It was just recently when Nora Fatehi made a bold statement and caught a lot of attention. It all started with her recent interview where she said that she doesn't believe in feminism. Now, the cast of 'The Broken News 2', who are on a promotional spree for their upcoming series, shared their thoughts on feminism and talked about their perception of the term. During an interview with Janice Sequeira, Shriya Pilgaonkar shared, “People haven't googled the definition of feminism. Feminism is equal rights, it's not one-upmanship and I think unknowingly a lot of people are feminists already but they somehow don't call themselves that because they think feminism is ‘male-bashing.'” Jaideep nodded in agreement. After Shriya’s comment Sonali Bendre said, "The definition has taken on this connotation of ‘male-bashing’ which a lot of us are not comfortable with. I am not comfortable with ‘male-bashing.’ We are looking for equal rights and you want equal rights not up and down. Again that is an imbalance. What you want is a balance and either way when the scale moves and there's no balance, then there is a problem.” Nora Fatehi's comment Nora Fatehi said in a recent interview on The Ranveer Show, that, “Feminism. I don't believe in this s**. In fact, I think, feminism f** up our society completely… A lot of men now have also been brainwashed by feminism era...if a man can work on being more of a provider, and protector, the women can then focus on being more of the nurturer.” About 'The Broken News 2' The cast of the newsroom drama 'The Broken News 2' -- Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Shriya Pilgaonkar -- were spotted shooting for the second season of the series in Andheri, Mumbai, earlier. The series directed by Vinay Waikul also stars Indraneil Sengupta, Aakash Khurana, and Mugdha Godse, among others. Nora Fatehi on the work front Nora recently appeared in 'Madgaon Express'. Kunal Kemmu’s directorial debut is the story of three childhood friends who embark on a beach escapade to Goa, but their trip goes completely off track. 'Madgaon Express', starring Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, and Avinash Tiwary, has immersed audiences in laughter and adventure.
27 April,2024 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAkshay Oberoi has joined series regulars Jaideep Ahlawat, Sonali Bendre and Shriya Pilgaonkar in the second season of The Broken News. Before shooting for the Vinay Waikul-directed show, the actor believed he understood much about the news world, since his profession demanded regular interaction with journalists. But he was in for a surprise. “Despite my years of interacting with the media, stepping into the world of newsrooms with The Broken News 2 was a humbling and eye-opening experience. I gained newfound appreciation for the intricacies of journalism and the pressures faced by journalists in their pursuit of truth,” he shares. By telling the story of two rival news channels, the ZEE5 offering depicts the inner workings of newsrooms, the race for TRPs and how sensationalism has seeped into primetime news. Oberoi, who found it creatively fulfilling to work alongside such talented co-stars, says the director made his character, the CEO of a channel, particularly layered. “I couldn’t judge my character. I enjoyed playing it as he is multifaceted. The show made me understand the world of news, and nuances of the newsrooms. ”
27 April,2024 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActing is his first love. But considering Neil Bhoopalam’s passion for stories, it’s not surprising that the actor has lent his voice to the audio version of Rohinton Mistry’s acclaimed novel, A Fine Balance. Producer Nadir Khan, his frequent collaborator in theatre, approached him for the Audibles project. The recording was unusual, recalls the actor. “We recorded in Alibaug, at a makeshift studio at the resort and on the streets of Mumbai. The prep involved learning our lines for the scenes, then we would walk and talk and a microphone would follow us around. The narrator bits had to be done in a studio,” he says. Mistry’s novel, which begins in 1975, studies the next decade through four characters, with a focus on the 1984 Emergency. While Bhoopalam serves as the narrator, he also voices the character of Maneck. “I had not read the book before getting my hands on the dramatised script by Ayeesha Menon and Kewel Karim. I watched the book summary on YouTube before reading the script. My performance starts off as the narrator and then [I voice] Maneck, a reluctant student from the mountains. Director John Dryden wouldn’t rest till it sounded right,” he says, before quipping, “He promised us that if we finish our work on time, we could all go for a dip in the pool and have gin!” The actor, last seen in the second season of Made in Heaven (2023), agrees that an audio book is a delayed gratification exercise. “The response is initially slow as audio projects don’t make a big bang on release, but as time goes by, more and more people start listening to it.”
