Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan recently treated her fans to an adorable Halloween celebration with her daughter Inaaya, sharing the delightful moments on her Instagram account.

The post, captioned “Happy Halloween y'all... have a boo-tiful day!!,” featured a series of charming photos that captured the spirit of the spooky holiday. In the initial image, Soha radiated Halloween vibes in an all-black ensemble, setting the perfect tone for the celebration. Her daughter Inaaya, an absolute cutie, donned a matching black dress and mask while clutching a vibrant orange balloon, adding a playful and festive touch to the occasion. Another snapshot revealed Soha in a stylish black top paired with classic blue denim pants. Inaaya continued to charm in a black top, complemented by a shimmery blue skirt. The duo's coordinated yet unique outfits showcased their close bond and shared enthusiasm for the Halloween festivities.

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Soha Ali Khan's Halloween post garnered a wave of affectionate comments from her fans and well-wishers, with Saba Pataudi expressing her delight and writing, “Happy Halloween! Cuties!” Fans and followers also poured their love in the comments section. A user commented, “She will also grow up to become a actress,” while another comment read, “Such Cuties.”

Soha Ali Khan, known for her distinctive journey in the film industry, is expected to make an appearance in the highly anticipated Chhorii 2 in the coming months.

Also Read: Soha Ali Khan shares heartwarming picture with mother Sharmila Tagore; see post

Being one of the biggest celebrity photographers in Bollywood, Avinash Gowariker recently received a lot of love from Bollywood star Kajol after she turned muse for him in his recent photoshoot. The Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge actress penned a beautiful note, dedicating it to him, not only gushing about his photographic skills of Gowariker but also went on to even compare him to one of the biggest fashion photographs, Gautam Rajyadaksha.

Kajol shared a series of monochrome photos of her face close-up from a recent photoshoot with Avinash Gowariker which is expected to be a Halloween-themed one going by her caption. Posting the same, she penned a beautiful note for Ashutosh Gowariker saying, “Somehow black and white have this ghostly power over you.. all you can see is how right it looks. This session was shot off hand in the middle of another shoot and the feel behind it is an ode to #gautamrajyadaksha . Thank u @avigowariker for this lovely memory.”

Responding to her words, Avinash too expressed his gratitude, further asserting that Gautam is the reason behind him taking up photography as his profession in the first place. He said, “Kajol you are forever gorgeous<3 Your caption is an absolute honour for me.... Gautam is one of the main reasons as to why I'm a photographer today…” For the unversed, Avinash Gowariker has collaborated with several stars for his photoshoots including Kajol in the past.

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On the other hand, Kajol is riding high on the success of her recently released web series The Trial. It features her in the role of Noyonika, who rejoins law in a bid to save her family from crisis. As for her upcoming projects, Kajol is expected to play a prominent role in the acting debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan, Sarzameen as well as the debut production of Kriti Sanon, Do Patti where she will be reuniting with her Dilwale co-actress.

Also Read: Kajol’s elegance in traditional sarees lights up Durga Puja celebrations

Dhanush is a rare actor who did a successful crossover from South cinema to Bollywood before the Baahubali era. He was seen in a couple of interesting Hindi films, which made him a popular name even in the Hindi-speaking markets. Now, he is all set to deliver possibly the biggest Pan-India film of his career.

According to sources, the National Award-winning star is all set to play Isaignani Illaiyaraaja in his biopic. Sources added that the movie will go on floors in 2024 and will release in 2025. This is likely to be a huge project given that it is about one of India’s music legends and has uber-talented Dhanush playing the role. The project is said to be produced by Connekkt Media, which is also producing Mohanlal’s pan-Indian film Vrushabha.

The source said, “A few months back, Yuvan Shankar Raja had said that he would love to see Dhanush play his father Ilaiyaraaja in his biopic and the stars seem to have aligned. This is the first biopic Dhanush will be seen in such an iconic role. The Captain Miller star is one of Ilaiyaraaja’s biggest fans and this role will definitely bag him some prestigious awards.”

We tried connecting Connekkt Media. However, there was no official confirmation of this development till the time of going to print.

Ilaiyaraaja, aged 80, has a record of composing over 7,000 songs in over 1,000 films and also performing in over 20,000 concerts. He began his career in 1976 and has composed songs not just for Tamil movies but also for Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi films and also one English movie. In 2010, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour and the Padma Vibhushan in 2018, the second-highest civilian award, by the Government of India. He has even been honoured with five National Film Awards — three for Best Music Direction and two for Best Background Score. The title ‘Maestro’ was conferred on him by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London.

Also Read: Dhanush, Mahesh Babu, Dulquer Salmaan, and Rakshit Shetty launch ‘more than a teaser’ of Jigarthanda Double X

If you happen to stumble upon an unverified video of Kartik Aaryan supporting Congress candidate Kamal Nath in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, well stop and watch again. In a bizarre turn of events, Kartik Aaryan found himself endorsing a politician, which he did not even know about. A video of the Satyaprem Ki Katha star found its way online wherein he was seen endorsing a Congress election campaign for the state of Madhya Pradesh. The video obviously left his team and fans perplexed. While sources close to the actor asserted that it is a morphed video, Kartik took to social media to share the original video wherein he is seen endorsing an OTT streaming platform.

Soon after the video gained momentum, sources close to the actor were quick to point out the clear use of editing and revealed about the existing ad campaign being morphed and wrongfully used by people for fulfilling their own purpose. The source shared, “There is a morphed version of a Kartik Aaryan ad floating on social media that the actor had done for a streaming platform. The video is misleading and mischievous and is being used to claim political affiliations on behalf of the actor. Kartik has no such affiliations with any political group whatsoever.” The source also added about how the video has been morphed and edited slyly, so as to make it look so, whereas the video was shot and released as a promo for a leading OTT Platform.

Not ending at that, Kartik Aaryn too took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and reposted the original advertisement wherein he featured as the brand ambassador for Disney+ Hotstar.

This is the REAL AD @DisneyPlusHS Rest all is Fake ???????? pic.twitter.com/jWPTnbgpIK — Kartik Aaryan (@TheAaryanKartik) October 30, 2023

For the unversed, Kartik featured in a promo video made for a leading OTT Platform around the free availability of the ICC Men's World Cup on mobile phones on the platform, which had released about a month ago. Later, on October 30, the same video surfaced on social media but with a dubbed audio, and morphed video wherein it looked like Kartik is endorsing the political party for the upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh. The video was shared by an unverified handle of a Congress party man.

Also Read: Kartik Aaryan visits Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh temple in Pune; see photos

While the social media of Ananya Panday was abuzz with birthday wishes, the actress was not in the country to ring in her 25th birthday. The actress was spotted at the Mumbai airport a couple of days ago, taking off for a Maldives vacation to ring in her special day and it is being said that Aditya Roy Kapur has accompanied her. The speculations got stronger when The Night Manager actor too was seen at the airport. Now giving a glimpse of her Maldivian birthday celebration, Ananya shared a gratitude post on her social media handle.

Ananya Panday, who had earlier posted a photo of her breakfast in Maldives, took to Instagram to now share a series of photos from her birthday celebrations in the picturesque island on October 30. Later in the day, after the actress thanked all her friends and close ones for wishing her on her special day, Panday took to the platform to share her beachy look from her special day where she is seen sporting a colourful maxy dress and exploring the beautiful resort. Apart from that, there are also pictures of her enjoying a candlelight dinner, listening to local music, watching a movie, and having a cake cutting ceremony. The actress refrained from sharing details of who has accompanied her on this trip. On the other hand, Ananya also gave a glimpse of the beautiful overwater villa she is staying in for the occasion.

She captioned it saying, “25!!!!! ?????? Filled with so much gratitude and food and sunshine ?? thank you thank you thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu for all the love and good vibes ?? also I saw three rainbows the day before my birthday and I feel like it’s a sign” and along with that she also shared several emoticons including the ‘rainbow’ and ‘sun’ emojis.

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Followed by her post, many of her well wishers and friends from the industry like Farah Khan Kunder, Gauahar Khan, Ranveer Singh, among others shared their birthday wishes. On the other hand, her friends like Navya Naveli Nanda and Ayushmann Khurrana dropped comments and emojis on her vacay pics and videos.

Also Read: Inside the fun bash of Ananya Panday: Birthday girl gets a ‘filmy’ cake

Filmmaker Karan Johar is back as the host or Hotstar Specials’ Koffee With Karan for season 8. The premiere episode of the new season saw the presence of star-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh who came together for the first time on the Koffee couch, spilling the beans on their marriage, proposal, sharing the first glimpse of their wedding and more. However, soon after, the two were being trolled for their relationship, their past, Ranveer's failures and more. Karan Johar has now reacted to the trolls who were being vile towards the pair.

During an Instagram live session over the weekend, Karan Johar said, “Do what you need to do because no one’s looking,” The director added, “Trolling gets you nowhere. You are landing nowhere.”

