crime thriller marked the digital debut of both Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi. It streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
09 May,2025 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNetflix released its original series, The Royals, starring a talented ensemble cast. This 8-episode romantic drama set in the fictional city of Morpur in Rajasthan offers a very casual take on Indian royalty. It follows the new-age recipe of inclusivity and women empowerment, but falls flat in terms of execution. What is Netflix’s The Royals about? The Royals follows the life of Bhumi Pednekar, a budding entrepreneur whose aim is to make royalty available for commoners through Royal B&B. She stumbles across Ishaan Khatter, a soon-to-be king, whose family is in debt after losing his father, Milind Soman. The two collaborate under unusual circumstances while suppressing their true feelings for each other. The series has several subplots to keep the viewer engaged, but they seem borrowed to simply extend the runtime. Powerful performances The story has a modern twist where the pauper saves the prince. Whoever decided to cast Bhumi and Ishaan together needs a raise. This pair came armed with chemistry that set the screen ablaze. Bhumi nails it this time with her acting prowess. When she cried, I cried because her tale represented every woman who dreams big and wants to make it on her own. Ishaan is a treat to watch. He portrays what it takes to cope with grief, while being marked with one expectation after another for the sake of his public image. Coming to the supporting cast, Sakshi Tanwar plays the OG mom - but this time she adds a comedic touch and lives by the mantra - “Vidhwa hoon, murda nahi,” taught by the icon Zeenat Aman, her mother-in-law. The veteran superstar, with little screen time, brought a smile to my face with her diva energy. She’s funny, witty, a hoarder of wisdom, and the sounding board for Sakshi when she faces any dilemma. The surprise element was Dino Morea, who probably took away the limelight from Ishaan whenever he made an appearance as the royal of Alsipur. Other actors such as Vihaan Samant, Chunky Panday, Nora Fatehi, and Kavya Trehan contribute decently to the show. Final Verdict The Royals is a refreshing watch and takes away the seriousness of elite life. It is nothing like The Crown, but allows a fragment of understanding of what the royal families in India perhaps endured when their reign dwindled. If you’re looking for a show that will make you laugh and cry all at once, The Royals is for you.
09 May,2025 01:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Oshin FernandesAmid rising tension between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Information nd Broadcasting has directed OTT platforms to discontinue streaming of content originating from Pakistan. The Ministry has advised any and all streaming sites in India to not air content from Pakistan from immediate effect. MIB issues advisory to streaming platforms The advisory by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting comes in the wake of strikes by Indian armed forces on terror sites in Pakistan to avenge the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or… pic.twitter.com/8yjP6ULNEU — ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025 "In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect," the advisory issued by the ministry said. AICWA lashes out at Pakistani artists Following India’s successful execution of Operation Sindoor and elimination of nine terror camps in Pakistan and POK, Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan condemned the country’s retaliation. Now, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has strongly condemned the Pakistani actors’ ‘anti-India’ statements in an official note. In a post shared on their social media, the organization lashed out at the actors, stating, “The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) strongly condemns the anti-India statements made by Pakistani actress Mahira Khan and actor Fawad Khan, who have openly criticised India and questioned the nation’s actions in defence of its sovereignty. Mahira Khan labelled India’s military response as a ‘Seriously Cowardly’ act, while Fawad Khan, instead of condemning terrorism, focused on criticising India’s stance and supporting divisive narratives.” Further in the statement, they said that the comments not only disrespected but also insulted the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and innocent lives lost to terrorism. Reaffirming their stance on a total ban on Pakistani artists, AICWA added, “These statements are not just disrespectful to our nation but also an insult to the countless innocent lives lost due to terrorism and the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our country. AICWA reaffirms its strict and complete ban on Pakistani artists, filmmakers, and financiers working in India. No Indian artist will collaborate with any Pakistani talent, nor will any global platform be shared with them.”
08 May,2025 06:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a decisive move, Netflix India, on May 7, called off the music launch of its upcoming series, The Royals. The cancellation came after India’s military launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror camps in Pakistan in the early hours of Wednesday. In a statement, the government said that its military had targeted “terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from where attacks against India have been planned and directed”. This comes as a response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. The music launch of the Zeenat Aman, Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter-starrer was scheduled to take place at a Juhu venue yesterday. The event was to be hosted by singer and composer duo Ruuh and Joh, with performances by Neeti Mohan, Sukriti Kakar, Jubin Nautiyal, and Jonita Gandhi, among others. Invitations had been sent out, and preparations were on in full swing before the decision to cancel was made Wednesday noon. Zeenat Aman Sources within the production team confirm that the top bosses at Netflix India deemed it “insensitive” to host a celebratory event at a time when the nation is witnessing escalating conflict at the border, and emotions are running high in the country. “This isn’t the right moment for glamour and red carpets. The optics of hosting a launch while the country is bracing for developments on the frontlines didn’t sit right with the team,” said a source. While the series will drop online as scheduled on May 9, all promotional activities have been paused until further notice.