27 April,2024 07:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThere were days he broke down, days he wanted to just give up and run away from home, recalls actor Adhyayan Suman about the "dark phase" of his career that he hopes will end with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Heeramandi". As he contemplated the highs and lows of his life, Adhyayan said he took inspiration from the likes of Amitabh Bachchan. "You look at Mr Bachchan, starting from the beginning and going absolutely down under and then again becoming a superstar, so if you don't learn from that, then what do you learn from? So I learned from that and this is where I stand today," the 36-year-old told PTI. The son of seasoned actor Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan debuted as a lead actor in 2008 with "Haal-e-dil" and followed up with performances in "Raaz - The Mystery Continues" and "Jashnn" which released in 2009. After that followed a prolonged slump where he appeared only sporadically in films. In fact, he made headlines for his personal life, especially his tumultuous relationship with actor Kangana Ranaut. The 15 years from 2009 to 2024 were tough, Adhyayan said. "There were days when I broke down, there were days I wanted to give up and change the profession. There were days when I didn't want to probably live or be here, I don't know, just run away from home. "There were answers I was looking for but weren't getting any, like why me and why is it happening? I don't think anyone can answer that," he said. What kept him going was his parents' love and faith in his capabilities. "I look at myself every day in the mirror and I am very real about who I am and the skills that I own in my life. So I just said 'you know what, it's tough but you just want to do what you got to do.' And then you look at all the other people..." Adhyayan hopes to put an end to the rough patch with the lavishly mounted "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar" in which his father also makes an appearance. The actor said he is optimistic things will change for him post May 1, when the period drama series starts streaming on Netflix. "But I want to be balanced. I don't want to over expect or think too much... I don't want to work like this anymore. I don't think I come from that space anymore. "I think I just want to be neutral. I just want to be grateful for the fact that a man like Bhansali gave me a sense of validation and gave me a new life, and reinstalled the fact that I do know a little bit about my craft. And the rest I'm hoping because I've been getting sincere with my work," he said. "Heeramandi" feels like he is still in a beautiful dream and will wake up any time now, the actor added. "I'm grateful to god that this is not a dream. This is my reality for now. When god gives you something, it gives you 'Heeramandi'. I really hope that people give me the chance and opportunity this time," the actor said. "Heeramandi" stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sanjeeda Shaikh in the lead roles. Billed as an epic saga of love, power, revenge and freedom, the series explores the cultural reality of 'Heeramandi' through the stories of courtesans and their patrons set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s. Adhyayan plays the role of young Nawab Zorawar as well as the younger version of his father's character Nawab Zulfiqar. Recalling the story of how his son was cast in the show, Shekhar Suman said Adhyayan received a call from Bhansali while coming back from Shimla and were crossing a tunnel. The father-son duo, travelling in different cars, stopped on the side of the road and Adhyayan went ahead with the audition for the role of Zorawar. Shekhar, who didn't know at the time that he would also be later cast in the show, said he told Adhyayan to reach the hotel to audition properly but his son insisted on auditioning on the spot. "He stands by the roadside, gives an audition in whatever condition he was in --dishevelled hair and no makeup, nothing. And on the basis of that he gets chosen. "I tell him that metaphorically speaking the dark tunnel where he gets the call was actually the dark phase that he was going through in life, and the light at the end of the tunnel was Mr. Bhansali and Heeramandi was waiting," said Shekhar Suman. Working on 'Heeramandi' and with Bhansali was nothing short of being in a film school, Adhyayan said. "I've learned a lot on this set and I think he is the toughest taskmaster that any actor can ever come across. He is the best film school that an actor can ever go to. It is his craft and his need for perfection, the way his nuances that he has for actors. "It's not easy for an actor to be able to perform with 500 people watching you at a massive set with massive cameras and Mr. Bhansali watching you. If you go through that and are able to deliver, then I feel like you can handle and be in any film set," the actor said. ¿Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar" is created and directed by Bhansali. He also serves as a producer on the show. 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
27 April,2024 06:08 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIActor Jimmy Shergill has shared about his upcoming series 'Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond', stating that those who have ventured into creating movies or series on Balakot have merely skimmed the surface. Jimmy said: "Those who have ventured into creating such movies or series have merely skimmed the surface, but with 'Ranneeti: Balakot and Beyond' we delve deep into the heart of the narrative. 'Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond' features Lara Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Prasanna. The web series takes audiences behind the scenes of a major defence operation like Balakot. Jimmy added: "The positive reception of the trailer indicates that you've enjoyed the glimpse, and we are confident that the series itself will captivate you just as much." The series will stream on JioCinema from April 25. 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
