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Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, the Netflix romcom “Aap Jaisa Koi” channels the energy of yesterday’s leftovers. But, boy, does it present itself in a meticulously designed plate. Fortunately for director Vivek Soni, style does go a long way when it comes to cinema. Style, itself, could very well be substance. It is only in that spirit, one can find joy in this otherwise middling affair. “Aap Jaisa Koi,” starring R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh, has a strong resemblance to “Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,” Karan Johar’s bigger and more boisterous blockbuster from two years ago. It is director Vivek Soni’s unique visual language that salvages, nay, elevates, this generic, more middling version of the same film.

Like “Rocky aur Rani,” “Aap Jaisa Koi” balances itself as a romantic escapade amidst a gargantuan clash of the opposites. Shrirenu Tripathi (Madhavan) is a forty-something Sanskrit teacher in Jamshedpur.

Since this is a Karan Johar production, there are bound to be people who deserve love in each other’s company. Shrinenu Tirupathi and Madhu Bose are Ashok Kumar and Madhubala, Sanskrit and French, or maybe Jamshedpur and Kolkata, the two cities that Vivek Soni’s souffle-biryani travels through.

Srinu and Madhu are not as young as Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor in Nadaaniyaan (and definitely not that foolish) , though not as old as Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi in Rocky Are Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

Shrinenu and Madhu are… one of their kind, not exactly made for each other. It is their determination to find a common ground that makes this the “cute girl, nerdy boy asli romcom”.

The bang-on description comes from the film’s excellent dialogue writers. The conversations sound lived-in and… well, if not a hundred percent real then close . The characters whip up a constant bustle without crowding the canvas.

What happens when a quiet 42-year-old man unlocks a part of himself he never knew existed — and begins to rewrite the rules of his own life? Netflix has dropped the trailer for Aap Jaisa Koi (loosely translated as “Someone Like You”), starring R. Madhavan as Shrirenu Tripathi and Fatima Sana Shaikh as Madhu Bose, a heartwarming family drama that celebrates connection, companionship, and the beauty of discovering ‘Barabari Wala Pyaar’ in the most unexpected circumstances.

Set across the distinct worlds of Jamshedpur and Kolkata, the film follows Shrirenu, a man shaped by habit and tradition, as he begins to re-examine long-held beliefs about masculinity, companionship, and emotional expression. In Madhu, a spirited woman who refuses to shrink herself to fit societal moulds, he finds not just a romantic partner, but a mirror to his own conditioning. As the two navigate family expectations, emotional baggage, and the weight of societal conditioning,...

Aap Jaisa Koi Trailer Review Ft. R Madhavan & Fatima Sana Shaikh – A Winner! (Photo Credit –Facebook)

Just when I lost hopes on Bollywood to bring any relevant romantic film, Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment strikes back with a silver lining shining bright! Aap Jaisa Koi, an upcoming romantic drama is all set to arrive on Netflix and the trailer promises a new age romance – redefining the rules and regulations for the act of love and making it barabar once and for all!

Starring R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh, the trailer sets the premise right – A man in his 40s, 42 to be precise, and a woman 10 years younger meet each other for a matrimonial alliance. They fall in love, and everything is nice unless the families or let me be specific – ‘family values’ get involved!

Karan Johar Is Redefining Romance!

While the woman seeks equality in love, the man is...

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The Sticky is a Canadian heist dark comedy crime thriller series created by Brian Donovan and Ed Herro. Based on the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, the Prime Video series follows Ruth Landry, a Canadian maple syrup farmer whose farm is under threat of foreclosure and decides to steal millions of dollars worth of maple syrup as revenge with the help of a Bostonian mobster and a French-Canadian security guard. The Sticky stars Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, Guillaume Cyr, Gita Miller, Guy Nadon, Mickaël Gouin, Suzanne Clément, Mark O’Brien, Meegwun Fairbrother, and Jamie Lee Curtis. So, if you loved the dark comedy, crime thriller elements, and compelling characters in The Sticky, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Sneaky Pete (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

Sneaky Pete is a dark comedy crime drama series created...

The world’s longest-running South Asian film festival, outstanding UK Asian Film Festival, is ready to present a spectacular line-up of films and special events throughout it’s run opening on the 2nd and closing 12th May in venues across London, Leicester, and Oxford.

