On Tuesday, fans of Saif Ali Khan rejoiced as the actor received warm welcome not only from his family but also the media who were present to see the recovering actor getting discharged from Lilavati Hospital. While many appreciated Khan’s courage and spirit as he was seen walking towards his vehicle, looking healthy, some netizens resorted to ‘conspiracy theories’ as Khan found himself being targeted by trolls for making a full recovery this quickly. Actress Pooja Bhatt, sister of Saif’s sister-in-law Alia Bhatt came in defence of the actor and asked these trolls to be happy about the actor’s recouping health.

Pooja Bhatt reveals that audience should ‘applaud’ him for his grit

The actress believed that many details shared by the doctor about the wounds on the actor could have created a different picture altogether in the minds of the audience which would have resulted in these trolls. "The graphic details of the stabbing that emerged in the media painted an image in people's heads about Saif's physical state. That image was perhaps not in sync with the visuals of seeing him walk out of hospital on his own two feet," she told ETimes.

However, she insisted that as audiences we should applaud him for his bravery and courage. "But don't these very people forget that they lauded him for walking himself into the hospital as well? A man who checks himself into hospital in a wounded, traumatised condition surely has the grit to walk out of hospital on his own. We should be applauding this instead of resorting to being conspiracy theorists”.

Details about the attack on Saif Ali Khan

On January 16 morning, Bollywood woke up to the shocking news of Saif Ali Khan being stabbed six times during a robbery attack at his Mumbai residence. The actor underwent multiple surgeries at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai and finally received a discharge on January 21, wherein the actor is expected to have made an almost full recovery. Meanwhile, the Mumbai police continue its investigations and are in the process of detaining the conspirators behind the attack.

Also Read: Pooja Bhatt launches unfiltered podcast Maine Dil Se Kaha with Mahesh Bhatt for his 76th birthday

Chhaava trailer released amid much fanfare on January 22 with the entire cast being present. Marking her next release after her highly successful Pushpa 2 – The Rule, Rashmika Mandanna couldn’t be more excited about returning to the big screens – and that too in such a unique avatar. While she has been a popular actress down South as well as in Bollywood, this will be her first time exploring the world of Maratha warriors as a quintessential Maharashtrian Queen. While sharing her experience of working in the film, the actress got quite emotional and went on to describe the kind of happy space she is in after doing the movie.

Rashmika Mandanna describes it as an ‘opportunity of a lifetime’

In the trailer launch, as the actress was asked about working for the film, Rashmika Mandanna responded, “This film is something I could ask for in this lifetime. I was just talking to director Laxman sir, that I feel like, after this film, I am happy enough to retire.”

Actress requests audiences to accept her

Further talking about how the makers completely trusted her to pull off this role, despite being a non-Maharashtrian, Rashmika said, “I don't know how Laxman (Utekar) Sir thought about it. But I am telling you, this is one of the most special characters I had the opportunity to play. I hope I have done a good job and tomorrow you'll like it. This has been very personal and close to you but today I have tears in my eyes when I watched Chhaava.” The actress went on to express her hope about being accepted by the Marathas and added, “I want to really thank all the Marathas. We are everywhere but today I am a part of your family and hope you'll accept me.”

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About Chhaava

Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Maddock Films, the film is based on the novel by the same name written by Shivaji Sawant. The film stars Vicky Kaushal in the lead role of Chhaava aka Chatrapati Sambhaji whereas Rashmika Mandanna plays his wife Maharani Yesubai. It also features Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb along with an ensemble cast of Diana Penty, Divya Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, among others in key roles. The film is slated to release on February 14.

Also Read: Chhaava trailer launch: Laxman Utekar reveals that Dinesh Vijan had reservations about the casting of ‘South Indian’ Rashmika Mandanna: “I told him, ‘Her eyes are so pure that aur koi Marathi maharani lag hi nahin sakti'”

Tahira Kashyap, wife of actor Ayushmann Khurrana, is celebrating her 42nd birthday today, January 21. Marking the occasion, Ayushmann shared a heartfelt birthday message on Instagram, accompanied by a monochrome photograph. In the image, Ayushmann is seen gazing at Tahira as she turns her head while walking.

In another post, Ayushmann Khurrana beautifully encapsulated their journey from young love to a happily married life. He shared a heartfelt note reflecting their evolving love story and wrote, “‘Ayush! Papa aa gaye! Baad mein phone karti hoon.’ Se le kar ‘Papa! Ayush aa gaya! Baad mein phone karti hoon.’ Tak ka ishq dekha hai.”

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The post quickly garnered reactions from fans and celebrities alike. Singer Harshdeep Kaur commented, “Ufff How cute!” Actor Rajkummar Rao shared his wishes, writing, “Happy Birthday @tahirakashyap.” Actress Malvika Mohanan added, “Such a cute photo.”

Tahira Kashyap and Ayushmann Khurrana tied the knot in 2008 after nearly seven years of dating. They welcomed their first child, a son named Virajveer, in 2012, followed by their daughter, Varushka, in 2014.

On the work front, Ayushmann Khurrana is currently filming his upcoming project Thama, a “bloody love story” featuring Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, known for Munjya, the film is set to release during Diwali 2025.

In addition, Ayushmann is also working on an untitled action thriller backed by Karan Johar, co-starring Sara Ali Khan. Written and directed by Aakash Kaushik, the film's official release date has yet to be announced.

Tahira Kashyap made her directorial debut with the 2024 comedy-drama Sharmajee Ki Beti, which stars Sakshi Tanwar, Divya Dutta, Saiyami Kher, Pravin Dabas, and Shairb Hashmi in lead roles. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Also Read : Tahira Kashyap recalls special moments from her first Lohri after marrying Ayushmann Khurrana: “My in-laws hosted a party to celebrate us, the newlywed couple”

“We have to be in the system to change the system” – This dialogue uttered by Vinayak Mane (Atul Kulkarni) to Madhavi Sharma (Konkona Sen Sharma) in Page 3 (2005) is simple and yet quite hard-hitting and relevant even today for journalists, 20 years later. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, this film was in real terms what we call a ‘sleeper hit’. It was released without much expectation and many were not even aware of the Page 3 culture. Yet, the film grew with each passing day, shocking the industry and trade. As Page 3 completed 20 years on January 21, Madhur Bhandarkar spoke exclusively with Bollywood Hungama about the film, his memories and a lot more.