27 April,2024 06:04 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSFor a filmmaker who painstakingly goes into every detail, from the chandeliers on the set to the costumes, one can only imagine the care with which Sanjay Leela Bhansali crafts his characters. With Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, as the auteur tells the story of Lahore’s six courtesans, the one character that stands out is Aditi Rao Hydari’s Bibbojaan—a complex mix of allure and defiance. The actor has the perfect way to describe her role. “Bibbojaan has the dreamy soul of Madhubala from Mughal-e-Azam [1960] and the fire of Joan of Arc,” she says. It was the character’s dichotomy that floored her. “Dichotomies make the character real, and as an actor, it gives me more to play with. Sanjay sir has written a layered character for Bibbojaan. Bibbo is celebrated for her beauty, dance and music, but she sacrifices it all, knowing that her courage may get no reward. She has a higher purpose. She uses her mind, beauty and privilege to further India’s freedom revolution.” The Netflix series—also starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal—depicts India’s fight for freedom when the courtesans are at the height of their power. With his maiden web series, Bhansali talks about not only power and desire, but also women’s agency and the politics of the times. Hydari agrees, stating, “Art and how it finds a voice is always contextual. Artistes and culture cannot be viewed without a historical and an anthropological lens. My mother Vidya Rao had a grant from the Ford Foundation to research courtesans and thumri. I’ve heard many stories from the time in which Heeramandi is set.” This is the second time she is working with Bhansali after Padmaavat (2018). Did the familiarity help as they created arguably India’s most ambitious web series? “Sanjay sir is an incredible teacher. He adores his actors, he lives and breathes his material. I love that Bibbojaan was brought to life by Sanjay sir. There were times when I’d be overwhelmed by the power of his words, the situations.” That there are six women on the poster of India’s biggest show is a statement in itself. Hydari views it as a significant step towards moving to a time where gender won’t matter in stories. “It feels incredible to have such diverse women headlining a show created by Sanjay sir. I hope we get to a day when we never have to bring gender to make a point, a day when we tell great stories with balanced representation.”
26 April,2024 05:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuWhile shooting for The Broken News’ second season, Shriya Pilgaonkar often found herself going to director Vinay Waikul and asking, “Are you sure we need to push this much?” Reason—in the actor’s words, her character Radha has been “flipped”. While the newsroom drama’s first edition ended with the ethical journalist behind bars, the upcoming instalment will see her seeking revenge. Pilgaonkar says, “When I read the script, I was blown away because every character in season two has flipped, especially Radha. We saw her as a journalist, who is ethical and principled. After being called a terrorist, my character, in season two, is going through an inner conflict. She has taken things personally. It took me a while to let go of control while playing Radha because she was making certain choices that I would never make. I had to stop myself from judging her.” The actor enjoyed not only discovering new layers to her character, but also reuniting with co-stars Sonali Bendre and Jaideep Ahlawat. She will spend her birthday today with them, promoting the ZEE5 series. “Later in the day, I will catch up with my friends. When I am not shooting on my birthday, I like to travel,” she smiles. Pilgaonkar recently wrapped up the second season of Bhuvan Bam’s Taaza Khabar. “That set is fun. They are all talented, mad people. This season, the team has worked hard on the script and added more plot points.”
25 April,2024 06:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAll-good or all-bad is boring. The magic lies in the grey, says Lara Dutta, echoing most actors’ sentiments. Which is why she relished playing the role of Manisha Saigal, a leading news channel’s primetime anchor, in Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond. “My character is something of a spin doctor, and it is inspired by a couple of people who exist [in today’s journalism world]. These are powerful journalists who work behind the scenes, spinning narratives for people to see and [influencing their] perception,” says the actor. The JioCinema offering— also starring Jimmy Shergill, Ashutosh Rana, and Ashish Vidyarthi—is set against the backdrop of the 2019 Balakot air strike and offers a fictionalised retelling of the events. Every actor craves layered roles, but Dutta admits she could not have done justice to this character earlier in her career. “You need maturity to portray this character. You will see cynicism, lived experience, moments of weariness and frustration in her. I couldn’t have brought that to the table with less life experience under my belt.” The show is set against the backdrop of the 2019 Balakot air strike. Pics/Instagram Dutta believes life and its wisdom have made her ready for more complex parts today. It shows in her recent choices. The glamorous roles of the aughts—from Andaaz (2003) to No Entry (2005) and Partner (2007)—have been replaced with mature turns in Ishq-e-Nadaan (2023) and Charlie Chopra and The Mystery of Solang Valley (2023). Is she enjoying this change of pace? “I am 1,000 per cent happier today,” beams the actor, 48. “Age has finally freed me from all these shackles of perception, of being perceived only as a pageant winner or a glamorous leading lady. That was never the work I wanted to do. The work I got over the last few years was the kind I had always wanted to do.” In the pipeline are Suryast, Welcome to the Jungle, and Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, in which she plays the manipulative Kaikeyi. She couldn’t be happier about the diverse roles filmmakers are imagining her in. “Today, we are getting offered amazing roles, and for that, I give credit to all the women who have come before us. Apart from those in front of the camera, today you have so much female talent as producers, directors and technicians. It has been a hard-fought battle, but it’s exciting to be a part of this change.”
