Anjum Batra is back with a powerful performance in Maamla Legal Hai 2, reprising his role as Lakhmir “Mintu.” In a candid chat, the actor opened up about the evolution of his character, his approach to acting, and what audiences can expect from the new season. Anjum Batra on his character Mintu Reflecting on the first season, Anjum shared, “In Season 1, the character of Mintu… was quite single-layered, according to me. There weren’t many dimensions to him; he was essentially Tyagi’s shadow, his yes-man.” He added, “Whatever Tyagi said or did, Mintu believed it was the best. He always stood by him and followed his lead.” Despite that simplicity, Mintu’s positivity stood out. “He was also someone who never spoke negatively… always positive, a high-spirited person… someone who stays happy no matter what.” However, the new season brings significant changes. “But this season is different. The writers have added a lot more layers to Mintu,” Anjum revealed. With Mintu now stepping into a position of authority, “he was made the acting president of the Bar Association, and that brings in a sense of responsibility and competition.” He further teased, “There’s also a dynamic involving Sujata and the tussle within the chamber… whether it will be Balli Negi and Associates or Negi Balli and Associates. That competition starts even with the name.” The actor also hinted at emotional shifts. “Along with that, there’s a new love-hate dynamic, which was not present in the previous season,” he said, adding, “So overall, Mintu has a lot more to do this time… I hope the audience enjoys it. The rest, I can’t reveal much, you’ll have to watch the show.” On working with Ravi Kishan Speaking about his craft, Anjum noted, “If you ask any actor what kind of roles excite them… we all enjoy playing different kinds of characters.” He explained, “Every person is unique; their mentality, body language, and expressions differ. That’s what makes acting so exciting.” Drawing from experience, he said, “I consider myself lucky because I’ve worked on shows like Crime Patrol, Bhanwar, Saavdhan India, and Code Red for almost 10 years.” Despite the comic tone of the show, he emphasized growth. “In Season 1, Mintu was largely a comic character… but thankfully, there are more layers to the character, which made it even more enjoyable.” Addressing typecasting, he said, “If you play a character very well, you often get typecast. But thankfully, that hasn’t happened to me yet.” Anjum also spoke about the challenge of playing Mintu. “Mintu is very different from who I am; I don’t have that comic energy in real life… that challenge makes it fun.” On the Tyagi-Mintu bond, he assured, “That love and friendship… will continue,” while teasing, “there is a twist… you’ll get to see it in one of the episodes.” He concluded by sharing updates on a new film: “It’s a story set in the 1980s, based on India and Pakistan… speaking in the West Punjab dialect… was a challenge. But overall, it was a great experience.”
06 April,2026 05:19 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti SampatThe recent web series, Chiraiya, headlined by Divya Dutta, Sanjay Mishra, and Prasanna Bisht, among others, has sparked some serious conversation regarding sexual harassment, marital rape, consent and victim blaming. Prasanna, who plays Pooja, a newly married woman who is a victim of marital rape in the series, got candid with mid-day regarding the darker aspects of the series. Prasanna Bisht recalls a sexual harassment incident on sets Given that the character was a vulnerable and emotionally intricate one, we asked the young actor how she got into the mindset of Pooja. To which she revealed, "Something happened with me before I got the show. I faced something during the shoot. I had invested so much of my emotions and my time in a project that I was emotionally connected to. And there was this person who crossed their limits. When I spoke about it in front of the team, I thought the team would back me up on that. But they started quoting me as a problem. They titled me as somebody who was creating problems on set, just because I spoke up for myself." View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioHotstar (@jiohotstar) She added, "So I think that experience really helped me. I think I was just portraying what I went through. That's how I could relate to the character more." Further explaining how she prepared for the darker scenes in Chiraiya mentally, she says, "It's the trauma that we all have seen. It's the experiences that we all have faced as women. And I have seen it happening around me, with me. So, of course, it was very dark, and it was very heavy." Living and reliving such trauma while filming a scene is no ordinary deal, but Prasanna says, "I feel like I'm an actor, and if somehow my five-minute trauma, if I live it again and it empowers people, then I'll do that again and again." Prasanna reveals the most emotionally draining scene Did the emotional scenes stay with her after the cut? "Yeah," she asserts, adding, "It happened when there's a scene where I go, and I try to speak to my mother and she tells me to go back. She doesn't help me, she doesn't listen to me. She was not ready to accept that something like this could even exist. And even if it does, then she just wants me to sacrifice myself, my body, so that my father-in-law can help my brother with his job and other things." The Farrey actress explains, "So, that kind of stayed with me because I think I come from a family where my mother and father have always taught me to be independent. They are very supportive. Even though there were times that I was not able to speak to them about sexual harassment because I think there's something with Indian families, they don't even talk about it. Like, there is no conversation about it." "When I did that scene, then I realised that there are so many parents out there who don't even support their daughters. And that completely shattered me. And then I started thinking about women who actually live in such houses." Talking about how she got out of that zone, she says, "I think everything takes time. You just live with it. You don't come out of it. You just live with it, and you just talk about it."