In the episode, Deepika talked about her relationships and said, “I wanted to be single for a while because I had come from difficult relationships. I was going through a phase where I said, ‘I just don’t want to be attached, don’t want to be committed.’ And I had fun. And then he comes along, so I didn’t ‘commit commit’, until he proposed to me. There was no ‘commitment as such. Even if we were technically allowed to see other people, we would just keep coming back to each other.”

Koffee with Karan Season 8 will air every Thursday at midnight on Disney+ Hotstar! ALSO READ: Ranveer Singh on facing three back-to-back flops; says he can’t beat himself over Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus: “I had a limited contribution and responsibility”

Priyanka Chopra arrived in India over the weekend for the opening ceremony of the Jio MAMI Film Festival 2023. On Sunday, she was a part of a masterclass alongside Bhumi Pednekar where she talked about auditioning for movie parts. She said that she has no qualms in auditioning but there have been fights where she had to ‘fight and audition for them’.

While she did not name the project, Priyanka Chopra said that she once liked a script and had to tell her agents to call up the filmmakers for her to audition. She did three auditions for the film and it started with her meeting the filmmakers. As reported by Etimes, she said, “There are times where a movie which I pursue, there are different scenarios. When a script has come to me for my consideration, I will read it for just my character first and to see if the story is interesting. If it is hard to read the script, even if your character is amazing, then I sit with the filmmakers on why it was a hard read. Every wall you hit, you have to solve that first.”

She added, “There was a particular film that I read about and I really wanted to be a part of. I got my agents to call the filmmakers and offer myself to audition for the movie. I had to do 3 auditions, first was a meeting with the filmmakers, second he came over to my house and did a reading and then the third time we went to the studio and I got the part.”

Priyanka added that her pride does not stand in between her dreams. She said that ego is ‘the end of everything’. She said, “I am not afraid of pursuing my dreams and my pride doesn't stand in front of my dreams ever. If you want something, don't let your pride stand in front of you. Ego is the end of everything, hard work, humility and persistence is all you need to be successful in any field. Come from a place of no pride, come from a team, wanting to help others rise instead of wanting to pull others down. Because you are insecure about something and in that feeling, we pull others down. Try to be a leader in your field and you don't have to be on top of your game for that. You have to be an everyday leader, in smaller environments, for your family, for your colleagues. The world needs everyday leaders and that requires having humility, persistence and a sense of hard work.”

On the work front, Priyanka Chopra was last seen in Citadel season 1 on Prime Video, which has been renewed for season 2 and Love Again movie. She has signed an action thriller Heads of State starring John Cena and Idris Elba. ALSO READ: Priyanka Chopra Jonas shares heartwarming moment with daughter Malti before Jio MAMI Film Festival journey; see pics

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra recently delighted fans with a heartwarming photograph that epitomizes the cherished relationship he shares with his grandson, Rajveer Deol. In the priceless image, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dharmendra can be seen embracing Rajveer, exemplifying the depth of their special bond.

The photograph is more than just a candid snapshot; it encapsulates the profound connection between the two generations. Alongside the endearing image, Dharmendra penned a heartfelt note in Punjabi that eloquently describes their unique relationship. The message translates to, “The friendship between a grandfather and grandson surpasses any other friendship or bond in this world.”

Dade Pote di yaari …. har yaari ton bhari….ban ja yaar ton Dade da… naal Dade pa le yaari……???? pic.twitter.com/JGbAUMjZYI — Dharmendra Deol (@aapkadharam) October 28, 2023

Dharmendra's genuine affection and pride for his grandson, Rajveer Deol, shine through in this heartwarming snapshot. Rajveer, following in his family's illustrious acting legacy, recently made his much-anticipated Bollywood debut in the film Dono. His debut film stars Paloma Dhillon, the daughter of veteran actress Poonam Dhillon, marking the beginning of his career in the world of cinema.

The veteran actor, who has a massive fan following and a rich cinematic history, continues to stay connected with his audience through social media. Dharmendra's posts often offer a glimpse into his personal life and his relationships with family members, endearing him even further to his admirers.

In terms of work, Dharmendra recently garnered praise and affection for his role in Karan Johar's directorial Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which stars Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh in lead roles. The veteran actor is reportedly set to portray Shah Rukh Khan's father in Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki, scheduled for release on December 22, 2023.

Also Read: Dharmendra resumes work in Mumbai after USA vacation, shares health update; says, “Starting new film”

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone demonstrated her knack for sparking online conversations with her latest social media post. The Bollywood star, who recently made headlines for her candid remarks on Koffee With Karan Season 8, has now embraced the “Just Looking Like a WOW!” trend that's taken the internet by storm.

In her recent Instagram reel, Deepika Padukone donned festive attire and showcased her sense of humour. In the video, she playfully mouthed the lines, “So beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a wow... just looking like a wow...” while making a comical face that added a touch of whimsy to her elegance. The post, captioned simply as “Just looking like a WOW!” and accompanied by a few flower emojis, quickly garnered attention and amusement from her industry peers.

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Husband Ranveer Singh couldn't contain his laughter and commented with a series of hearty laughing emojis, exclaiming, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!! DEDD !!!!!” Karan Johar, renowned filmmaker and talk show host, expressed his admiration, writing, “I love love love this.” He went on to admit, “Am obsessed.” Siddarth Anand, the director of the upcoming film Fighter, joined in with laughter, remarking, “Deepu too funny.” and adding a laugh out loud emoji to underline the humour. Even Deepika's sister, Anisha Padukone, got in on the fun, playfully questioning, “But why are you not wearing mouse colour?” The exchange between the two sisters added a charming and light-hearted element to the social media banter.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika Padukone will be seen in Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe Singham Again. He actress will also be seen in Kalki 2898 AD alongside Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan and Fighter with Hrithik Roshan and Anil Kapoor.

Also Read: DeepVeer wedding’s heena artist pens a heartfelt note after Deepika Padukone keeps up her promise made to the artist during the shoot of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

The world premiere of Vikramaditya Motwane’s powerful documentary, Indi(r)a’s Emergency, was held at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 on Saturday, October 28 in Mumbai. A Q-and-A session was held after the screening which was attended by Vikramaditya Motwane and producer Sameer Nair. Anurag Kashyap also joined in to talk a bit about the film and later passed on the microphone to members of the audience who wanted to ask a question! The session was moderated by Varun Grover.

Varun asked Vikramaditya why he chose to make a documentary on the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi and not a feature. The filmmaker hinted at Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film Emergency, based on the same subject, as he said, “The feature film is being made by somebody else!”

He added, “Samir Patil (of Scroll) approached me. I am a history buff. I studied history in college. This was supposed to be a series of 3 episodes.” He continued, “We realized that this was a great way to tell our recent history to an entire audience that has some idea but not a complete idea.”

Unlike documentaries that have interviews, Indi(r)a’s Emergency stands out. Vikramaditya Motwane explained, “I was clear that I didn’t want to do a typical documentary, with intervals et al. We decided to go with archival footage. We managed to find incredible footage from Getty, Pathe etc. Thankfully, Mr Sameer Nair stepped in and saw the rough cut. He decided to come on board.”

Anurag Kashyap pitched in, “I saw the three-hour version and was blown away by it. I told Motwane, ‘You have the b***s to make it’ and then you (pointing to Sameer Nair) have bigger b***s to rescue it. Hence, compliments to both of you (laughs)!”

Sameer Nair talked about when this film can be seen by more people. He began by saying, “We are submitting for censor as well.” As expected, the audience broke into laughter because the film also talks about censorship.

Sameer, on a serious note, added, “We would like to have a version that we can release theatrically as well. It’s important to tell us stories like this. And the way it’s done with the footage, animation, voiceover and writing, it is entertaining.”

Anurag Kashyap remarked, “It is entertaining and it’s also very powerful. It says a lot more than just the Emergency.”

Vikramaditya Motwane honestly admitted that his other project took priority over Indi(r)a’s Emergency and hence, the documentary took a while to be out. He didn’t name this project but he was probably referring to his acclaimed Amazon Prime Video show, Jubilee. He said, “We started working on it in early 2020. Sameer came on board in late 2021. Meanwhile, I shot something else and came back. In a way, it was like my step-child!”

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Also Read: Kangana Ranaut clarifies: Emergency neither shows Congress in a poor light nor will be released during 2024 Lok Sabha Elections; calls it an “ode” to Indira Gandhi

Kangana Ranaut returned to theatres post the not-so-successful Chandramukhi 2 which featured her alongside Raghava Lawrence. While the film attempted to revive the blockbuster franchise which originally featured South stalwarts like Rajinikanth, Jyothika, Nayanthara, and Prabhu, failed to live up to the kind of blockbuster created by the 2005 film, the actress has now returned to theatres with another venture, Tejas. Although Tejas is a Bollywood film, it aims at touching the patriotic emotions within since it features Kangana in the role of an air force officer.

However, despite a massive fan following on social media, Kangana Ranaut has been unable to withstand the box office pressure and her recent release led to a disastrous start at the box office. This has not gone down well with the actress and although she often blames the ‘movie mafia’ for the failure of her movies, this time around Kangana has called this to be the ‘post COVID effect’.