At the very beginning of the film, you have thanked Shatrughan Sinha. Why was that?

Before Page 3, I directed Aan (2004), which starred him. I wanted to honour him as he encouraged me to make Page 3. He was one of the few ones to do so. For the same reason, I also thanked Raj Babbar.

Suniel Shetty was also in Aan. Is this how you got him to do a cameo in Page 3?

Suniel Shetty happened to be in Taj President where I was shooting a party scene. He learned that I was filming and he came to meet me. This is when I got the idea of having his cameo. It made sense since he’s a celebrity and hence, we could show that people take photos with him and his autograph. If you notice, he has appeared in casuals and not in party clothes as his cameo was a sudden decision. He was sweet enough to play himself. So, it's not like I planned the cameo or that he came specifically to shoot the scene.

As per the IMDB trivia, Kareena Kapoor was the original choice and not Konkona Sen Sharma..

I don’t want to name any one actor but the fact is that 5-6 actresses turned down the film. Some had issues with the fees, some had date problems and some had issues with the script. I made Chandni Bar (2001) and Satta (2003) which were hard-hitting flicks. With Page 3, they didn’t think the role was meaty enough as the protagonist was a rookie journalist who covered parties. They were of the opinion that she was not doing substantial. They came with the reference of Tabu and Raveena Tandon in Chandni Bar and Satta respectively. They were far stronger characters and they wanted something of that sort from Page 3. Also, they wanted to know who’d play their love interest. Also, many people didn’t understand what the concept of Page 3 was all about! And on top of it, they felt that the protagonist was one-dimensional and didn’t have an arc. What happens is that certain films are in the director’s mind. Hence, I don’t blame actors as they have a very myopic view. Very few actors understand the true essence of the script. And I was not ready to change the script. I wanted to make it my way. Honestly, 50% of the film was improvised and we thought of scenes and dialogues on the sets. My characters were defined but, on the set, we used to be like ‘Tu aise bol de, tu aise kar de’.

How did Konkona Sen Sharma come on board?

I am a very restless filmmaker. I want to make the film now as I’d lose interest after 4-6 months. Hence, I told my producer Bobby Pushkarna to make films with newcomers. I had seen Konkona in Mr & Mrs Iyer (2002). It was released in limited theatres. I had seen it on the big screen and I loved it. I called director Aparna Sen and praised her work. She told me, ‘If you can tell my daughter the same thing, she’ll be very happy’. Konkona then came on the line. She was pleasantly surprised to hear my voice. She said she was a fan of my work and expressed the desire to work with me.

A year after this conversation, I told Bobby that we should consider her. He asked me her name and I said, ‘Her name is Konkona Sen Sharma’. He replied, ‘Itna bada naam hai’! He didn’t know about Aparna Sen but I told him to watch Mr & Mrs Iyer. I assured her that she looks like a journalist and a girl next door and that we can make the film in a stipulated budget with her. Bobby liked her performance though he had doubts as no one in Bollywood knew Konkona.

Nevertheless, I called Konkona and told her that I had a role for her. She got excited and came down to Mumbai. We met and told her that I was making a film named Page 3. Her instant reaction was, ‘What is Page 3?’! I explained the concept, her character and the subject. 15-20 minutes later, she told me, ‘I am not understanding it’. But then she said, ‘I know you are a good filmmaker. I have seen Satta and Chandni Bar. I know you’ll make a good film. I’ll work based on your conviction’. She suggested that I should keep guiding her.

How did you finalize the rest of the actors?

This is also the time when Boman Irani’s Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) had just been released. I called and appreciated his work in that film. I then offered him the role and made it clear that I don’t have a big budget. In fact, I told this to every actor, ‘I don’t have a big budget’ (laughs)! Boman replied, ‘I know you are a good filmmaker’ and agreed to do the film.

Atul Kulkarni, meanwhile, had worked on Satta and Chandni Bar with me. When I offered him the part, he replied, ‘Tujhe toh mana kar hi nahin sakta main’. Upendra Limaye has become big today after Animal (2023). But I was the one to give him a break in Chandni Bar. He was gung-ho when I asked him to play the cop in Page 3. He said, ‘Madhur, tere liye toh anytime’.

I then called up Bikram Saluja, Suhasini Mulay ji, Soni Razdan ji, Darshan Jariwala, Kunickaa Sadanand, Kurush Deboo, etc. Basically, I assembled all my friends and told them that paisa nahin hai, chhoti film hai. Thankfully, they signed the film.

How was the experience of shooting the parties?

Well, it was like a party every night! Since we didn’t have a budget, we used to get access to five-star hotels to shoot the party scenes only after 10 pm. The hotel management reasoned, ‘Din mein corporate events chalte hai. Toh aapko access 10 ke baad milega’. Hence, all the party scenes used to be shot between 10 pm and 6 am. The actors used to be exhausted. When Konkona was in the foreground and was talking to Tara Sharma, we needed to show Soni ji, Kunickaa, etc. in the background. These actors used to be asleep in the van and we’ll wake them up at 2 am. They would then put up the make-up, do touch-ups, wear jewellery, etc. and give the shot. At times, they had no dialogues but they had to be there. At times, they are just going left to right or right to left. Hence, it was a challenging task.

Some people joked ‘Teri picture ka naam Page 3 hai ya Pastry hai?’! I am being very honest but most of the actors also didn’t understand what was I making! They were wondering ‘Yeh humko har jagah party karwa raha hai’! We used to send the footage to the editor every day. He would scan the footage and tell my producer, ‘Yeh film mein story bhi hai ya sirf party chal rahi hai?’ (laughs). He got the National Award, by the way! Nevertheless, I knew how strong my subject was and how it would unfold.

One of the highlights of the film is Manoj Joshi as the driver and how he and other drivers gossip about their masters…

I had the scene in my mind but I shot it much later, after completing the principal shoot. Then one day of patch work was remaining. This is when I decided to shoot.

Let me tell you how I got the idea. Once, I was at the Centaur Hotel, Juhu. I tried calling my driver but there was a network issue. So, I came walking towards my car. This is when I saw 8-9 drivers chit-chatting. I liked the visual of all these drivers, clad in white uniforms, discussing something as if ki panchayat chal rahi ho! We left and on the way, I asked the driver, ‘Kya baat cheet kar rahe the tum log?’. My driver was so enthusiastic that he told me that one driver was talking about his boss, an actor, who was having an affair with an actress. I asked him ‘Tune mere baare mein kya baat ki?’ (laughs)! He replied, ‘Aapke baare mein baat nahin ki’ though I didn’t trust him!