UK Asian Film Festival annually hosts an eclectic mix of films, a thought-provoking lecture series, audience workshops, live performances, visual arts exhibitions, masterclasses, and the annual Short Film Competition. It celebrates the very best in films with a link to South Asia and the myriad dimensions of South Asian arts and culture. “We aim to celebrate, award, and reward great films, filmmakers, and artists from South Asia. The festival provides a unique platform for Asians working in film and media around the world. Our screenings and events include feature films, documentaries, short films, panel discussions, and educational and community screenings. Cinema is a magical place. It appeals to all our senses,...

Exclusive: The world premiere of Rumana Molla’s Indo-Belgian film Minimum and the UK premiere of Indian actor Anshuman Jha’s directorial debut Lord Curzon Ki Haveli will be on show at this year’s UK Asian Film Festival (Ukaff).

Prominent figures including actors Shabana Azmi and Karisma Kapoor will be feted for their roles in Indian cinema at the annual event.

Ukaff, which says it is the longest running South Asian film festival in the world, will run its 26th edition from May 2 to 12 in venues across London, Leicester and Oxford.

Themed ‘Climate of Change,’ the festival will open with the premiere of Minimum at the BFI IMAX in London, while Lord Curzon Ki Haveli will close out the event at the Regent Street Cinema.

Indian industry veterans such as Kapoor, playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and designer Rina Dhaka are expected to attend the closing gala in London, with...

The creator of ‘Aarya: Antim Vaar’, Ram Madhvani has shared his driving force behind the remarkable journey of the Sushmita Sen-starrer thriller series ‘Aarya’, saying that it’s only through moulding the clay that one truly understands filmmaking.

In sharing his aspirations for ‘Aarya’, Ram said: “Firstly, we’re grateful to have produced three seasons. Namit Das, our actor portraying Jawahar in season one, was told by his father, ‘Ye, karne ki vidya hai.’ So, gaining experience, practice, and wisdom only comes through doing.”

The ‘Neerja’ director shared: “It’s only through moulding the clay that you truly understand filmmaking. What’s great is that I’ve practiced filmmaking in my voice, the life I wanted and chose at age 16. It’s a significant achievement that we’re out there and reaching people.”

“I aspire to reach millions. The remarkable thing about Aarya is that it has reached and touched people.

Ranbir Kapoor Is Not Returning With Wake Up Sid’s Sequel! Has The Indian Advertising Industry Become So Lazy? ( Photo Credit – Instagram; Facebook; IMDb )

Karan Johar shared a clip today breaking the internet and also proving how advertisers are really tired of thinking of something new. It was a clip of Ranbir Kapoor listening to Wake Up Sid’s title song and Konkana Sen Sharma shouting to wake him up. When he wakes up, she screams, “It’s Rishi’s day,” leaving netizens & Rk fans in excitement for Wake Up Sid 2.

For those who have forgotten, Rishi is the name of Namit Das’ character in Wake Up Sid, and recently, a photo of Ranbir, Konkona & probably Namit Das, was floating on the internet, which made people believe in the sequel rumor.

A few celebs (including Karan Johar) posted the ad with the cryptic caption, “Is this really happening? All know...

Actor Jimmy Sheirgill has shared that one mistake he regrets in his acting career is shedding his chocolate boy image and opting for intense roles. The actor, who is now being seen in the Netflix series ‘Choona’, spoke candidly about his role in it, the character roles he has been doing over the years and a mistake he regrets making in his acting career.

Talking about a mistake he made in his acting career, he said, “I want to tell all the young actors of today that one should enjoy the image of a chocolate boy in their prime youth. Don’t try to rush towards mature roles. Enjoy this phase as much because it will never come back. You will automatically move towards mature roles in your career. This is one mistake I made in my career that I was in a rush to change my chocolate boy image.

Actor Jimmy Sheirgill has shared that one mistake he regrets in his acting career is shedding his chocolate boy image and opting for intense roles. The actor, who is now being seen in the Netflix series ‘Choona’, spoke candidly about his role in it, the character roles he has been doing over the years and a mistake he regrets making in his acting career.

Talking about a mistake he made in his acting career, he said, “I want to tell all the young actors of today that one should enjoy the image of a chocolate boy in their prime youth. Don’t try to rush towards mature roles. Enjoy this phase as much because it will never come back. You will automatically move towards mature roles in your career. This is one mistake I made in my career that I was in a rush to change my chocolate boy image.