Kangana Ranaut has taken to social media to share a video dedicating it to her fans and pleading them to go to theatres and watch the film. “Even before Covid, theatrical footfalls were dipping drastically, and post Covid it has become seriously rapid. Many theatres are shutting down and even after free tickets and many reasonable offers, drastic footfall decline is continuing. Requesting people to watch films in theatres and enjoy them with family and friends or else they (theatres) won’t be able to survive. Thanks (sic)."

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Interestingly, the recent releases in Bollywood which includes films like Satyaprem Ki Katha, Jawan, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, among others have tasted massive success at the box office as stars have revealed about how Bollywood reemerged post the COVID effect.

Tejas is directed by Sarvesh Mewara and the film released on October 27.

Also Read: Tejas is a MONUMENTAL DISASTER at the overseas box office; collects less than Rs. 20 lakhs on Day 1

Mahira Khan is currently busy setting the Internet on fire with her latest set of selfies. The Pakistani sensation treated her fans to a series of captivating photos on Thursday, showcasing her basking in the sun's Vitamin D goodness. While the album provided a delightful visual journey, it also spotlighted her flawless, glass-like complexion.

In the photos, the newlywed Mahira Khan confidently displayed her radiant bare skin, donning a sleeveless denim top. She opted for a casual and chic look, leaving her slightly tousled, middle-parted hair gracefully flowing. Accessories were kept minimal, with just a watch and a delicate-looking chain adorning her outfit. Mahira Khan didn't stop there; she concluded her photo collection with a sun-kissed selfie, where she gracefully draped herself in a lavender-hued coat over a white top, complemented by a classic black hat. The picturesque backdrop added an extra layer of charm to the entire album. The note accompanying the pictures added an intriguing touch to her post. It read, “Hi, let's break the algorithm. P.S thank you @bioliteuae for the aaahmazing diamond glow facial.. skin is glowing even after days. Immaaa coming back.”

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On the work front, Mahira Khan was last seen in The Legend of Maula Jatt with Fawad Khan. The film is Pakistan’s most expensive film to date and went on to amass $13.8 million worldwide on 500 screens. In her next, she is working with Fawad again on his production Neelofar. She is currently starring in a mini-series Razia and will next star in a movie with Humayun Saeed.

Also Read: Mahira Khan shares first video from her stunning wedding ceremony with Salim Karim; her son walks her down the aisle, watch

As the release of Raj Kundra's debut film UT 69 approaches, the actor-producer and his wife, Shilpa Shetty, embarked on a spiritual journey to seek the blessings of the almighty. The power couple visited the renowned Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai on Friday, accompanied by their mothers, Sunanda Shetty and Usha Rani Kundra.

Amid the rising excitement for the upcoming release, Shilpa and Raj, sporting coordinated white outfits, made a serene and spiritually significant appearance at the temple. Shilpa's mother, Sunanda Shetty, elegantly chose a pink salwar suit for the occasion, adding a touch of colour to the scene. Raj Kundra, known for his unique style, donned oversized spectacles, which added a distinctive charm to his appearance. While the couple embraced the divinity of the temple, Raj was seen tenderly holding his mother's hand amid the bustling crowd, reflecting the deep bonds of love and affection within the family. The couple graciously posed for the waiting shutterbugs, who captured the serene moments as Shilpa and Raj smiled and radiated positivity, setting a spiritual and wholesome tone for the day.

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Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty, who tied the knot in 2009, have two children together, Viaan and Samisha. Meanwhile, Raj Kundra is embarking on a new journey as he prepares for his acting debut in the film UT 69. The movie is based on his experiences during his time in jail in connection to a 2021 pornography case. Raj, who was the prime accused in the case, spent time behind bars before being released on bail.

Also Read: Amid separation rumours, Raj Kundra expresses love for Shilpa Shetty; says, “My reality is finally…”

The first poster of Hansal Mehta's directorial The Buckingham Murders has recently been released and shocked the nation with anticipation to expect the arrival of an intense thriller film. However, the film started to make noise globally much before its release with its screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2023 and now it has added yet another glory as it is going to be the first film to open at the Jio MAMI Film Festival 2023 with its screening where the team grabbed the attention of the masses as they all spotted on top of their fashion game on the red carpet.

The Buckingham Murders screened as the opening film at Jio MAMI Film Festival 2023, which is going to be held from Oct 27, 2023 – Sun, Nov 5, 2023. It's indeed a very precious and good film as the screening enjoyed a mass audience and received a phenomenal response. The red carpet of the prestigious film festival witnessed the presence of Hansal Mehta, AshTandon, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ektaa R Kapoor, Ranveer Brar and Prabhleen Sandhu.

Moreover, the film has also introduced Kareena Kapoor Khan as a co-producer. Having seen such a phenomenal response to the film, the excitement to watch it on the screen has indeed risen to the next level.

Starring an excellent ensemble cast Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen. Directed by Hansal Mehta, written by Aseem Arrora, Kashyap Kapoor, and Raghav Raj Kakker. Produced by Balaji Telefilms and TBM Films alongside Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Also Read: BREAKING: Kareena Kapoor-starrer The Buckingham Murders to be the opening film at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival

In a momentous event set to take place on October 28 in Mumbai, Bollywood actress Richa Chadha will be honoured by the French government and the Counsel General of France to India. On this special occasion, Richa will be conferred with the prestigious 'Chevalier Des Arts et des Lettres,' one of the highest orders given by the French government to artists in the realms of cinema, arts, and fashion worldwide. This honor places her in the esteemed company of legendary personalities like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Oscar winner Guneet Monga recognizing her outstanding contribution to the cinematic landscape.

Hailing from a modest family of educators, Richa Chadha has carved her unique niche in the entertainment industry on her own terms. She has graced iconic films, collaborating with esteemed filmmakers such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Neeraj Ghaywan, Mira Nair, Dibakar Bannerjee and Anurag Kashyap in her decade-long career. Richa's filmography boasts internationally acclaimed films, including the Indo-French production Masaan, which clinched two awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

Notably, she recently achieved the feat of delivering a 100 crore film, with Fukrey 3. She was also on the jury of the Marrakech Film Festival, which was presided upon by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola. As a producer, her first film Girls Will Be Girls is an Indo-French co-production under the official co-production treaty between the two countries.

Richa Chadha's influence extends beyond the silver screen; she has emerged as a powerful voice advocating for women's rights and upliftment. Her activism goes hand in hand with her actions, as she established her unique lab for Cinema, The Undercurrent Lab, supported by Berlinale and ARRI, which traims women to be gaffers in the film industry. Richa has always been ahead of the curve, pioneering her path by transitioning to OTT platforms. She played a pivotal role in India's first-ever OTT series, Inside Edge, which was nominated for the prestigious International Emmy Awards.

Reacting to the honour, Richa said, “It is truly an overwhelming and humbling moment for me to be recognized by the French government and the Counsel General of France to India with the prestigious 'Chevalier Des Arts et des Lettres' award. To stand in the esteemed company of legends such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact cinema can have on bridging cultures and societies. My journey in the film industry has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, filled with challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons."

She further added, "Receiving this honor is not just a personal achievement; it is a recognition of the collective efforts of everyone who believed in my vision, from my family and friends to my mentors and collaborators. This accolade reaffirms my belief that storytelling knows no boundaries, and it is my responsibility as an artist to contribute meaningfully to the global dialogue. Thank you to the French government and the Counsel General of France to India for this honor, which only motivates me to strive for excellence and make a positive impact on the world through my work."

The ceremony, scheduled during the upcoming MAMI film festival, promises to be a celebration of Richa Chadha's remarkable journey, highlighting her significant impact on the global stage.

Also Read: Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest Day 2: “Gangs Of Wasseypur wouldn’t be released today,” says Richa Chadha; speaks on changing landscape of cinema

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh graced the first episode of Koffee With Karan season 8 with his star wife Deepika Padukone. The actors discussed their careers, their 11-year relationship, marriage, mental health and more. During the same conversation, Ranveer talked about how he went through a lot after Cirkus flopped. He also said that he had not seen three major flops in a row which affected him.

Ranveer said, “I went through a lot, especially after Cirkus. Coming out of the pandemic, we had this beautiful film 83. It was just released at the wrong time. Jayeshbhai Jordaar was again a lovely well-intentioned film, which again ultimately found its audience on streaming. Cirkus I had a limited contribution and limited responsibility. So I can’t really beat myself over it.”

The actor continued, “Having said that, I had not seen three major flops in a row. So it was new to me. I was not good. But then I came to terms with everything that was happening around me. After everything that has happened, I have come out of it with more gratitude than ever before.”

On the work front, Ranveer will be headline Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3. Originally, the character was played by Amitabh Bachchan followed by Shah Rukh Khan in Akhtar’s two installments. The project is slated for 2025. He has reportedly signed Baiju Bawra, helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. ALSO READ: Koffee With Karan 8: Ranveer Singh gives a nod to Karan Johar remaking Sangam featuring him, Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor

Anil Kapoor has reportedly signed an international project with filmmaker Ritesh Batra. It is a mature romantic movie where an unusual relationship begins between an Indian man and a French woman. It marks Batra's comeback after four years.