06 April,2026 04:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Amarylisa GonsalvesHe’s 34-years-old in showbiz and has 750 projects to his credit today. Actor-politician Ravi Kishan has looked back at his journey from the era of Doordarshan to the time when strugglers had few avenues, and how the rise of OTT platforms revived his career, bringing him “back to life from darkness”. Talking about his journey after 750 projects, Ravi told IANS: “When I started, there was only Doordarshan, no option for strugglers. There are 15 lakh strugglers in Mumbai. Then the time came, then the channel came, then the serials came and people started getting work.” The Mumbai-born actor talked about how OTT turned out to be a whiff of fresh air for talents like him. “Then what did OTT do? Actors like me, Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi, all my friends and colleagues, all of them were brought back to life by OTT from the world of darkness. It brought me back,” said Ravi, who left an impressionable mark with his stint in the maiden season of Bigg Boss with his catchphrase “Zindagi Jhandwa Fir Bhi Ghamandwa.” He added that people thought of Ravi Kishan as just a “Bhojpuri superstar” or a “parliamentarian”. “‘This man can do Laapata Ladies? This police officer, sitting in a small room of 10 or 12, with a betel leaf, can do VD Tyagi in Maamla Legal Hai. This is Ravi Kishan? Thanks to this OTT, in all that darkness, people were forgetting the artists living in hell. Or they wanted to forget them by giving them a blanket,” said Ravi, who currently serves as Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur since 2019. “I am also one of them. So, this transformation that I have seen,” he added. Ravi is now excited about the release of the second season of Maamla Legal Hai and has promised that it is a “binge watch”. “You will love it if you do because this is the first season… This is the first series that has come in, which has gone into rerun and trending. I remember about Blacklist.” “This is the magic of this show, which spans. This is a show about India…A small court case, a case of lawyers. Every person, whether they are a farmer or a tycoon of a city, has a lawyer in their life. And it is about their (lawyers’) personal life.” “That is the beautiful part about this series. And the real, true events. Like in Bihar, recently, a horse-riding smuggler was running away. Police came after him with alcohol. Because alcohol is banned in Bihar. He ran away. The horse-riding smuggler who jumped into the jungle ran away. The next day, it was published in the newspaper that the horse was standing in the police station.” 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
06 April,2026 02:44 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS“Hey, what’s new?” is a question we often ask casually when meeting someone after a long time. But beneath its simplicity lies a deeper, almost existential thought for many. The Marathi web series Hey Kay Navin? builds on this idea, exploring the desire for change through the lens of a couple married for a decade who have consciously chosen not to have children. Hey Kay Navin? plot Currently streaming on ZEE5, the series follows Rama (Priya Bapat) and her husband Aditya (Umesh Kamat). On the surface, their life appears nearly perfect, they have a beautiful home in Pune, stable corporate careers, and a loving, supportive marriage even after ten years. Aditya, in particular, comes across as an ideal partner, always encouraging Rama and backing her decisions without hesitation. Yet, beneath this seemingly content life, Rama grapples with a persistent sense of stagnation. Her insecurities are amplified when she compares her life to those around her, friends navigating parenthood and others embracing a more carefree lifestyle. In search of purpose and renewal, she decides to pursue her passion for fashion by launching her own clothing brand. The eight-episode series traces her journey, capturing both the professional hurdles she faces and the emotional shifts in her relationships along the way. Writer-director Varun Narvekar crafts a nuanced narrative that delves into the insecurities couples face at different stages of life. Much of the story unfolds from Rama’s perspective, allowing viewers to experience her internal