Hence, I wanted a driver’s point of view, like what are they thinking when we are partying inside. After all, the driver is someone from whom you cannot hide anything. You might think that you can talk in English and he won’t understand but he does. At times, the drivers analyze your body language and understand where you want to go next!

How did you sign Manoj Joshi for the role?

I called him as I had worked with him in Chandni Bar and Satta. I told him, like I told others, that I don’t have a budget! I explained to him that he plays like the head of the driver. We shot his scenes in Film City by parking 4-5 cars. The rest of the actors were real drivers. I shot the scenes together and then spread them throughout the film. After watching the film, many people told me that they have stopped talking in front of the drivers (laughs)!

Another scene that stands out is the funeral scene. It’s a bit funny but also very heart-breaking…

It is inspired by a real-life chautha that I attended of a Bollywood celebrity. I don’t want to mention whose chautha it was. But I was shocked to see the mighty people of Bollywood discussing ‘Did you see my movie?’, ‘What is your plan for tonight?’, ‘Are you partying tomorrow?’ while the bhajan was being sung on the stage. Hence, I decided to have a funeral scene in Page 3.

Page 3 is about homosexuality, paedophile, etc. and yet it got a U/A certificate and not an ‘A’ certificate…

The Censor people were shocked to see the film but they loved it. Also, they knew I had made Chandni Bar and Satta and were aware of where I was coming from. Hence, they appreciated it and said that they wanted this film to be seen by everybody. They just mute or maybe delete 2-3 abusive words. That’s it.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Madhur Bhandarkar’s next to expose the untold scandals of the Wives Of Bollywood: “It’s like Page 3 on steroids”

Sidharth Malhotra, who has been paired with many actresses in romantic comedies, is all set to return to the genre after exploring action for a while. The actor will be sharing screen space alongside Janhvi Kapoor for the first time in a two-states style romantic comedy Param Sundari, which was announced in December, last year. And now, the recent update is that Sid has taken off to Kerala to kick off the shoot of the film.

Sidharth Malhotra drops video ahead of starting Param Sundari shoot

Sidharth Malhotra has returned from Delhi after celebrating his birthday with his wife Kiara Advani and the rest of the family last week. The actor is now in the Southern state and showcasing the same, he took to his social media handle on Instagram to share a video on his story, featuring a picturesque waterfall from the state and captioned it saying, “Namaskaram Kerala” along with a green heart emoji.

Param Sundari to feature Sidharth as the quintessential North-Indian munda

For the unversed, Param Sundari is expected to present a ‘two-states’ love story where a handsome Punjabi boy meets the beautiful and elegant Kerala girl.  The movie was announced in December with three different posters introducing audiences to ‘Param’ aka Sidharth, and Janhvi as Sundari. Produced by Maddock Films, the film is directed by Tushar Jalota, the film is expected to release on July 25.

About their projects

Janhvi Kapoor, who was last seen in Devara Part 1, is currently gearing up for Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari which features an ensemble cast of Varun Dhawan, Sanya Malhotra, Maniesh Paul, among others. The actress will also be seen alongside Ram Charan in his untitled film RC16, directed by Buchi Babu Sana. On the other hand, Sidharth Malhotra has the supernatural folk thriller VVAN: Force of the Forest in the pipeline, directed by Deepak Mishra and produced by Ektaa R Kapoor.

Also Read: Karan Johar wishes mentee Sidharth Malhotra in a sweet birthday note; says, “You’ve graduated from a supreme student to a bonafide leading man”

After the Khan family requested privacy, they have maintained silence on the actor’s condition, although much to the relief of fans, the doctors and official statements have assured about the improving condition of Saif Ali Khan. However, now with the situation getting better, the actor’s sister and Bollywood star Soha Ali Khan has opened up about Khan’s health to the media wherein she has reasserted about the improving health of Saif and his recovery.

What Soha Ali Khan said on Saif Ali Khan’s health?

After Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a statement on social media on January 17, no other member of the Khan family have revealed any updates on the incident. However, recently, Soha addressed the subject at an event while interacting with the media wherein she also expressed gratitude towards all the prayers and well-wishes that came their way. "We are happy that he is recovering well and we are very thankful and we feel very blessed and grateful that it wasn't any worse. Thank you for all your wishes”, she said.

About the attack on Saif Ali Khan

On January 16, during the wee hours between 2 and 2:30 AM, an alleged robbery turned violent when an intruder attacked Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan at his residence in Mumbai. The latter sustained as many six stab wounds including one severe injury on the spine, after which he was immediately admitted to the Lilavati Hospital, nearby in Bandra. After his multiple surgeries, the doctors from the hospital issued an official statement assuring his recovery.

The investigation on the case

On January 19, after a thorough investigation the police has detained a suspect named Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad who is expected to be a Bangladeshi resident who has been sent for a five-day custody in relation to the case. Meanwhile, the latter has been adamantly asserting that he is innocent in the case.

Also Read: Saif Ali Khan attacker sent to 5-days police custody, claims he’s being framed

Abhishek Bachchan is recognized as one of the most versatile actors in the Hindi film industry, showcasing his talent in movies like Dostana (2008), Guru (2007), and his latest release, I Want to Talk (2024). However, two other members of his family—his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and father Amitabh Bachchan—have achieved unparalleled global fame. Despite his immense talent, Abhishek has often faced comparisons to his legendary father and superstar wife. Addressing this, he has admitted that it’s something that will never be easy for him.

In a recent interview with CNBC-TV18, Abhishek Bachchan shared his perspective on being compared to his father, Amitabh Bachchan. He remarked, “If you are comparing me to the best, somewhere I believe that maybe I am worthy of being considered among these great names. I look at it like that.” Abhishek added, “My parents are my parents, my family is my family, my wife is my wife, and I am immensely proud of them and their achievements and what they continue to do.”

Just as his father, Amitabh Bachchan, continues to inspire him even now, Abhishek Bachchan hopes to be a source of inspiration for his and Aishwarya’s daughter, Aaradhya. Highlighting this, Abhishek noted how Big B, at 82, is actively working, currently filming the latest season of his iconic game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. Abhishek aspires to emulate this dedication, so that when he reaches his 80s, Aaradhya can admire him the same way he looks up to his father.