It’s the last week of September, and the Ott world is brimming with excitement and anticipation, with a mixed bag of titles. As the days grow shorter and cooler, it’s time to cozy up, and explore heartwarming dramas, and thrilling mysteries. From Tabu and Ali Fazal starrer thrilling drama ‘Khufiya’to Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha’s romantic tale ‘Kushi’, this week’s offerings will delight you, and promise to entertain with a diverse range of captivating content.

Here’s a list of six titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention of Ians this week.

‘Choona’:

Starring Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Chandan Roy, Namit Das, Gyanendra Tripathi, Atul Srivastava, Monika Panwar, Niharika Lyra Dutt, this satire is written and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra. This thrilling heist drama is coupled with a dynamic visual experience and perfect comic punches.

When an astrologer, a highly skilled,...

It’s the last week of September, and the Ott world is brimming with excitement and anticipation, with a mixed bag of titles. As the days grow shorter and cooler, it’s time to cozy up, and explore heartwarming dramas, and thrilling mysteries. From Tabu and Ali Fazal starrer thrilling drama ‘Khufiya’to Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha’s romantic tale ‘Kushi’, this week’s offerings will delight you, and promise to entertain with a diverse range of captivating content.

Here’s a list of six titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention of Ians this week.

‘Choona’:

Starring Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Chandan Roy, Namit Das, Gyanendra Tripathi, Atul Srivastava, Monika Panwar, Niharika Lyra Dutt, this satire is written and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra. This thrilling heist drama is coupled with a dynamic visual experience and perfect comic punches.

When an astrologer, a highly skilled,...

Actor Jimmy Shergill, who is all geared up for the release of his upcoming comedy heist drama series ‘Choona’, shared the secret sauce of his character ‘Shukla Ji’ in the show, and called it ‘multi-dimensional’. The trailer of ‘Choona’ has been making waves as the viewers are raving about it, and the comment section is outpouring love for Shukla Ji — a character played by Jimmy.

The fan frenzy is real, and Jimmy is all hearts as he shares his excitement.

Talking about his character, Jimmy said: “Shukla Ji, the character I portray in ‘Choona,’ is a bit of an enigma wrapped in layers of charisma. He’s got power, but he’s no cookie-cutter villain.”

“You’ll find yourself in a midst of emotions, drawn to his charm one moment and repelled by his shenanigans the next. Shukla Ji lives in that delicious gray area, neither all good nor all bad,...

Actor Jimmy Shergill, who is all geared up for the release of his upcoming comedy heist drama series ‘Choona’, shared the secret sauce of his character ‘Shukla Ji’ in the show, and called it ‘multi-dimensional’. The trailer of ‘Choona’ has been making waves as the viewers are raving about it, and the comment section is outpouring love for Shukla Ji — a character played by Jimmy.

The fan frenzy is real, and Jimmy is all hearts as he shares his excitement.

Talking about his character, Jimmy said: “Shukla Ji, the character I portray in ‘Choona,’ is a bit of an enigma wrapped in layers of charisma. He’s got power, but he’s no cookie-cutter villain.”

“You’ll find yourself in a midst of emotions, drawn to his charm one moment and repelled by his shenanigans the next. Shukla Ji lives in that delicious gray area, neither all good nor all bad,...

Mumbai, Sep 14 (Ians) Actor Aashim Gulati, who plays a goofy yet loveable character in the heist comedy drama ‘Choona’, opened up on the challenges, and training he went through to adopt the nuances of the role.

‘Choona’ promises to leave the viewers on the edge of their seat, with a thrilling mix of drama, comedy, and action that will leave the audience begging for more.

Aashim plays the character of Ansari, a ‘gully ka gunda’. He underwent extensive training and workshops to fully immerse himself in Ansari’s world, embracing the nuances and mannerisms of a person from a different cultural background.

As the director’s choice for the role of Ansari, Aashim felt both thrilled and challenged.

Aashim said: “’Choona’ was a prolific and wholesome journey as I haven’t played a character like this before.”

Known for his boy-next-door charm, Aashim admitted that he often gets calls for similar roles.

Mumbai, Sep 14 (Ians) Actor Aashim Gulati, who plays a goofy yet loveable character in the heist comedy drama ‘Choona’, opened up on the challenges, and training he went through to adopt the nuances of the role.

‘Choona’ promises to leave the viewers on the edge of their seat, with a thrilling mix of drama, comedy, and action that will leave the audience begging for more.

Aashim plays the character of Ansari, a ‘gully ka gunda’. He underwent extensive training and workshops to fully immerse himself in Ansari’s world, embracing the nuances and mannerisms of a person from a different cultural background.