A source close to the development spoke to Pinvkvilla and revealed, "Anil Kapoor loved the script and has already given his nod. The film is set to be a grand Indo-French production, and if all goes well, it will go on floors early next year."

This will be Kapoor's third international project after Academy Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011).

Meanwhile, Anil Kapoor will star in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal. Anil plays the role of Ranbir Kapoor's father Balbir Singh in the film. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol and Triptii Dimri. It is scheduled to release on December 7, 2023. ALSO READ: Boney Kapoor shares fun throwback photo with Anil Kapoor, playfully teases his youthful looks

Karan Johar is back as the host of Koffee with Karan as the show returns for season 8. The first episode couldn’t get any better as star-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh come together for the first time ever on the Koffee couch, spilling the beans on their marriage, proposal and more. For the very first time, Deepika and Ranveer unveiled glimpses from their 2018 wedding in Lake Como in Italy. While the couple had a private wedding, an intimate affair with very close family and friends in attendance, for the first time in almost five years since their wedding, the couple shared video glimpses from their beautiful ceremonies.

After the wedding video was shown on Koffee With Karan 8, Karan Johar was visibly in tears and got up to hug both of his guests. Overwhelmed with emotions, he said, “I am not in a relationship and I am kind of single. It just makes me feel like I am losing out on not being in one. You don’t have a partner of your own to share the nothings of your day with. And every day, I wake up and a little part of me feels that vacuum,” Karan Johar said. “I have my kids and mom but when I see this and I see you, and I know relationships are tough, but that soul connection with a person that you can wake up with, hold their hand and see your day through tough times… I don’t think I’ve had a moment like this on my own show. I felt so happy for you and I felt so alone yet. I hope this manifests into, I hope I have a story to tell. The happiness and joy I saw, and I know it’s not easy,” he added. The video, officially shared by The Wedding Filmer after the episode, begins with Ranveer Singh who gives the toast post his wedding to Deepika as he jokes that he once declared he would marry Deepika Padukone and the day had finally come. From their magical mehendi and haldi ceremonies, glimpses of Ranveer dancing as both their families are seen enjoying, Ranveer fixing Deepika’s make-up, declaring his love for her, both their parents talking about Ranveer and Deepika's love story, and sharing emotional moments, the video is full of heartwarming moments.

In November 2023, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will complete five years of marriage. ALSO READ: Koffee With Karan 8: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh unveil their wedding video after 5 years; see their magical unseen moments at Lake Como in Italy

The beloved couch is back with Karan Johar as Hotstar Specials’ Koffee with Karan returns for season 8. The first episode couldn’t get any better as star-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh come together for the first time ever on the Koffee couch, spilling the beans on their marriage, proposal and more. On Koffee with Karan’s infamous couch, Ranveer Singh shared his experience of meeting his real-life heroine and how he convinced Sanjay Leela Bhansali to cast Deepika in Ram Leela after Kareena Kapoor Khan had exited due to some unforeseen circumstances.

“Ram-Leela was supposed to happen with myself and Kareena Kapoor in the lead. The set was ready. One week before roll, for some reason, Kareena had to exit the film,” Ranveer told Karan on the premiere episode.

He suggested Deepika's name as he had just watched Cocktail. “Then we were sitting and wondering who to cast. And Cocktail had just happened (released). So there was a discussion with Mr Bhansali, all the ADs and myself in the office, about who should we take. And I was batting for team Deepika, because I just saw Cocktail, and she got cast,” he said.

Talking about the script reading session and how he met Deepika, he recalled,  “There was a famous or infamous reading for Ram Leela at Mr. Bhansali’s house in Versova. I was supposed to meet him before Deepika’s arrival. So I was sitting on the table and the door was on my left. He has these heavy doors and he lives by the seaside. So, these heavy doors open and the gush of wind comes from the sea. There, Deepika enters wearing this white chikankari, hair blowing due to the sea wind just like some sadgi ki moorat. I was like Oh My God!” ALSO READ: Koffee With Karan 8: Ranveer Singh recalls meeting Deepika Padukone for Ram Leela for script reading at Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s house: “I was like OH MY GOD!”

Deepika Padukone has always been open about her journey with mental health, her depression, her struggle to understand her symptoms, and eventually starting therapy and medications. She eventually also started her foundation for the same. The first episode of Koffee With Karan 8 saw the star-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh who came together for the first time ever on the Koffee couch, spilling the beans on their marriage, proposal and more. On this episode of KWK, Karan Johar also opened up about his mental health struggle and asked about hers. While Deepika said that Ranveer has been a strong support throughout the journey, the actor recalled how he once rushed home when Deepika had a blackout in 2014.

Recalling an incident in 2014, Ranveer said that Deepika had called whilst he was shooting and said, "I've had a blackout, and I've had a fall. Can you come home?" Ranveer, without hesitation, left the set immediately to be by her side. Describing what he saw when he reached home, he said, "When I went and saw her, there wasn't something right. She was with you, she was looking at you, but she wasn't all there."

Ranveer recalled having breakfast one day with her and how Deepika broke down in tears. He revealed, “One day at breakfast she was sitting across me and she was just crying and there were just tears. Copious tears were flowing down.” When he asked DP what happened, she didn’t know what to say to him. “She’s like ‘I don’t know’. I got up and went to her and I was like tell me. The reason I remember that vividly is because it was that moment where I felt completely helpless.”

Deepika said that it has been a journey and that she is still on medication and there are tough days too. “It’s work every day.” She added Ranveer Singh created a safe space for her and said, “It told me a lot about the person that he is.” ALSO READ: Koffee With Karan 8: Karan Johar TEARS UP after watching Deepika Padukone - Ranveer Singh's wedding video: "I am not in a relationship..."

The beloved couch is back with Karan Johar as Hotstar Specials’ Koffee with Karan returns for season 8. The first episode couldn’t get any better as star-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh come together for the first time ever on the Koffee couch, spilling the beans on their marriage, proposal and more. For the very first time, Deepika and Ranveer unveiled the glimpses from their 2018 wedding in Lake Como in Italy. While the couple had a private wedding, an intimate affair with very close family and friends in attendance, for the first time in almost five years since their wedding, the couple shared video glimpses from their beautiful ceremonies.

The video, officially shared by The Wedding Filmer after the Koffee With Karan 8 episode, begins with Ranveer Singh who gives the toast post his wedding to Deepika as he jokes that he once declared he would marry Deepika Padukone and the day had finally come. From their magical mehendi and haldi ceremonies, glimpses of Ranveer dancing as both their families are seen enjoying, Ranveer fixing Deepika’s make-up, declaring his love for her, both their parents talking about Ranveer and Deepika's love story, and sharing emotional moments, the video is full of heartwarming moments.

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The wedding video was shot by The Wedding Filmer, who captured the wedding sequence in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. “During the filming of “Kabira” for Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, I had the honor of directing her. On a crisp evening, amidst rounds of Pictionary by the poolside with the crew, she leaned in and said softly, “When the time comes for my wedding, I’d be honoured if you would be the one to capture it.” I was taken aback, a blush creeping up unnoticed. She held onto that sentiment, gently reminding me of that whispered promise during her wedding film’s screening years later,” the team captioned the video. “Set against the stunning backdrop of Como, The Wedding Filmer had the distinct honour of encapsulating the magical union between Bollywood’s icons, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. It wasn’t just about documenting their wedding day, but rather weaving a tale of love, trust, and commitment. Some stories are so close to the heart that they’re held close, and perhaps they wanted this narrative to be theirs alone for a time. As we mark our 13th year in building an industry, releasing this film stands as a testament to our journey and growth. Premiering on the esteemed platform of ‘Koffee with Karan’, it’s not merely a film, but a milestone in our storied legacy,” they added. In November 2023, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will complete five years of marriage. ALSO READ: Koffee With Karan 8: Ranveer Singh convinced Sanjay Leela Bhansali to cast Deepika Padukone in Ram Leela: "Kareena had to exist..."

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor may not be on social media officially but he often interacts with his fans. The actor recently held a Zoom call conversation with a bunch of his fans where he talked on several topics including being a father. The actor along with his actress-wife Alia Bhatt welcomed their first child Raha in November, last year. Ranbir said that he is getting a lot of time with Raha now as Alia is busy shooting for Jigra.

In a conversation with his fans over a Zoom call, Ranbir revealed that he hasn’t signed any project since the wrap of Animal as he is spending time with his daughter. He said, “Life is great. I have taken a long break. I am going to be home only. I will be home for five-six months. This was always my plan because when Raha was born, I was shooting for Animal, and I couldn’t give her time. I wanted to take a paternity leave, and I got it at the right time because she is so expressive now. She is crawling. She is recognising. She is giving so much love, and she is trying to speak words like Pa and Ma. It’s a beautiful time to be around her, and I am going to cherish this forever.”

He added, “Alia is busy with the shooting for Vasan Bala’s Jigra, and that means I get Raha all for myself. Raha is going to turn one soon, and we will have a small birthday party with friends and family. Looking forward to that.”