Abhishek’s impressive past performances are sure to inspire Aaradhya. As for his promising future, the actor has an exciting lineup of projects ahead. He is set to appear next in Housefull 5, followed by Remo D'Souza's Be Happy. Additionally, rumors suggest that Abhishek might join Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan in their upcoming film King.

Also Read : Prime Video starts streaming Shoojit Sircar’s I Want To Talk starring Abhishek Bachchan worldwide

Abhishek Bachchan, who debuted in Bollywood 25 years ago with JP Dutta’s Refugee, recently reflected on his journey and personal outlook. In an interview with CNBC, he discussed whether he sees this stage of his career as the “interval or climax” and shared his views on legacy, spirituality, and family.

When questioned about whether he sees this stage of his career as an "interval or climax," Abhishek Bachchan replied candidly, “Right now, I think interval would be right. I mean, I’ve been at this for 25 years. I’m no spring chicken. But I do feel that a new phase is about to start. 2025. It’s a good number, as in a halfway kind of thing.”

Abhishek Bachchan reflected on his spiritual journey, describing himself as more spiritual than religious. Highlighting the central role of family in his life, he remarked, “I am what I am today because of my family. I do what I do for my family, past, present and future. Their opinion matters the most to me. I’m immensely proud of my name, which was given to me by my grandfather. But I’m prouder of the surname he bestowed and blessed us with. I will work and do whatever I have to ensure the continuance of the love that we get because of my grandfather. I hope that my daughter (Aaradhya) and subsequent generations can respect that and have the same belief system.”

Abhishek Bachchan’s debut in Refugee earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Despite early challenges, his career took off following his impactful performance as a gangster in Mani Ratnam’s 2004 film Yuva.

On the work front, Abhishek was recently seen in the 2024 film I Want to Talk. He is preparing for an exciting lineup of upcoming projects, including Housefull 5, Be Happy, and King.

Also Read : #2024Recap: 5 gems of the year which didn’t work in cinemas but are rocking/will rule on OTT

Star Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Tillotama Shome, Gul Panag, Nagesh Kukunoor, Jahnu Barua

Director: Avinsh Arun Dhaware

Synopsis: PAATAL LOK SEASON 2 is the story of a cop in a hostile land. After the events of the first part, Hathi Ram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) continues to be a cop at Jamuna Paar Police Station, Delhi. His son Siddharth (Bodhisattva Sharma) has now shifted to a hostel and wants to complete his post-graduation in Australia. Hathi Ram's wife Renu (Gul Panag) wants to start tuition classes to save money for Siddharth's PG course. Hathi Ram, however, is not happy with the idea. One day, at the police station, he meets Gita Paswan (Suman Purty) who complains that her husband Raghu Paswan (Shailesh Kumar) has gone missing. While investigating, Hathi Ram learns that Raghu is having an extra-marital affair. Hathi Ram approaches Jogi (Girish Sharma), a fruit dealer for whom Raghu used to work and even travel to Dimapur, Nagaland. Jogi, however, reveals that Raghu left the job two weeks ago and hence, he has no idea about his whereabouts. On the other hand, Imran Ansari (Ishwak Singh) is now the ACP and he's given charge of the murder of a high-profile Nagaland politician, Jonathan Thom (Kaguirong Gonmei) in Nagaland Sadan. Thom was in Delhi to attend the Nagaland Summit. Moreover, he was beheaded after being killed. The murder sent shockwaves and also resulted in tensions in Nagaland. While going through the CCTV footage, Imran realizes that a girl, Rose Lizo (Merenla Imsong), was seen running away from Nagaland Sadan around the time of the murder. On the other hand, Hathi Ram sees Rose and Raghu taking a train to Dimapur in the CCTV footage of the railway station. Realizing that the disappearance of Raghu and the murder of Thom is linked, Hathi Ram and Imran team up yet again and head to Nagaland. What happens next forms the rest of the series.

Paatal Lok Season 2 Story Review: Sudip Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee, Rahul Kanojia and Tamal Sen's story is intriguing. Sudip Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee, Rahul Kanojia and Tamal Sen's screenplay is captivating and is peppered with a lot of interesting and exciting moments. However, the writing is also a bit complicated. Sudip Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee, Rahul Kanojia and Tamal Sen's dialogues are sharp and also funny in some scenes.

Avinash Arun Dhaware's direction is superb. His execution is top-notch and he's aided with a tale that is majorly set in Nagaland. It's a state rarely seen in our films and shows and moreover, here, the political chaos suits the theme of the show perfectly. The characters of the state are well fleshed out and the bond they have with each other makes for an exciting watch. Yet again, the bond between Hathi Ram and Iqbal takes the cake. Some of the scenes that stand out are madness at the funeral, Iqbal confessing about his partner to Hathi Ram, the raid at Jogi's warehouse, Hathi Ram being taken to meet Reuben, etc. The scene where a mob attacks the hospital is the best sequence of the show as it's very nail-biting.

On the flipside, too many characters die and it might not be acceptable. The suspense is not entirely unpredictable; many might be able to guess from a mile away who the culprit is. Lastly, since so much is happening, one tends to get overwhelmed with the content.

Paatal Lok Season 2 Performances: Jaideep Ahlawat yet again plays the part with utmost realism and sincerity. This is the role that made him an actor to watch out for and in Season 2, he yet again does justice. Ishwak Singh also proves that he’s one of the finest talents. Tillotama Shome (Meghna Barua) gets to play a very well-written role and as expected, she essays it with panache. Anurag Arora (SHO Virk) has limited screen time but is fine. Gul Panag is fair while Bodhisattva Sharma is okay in a cameo. Merenla Imsong, Prateek Pachauri (Bittu Rehman), Jahnu Barua (Ken), Prashant Tamang (Daniel) and Nagesh Kukunoor (Kapil Reddy) leave a tremendous mark. The other actors who do a good job are Nikita Grover (Manju Verma), Suman Purty, Shailesh Kumar, Girish Sharma, Kaguirong Gonmei, Merenla Imsong, L C Sekhose (Reuben), Bendang Walling (Issac), Mohit Chauhan (DCP Bhardwaj), Rozelle Mero (Asenla Thom), Theyie Keditsu (Grace Reddy), Viren Burman (Dhruv Malik), Mengu Suokhrie (Esther Shipong) and Ajay Madhok (Bhalla; hawala operator). Lastly, Rokibul Hossain (Guddu) is very cute.