conflicts and perceptions. Her comparisons, whether with her seemingly “perfect” neighbours raising a child or her free-spirited friends in a live-in relationship, add layers to her dissatisfaction, often straining her otherwise strong bond with Aditya. What sets Hey Kay Navin? apart is its refusal to idealise its protagonists. Rama and Aditya are deeply in love, but they are also flawed, vulnerable, and occasionally at odds with each other. Their arguments and emotional missteps lend authenticity to the narrative, making their journey feel real and relatable. Priya Bapat and Umesh Kamat anchor the show with compelling performances, their real-life relationship adding an effortless chemistry on screen. Priya, in particular, delivers a standout performance, especially in emotionally charged moments, like confronting her mother, who dismisses her ambitions, or breaking down when her first major professional opportunity falters under pressure. Umesh complements her well, portraying a partner who is both supportive and grounding without overshadowing her journey. The supporting cast, including Shubhangi Gokhale and Uday Tikekar as Rama’s parents, along with Payal Jadhav, Tanvi Kulkarni, and Rajasi Bhave, adds depth and texture to the narrative, strengthening its emotional core. Narvekar maintains a largely light-hearted tone, allowing humour and emotion to coexist organically. While the narrative occasionally leans into heightened emotional beats, it largely stays grounded in the everyday realities of its characters. Conclusion Hey Kay Navin? succeeds in capturing the quiet anxieties that often go unspoken in modern relationships, the fear of stagnation, the weight of comparison, and the constant yearning for “something more.” With relatable characters, sincere performances, and a thoughtful narrative, the series offers a reflective yet comforting watch. It may not provide all the answers, but it gently reminds viewers that the search for newness often begins within.
05 April,2026 01:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarActress Huma Qureshi is all praise for her brother Saqib Saleem’s latest outing, Kaptaan, calling it a “banger” as she cheered him on with enthusiasm. Taking to her Instagram stories, Huma shared a few glimpses from the screening at home, which was attended by their friends and family. She wrote in the caption, “It’s Kaptaan time at the Qureshi household." In another story she wrote, "Saqib Saleem killed it Kaptaan. What a banger,” expressing her excitement and pride for her brother’s performance. Saqib too had shared an emotional note about the film’s screening night, describing it as “truly special.” The actor revealed that the evening was made memorable by the presence of his friends, family, and the film’s cast and crew, all coming together under one roof. He wrote: “Last night was truly special. I had the most wonderful evening surrounded by my friends, family, and everyone who came to watch Kaptaan. Having all my loved ones under one roof, along with the incredible cast and crew I had the privilege of working with, felt surreal.” He added that the most meaningful part of the night was having his parents by his side, whom he called his “real-life Kaptaans.” Saqib said seeing their proud smiles and feeling their unwavering support made the moment feel complete. “But the most special part of the night was having my real-life Kaptaans, my parents, right there by my side. Seeing their proud smiles, feeling their love and support in that moment, made everything feel complete.” The actor described the experience as emotional and overwhelming, filled with immense happiness that words could hardly capture. “It was emotional, overwhelming, and filled with so much happiness that words truly fall short. Grateful and thankful to God for everything. Kaptaan is now all yours to watch. And also bday was brought in early. Thanks Danish n Ridhima.” Talking about Kaptaan, the series is set against the charged backdrop of Jwalabad. This gritty crime saga dives into a world where crime has evolved into structured cartels, and power is no longer claimed through chaos alone, but control. The series also stars Siddharth Nigam, Kavita Kaushik, Varun Badola, Anjumm Shharma, Aarif Zakaria, Poojaa Gor, Vikram Kochhar, and Anushka Kaushik in pivotal roles.