As the director’s choice for the role of Ansari, Aashim felt both thrilled and challenged.

Aashim said: “’Choona’ was a prolific and wholesome journey as I haven’t played a character like this before.”

Known for his boy-next-door charm, Aashim admitted that he often gets calls for similar roles.

The upcoming streaming black comedy series ‘Choona’ has booked its new release date. The series, which stars Jimmy Shergill, Namit Das, Aashim Gulati, Gyanendra Tripathi, Vikram Kochhar, Chandan Roy, Atul Srivastava, Monika Panwar and Niharika Lyra Dutt in key roles, will now release on Ott on September 29.

The series follows an exhilarating ride through a whirlwind of vengeance and chaos as the resilient team of underdogs band together to settle the score against formidable politician, Shukla Ji (played by Jimmy Shergill).

The series boasts of many laughter-filled moments, unexpected leadership gone wrong, some astrological insights, and sneaky espionage as the stars seem to be undeniably aligned for this crew of misfits.

It also has a crazy bunch of characters like the shape-shifting informer, Triloki (played by Namit Das), a gully ka gunda, Ansari (played by Aashim Gulati), a demoted police officer, Bankey (played by Gyanendra Tripathi), a once successful contractor,...

The trailer of the upcoming series ‘Choona’, which was unveiled on Tuesday, mixes a thrilling heist drama with a dynamic visual experience further sharpened with comic punches.

It begins with introducing Jimmy Shergill’s character of a politician who is an ardent believer of astrology and meticulously plans his movements around the astro-events.

It then shows Jimmy’s character of Shukla all set to topple the incumbent Chief Minister of a state and take over the reigns. Soon the audience gets to see six men teaming up against Shukla for their own interests, some to exact revenge, some for personal gains.

The six men — a shape-shifting informer, a gully ka gunda, a demoted police officer, a once successful contractor, and a resourceful mediator — decide to rip-off Shukla of the Rs 300 crore that are soon to arrive at his party office and this is where the planning of the heist starts.

This thrilling heist drama coupled with a dynamic visual experience and perfect comic punches came to life as Netflix dropped the trailer of its upcoming series, ‘Choona’. An ensemble with the most amazing comic timing, Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Chandan Roy, Namit Das, Gyanendra Tripathi, Atul Srivastava, Monika Panwar, Niharika Lyra Dutt, this satire is written and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra. Produced by Flying Saucer, this epic heist comedy drama series Choona, will stream on Netflix.

When an astrologer, a highly skilled, shape-shifting informer, a gully ka gunda, a demoted police officer, a once successful contractor, and a resourceful mediator, Bishnu, plan a heist to take down their one common enemy Shukla, the calm is whitewashed and the chaos is liberally laid out for one & all. They plan to loot 600 cr, no less & that too from the lion’s lair!

The party office of Shukla is guarded by armed men,...

Music composer Dhruv Ghanekar, who composed the songs for the Kangana Ranaut-starrer ‘Dhaakad’, has also composed the soundtrack composer of the upcoming Ott show ‘Choona’ which is a heist comedy drama, and stars Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Chandan Roy and Namit Das.

The composer, who started the work on the soundtrack in 2021, shared that initially the show had quite a dark tone in its narrative.

Giving insights about the soundtrack in the series, he shared: “‘Choona’ is crime ‘dramedy based in a small town in north India. Pushpendra Mishra – the director of the show has a terrific aesthetic and writing style that is deeply rooted in north Indian culture. We were actually working on another project when he told me about the subject of the show and I was immediately hooked. The sound is not rustic or typical at all.”

He further mentioned: “Pushpendra (Pushpi – as he...

Actor Jimmy Shergill who is all set to star in upcoming heist comedy drama ‘Choona’ said he likes narratives that are character driven, and brings out the flavour of our rich cultural backdrop.

Sharing his excitement on ‘Choona’, Jimmy said: “This is my first outing with Netflix and I am looking forward to Choona. As an actor, I have always been inclined towards stories that push me to explore my capabilities.”

“Also, as an audience myself, I personally like narratives that are engaging, character driven and bring out the flavour of our rich cultural backdrop,” he said.

The 52-year-old actor further shared that ‘Choona’ gave him an opportunity to play a character that’s spiteful yet appealing.

“The story itself is high-spirited, captive and engaging.”

Produced by Flying Saucer and written and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, ‘Choona’ stars Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Chandan Roy, Namit Das, Gyanendra Tripathi,...