Paatal Lok Season 2 music and other technical aspects: Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor's background score is well woven into the narrative. Avinash Arun Dhaware's cinematography is terrific. He’s a pro while ensuring that the city becomes a character in itself with his camerawork and PAATAL LOK SEASON 2 is no exception. Mukund Gupta's production design and Shruti Kapoor's costumes are straight out of life. Amritpal Singh's action is very realistic. The protagonists don’t fight like heroes but like any common man would and that is quite a feat. Sanyukta Kaza's editing is functional though it could have been quicker as the show is too long.

Paatal Lok Season 2 Conclusion: On the whole, PAATAL LOK SEASON 2 works due to the terrific performances, gripping script, and memorable confrontational and nail-biting sequences. Adding to its allure is the fact that this season ventures into uncharted territory by being one of the rare shows set in the mesmerizing landscapes of Nagaland, offering viewers a glimpse into a world rarely explored on Indian screens. With its growing fanbase and the buzz it has already generated, the series is poised to dominate conversations and secure a massive viewership.

 Rating: 3.5 stars

Hrithik Roshan recently marked 25 years in the film industry, celebrating the milestone with family and friends. On the same day, he expressed his excitement about the release of the docu-series The Roshans. Sharing a new video, the War 2 actor answered fan questions and revealed which of his films he believes deserves a sequel.

In the beginning of the video Hrithik said, “I think Netflix wants me to spill some beans. So, let’s see what they have in store for me." The first question posed to him was about which of his family’s films he thinks deserves a sequel. Hrithik replied, “I’d go with Kaabil.” When asked about the one piece of advice his father gave him about the industry that he still follows, he shared, “Be on time. That’s it." Fans quickly reacted, with many inquiring about updates on Krrish 4 and War 2.

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Recently, the makers unveiled the trailer for the docu-series. The three-minute clip begins with Hrithik Roshan listening to a cassette recording of his grandfather, Roshan Lal Nagrath. Smiling with pride, Hrithik shares, “That’s my grandfather’s voice. His full name was Roshan Lal Nagrath. It’s a very interesting story how our surname went from Nagrath to Roshan.”

The documentary explores the remarkable talents of Roshan's sons—Rakesh Roshan, who made his mark in filmmaking and acting, and Rajesh Roshan, who established himself in the music industry. It showcases the family's incredible achievements while also addressing the challenges they encountered, including the shocking 2000 attack on Rakesh Roshan by Budesh gang members near his Mumbai office.

Enhancing the narrative with star power, the documentary includes appearances and interviews with Bollywood legends like Asha Bhosle, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vicky Kaushal, Ranbir Kapoor, and others. These stars share their insights and experiences, highlighting the Roshan family's significant contribution to Hindi cinema.

On the work front, Hrithik Roshan is gearing up for War 2, where he stars alongside Kiara Advani and Jr NTR. The film, currently in production, is among the most highly anticipated action dramas of the year.

Also Read : Hrithik Roshan sustained injury that postponed shoot of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai for six months, reveals Ameesha Patel

Saba Pataudi, who is quite active on social media, reacted to the news of her brother Saif Ali Khan being attacked and admitted to Lilavati Hospital. While the family collectively released a statement along with Khan’s team, followed by Kareena Kapoor Khan also issuing a note regarding the attack, Saba penned an emotional message for Saif, who is currently recouping in the hospital in Mumbai.

Saba Pataudi shares photo from her and Saif’s childhood

The shocking news of the attack left the Khan family in shambles, with many industry insiders showcasing their support in different ways. Meanwhile, the Khan family has restricted their reaction owing to the circumstances. However, Saba Pataudi decided to showcase her emotions regarding this tragedy and took to her Instagram story to share a fond memory she shared with Saif Ali Khan during their childhood days. Along with that, she also penned a note appreciating her brother for showcasing courage to safeguard his family and said, “I am in shock and reeling from this insane incident. But proud of you bhaijaan. Taking care of the family and standing tall would make abba so proud. I am. Get Well Soon. Missing Being There. Will See You Soon <3 Duas and prayers Always.”

What happened to Saif Ali Khan?

On January 16, during the wee hours of dawn, the actor’s home, where he lives with wife Kareena Kapoor Khan and their kids Taimur and Jeh, was attacked by an alleged intruder. While reports suggest it as an attempted robbery, Khan was stabbed six times with a knife in an ensuing scuffle with the attacker. Followed by the same, he was immediately admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. Some reports claim that the actor fought with the intruder with an aim to protect his family from the attacker which resulted in him sustaining multiple injuries.

Also Read: Saif Ali Khan Attack Update: Kareena Kapoor Khan issues statement; says, “We are still trying to process

Sidharth Malhotra has collaborated on many projects with Dharma Productions considering that Karan Johar has been a mentor of sorts for the actor in B-town. The actor, as he turned another year older on January 16, was showered with best wishes from many across the country including his actress-wife Kiara Advani. Among them, the much-loved KJo also took to the social media platform to share a special birthday post for his mentee.

Karan Johar opens about Sid’s journey in this post

Starting the photos in the post with his Student Of The Year poster, it included a series of pictures of the actor including one an old pic of him with Karan Johar. Furthermore, the filmmaker-producer went on to pen a birthday message that read, “Happy birthday SID!!!!!! You’ve graduated from a supreme student to a bonafide leading man in the movies!!! I continue to be proud of your every win and every personal and professional achievement … May this decade belong to you!!!! Blessings and love you so much!!!” and concluded by tagging the actor.

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  A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

The post received many reactions

Fans of the filmmaker and the actor shared their comments on the post – among them was fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who also shares a great bond with the duo. He dropped a hearts and heart-eye emoji, showering his love on the birthday boy. “We need a movie Directed by You with Shershaah of Bollywood,” requested a fanclub dedicated to Malhotra, meanwhile fans of Sid-Kiara also expressed their desire to watch the power couple together on screen.

About Sidharth Malhotra’s upcoming projects

Sidharth last featured in the action-drama Yodha which also starred Disha Patani and Raashii Khanna in key roles. The actor will be reuniting with Dharma Productions again this year for the romantic drama Param Sundari where he will be sharing screen space with Janhvi Kapoor for the first time.