On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor will next star in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. The film releases on December 7, 2023. ALSO READ: Ranbir Kapoor says nothing is ‘finalised’ for Ramayana; will hear Kishore Kumar biopic script in October end

Filmmaker Karan Johar and superstar Shah Rukh Khan have been friends for decades. Karan addresses SRK as 'Bhai' and has worked with him on several projects. In a recent conversation, Karan opened up about his sexuality and how SRK helped him come to terms with it.

On the show Be A Man Yaar, Karan Johar said, "He was born and raised in a very progressive environment. He comes from the theatre. He had worked with all kinds of people. My parents, perhaps, weren't able to understand things. My feminine side that was coming out so strongly was only met with laughter or with being made fun of. And then when I grew a little older, people got quieter about it. But I could tell whether there was a slight chitter-chatter about the way I was walking or speaking. I remember Shah Rukh Khan was the first, kind of like, man that didn't make me feel lesser for some reason. I feel like he accepted what in those days were considered being pansy, being effeminate or walking funny. He was just so cool about anything. He even had a lot of open chats with me. Whenever I had to say the biggest thing about my personality and sexuality, I spoke to him first. He was that one sense of support. Even he doesn't realise what he's been to me."

"It's what he didn't say. It's what he didn't bring up. It's what he normalised, that I sat funny or walked funny. Whenever I said campy things, he laughed. He would hang out with me, laugh with me. It isn't what he said, it's what he didn't say. It's all that matters," Karan added.

Meanwhile, Karan Johar last directed Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani starring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly among others. ALSO READ: SCOOP: Sunny Deol to return on Karan Johar’s Koffee with Karan after nearly 20 years

After actresses like Rani Mukerji, Sushmita Sen, Kajol, among others, the television industry too celebrated the Durga Pooja this year with equal enthusiasm and love. Among them were Anupama fame Rupali Ganguly, actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee, best known for her role in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, social media celebrity Anushka Sen, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma fame Munmun Dutta, and popular actress Ishita Dutta and actor-husband Vatsal Seth as well as renowned star Tina Datta. The actors took to their social media to share photos of how they celebrated the arrival of Maa Durga.

Rupali Ganguly Known for her portrayal of Anupama in the popular Star Plus show by the same name, the actress seems to have enjoyed her pooja celebrations. Apart from Ashtami, Rupali also gave her long list of social media followers a glimpse of her Navami celebrations, which was held on October 23. The actress was accompanied by her entire family including her husband and son.

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Ishita Dutta Popularly known for her television shows as well as her portrayal of Ajay Devgn’s daughter in Drishyam, the actress had a special Durga Pooja this year. The reason is the birth of her first child with her actor-husband Vatsal Seth. She was accompanied by her infant son Vayu at the Durga Pooja pandal for the first time on the day of Navami. Ishita also posted photos from her Ashtami as well as Saptami celebrations.

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Devoleena Bhattacharjee Garnering immense love for her portrayal of Gopi Vahu on the small screen, Devoleena Bhattacharjee was last seen in the show Dil Diyaan Gallan. The actress also took to social media to give a glimpse of her Durga Pooja celebrations as she was seen attending one of the most popular pandals in Mumbai.

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Munmun Dutta While her show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma has been one of the longest running shows on television, Munmun Dutta too gained ample love for her portrayal of Babita, the pretty wife of the intelligent Iyer in Gokuldam Society. Following her love for Bengali traditions, Munmun also posted photos from a Durga pandal wherein she was celebrating the festivities. Along with that, she also penned a lovely message in her mother tongue.

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Anushka Sen Gaining popularity as not just an actor but also as a social media celebrity, Anushka Sen has been leaving social media followers enthralled with her fashion sense. She was shared photos of the lovely traditional avatar in a beautiful lavender saree, which she donned for the Durga pooja celebrations she attended recently.

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Tina Datta After recently completing her show Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum, Tina Datta took to social media to share all her looks from Durga Pooja ever since it kick started. From what we hear, the actress also attended pandals but it is her different ethnic looks, posted by her on this festive occasion that has been garnering a lot of attention on social media.

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Also Read: Photos: Ajay Devgn snapped with his son at Durga pandal

Janhvi Kapoor recently won hearts with her recent display of Indian traditions at a Navratri celebration held in Thrissur. The actress was seen attending the special celebrations arranged by the popular jewellery brand Kalyan Jewellers in Thrissur, Kerala and the actress visited the pandal on Sunday, October 22.

In a video shared by a paparazzo account on social media, Janhvi Kapoor was seen visiting the pandal in a beautiful lavender silk saree from the house of Manish Malhotra and she wore jewellery as well as the traditional South Indian gajra that complimented her ethnic attire. The actress was seen praying religiously and also did the traditional ‘namaskara’ near the shrine, which has left social media followers applauding her touch with Indian traditions and rituals.

Many social media users decided to give their opinion on the actress visiting the pandal. While fans of her dropped heart and fire emojis, showering their love on the Dhadak star, some of them also expressed their happiness on seeing her follow the traditions and rituals religiously within the pandal. “The best combo of beauty and Sanskar,” said one of the users whereas another one commented, “Love the fact that she always does the South Indian traditional namaskaram in front of deities!”

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On the work front, Janhvi Kapoor has interesting Bollywood projects in hand which includes Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, featuring her opposite Rajkummar Rao and the film will have her play the role of a cricketer. The actress also has the unconventional Ulajh which features an ensemble cast that includes names like Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Matthew. Besides that, Janhvi will be seen making her big South debut alongside RRR fame Jr. NTR in Devara. The actress is said to have already kicked off the first schedule of the movie, which will also feature Saif Ali Khan. It is directed by Kortala Siva and the first part is slated for release on April 5, 2024.

Also Read: Dasvi director Tushar Jalota to direct Sidharth Malhotra & Janhvi Kapoor in Dinesh Vijan’s next

Not too long ago, Shahid Kapoor took to social media to announce about his next venture. The actor, who was last seen in JioCinema and Ali Abbas Zafar’s film Bloody Daddy and gained fame last year for his web series Farzi, is all set for another interesting film and will be collaborating with popular producer Siddharth Roy Kapur. The duo along with their leading lady Pooja Hegde, announced their film together earlier this month and on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra on October 24, the makers unveiled the title of the film to be Deva and also revealed that the film will release next year on the occasion of Dussehra.

Earlier today, Shahid Kapoor took to social media to not just announce the title but also posted his look from the film. Wearing a blue shirt and a pair of black sunglasses, it is Shahid’s cropped hairstyle and rugged beard which has been garnering attention. Although not much has been revealed about the film, except that it is a thriller, going by his look and the gun in his hand, it seems that the film will feature the Kaminey actor in the role of a cop and the film seems quite high on action and stunts.

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For the unversed, the film was announced on the occasion of Pooja’s birthday on October 13. Pooja Hegde too took to Instagram to share the poster and along with that the actress also posted a photo of the mahurat shot of the film.

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Directed by Rosshan Andrews who will be making his Bollywood debut with this venture, Deva is expected to be produced by Zee Studios and Siddharth Roy Kapur. The film is slated for release on October 11, 2024 during the occasion of Dussehra.

Also Read: Shahid Kapoor and Pooja Hegde to come together for a thriller

Raveena Tandon, amid work commitments, decided to celebrate the arrival of Devi Maa during the festive occasion of Navratri. The nine days of celebration has come to an end on October 24 but not before Bollywood celebs rejoiced the beautiful occasion of Ashtami. Among them was also Raveena and her daughter Rasha. The function was also attended by popular actress Sara Ali Khan and renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who also shares a great friendship with the 90s star.

Dedicating her recent post on Instagram to the Ashtami celebrations, Raveena Tandon posted a series of photos and videos of the special pooja that is often planned on the eighth day of Navratri. In one of the videos shared by the actress, she is seen doing the aarti with her daughter Rasha, standing by her and praying intently. In one of the group selfies, Sara Ali Khan and Manish Malhotra were also seen giving all smiles during the occasion. Coming to the caption posted by Raveena, the actress expressed her gratitude towards the JP Dutta family, and also shared photos with the Border filmmaker, his former actress-wife Bindiya Goswami, and their daughter Nidhi Dutta.

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Coming to professional commitments, Raveena Tandon has been exploring OTT along with films of late. The actress is currently gearing up for her reunion with actor Akshay Kumar after two decades with Welcome To The Jungle which features an ensemble cast of 24 actors including Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, among others. On the other hand, it is also time for her daughter Rasha to make her big debut soon. The latter has already kicked off her prep for her debut venture, which is directed by Abhishek Kapoor. The untitled film will also star Ajay Devgn and will also mark the debut of his nephew Aaman Devgan.

Also Read: 25 Years of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan EXCLUSIVE: “The response in the theatres was FANTASTIC. People would dance and throw coins during the songs, especially ‘Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye’ and ‘Makhna’” – Raveena Tandon

Star Studios and Cine1 Studios’ edge-of-the-seat survival thriller Apurva is all set to release from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the film stars an ensemble cast of Tara Sutaria, Abhishek Banerjee, Dhairya Karwa and Rajpal Yadav who have united to showcase one of the most powerful stories of good over evil onscreen. The team unveiled the intriguing first look and announced the release date amidst huge crowds and tremendous fanfare at the prestigious Lav Kush Ramlila Ground at Red Fort, Delhi - the first of its kind launch that has never taken place for an Indian film!