04 April,2026 12:05 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe streaming giant Netflix has released a first look at the untitled sequel series to Peaky Blinders, starring Jamie Bell. He will star as Duke Shelby, the son of Cillian Murphy's original lead character, Thomas Shelby, reported Variety. Duke was previously played by Barry Keoghan in Netflix's sequel film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which was released last month, but Bell will play the gangster going forward. Stranger Things and Industry star Charlie Heaton will also lead the cast of the sequel series. Other cast members include Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski, according to Variety. The Peaky Blinders page shared the first look on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Peaky Blinders (@peakyblinders) The new show will take place 10 years after the events of The Immortal Man and follow the next generation of the Shelby family in the 1950s, reported Variety. "In this new era of Peaky Blinders, a decade after World War Two, the race to rebuild Birmingham becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and jeopardy. At its blood-soaked heart is Duke Shelby: older, wiser, more ambitious, and most certainly more dangerous," reads the official logline, as quoted by Variety. Two six-episode seasons of the sequel series, now filming in Birmingham, will arrive on Netflix and the BBC. The show is produced by Banijay U.K.'s Kudos and Garrison Drama. "I am thrilled that we are announcing a new era of Peaky Blinders, moving the story to post-war Birmingham in the early 50s," said Peaky Blinders creator and writer Steven Knight. "We are incredibly fortunate to have Jamie Bell taking the role of Tommy Shelby's oldest son, Duke, and to have the incredible Charlie Heaton also leading the cast. There are more exciting cast announcements to come, and Peaky is on the road again," reported Variety. 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
04 April,2026 11:22 AM IST | Washington DC | ANILights, camera, and action! The shooting for the popular web series Panchayat 5 has commenced. On Friday, the streaming giant shared BTS pictures from the sets of the fifth season. Check out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) "6 years of being in Phulera and never wanting to leave PanchayatOnPrime, New Season, Now Filming," the streamer captioned the post. Since its debut in 2020, Panchayat has steadily grown into one of India's most beloved series, winning hearts across seasons. The new season will continue the story of Abhishek and the people of Phulera. According to the makers, the upcoming season will show Abhishek facing a difficult work environment under a new and vengeful leadership. While he prepares to move ahead with his dream of pursuing an MBA, he must first settle some unfinished matters in the village of Phulera. Panchayat is produced by The Viral Fever and is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra. The story is written by Chandan Kumar. The series stars Jitendra Kumar in the lead role. The show also features actors like Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Saanvika, Durgesh Kumar, Ashok Pathak and Sunita Rajwar in important roles. 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
04 April,2026 11:21 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIBollywood actress Sushmita Sen, who was last seen in the 3rd season of the superhit streaming show Aarya, once spoke about what it takes to bag the title of Miss Universe. An old video of the actress talking to the media after her return to India following her victory at Miss Universe, has resurfaced on the Internet. In the video, she said, “You have to get your wardrobe in order, you have to get your body in order for which you need to do a lot of physical exercises and going to gym and everything. But honestly, I did not work so much for all this”. She further mentioned, “I worked on my mental level at that point of time because it takes a lot of confidence, it takes a lot of tolerance, a lot of patience to be there among so many beautiful girls, to face an audience of so many people and to be yourself yet there. So I guess that's what I really worked on”. Sushmita Sen won the Miss Universe 1994 title. She became the first Indian to win the Miss Universe crown. She represented India after winning the Femina Miss India 1994 title earlier that year, where she placed first ahead of Aishwarya Rai. During the Miss Universe competition, Sushmita Sen advanced through preliminary rounds, including swimsuit and evening gown segments, to reach the final stage. In the final question round, she was asked about the essence of being a woman. Her response emphasized motherhood, compassion, and strength as defining qualities. She was crowned by outgoing Miss Universe Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico. Sen’s victory marked India’s first Miss Universe win and contributed to increased global recognition of Indian contestants in international beauty pageants. The same year, India also won Miss World through Aishwarya Rai, marking a significant milestone for the country in global pageantry. Sushmita Sen’s win is recorded as a key moment in India’s participation in international beauty competitions. 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
04 April,2026 10:09 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSIn March, Prime Video announced Nazdeekiyan, produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, as part of its 2026 slate. Revolving around two couples, the upcoming series explores themes of loyalty, duty, and desire. Sounds familiar? It did to us, too. Perhaps Johar did not look too far for inspiration when creating this show. Sources have told mid-day that ‘Nazdeekiyan’ is inspired by the filmmaker’s all-star offering, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). Taha Shah Badussha and Nikita Dutta star in the upcoming series. Pics/Instagram, AFP A source revealed, “The series is a contemporary take on infidelity. ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’, though controversial at the time, aged well, with generations resonating with the four leads’ conflict. The team at Dharmatic was keen to revisit the idea, and from there, the story for ‘Nazdeekiyan’ was fleshed out.” A still from ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’. Pic/Youtube Director Ruchir Arun’s 20-episode series, however, is not a direct adaptation of the Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji-starrer that told the story of two people finding love outside marriage. Another insider shared, “The DNA is similar, but the situations and setting of the four leads here are different.”