Also Read: Kiara Advani shares unseen vacay photos with ‘soulmate’ Sidharth Malhotra on his birthday

Navya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchan’s granddaughter, has taken the internet by storm with her latest pictures from a trip to the Rann of Kutch. The photos quickly went viral, sparking reactions from fans. Navya is currently pursuing her studies at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.

Navya shared a series of photos on her Instagram, featuring herself posing at the Rann of Kutch alongside her grandmother and mother. Fans were quick to respond, flooding the comments with heart emojis. One fan commented, “Stunning,” while another added, “So beautiful pic.”

Navya’s photos with Suhana Khan and Ananya Panday frequently go viral, showcasing their close friendship and constant support for one another.

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  A post shared by Navya Naveli Nanda (@navyananda)

Navya Naveli Nanda was honored with the Podcaster of the Year - Female award at the Toyow Podmasters ceremony for her show What The Hell Navya. Her mother, Shweta Bachchan, shared photos on Instagram, proudly showcasing Navya’s trophy. In one picture, Shweta captioned, “From picking up her mess to picking up her award.” The post also featured a snapshot of Navya posing in front of a billboard displaying the poster for her podcast What The Hell Navya.

Navya Naveli Nanda, despite choosing not to pursue acting, has established a successful career as an entrepreneur. In a previous interview, she discussed the privileges and opportunities that come with being part of a prominent family.

Also Read : Kapoor family Christmas brunch: Raha Kapoor cuddles with Alia Bhatt, Ranbir joins the festivities; see pics!

Hrithik Roshan made an impactful debut with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai that went on to become one of the record-breaking successes of Indian Cinema with its songs being celebrated as chartbusters even today. However, the film faced multiple challenges including the leading lady being replaced from Kareena Kapoor Khan to Ameesha Patel. As the film completed 25 years this year, Patel revealed that it wasn’t an easy journey, recalling the time when the shoot was delayed for six months.

Ameesha Patel opened up about how the actor had to be rushed to the ER at 4 am

Insisting how it wasn’t all a bed of roses for them while shooting Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Ameesha Patel revealed how Hrithik Roshan sustained injuries on his back and was asked to remain out of action for almost half a year. "While filming the climax scene, Hrithik did a jump and when he fell, we heard his back crack. We had to rush him to the hospital at 4 am and the shoot got postponed. We had to rebuild that set six months later, and the film got delayed by six months because of that one injury," she was quoted telling Hindustan Times.

Actress recalls how she narrowly escaped from being blinded by a bullet injury

Further, sharing about her own injuries which she suffered while shooting a particular climax sequence, Patel added, "When we came back on set to reshoot the remaining portions of the climax, I got a bullet. I had the presence of mind and turned my face, otherwise that bullet shot would have been in my eye and I would have been blinded. I got the bullet to my back and I had a charred hole there. They rushed me in the night to the doctor. Oh! We've had quite a journey”.

About Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai

Starring Hrithik Roshan in a dual role and also marking the film debut of Ameesha Patel, the film featured an ensemble supporting cast that included Anupam Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi, Mohnish Bahl, Farida Jalal, Satish Shah, among others.

Also Read: 25 years of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai: Ameesha Patel recalls the craze and unforgettable fan moments

Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani celebrated their pre-wedding festivities in grand style with a star-studded bash in Goa. The event, held for close friends and family, turned into a glamorous gathering as the Kapoor clan came together to mark the joyous occasion.

Kapoor clan reunites The celebration was attended by Bollywood's most famous family, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor, along with their spouses and children. The picturesque venue, adorned with elegant decor, provided the perfect backdrop for the lively festivities.

Samaira Kapoor steals the spotlight While the evening was filled with laughter, dancing, and heartfelt moments, it was Karisma Kapoor’s daughter, Samaira Kapoor, who stole the spotlight. The young fashionista wowed everyone with her stunning outfit, exuding grace and charm. Pictures of Samaira mingling with the Kapoor family and other guests quickly went viral, with fans praising her effortless style and poise.

Kareena, Karisma, Ranbir, and Alia steal the show Kareena Kapoor Khan turned heads in a sleek gown, while Karisma Kapoor opted for a timeless ethnic ensemble. Ranbir Kapoor, joined by wife Alia Bhatt, kept things chic yet understated. The couple, who recently embraced parenthood, looked radiant as they posed for photographs.

Traditional meets modern The party was a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, with a mix of Bollywood’s timeless classics and contemporary tracks setting the tone for the evening. Guests enjoyed a lavish spread of culinary delights and cocktails, curated specially for the occasion.

Pre-wedding bash celebrates love As the celebrations continued late into the night, the pre-wedding bash not only celebrated the union of Aadar and Alekha but also showcased the close bond of the Kapoor family. Fans eagerly await more glimpses from the upcoming wedding, which promises to be just as spectacular.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kapoor Khandaan come together for a frame-worthy picture at Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani’s Roka ceremony; see unseen inside pics

Actress Ananya Panday recently took her fans on a delightful journey into her home, offering a glimpse of her sanctuary through a promotional video for Asian Paints' series Where The Heart Is. Sharing the video on her social media handle, Ananya captioned it: “New year, same candid energy. This is just a glimpse of who I am when the cameras go off. I’m giving you a tour of my home with my parents on @asianpaints Where The Heart Is.”

"Warm, Girly, Cozy" When asked to describe the style of her home in three words, Ananya’s immediate response was “Warm, girly, cozy.” Her home indeed seems to reflect these qualities, offering an inviting and comfortable ambiance that’s both stylish and personal.

For Ananya, home isn’t just about the visual appeal—it’s also about the comforting sounds that greet her when she steps in. She shared an adorable anecdote about her dog’s excited foot tapping and barking, likening it to how veteran actress Jaya Bachchan instinctively knows when Shah Rukh Khan is about to enter the room in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Beachfront Dreams and Casual Chic Regarding her preferences, Ananya’s answers were as candid as they were relatable. Asked to choose between a city skyline and beachfront views, she opted for the latter without hesitation. Her fashion choices also mirror her laid-back vibe, as she picked “casual chic” over glamorous dresses. A Palette of Comfort Delving into her design preferences, Ananya revealed her love for soft, neutral tones. If given the choice to design a space entirely in one color, she’d go for off-white or cream shades. Describing it as “eggy-white” rather than stark white.