08 May,2025 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuYesteryear diva, Zeenat Aman will next be seen as Maji Sahiba in the much-awaited drama, "The Royals". Through her latest Instagram post, Zeenat thanked the team for keeping her comfortable during the shoot. Sharing that shoots now tend to leave her exhausted due to age, she wrote on her IG, "This post is NOT studio-mandated. It’s my honest and earnest appreciation for the teamwork and effort that went into creating The Royals. The truth is that as I get older, shoot schedules leave me exhausted. At the end of a 10 to 12 hour workday that involves tedious time in the makeup chair, heavy costumes and jewellery, searing heat and frenzied activity, I am left with swollen ankles and drooping eyes. It’s all quite unglamorous, but then I watch myself on screen and see what a coup the team managed. My character Maji Sahiba is absolutely entitled, queenly, tart, and intimidating, just as she was scripted! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman) Lauding co-star Ishaan Khatter for looking after her on the set, Zeenat added, "Now, while every member of the cast and crew did their best to ensure my comfort, I must admit I am most charmed by the young Mr. Khatter. Here is a boy whose star is on the rise, yet he made it a point to prioritise my wellbeing. From assisting me down the stairs to my vehicle, to bringing me fresh ginger ale to sip on between takes and conjuring up cushions for the uncomfortable plastic chair I had to sit on during readings, he exhibited the courtesies and grace I thought had become virtues of the past." Praising his work ethic, she said, "I also witnessed his immense dedication to his work as he honed his horse-riding and dancing skills to really embody his royal character." "@ishaankhatter, you have an ally in me and I give you all my blessings for a successful career (and meaningful personal life)." Zeenat concluded. Backed by Pritish Nandy Communications, the project also stars Bhumi Pednekar, and Sakshi Tanwar in key roles. Helmed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, "The Royals" is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on 9 May. 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
07 May,2025 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe third and final season of Squid Game is approaching, and the newly released teaser trailer offers fans a first glimpse at the dramatic culmination of Netflix's most popular show across the globe. The makers have also announced the release date of the third season. About Squid Game season 3 teaser Picking up from Season 2's devastating cliffhanger, as per the teaser, the third season thrusts Gi-hun (Player 456) back into the brutal heart of the games, determined to dismantle them once and for all. Still haunted by the betrayal and loss of his closest ally, Jung-bae (Player 390), Gi-hun faces new difficulties, including the Front Man, who shockingly infiltrated their rebellion disguised as Player 001. The makers' newly unveiled teaser trailer opens with pink guards carrying a black box to the contestants' resting area. The curious and scared players approach and open the box, revealing Gi-hun inside. After he awakens, the viewers are transported to the beginnings of a new game, which includes a massive gumball machine that dispenses red and blue balls, representing the fates determining the next challenge. As the suspense builds, the final moments of the teaser echo with the mysterious cries of a baby. The series will stream in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages. The OTT platform, Netflix, announced the release date of the series through their Instagram handle. They wrote, "Player 456 returns, one final time. Watch the final season of Squid Game out on 27 June, only on Netflix." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) About Squid Games As per the press note shared by the makers, the series Squid Game remains Netflix's most popular show to date and continues to captivate global audiences, smashing multiple records with its Season 2 return in December 2024. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who returns as writer and director for the final season, originally planned Squid Game as a three-season story. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of a future spinoff. "When we were doing season one, I was saying there was never going to be another season," Hwang told The Hollywood Reporter during season two's launch. "And so if the time comes, and it just so happens that I'm able to come up with a character or a different story, then maybe there might be a comeback. But I'm thinking more along the lines of a spinoff," he added. (with inputs from ANI)
06 May,2025 08:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWould you believe it if we told you that Mayur More, who played the meek and clumsy IIT aspirant Vaibhav Pandey in Kota Factory, has never watched his own show? The actor confesses that apart from the first season, he has never dared to watch any of his work. “I get too critical about my work, wondering what I could have done better. It’s an unwanted pressure,” shares More, who is seen in Pushkar Mahabal’s directorial series Black, White & Gray — Love Kills. The series follows journalist Daniel Gary, who sets out to uncover four murders linked to an elusive young man — played by More — from an economically disadvantaged background. As Daniel investigates, he exposes a web of corruption, patriarchy, and societal divides, blurring the lines between guilt and innocence. In conversation with mid-day, the actor talks about what drew him to the show and his lack of prep before the shoot. Edited excerpts from the interview. How did you bag the role in Black, White & Gray — Love Kills?Like any other normal process, I went for the audition. They gave me the script in English, and I had to translate it into Hindi before the audition, which annoyed me a little at first. Even during the audition, I didn’t understand the briefing because they gave me no details. In the second round of auditions, Pushkar [Mahabal, director-writer] was present, and I expressed how clueless I was in my first audition. That’s when he told me a bit more about the story. Pushkar and our writer Ankita’s [Narang] energy was so infectious that I got drawn in even more. After four rounds, I was bored and very close to quitting. The show was initially planned to shoot in March-April [2024], but I was already working on another project at the time. So I declined the show. However, things got delayed on their end, and our schedules eventually aligned. What was your prep like?Actually, I didn’t even get the time to read the script. When Pushkar asked if I had read it, I said I hadn’t and felt guilty. We had to start shooting within a month, so it was quite shameful to admit that I hadn’t read it. I thought he’d be angry, but instead, he gave me a strange reaction. He asked me to come on set without reading the script. I thought he was being sarcastic, but he wasn’t. On set, he gave me the narration, and I couldn’t stop myself from jumping up and down — the script was confusing, but the twists surprised me. My loud reaction surprised me, while Pushkar was thrilled. How was it shooting the complicated scenes with the cast and crew?I had a lot of fun shooting the series. It was hectic, unlike your regular shoots. My DoP, Saee [Bhope], didn’t use any lights in the scenes — the ones we did use can’t really be considered proper shooting lights. Usually, between shots, you get about half an hour to adjust the lighting, but here we had none of that. We were shooting back-to-back. We were initially told we would shoot in a linear fashion, which made me feel relaxed because the script is quite complex. However, our location was so remote — somewhere in Nagpur — that we couldn’t do it that way. Typically, a crew consists of 100 to 150 people, but Pushkar prefers working with a smaller team. We had only 30 to 40 people on set. The action and running scenes were tough but a lot of fun. Palak Jaiswal and Mayur More in Black, White & Gray — Love Kills The music on the show has a 1980s vibe. Did you explore it personally on set?I was very excited about the music in the show. Pushkar feels he isn’t a good enough music director, so he moved to directing. Interestingly, we share a similar taste in music. I was listening to a track by Charanjit Singh, who was the sound engineer with RD Burman. In 1982, he made an album called 10 Ragas to Disco, which has now become a cult. When he explored this sound, even he didn’t realise he was creating something for future [generations]. He was missing the tabla, so he used a synthesiser instead. I made Pushkar listen to it, and he told me that the show’s music would be similar. I was thrilled. How will this show help your career trajectory?Actually, the story drives me. I never think about how a show will help boost my career. After Kota Factory, where I played such an interesting character, people keep casting me as a student. I’m a bit bored of that now. Even when I try to play it differently, they ask me to recreate the same look from Kota Factory. Sometimes, you have to do it for the money. I repeated myself once when the director insisted on that look. Mera mann khatta ho gaya tha because I didn’t get to explore anything new. I’ve tried to keep all my choices distinct from each other. The idea is to live many lives in this one life. Mayur’s past works . Tikli and Laxmi Bomb (2017). Gachchi (2017). Chidi Balla (2019). Girlfriend Chor (2020). Kota Factory (2019–24). Slum Golf (2023)
06 May,2025 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamWriter and director Pushkar Mahabal has a distinct process of crafting a scene. He often imagines the scene’s background music before its other elements. “When I think of a scene, I first hear the background score in my head, and then I think of the visuals. After that, my head is filled with dialogues,” says Mahabal, whose series Black, White & Gray — Love Kills dropped online over the weekend. His dependence on music is understandable. Before turning to direction, Mahabal was a composer. So, it’s not surprising when he says that even though the SonyLIV offering is a crime thriller, music forms the backbone of the storytelling. He believes that composer Meghdeep Bose’s music played a crucial role in building the atmosphere. He elaborates, “Meghdeep and I are old friends. When I started writing the show, we had long conversations over the kind of music it should have. [After some sessions], he made me hear the title track, which was the first thing we made. He cracked the music completely.” A still from Black, White & Gray — Love Kills. Pics/AFP, Instagram The soundscape of the Mayur More, Tigmanshu Dhulia, and Deven Bhojani-starrer leans into retro influences, drawing from early electronic styles. “We had the intention of going slightly retro, so we used the sounds of synths when they came out. I remember sending Meghdeep a soundtrack from YouTube, and asking him which genre it belonged to. He said it was the synth wave.” The director believes his connection to music has shaped his storytelling from his first film, Welcome Home (2020). A key learning of playing with music, he states, is to know when not to use it. “Music is extremely important to storytelling. The decision of when not to put music is equally important. Whenever a viewer feels the score embedded in a scene is unnecessary, that means the filmmaker is conscious of the scene.”
05 May,2025 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamMusic and acting share a common strand, believes Lisa Mishra. “Acting, like music, is about honesty. If you’re not emotionally present, the audience knows,” she reasons. It is perhaps this commonality that has made it easy for the singer to transition to acting. After featuring in Call Me Bae (2024), Mishra will soon be seen in The Royals. While landing the role of Niki in the Netflix show — led by Zeenat Aman, Bhumi Pednekar, and Ishaan Khatter — wasn’t easy, she says the shoot was an inspiring experience. “Acting allows me to explore a different kind of emotional truth. I’ve come to love it as much as I love singing. Moreover, this was a dream cast. Every day I was a bit more inspired by the people I was working with,” she shares. Zeenat Aman in The Royals. Pics/AFP, Instagram The cherry on the cake was, of course, sharing screen space with Aman, who plays the matriarch of the Morpur royal family. The veteran actor has long been admired in Mishra’s household. She says, “My dad has always been a huge admirer of Zeenat Aman. I grew up watching her films, with him. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I told him that I landed the role. It was a moment of pride, disbelief, and nostalgia, all rolled into one.”
03 May,2025 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