Apurva is the story of an ordinary girl who faces extraordinary circumstances and will do anything to Survive and Live. Set in one of the most dangerous places in India – Chambal, the movie is presented by some of India’s leading creative powerhouses who have come together for this gritty thriller.

Tara Sutaria, who plays Apurva, says, “This is a powerful and thrilling story of an ordinary girl whose inner strength, intelligence, wit and courage shape a journey that will keep one at the edge of their seat. It's the role of a lifetime for me and I am eagerly awaiting audiences to see my transformation in Apurva as we launch our trailer very soon! Hugely excited and looking forward to Apurva releasing from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar.”

Abhishek Banerjee adds, "My character in Apurva is perhaps one of the most menacing and fearsome ones that I have portrayed so far. The powerful script instantly appealed to me when I first heard it, and I can't wait for the audience to watch the trailer, which will be launched very soon and thereafter the film’s release from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar."

Rajpal Yadav whose dramatic new look has struck a lot of intrigue says, "Audiences will see me in a very different and unusual avatar in Apurva which will be revealed when our trailer launches very soon. This is just the first glimpse, and I am looking forward to audiences watching Apurva from 15th November onwards on Disney+ Hotstar." ALSO READ: First look of Tara Sutaria starrer survival thriller Apurva to drop at Delhi’s Lav Kush Ramlila

Sunny Leone is one of the most recognized faces in the world. After being an adult entertainer, she moved to India to be a contestant on Bigg Boss. Soon enough, she grabbed her Bollywood debut in the form of Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2 (2014), which also starred Randeep Hooda and Arunoday Singh. There was no looking behind from here on as long as her popularity is concerned.

But not many would know that Sunny Leone’s real name is Karenjit Kaur Vohra and there is a story on how she became Sunny Leone. She hails from Punjab, India, from where her father migrated to Canada. Her life went through a change after she became a model. She shared her life story in a recent interview with Cosmopolitan India Magazine.

Sunny said, “I’ve previously mentioned that my academic journey was far from stellar, and while enrolling in college was a necessary step, it wasn’t one I completed. During my time on campus, a chance encounter with a fellow student introduced me to a modelling agent, and it was as if a switch had been flipped within me.”

The actress added, “In that moment, I realised that modelling was a business, and if I approached it intelligently – steering clear of its darker aspects – I could truly thrive. I understood that my success of failure rested solely on my shoulders. And so, the persona of Sunny Leone was born.”

On the work front, Sunny will next be seen in Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy. The crime-cum-political drama will see her cast opposite Rahul Bhat.

Also Read: Sunny Leone joins dating app to help singles find love; deets inside

Bollywood actors Kartik Aaryan and Tara Sutaria sparked dating rumours after they were spotted together on Saturday night after a dinner date. The pair was seen leaving separately from a hotel following which they had dinner at a suburban restaurant.

On Saturday, Tara was seen wearing a black tank crop top paired with an animal print skirt. Kartik opted for a crisp white shirt and black pants. In one of the videos, Tara was seen running away from the paparazzi. However, after the dinner at the restaurant, they were seen together as Tara hugged Kartik before he escorted her to her car. While this has sparked dating rumours, it could also be the actors meeting before the leading lady for Aashiqui 3 is announced.

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Back in September 2022, Bollywood Hungama reported that Kartik Aaryan had signed Aashiqui 3 with director Anurag Basu. Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt are all set to reignite the magic of love story and music with the much anticipated third installment of the hit Aashiqui franchise. The makers are yet to officially announce the leading lady though reports have suggested that Tara has been cast already and the makers are awaiting the right time to announce the same.

Bhushan Kumar, the head of T-Series, recently told India Today that the film is slated to begin shooting by the end of January 2024. He expressed his optimism, stating, “Hopefully, we will start Anurag Basu and Kartik Aaryan’s film by the end of January. As the pre-production work for the film continues, special attention is being paid to the music compositions. Music has always been an integral part of the Aashiqui universe, and the team is committed to delivering a memorable musical experience once again.” ALSO READ: Kartik Aaryan and Anurag Basu to begin shooting for Aashiqui 3 in January: Report

Following her performance in the blockbuster Jawan, Bollywood actor Sanya Malhotra is ready to test the international waters with the world premiere of her upcoming film Mrs, the Hindi remake of the Malayalam movie The Great Indian Kitchen. The film has been announced to have its first screening at the 27th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, which is set to take place from November 3-19, 2023. The movie will premiere on November 17, 2023.

The film’s director Arati Kadav shared a few glimpses from the film along with the announcement on her Instagram on Sunday. She wrote, “Happy to announce the World Premiere of our film Mrs at 27th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival(Poff). We all are super duper thrilled to be part of the lineup."

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Sanya’s international conquer begins here! Grateful to Baweja Studios, and Jio Studios for this opportunity. Thank you Harman Baweja. Grateful to the wonderful cast and crew whose immense hardwork and dedication made this happen. More details coming soon.”

The synopsis of the film on the POFF website reads, “The exotically delicious film guides us through Indian cuisine, but layer by layer reveals the unfortunate role of women who only cook, clean, and submit to sex-addicted hubbies. Dance teacher Richa has an instant connection to the wealthy doctor Diwakar but soon finds herself in an overcooked and tasteless happily ever after laced with misogyny, arrogance, and stubbornness. The kitchen has the solution to all problems. So, Richa cooks splendid dishes with love and dedication and refuses to yield to male dominance.”

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Pammi Baweja, and Harman Baweja, the film stars Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya, and Kanwaljit Singh. ALSO READ: Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest Day 2: Richa Chadha and Sanya Malhotra advocate for sex education over sex censorship; Richa says, “If porn is a problem, then you are offering free data to a country that doesn’t have sex education”

The team of Kangana Ranaut starrer Tejas has been making its presence on different platforms for promotions. Amid all this, the most prestigious moment came in the journey of Tejas as honourable Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other dignitaries from the Indian Air Force watched the film during the special screening organized by the team at the Indian Airforce Auditorium.

Tejas has made its way to the Indian ministry. A special screening of the action entertainer was held for the honourable Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other dignitaries from the Indian Air Force at the Indian Airforce Auditorium. While this was indeed a moment worth pride for the team Tejas, yet another prestigious moment came in when Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan gave his brooch to the director Sarvesh Mewara as a memento.

Kangana shared a few glimpses of the Tejas team with honourable Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and COAS General Manoj Pande. She further jotted an overwhelming caption, "Team Tejas held a special screening for Respected defence minister @rajnathsinghbjp ji and many dignitaries from the Indian Air Force at the Indian Airforce auditorium today evening. It was an enthralling experience to see a film dedicated to the defence forces and our soldiers with so many soldiers and the honourable Defence Minister himself. In a surreal moment after watching the film Chief of Defence Staff. General Anil Chauhan PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM removed his fighter jet-shaped brooch from his jacket and gifted to my director @sarveshmewara This gesture moved us deeply it seemed we have accomplished our mission. We are beyond thrilled can’t wait to bring the film to you all coming Friday 27th October."

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Produced by RSVP, Tejas stars Kangana Ranaut in the titular Role. Written and directed by Sarvesh Mewara and Produced By Ronnie Screwvala, the film is scheduled to be released in theatres on October 27, 2023. ALSO READ: 'Dil Hai Ranjhana' song from Tejas out: Kangana Ranaut starrer track is a melodious anthem, watch

Veteran actor Dalip Tahil has been sentenced to 2 months in jail by a magistrate court in Mumbai in a drunk driving case. The actor was reportedly involved in an accident when he rammed his car into an auto-rickshaw, leaving a woman injured. This incident took place in Khar, Mumbai in 2018.

As per a report in Times of India, the magistrate court relied on the doctor's evidence, who confirmed the smell of alcohol, Tahil's pupils being dilated, his walk being unsteady and his speech incoherent.

The 65-year-old actor has worked in several movies including Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Baazigar, Ishq, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag among others. His last movie was the Vidyut Jammwal starrer IB 71. The film, which released earlier this year, saw him play the character of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. His last web series came last year in the form of Mind The Malhotras. ALSO READ: Dalip Tahil to play antagonist in Ashutosh Gowariker’s next production Toolsidas Junior

Before French actor Omar Sy was known as Lupin around the world, he won hearts in the critically and commercially acclaimed French Buddy-Comedy, The Intouchables - a story of two grown men coming together from starkly different backgrounds to help each other overcome different aspects of their lives holding them back. An instant classic, the Intouchables has found a new home with its Hindi adaptation being kicked off by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor, the visionary producers behind the massively successful and critically acclaimed film Kill.

Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment have once again united their creative forces to bring this iconic French film to Indian audiences. This marks the fourth collaboration between the two filmmaking powerhouses, following the incredible success of their maiden production, Kill, which made waves following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. Set to be directed by Collin D'Cunha, the film is part of a larger creative synergy that was announced in May 2023 between Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Guneet Monga Kapoor's Sikhya Entertainment.

The Intouchables, was originally released in 2011 and was directed by Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, received widespread acclaim for its touching narrative and outstanding performances by François Cluzet and Omar Sy in the lead roles. The Hindi adaptation aims to recreate the magic of the original while adding a unique touch that resonates with Indian audiences.

Commenting on this exciting venture, Karan Johar expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Working on The Intouchables is a creative challenge and a thrilling opportunity. We are committed to bringing the essence of this beloved French film to the Indian audience while infusing it with our cultural sensibilities. Collaborating with Guneet once again is an exciting prospect, and I am confident that this project will touch the hearts of viewers across the country."

Guneet Monga Kapoor shared her excitement, stating, “The Intouchables is iconic and one of the most celebrated films around the world. It is very exciting to be able to bring that to India and Hindi audiences. After a high-octane, action-packed, Kill, we are laying our hands at dramedy which signifies the range of the spectrum of our collaboration with Dharma which we are incredibly excited about!”

Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions, expressed his confidence in the project, stating, "The partnership between Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment has been marked by creativity, innovation, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional cinema. 'The Intouchables' adaptation is a step forward to our dedication to storytelling, and bringing unique stories to the forefront”.

Director Collin D'Cunha shared his enthusiasm for helming this project, saying, "Directing The Intouchables adaptation is an incredible honour for me as a filmmaker. The original film left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to bring this story to life for Indian viewers. Working with Karan Johar, Guneet Monga, and the entire team is something I’m greatly excited for and looking forward to”.

Concluding their thoughts, Achin Jain, COO and producer, of Sikhya Entertainment, said, “To be adapting this iconic film that has already found such immense love and acclaim internationally is definitely a huge leap forward in our alliance. We are eager to bring this heartwarming dramedy to India”. ALSO READ: Dharma Productions shares BTS photos as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai approaches 25th anniversary; see post

Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif are a favourite on-screen couple in the history of Indian cinema. They have delivered blockbusters & chartbusters. Now they are back again in Aditya Chopra’s Tiger 3 reprising their iconic characters, super-agents Tiger and Zoya from the YRF Spy Universe!

The first look of Tiger 3’s song 'Leke Prabhu Ka Naam' broke the internet yesterday! In the image, Salman & Katrina grooved to the song at a stunning location in Cappadocia, Turkey. On Friday, YRF upped the anticipation for the song by surprising people with a teaser to the song that releases on Monday, October 23rd!

A dance number to vibe on is comin’ your way on 23rd October! #LekePrabhuKaNaam song releasing on https://ift.tt/SJntN0E arriving in cinemas on 12th November. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu. #YRF50 | #YRFSpyUniverse pic.twitter.com/CYM3B1LZZw — Yash Raj Films (@yrf) October 20, 2023

Directed by Maneesh Sharma, Tiger 3 is set to release this Diwali, Nov 12, Sunday in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu. ALSO READ: Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif’s party track, ‘Leke Prabhu Ka Naam’ from Tiger 3 to release on October 23

Following a successful theatrical release, Dream Girl 2, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday is now streaming on Netflix. Directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa and produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor under the banner of Balaji Telefilms, the comedy-drama film is now ready to charm Netflix audiences.

Speaking about the film coming to Netflix, Ayushmann Khurrana shared, “After the incredible box office journey we've had with Dream Girl 2, it has now found its home on Netflix, and I can’t wait for audiences who couldn't catch it in theatres to watch it now. I also believe that an out-and-out masala entertainer like Dream Girl 2 has a certain replay value, and many viewers will enjoy binge-watching it again now that it's on OTT. It's an entertaining film with great characters, a solid humor track, and I hope it receives the same love worldwide.”

Ananya Panday adds, ''I am so excited that Dream Girl 2 is now streaming on Netflix- it’s like a dream come true to have your work showcased across 190 countries. I am excited to see how the worldwide audience responds to the film and the entertaining world we created.” ALSO READ: Ayushmann Khurrana becomes one of the most visible celebrities at this Cricket World Cup and this is the reason!

Director Nitesh Tiwari and his team for the proposed Ramayan adaptation are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a faithful and controversy-free end-product that would leave the audience completely happy and satiated.

A source in the know told this writer that the cast is being tutored into a “self-restrained lifestyle” during the shooting. “While Sai Pallavi, who will play Sita, has a very clean controversy-free image, Ranbir Kapoor is a bit more, shall we say, colourful in his conduct. Not quite the wild child, but he is certainly no Sri Rama in his personal life,” a source observed and revealed the producers and director Nitesh Tiwari’s game plan.

“While the film will be shot, Ranbir will abstain completely from drinking and eating meat. These are not things he would avoid just for his public image, but also as a dedicated actor Ranbir wants to feel as pure and clean as Sri Rama. In any case, Ranbir is not into late nights and wild parties,” added the source.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor captures heartwarming moment as Alia Bhatt receives National Award for Gangubai Kathiawadi; watch

The Archies is set in a magical world inspired by the comic books we grew up with. It’s fresh and exciting and Netflix has only just scratched the surface with the first song, ‘Sunoh’ from the film. The movie is set in the 1960s in a picturesque hill station called Riverdale, tells the story of a group of Anglo-Indian teenagers and is directed by Zoya Akhtar.

The Archies is an adaptation of the globally famous Archie Comics IP. Through this film, the audience will get to enter the world of the comics.

The first song of The Archies called ‘Sunoh’ was launched at the Bollywood Hungama OTT Fest. Apart from filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the event was also graced by the ensemble cast of the film including Agastya Nanda, Dot (Aditi Saigal), Khushi Kapoor, Mihir Ahuja, Suhana Khan, Yuvraj Menda and Vedang Raina.

Riverdale, which was seen in the song, is right out of a dream and an absolute pleasure to the eyes could well be like Shimla, Ooty, Mccluskieganj and Landour of the 1960s.

‘Sunoh’ sees Suhana Khan effortlessly display her skating skills. During the launch of the song, she spoke about the training she and others went through before the film went on floors. “We started training 5 or 6 months before we actually started filming. I know you said it (skating scenes) looks very breezy in the song, but I'm lucky you didn't see us fall and bump into each other, that was far from effortless. But yeah, it was a lot of fun. I loved every moment of it, even all the falling. I fell a lot, but I didn’t hurt myself luckily,” she said.

Agastya plays a music aficionado in the film. Sharing about his preparations, he added, “I had to learn how to play the guitar. I had to learn how to sing. Learning to sing and how to play the guitar was a great learning experience. It isn’t easy. Piano is a problem as I have thick fingers. So, I keep hitting two or three notes at the same time. But the guitar is fun and adds to the fun at the parties if you play it with your friends.”

The Archies is all set to stream on Netflix from December 7.

Also Read: Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest Day 2: Suhana Khan reveals The Archies features her personal outfit; says, “It worked really well for Veronica”

Bollywood Hungama's OTT India Fest 2023 concluded with a star-studded awards ceremony, honoring the best and brightest in the OTT entertainment industry. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video emerged as the big winners, bagging several awards across various categories at the Bollywood Hungama India Entertainment Awards.

In the Original Films section, Netflix's Darlings took home the award for Best Feature Film, while Jasmeet K Reen was named Best Director for the same film. Manoj Bajpayee won Best Actor Male for his performances in Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai (Zee5) and Gulmohar (Disney+ Hotstar), while Sanya Malhotra won Best Actor Female for Kathal (Netflix). Take a look at the list of winners as BH OTT India Fest 2023.

Original Films Section Best Feature Film (OTT Originals) - Darlings (Netflix) Best Director - Jasmeet K Reen (For Darlings, Netflix) Best Actor Male - Manoj Bajpayee (For Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai and Gulmohar, Zee5 and Disney+ Hotstar respectively) Best Actor Male (Popular) - Varun Dhawan (For Bawaal, Amazon Prime Video) Best Actor Female - Sanya Malhotra (For Kathal, Netflix) Best Actor Female (Popular) - Janhvi Kapoor (For Bawaal, Amazon Prime Video) Best Supporting Actor - Sikander Kher (For Monica O My Darling, Netflix)

Original Series Section Best Series - Jubilee Best Director - Raj and DK (For Farzi / Guns & Gulaabs Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, respectively) Best Actor Male - Pankaj Tripathi (For Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach, Disney+ Hotstar) Best Actor Male (Popular) - Rajkummar Rao (For Guns and Gulaabs, Netflix) Best actor Female - Sushmita Sen (For Taali, Jio Cinema) Best Actor Female (Popular) - Sonakshi Sinha (For Dahaad, Amazon Prime Video) Best Breakthrough Performer (Series) - Radhika Madan (For Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo, Disney+ Hotstar) Best Non-Fiction Series (Originals) - Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives S2, Netflix

People’s Choice Section Best Actor of The Year Male (Series) - Anil Kapoor (For The Night Manager, Disney+ Hotstar) Best Actor of The Year Female (Series) - Tamannah Bhatia (For Jee Karda and Aakhri Sach, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar, respectively) Best Director of The Year (Series) - Hansal Mehta (For Scoop, Netflix) Best Original Film of The Year - Bawaal, Amazon Prime Video Best Original Series of The Year - Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo and Kohrra, Disney+ Hotstar and Netflix respectively)

Additional  Mould-Breaking Actor Of The Year - Tilottama Shome and Amruta Subhash (For The Mirror in Lust Stories 2, Netflix) Charismatic Performer Of The Year - Triptii Dimri (For Qala, Netflix) Game Changing Actor Of The Year - Shobhita Dhulipala (For Made in Heaven S2 / The Night Manager S1 & S2 Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar)

The grand awards ceremony that happened on 19th October 2023 was attended by the biggies of the entertainment world. Organized by one of India's most trusted entertainment portals Bollywood Hungama, curated / directed by Cinema Waale Film and TV Productions and produced by Across Media Solutions, the two day extravaganza aims to honour and acknowledge the excellence that has emerged from the realm of online streaming platforms.