04 April,2026 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaThe popular Disney show Wizards of Waverly Place is where everything began for actor and singer Selena Gomez. She returned as her character Alex Russon in 2025 for the spin-off show Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. The show was centered around Alex's brother Justin Russo played by Davd Henrie. The events focus on Justin and his family including his wife and two kids. Alex brings in Billie, a powerful young wizard, into the equation, forcing Justin to revisit his past as a wizard. Now, the Russo family is gearing up for one final magical chapter as 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' prepares to conclude with a four-part special event this summer. Selena Gomez to make directorial debut Disney announced on Thursday that the sequel series will wrap its run across Disney+ and Disney Channel, with production set to begin next week, as per Deadline. In a major creative milestone, Selena Gomez will make her directorial debut with the premiere episode of the final installment. Gomez, who also serves as an executive producer on the series, is set to reprise her iconic role as Alex Russo in multiple episodes, continuing her longstanding association with the beloved franchise. About season finale plot The announcement follows a dramatic season 2 finale that left fans with significant unresolved storylines. The character Billie, played by Janice LeAnn Brown, regained her erased childhood memories, including the revelation that Alex Russo is her mother. The finale also introduced looming threats from the dark magic realm. Billie's lineage ties her to the former dark wizard Damian Pennwolf, whose presence has yet to be fully explored. Meanwhile, Lord Morsus, Damian's father, forced Billie to open a dangerous portal as part of a prophecy. In a heroic move, Alex jumped into the rift alongside Lord Morsus, sealing it from the other side to protect her family. According to Disney's official logline, the concluding episodes will follow Billie as she grapples with Alex's disappearance. Determined to rescue her mother, she realises that the only way forward is to reunite with her estranged father. As the Russo family unites, their combined strength becomes crucial in confronting the growing evil. The original 'Wizards of Waverly Place' was created by Todd Greenwald. The ensemble cast includes David Henrie as Justin Russo, alongside Alkaio Thiele, Max Matenko, Taylor Cora, and Mimi Gianopulos. Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas serve as writers and executive producers, joined by Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, Rick Williams, Gomez, and Henrie.
03 April,2026 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Ananya Panday had been in Thailand for quite some time filming the second season of the popular show Call Me Bae, and on Thursday, the team finally wrapped up the shoot. Taking to Instagram Story, Ananya shared a picture from the final day of the shoot. She posted a photo of a cake on which CMB 2 Season Wrap was written. "See you very soon guys," Ananya captioned the post. Picture Courtesy/Ananya Panday's Instagram account The upcoming season will focus on Bae's (Ananya) journey as her own news show finally goes on air. While this brings her fame and attention, it also brings new challenges in both her personal and work life. In the second season, Bae's life becomes more complicated when her ex-husband returns. At the same time, she also finds herself getting distracted by her charming boss. This leaves her confused as she struggles to balance her feelings and her growing career. Her close group of friends will also face problems in the new season. The arrival of a "Nayi Behen" in their circle will start creating tension among the group. The show is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta. The series will be directed by Collin D'Cunha and written by Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar and Rohit Nair. Apart from Ananya, several actors from the first season will return. The cast includes Vir Das, Shruti Haasan, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt and Lisa Mishra. Actor Mini Mathur will also join the cast in the new season. The first season of the show was released in September 2024. 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
03 April,2026 10:59 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