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  A post shared by Ananya ???? (@ananyapanday)

Speaking of the professional front, the 26-year-old actress was last seen in CTRL, a Netflix original film directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. She has an exciting lineup with multiple projects such as Chand Mera Dil and The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair along with the second season of her web show, Call Me Bae. In addition to this, it is also reported that she is likely to star in the sequel of Gully Boy.

Also Read: Ananya Panday showcases her spiritual side as she visits Amritsar temple

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have left many surprised with their cordial and loving nature towards each other despite being separated for over four years now. The two of them continue to work together as well as co-parent their son Azad, who was born via surrogacy in 2011. In a recent interview, Kiran Rao confessed about the implications of divorce and how she and Khan delicately handled the situation with their kid.

Kiran Rao insists that the entire process was quite smooth

In an interview with Filmfare, Kiran Rao opened up about the separation and said, “It happened smoothly because it took us time to reach a place where we were ready to be divorced. We worked on our marriage really well for a long time. Even when we decided to get divorced, it was done very mindfully. We never fought. We would have arguments from time to time, but nothing that wouldn’t be resolved within 12 hours. Those were the same kind of disagreements one might have with their parents".

Filmmaker recalls how they gently decided to handle their son to ensure minimal impact on him

The Laapataa Ladies director further continued on how they wanted to sensitively handle it with their kid and added, “We knew there was too much to save in this relationship; we didn’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We worked it out in such a way that it wasn’t like chopping a rope in half, but more like untying it. We took our time and untied it gently. Hence, there was closure in some ways. There was also a sense of building the confidence of the family and Azad’s support system, ensuring that he never feels the emotional repercussions of this,"

Rao reveals that they still love each other

“We don’t want to be married, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like or love each other. In any marriage, there will be things you don’t like about your spouse. There will be things that bother you about the other person — some trigger that always gets you going and leads to fights. But there are also reasons why you married this person and things you love about them," she shared.

Also Read: Kiran Rao from LA, “Laapataa Ladies has truly been the gift that keeps on giving”

Mela (2000) completed 25 years on January 7. Starring Aamir Khan, Twinkle Khanna and Faisal Khan, the film tells the tale of a village belle whose brother is killed by a dreaded dacoit. The girl runs away and meets two kind-hearted truck drivers. She falls in love with one of them. The other becomes her munh-bola bhai. In the end, he too bumps into a runaway girl, played by none other than Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a surprise cameo.

Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively with Mela’s director Dharmesh Darshan on the film’s 25th anniversary. When asked whether Aishwarya was the original choice, he stated, “She was. She was also my first choice for the role of Memsaab in Raja Hindustani (1996). My heart was on her. But she urgently had to go for Miss World. I didn’t want to take any chances as I wanted an actress who could devote her full time to the film and Bollywood. It was her sheer grace that she didn’t hold it in her heart.”

He continued, “That is the reason that she agreed to do the cameo in Mela for me, even though she is paired opposite Faisal Khan and not Aamir. A heroine of her level had worked with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan; you name it. Yet, she agreed and drove a couple of hours to shoot that scene.”

Many admirers of Mela have often mentioned on the internet that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan should have had more screen time. Dharmesh Darshan smiled when talked about it and he revealed, “I’ve met ladies who have told me, ‘Kya sir; aapne Aishwarya ko cameo diya aur Twinkle Khanna ko itna bada role de diya’!”

When Mela’s song reached Hollywood shores

The song played during Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s scene is ‘Chori Chori Hum Gori Se’. On this, Dharmesh Darshan stated, “This track was purchased by Hollywood for The Guru (2002). In fact, I am the only Bollywood director whose 3 songs were purchased by Hollywood makers and shot by them. ‘Pardesi Pardesi’ and ‘Pucho Zara Pucho’ from Raja Hindustani were a part of the soundtrack of V For Vendetta (2005) and played in the background in Kate Winslet-starrer Holy Smoke (1999) respectively.”

Also Read: 25 Years of Mela EXCLUSIVE: Dharmesh Darshan hits back at those who call the film a flop: “It was made in Rs. 3-5 cr; to collect Rs. 15 cr back in the year 2000 was not a JOKE”

Rashmika Mandanna, who is already riding high on the success of Pushpa 2 – The Rule, is one of the busiest actors currently. With a slew of over five films in the pipeline, the actress has releases scheduled until 2026 and she has been busy wrapping them ever since the year kick started. However, it seems that her health played spoilt sport in the midst of the shoot schedule of three of her films which led to a delay in their shoots. The actress sustained a major leg injury and shared details about the same on social media.

Rashmika Mandanna drops photos from the hospital

The actress sought medical help after she suffered leg injury while working out in the gym. Rashmika shared details about the same on social media wherein she mentioned how she would be ‘hopping’ in and out of sets, further revealing that she is unsure of when she will recover completely. She also apologized to all the teams she is currently shooting with. Along with a series of photos of her making cute expressions, Rashmika wrote, “Well… happy New Year to me I guess! ??????? Injured myself in my sacred gym shrine ???? Now I’m in “hop mode” for the next few weeks or months or god only knows, so seems like I’ll be hopping my way back to sets for Thama, Sikandar, and Kubera!”

She added, “To my directors sorry for the delay…I’ll be back soon enough just making sure my legs are fit for action (or at least fit for hopping) In the meantime if you need me…I’ll be the one in the corner doing a highly advanced bunny hop workout. HOP HOP HOP…”

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  A post shared by Rashmika Mandanna (@rashmika_mandanna)

About Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming projects

Like we reported earlier, Rashmika has several projects, out of which she is currently shooting for Salman Khan starrer Sikandar, which is slated for release during Eid this year. Apart from that, the actress is also shooting for Kubera where she will be seen alongside Dhanush and Nagarjuna and the highly-awaited Thama which is a part of the successful Dinesh Vijan – Maddock supernatural universe, co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana. Along with these, Rashmika also has the Telugu film The Girlfriend, the much-talked about historical drama Chhaava with Vicky Kaushal in the lead, in the pipeline.

Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna, Ayushmann Khurrana tease fans With ‘THAMA-ke-daar’ holiday wishes, watch

For Siddharth P Malhotra, 2024 was truly an eventful year. His controversial film Maharaj dropped on Netflix after a successful court battle. He ended the year on a good note with Doctors, his Jio Cinema web series that dropped in the last week of December. The show, produced by Siddharth, stars Sharad Kelkar, Harleen Sethi, Viraf Patel, Aamir Ali, Niharika Dutta and Vivaan Shah and is about the medical fraternity, as the title aptly suggests. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Siddharth spoke about Doctors, Maharaj and a lot more.

You have earlier made shows on TV like ‘Dill Mill Gaye’, ‘Sanjivani: A Medical Boon’ etc which were also about doctors. What is it about medical fraternity that interests you? Did you have a childhood dream of becoming a doctor? (Smiles) No. My maternal grandfather was a practising doctor until he was 96. I was very close to him and I used to keep going to his clinic regularly. Also, my mom is a doctor. That played a part. Moreover, I managed to deliver with those shows. Hence, the platforms come back to me asking for a medical show. On OTT, I got the freedom to create stuff that I was not allowed to do on TV. On TV, you cannot show blood or anybody dying. You have to show a love story and you can’t have multiple tracks. You can’t even touch sensitive real-life cases as it can invite legal action. With Doctors, I didn’t have these restrictions. Jo paanch shows ki bhadaas thi, woh sab iss show mein nikaal diya!

I’ve shown how doctors actually live. I got real doctors to teach actors on how to conduct surgeries. So, it’s a good credible effort, which the audience has appreciated without any shosha from our side.

There was minimal promotion by Jio Cinema. Were you apprehensive that Doctors might not get the required viewership? We were hopeful that there would be some kind of publicity. Also, I wasn’t apprehensive as there were shows like Tabbar and many other series that didn’t get any publicity. But audience acche show ko dhund hi leti hai. Regardless of the platform, they end up consuming it. I told everyone on the team that our product was worthy enough. I also knew that even 10 years later, people would appreciate it. No one would say ‘Yeh kya bana diya’. Nevertheless, we were hoping that a little more push should have been given to the show. However, it was a platform’s decision and me, the actors, the director, we are all reaching out and spreading the word. Today, despite limited publicity, Ormax has called it the number one show in India. We have not paid Ormax; I don’t even know if you can!

How did the real-life doctors react to the show? I can send you videos of feedback from doctors. Real doctors were involved in the panel of this show. They even trained the actors and were on sets. We did screenings for them in Gujarat and other places. We are now in talks with the Dean at KEM Hospital as we are now planning to organize a screening for all the medical students and fraternity there. In short, the medical fraternity is very proud of the show.

It’s heartening that they have liked it. 20 years ago, Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) was also about doctors but they were not happy with their portrayal… Munna Bhai was still a fictitious character and he came up with the idea of ‘jadoo ki jhappi’. In our show, doctors mar rahe hai and are trying to save lives. Here, ‘jadoo ki jhappi’ doesn’t work as doctors ki band baj rahi hai!

Since there are very few such shows, comparisons are bound to happen. But in the case of Doctors, no one has drawn parallels with Mumbai Diaries… The comparison hasn’t arisen as that show was about doctors around the time of a crisis.

But even there, doctors were dying as you just said. Was there a conscious attempt to have a different look and treatment for Doctors as by the time you started making the show, Mumbai Diaries was already out? Yes, its Season 1 was out and no, there was no conscious attempt. That show majorly was about how doctors and others function in a calamity. In Doctors, unki zindagi mein roz calamity aati hai! I haven’t made it from that point of view. In fact, I’ve made it in such a way that it can have at least five seasons (smiles).

What’s the status of Season 2? We have started working on its script. Jio is happy with the reception and very soon, we’ll talk about it.

You have been close to Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar and now even Aamir Khan, after you launched his son Junaid in Maharaj. Have they seen Doctors? I don’t know if they have seen it. But they all wished the show well. They have all seen the trailers and they liked it. They are my mentors and their blessings will always be there for someone whom they believe in. Before starting anything, I always take Karan or Adi’s blessings and now also Aamir sir’s blessings. Yeh woh log hai jo do cheez aapko acchi hi sikha ke jaayenge.

How was the year for you? Was it a roller-coaster ride, especially over Maharaj’s release? Surprisingly, both Maharaj and Doctors were hardly promoted before release and yet, became successful… Yes, it was. At one point, we were not sure if the film would ever even be released. Then, when it was about to release, I was like, ‘Publicity ke liye sirf ek hi poster hai. Iska trailer bhi nahin aaya’. Then, I was told ‘Teri film hit ho gayi hai’. I was like ‘Kaise hit ho gayi’. I was not ready to believe and Netflix had to convince me that Maharaj is indeed a bona fide success!

This was followed by Doctors. I even announced Kamal Aur Meena. A R Rahman saab is composing the music and Amrohis and Saregama are producing it. That’s a very big film in my life. Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi are legends. You cannot decide to tell their story until you are the chosen one. Hence, it’s a big responsibility.

A lot of people are waiting to know who’ll play the lead roles… We are going to make a big announcement in the next 2-3 months.

After the release of Hichki, you said that the possibilities of its sequel are endless. All these years, have you got a chance to think about Hichki 2? I haven’t. I know what can happen in Naina’s life but I need that solid conflict. In part 1, I had that conflict besides her Tourette Syndrome. For the sequel, it’s very clear in my head how she becomes a professor and ultimately a principal. But that landmark conflict has never crossed my mind. Also, I have moved on to Kamal Aur Meena.

Will you ever think of making Maharaj 2 or would you like to move on from it considering the controversies faced by part 1? (Laughs) Not at all. Karsandas ki life ke baare mein main kuch aur nahin kar raha hoon! Bahut band baji hai; aur band nahin bajani hai!

Maharaj is based on a book and I recently realized that you only took a part of it for the film. It has a very detailed narrative… In fact, if I adapt the whole book, it can make for a two-season web series. Also, its high time that people make films from books. We don’t need to remake films. Hichki was based on the book, Front Of The Class by Brad Cohen. So is Maharaj. India has such beautiful real-life stories ki aapko kahin aur dekhne ki zaroorat nahi. No one reads books. Wahan se kahaniyaan nikaalne

Also Read: “I wish for a more inclusive society,” says Hichki director Siddharth P. Malhotra, who wants to make the world a happier place with his brand of cinema