25 April,2024 06:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRRanneeti: Balakot & Beyond, a gripping new web series, all set to captivate audiences on April 25 on JioCinema, features Jimmy Shergill, Lara Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Prasanna, embarking on a thrilling journey through the intricate web of politics, power, and ambition. The trailer of Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond has caused quite a stir online, getting everyone really excited. People can't wait for the series to come out so they can dive into the story of India's biggest defense mission. For the first time, a web series takes audiences behind the scenes of a major defence operation like Balakot. It promises a gripping journey, offering insights into the bravery and sacrifices involved. The director of the show Santosh Singh has revealed an interesting fact from the show. "Prasanna, whose role is inspired by Indian Fighter Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, has worked really hard for the show and has shown a high level of dedication. We were shooting in Kashmir with temperatures around minus 4 degrees and he had to shoot a fight scene in water. He completed the scene with full finesse," Santosh said. The series is produced by Sunjoy Waddhwa and Comall Sunjay W from Sphereorigins Multivision Private Limited. The high-octane fictional drama, inspired by real-life events that shook the nation, is shot at a grand scale, setting new benchmarks in cinematic excellence for the entertainment landscape. Boasting some never-seen-before aerial sequences, stellar performances and a powerful narrative that deftly captures every aspect, both on and off the battlefield, of India’s biggest and most sought-after defence operation - the web series promises a cinematic experience unlike any other. Prasanna had said at the trailer launch, "It’s been an absolute honour to play the role of a national hero. I just followed the script, but the team who was part of the actual operation created unscripted history with their courage and unmatched love for the nation. I remember feeling actual goosebumps, while shooting the scenes when the Group Captain was captured by the Pakistani forces. Meeting some of the members who were a part of the operation was an absolute fan-boy moment for me that I will always treasure."
24 April,2024 03:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood's 'Fabulous Wives' Maheep Kapoor, Bhavana Pandey, Neelam Soni, and Seema Sajdeh recently went on a trip to Sydney, Australia for a meet and greet with their fans. Maheep took to her Instagram account to share a glimpse of their memorable trip with her followers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maheep Kapoor (@maheepkapoor) Her post included several pictures and videos. In the first picture, the B-town ladies pose together on stairs, exuding grace and style in their fashionable outfits. The following two images show Maheep dressed casually, posing against the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Moreover, there are snapshots of the group having a good time at the bridge. A video depicts Maheep capturing moments of her girl gang from inside the car, enjoying themselves. Another video shows Maheep looking gorgeous in a cream mirror work blazer set. Maheep captioned the post, "Fabulous us take on Sydney, AU...and it was amazing!" Fans filled the comments section with love and admiration for the quartet. A user wrote, "Oh my gosh! I love you ladies so much." Another user commented, "Awesome click." Now, the OG Bollywood wives, Maheep, Neelam, Bhavana and Seema are in Singapore. The show 'Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives' focuses on the personal and professional journeys of Neelam Kothari, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavna Pandey, and Seema Kiran Sajdeh. It first aired on November 27, 2020, on Netflix, and its second season premiered on September 2, 2022. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 April,2024 06:43 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActress Shriya Pilgaonkar, who is set to return with her role of journalist Radha Bhargava in Season 2 of the streaming series 'The Broken News’, has said that amidst the alarming rise in the usage of deepfake and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the onus also lies on people who consume news. The actress said that the series stresses the fact that news consumption cannot be a one-way traffic. The ones who are consuming the news also have to be aware of AI and should verify news from their end as well. The actress told IANS: “This season explores different themes in the world of news reporting that are so relevant. One of them is fake news and how easy it is for sensationalised stories to spread faster than actual truth and facts. Given the recent alarming incidents of the Deepfakes, it raises concerns about misinformation and trust in the media.” “Today, we can’t afford to blindly believe everything we read on social media without fact-checking from multiple sources because of how common fake news has become. Our series addresses the fact that the onus also lies on people consuming news to make sure that they discern fact from fiction.” He also spoke about her character Radha, saying that in the second season of the show, Radha will be seen avenging the false accusations against her. She told IANS: “The character arc of Radha takes an unpredictable turn as she is determined to avenge the false accusations and her being unfairly maligned by the press, particularly Dipankar played by Jaideep Alhawat. As an actor, the process of exploring this inner conflict was both intense and exhilarating. I enjoy playing characters that are on the edge and creating that dynamic with an actor like Jaideep was extremely fulfilling.” “I love a good challenge and the experience of shooting for Season 2 has been super thrilling and a challenge because of the many layers and complexities that unfold in my character. I loved every bit of the process and also learnt a whole lot about the world of news reporting”, she added. 'The Broken News 2' drops on ZEE5 on May 3. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 April,2024 11:24 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