The awards are Presented by Sonata Poze, powered by TVS Jupiter and Kheloyar, Driven-by JK Tyre Blaze Rydr, alongside Matchmaking partner Bharat Matrimony, Stylish Audio partner Skullcandy, Banking partner Bank of Baroda, Healthcare partner Fujifilm Healthcare, True Chocolate partner Smoor, Astrology partner Astroyogi, Wellness Partner HCG hospitals, Cricketing Partner Metashot in association with Festival partners Satvik, Snacking partner Special Choice, Outdoor partner Bright Outdoor Media, Radio partner Radio City, and celebration partners Johnnie Walker and Heineken Silver.

Bollywood Hungama, the prominent entertainment platform in India, has launched its two-day OTT India Fest in Mumbai. The festival included a wide range of activities such as panel discussions, fireside chats, masterclasses, workshops, and an award ceremony celebrating talents in the OTT entertainment sector. The inaugural day of the fest began with an insightful panel discussion on the growing OTT landscape in India, involving key experts and influencers from the industry. During a session, Bollywood actress Richa Chadha and Sanya Malhotra urged for sex education in India.

During the sessions, Richa Chadha addressed a vital issue associated with OTT content, stating, “If porn is a problem, then you are offering free data to a country that doesn’t have sex education, what’s going to happen.”

She further added, “I feel this is the problem that there is an overstimulated culture.” The actress also said, “I don’t know if we need sex censorship as much as we need sex education. First of all, we need for the country to be okay to talk about sex because its not like its not happening and its not like it will go away. Its not going to go away. That’s how we got here.”

Sanya Malhotra concurred with Richa’s perspective, emphasizing the importance of fostering sex education as opposed to excessive censorship. She said, “I think as Richa said, this country needs more sex education than sex censorship and we are not doing something that is not already out there. There are Hollywood movies and international film which are already there on OTT and for people to consume. But I also truly believe if a script doesn’t require it, because sometimes people also use it like, ‘Oh this worked in the other film, so we should put this in our film too,’ even if its not fit for the character or for the story, just as a selling point. That shouldn’t happen.”

The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest, in association with Cinema Waale Film and Television Productions LLP and Across Media Solutions, held on the 18th & 19th of October 2023 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai were Presented by Sonata Poze, powered by TVS Jupiter and Kheloyar, Driven-by JK Tyre Blaze Rydr, alongside Matchmaking partner Bharat Matrimony, Stylish Audio partner Skullcandy, Banking partner Bank of Baroda, Healthcare partner Fujifilm Healthcare, True Chocolate partner Smoor, Astrology partner Astroyogi, Wellness Partner HCG hospitals, Cricketing Partner Metashot in association with Festival partners Satvik, Snacking partner Special Choice, Outdoor partner Bright Outdoor Media, Radio partner Radio City, and celebration partners Johnnie Walker and Heineken Silver.

Also Read: Trailer of RiAliTY: Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal give a sneak peek into their wedding documentary

Ganapath – A Hero Is Born, starring Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon and Amitabh Bachchan, is all set to release in cinemas tomorrow, that is, October 20. Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to director Vikas Bahl about the film and a lot more.

Since the time you debuted as a director, you have never repeated a genre. How do you manage to do so? Not many filmmakers could achieve this feat… Maybe, I just like different kinds of stories. While doing so, you have to break the genre. I think it’s a constant learning curve. When you are switching genres, you are always nervous as to whether or not you can pull it off. I like that nervousness. Maybe, the student inside me wants to constantly keep learning how to try new genres. When I was doing this film or even the next one (a horror), I used to sit for hours on YouTube and watch videos on how these films are made and how these genres are done. So, it was almost like going back to school. That’s exciting for me. I don’t want to get into a comfort zone that ‘this is my genre, this is what I want to do for the next 10-15 years.’ I’d rather try new things.

How difficult was it to get the futuristic element right, especially for a Hindi film considering that we don’t have many reference points in our cinema? More than just about the future, I was trying to pen a story that any calamity in the world leads to inequality in the sense that the rich get richer as they benefit from it. But the poor get poorer. This happens during any catastrophe, whether man-made or a natural disaster. This is the basic premise of the film. Since it is based on the hypothetical situation of the next biggest calamity that happens on the planet, I had to set it in the future because it couldn’t happen earlier. Hence, the idea was not just to make a futuristic story.

Years ago, Shekhar Kapur attempted a film called Paani. It was also set in the future and was about the water crisis. Were you inspired by its plot maybe at the back of your mind? Shekhar sir is too senior and I think too brilliant (smiles). I don’t know much about Paani. I know about it just as anybody else knows. But I am sure he would have made an unbelievable spectacle. Even if I am remotely close to what we set out to do, I think I’d be good!

You became a force to reckon with, with Queen (2014). The same year, Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon debuted with Heropanti (2014) and became overnight stars. How was it to collaborate with two fellow artists for whom 2014 was also a defining year? Now that you told me and I realize it, it feels good (laughs)! I don’t think any of us thought about it. We never sat and discussed this connection.

Tiger Shroff is not seen doing typical action in the film. Kriti Sanon, meanwhile, is attempting action for the first time. How exciting was it for you and them as well? Yes. The good thing about Ganapath and hopefully it’ll also be a surprise for the audience is that Tiger is just not doing action in the film. He has done a lot of humourous, emotional and dramatic scenes. He has a big character arc. Action is the base of it but is not the primary characteristic. I always found him very innocent. He has his own little world of action, exercises and workouts. I loved that innocence. I wanted him for his innocence as much as I wanted him for his action. Even though I had never worked with him or even met him before, I was correct about how he is.

As for Kriti, she’s a great actor. She has a lot of action in the film and has done a great job. She has this ability that she can pierce through your eyes and deliver the dialogue. She’s also tall and looks absolutely convincing while taking on the goons.

You worked with Amitabh Bachchan, first in Goodbye (2022) and now Ganapath. It must have been a high, wasn’t it? Everyday, he walks on the set, you have to pinch yourself that he knows me and he knows my name, forget the fact that he’s in my film. He was extremely generous. He knew I was trying to put up a film like Ganapath together. He knew it was ambitious. He saw the art and mood boards and told me, ‘Vikas, if I can help you make this film in any way, tell me’. I pounced on the opportunity and told him, ‘Sir, ek role karenge mere liye’! He did it purely out of love. He said, ‘Anything for you. Just go and make this film’.

The film’s post-production took a year. There are a lot of green-screen shots. And this is your most VFX-heavy film. Please tell us about your experience… It has been a phenomenal learning experience when it comes to VFX. I just hope that everyone supports this fact. When you are doing it for the first time, you are just learning. You are not a master at the craft. I remember for days, I used to see making videos of S S Rajamouli’s films. I used to understand how he used to use the green screen and used to check out the ‘before VFX’ and ‘after VFX’ shots. I also used to watch Sukumar sir’s making videos. It’s almost like a tutorial put up on YouTube. By now, the fear of VFX has gone away. Now we can write stories without any boundaries. You can imagine anything and you can pull it off on the screen.

Earlier, Ganapath – A Hero Is Born was called Ganapath – Part 1. Is a sequel in the pipeline? It’s still part 1. We just decided to call it ‘A Hero Is Born’. There’s the intention of doing a sequel. We hope it’s received well and people love it because this is the start of the journey of the protagonist.

Will the sequel be called Ganapath – A Hero Rules? After you watch the film, why don’t you send me the title of the sequel? (laughs)

This is the age of sequels. Would you like to make a sequel to Queen? We would love to know what happened to Rani (Kangana Ranaut) and what she’s doing 10 years after the events of the first film… Queen 2 is always a very tempting option. But the temptation should be that we find a great story to tell and not just exploit the commercial benefit out of it. I really hope we crack the story for the sequel so that I can make Queen 2. I would love to do that.

Also Read: Ganapath: A Hero Is Born director Vikas Bahl praises Kriti Sanon, Tiger Shroff and Rehman for shooting action sequence in Ladakh under harsh conditions