The drama series ‘The Magic of Shiri’ has released its new trailer mixing up comedy, drama, emotional complexities and adventure, as the series not only features high production but also great dialogues by the looks of it.

The streaming show is a story of ambition and embracing the dreams, it follows Shiri, who must chase her dreams of becoming a magician while tackling all the obstacles in her path ranging from social and family stigma to various other odds.

Set in the vibrant and chaotic Paharganj neighbourhood of Delhi in the mid 1990s , the story follows the journey of Shiri Shah whose life takes an unexpected turn when her husband abruptly leaves to become a Jain monk, leaving her to face the challenges of single-handedly providing for her children.

Popular TV actress Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya, who will be essaying the role of Shiri, said, “Playing Shiri has been a truly rewarding experience.

Mumbai, June 5 (Ians) Sushmita Sen has wrapped up the much-awaited third season of the much-loved web series ‘Aarya’. She has shared a BTS video to mark the occasion.

The actress took to her social media profile and dropped a video from the sets. She wrote: “And it’s a wrap!!!!! #Aarya3, Here’s to @amitamadhvani @madhvaniram #kapilsharma #Shradha @disneyplushotstar @officialrmfilms @endemolshineind & the Most Amazing Cast & Crew Ever!!! Thank you #aaryafamily. Warmest hug ever Daulat @sikandarkher, I love you guys!!! #duggadugga”

In the video, she can be seen doing a dance with director Ram Madhvani and also giving a warm hug to her co-star Sikandar Kher.

The series ‘Aarya’ marked Sushmita Sen’s on-screen comeback and her digital debut. In the series, the actor plays a tough woman, who goes beyond all boundaries to protect her family from the world of crime.

Directed by Ram Madhvani, the series also stars Namit Das,...

The trailer of the second season of the hit streaming series ‘Rocket Boys’ was unveiled recently and it tells the story of independent India’s formative years. It shows the country grappling with the loss of its first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the rising geopolitical tensions.

As the country sails through the turbulence with belligerent political hostility, changing hands of power within the country and international agencies keeping close watch on the country’s ambition, the lead character of India’s nuclear energy and space pioneers Dr. Homi J. Bhabha (played by Jim Sarbh), Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (played by Ishwak Singh), and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam cross paths to help the nation with their discoveries.

It also shows India’s proximity to making the nuclear bomb and the operation Smiling Buddha, which was India’s first successful nuclear bomb test conducted on May 18, 1974 with Vikram Sarabhai opening a new...

India’s Platoon One Films, co-producers of Berlin Film Festival Panorama strand title “Ghaath” (“Ambush”), has seven films in the works.

Four films are in advanced development. Police procedural “Bayan” by Bikas Mishra (“Chauranga”) was developed at Film Independent’s Global Media Makers program in Los Angeles and the film is supported by the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals Fund.

Drama “Kadminche,” the feature directorial debut of Tushar Paranjape, writer of Berlin Crystal Bear winner “Killa,” has Rinku Rajguru (“Sairat”) attached to star. Action fantasy film “Don’t Sleep” will mark the Hindi-language debut of Arun Bose (Malayalam-language “Luca”). And Agrim Joshi and Debojit Das Purkayastha, creators of series “Candy” for Viacom18 streamer Voot Select, will make their feature directorial debut with psychological thriller “Influenzaa.”

Three films are currently in post-production. India-set Hindi-language social drama “Bhagwan Bharose” (“For Heaven’s Sake”) marks the directorial debut of Platoon One founder Shiladitya Bora.

With less than a week left for the opening in Doha, Qatar, of the Mira Nair-helmed musical, ‘Monsoon Wedding’, based on her iconic 2001 film, members of the cast and crew are taking to their Instagram handles to share pictures of themselves shot by Ishaan Nair (who also had a role in the film) and sharing their excitement to be a part of the FIFA World Cup fever.

The musical, its score written by acclaimed composer-director Vishal Bharadwaj, will open at the Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre in Doha on November 15.

Namit Das, who was most recently seeing playing the shoe company executive Haresh Khanna in BBC television drama mini-series ‘The Suitable Boy’ (also directed by Mira Nair), shared the cast’s sense of anticipation when he wrote: “The countdown has begun for this ‘Monsoon Wedding’ to shower Doha, Qatar, with a dose of entertainment.”

Das plays the eccentric, marigold (‘genda’)-chewing wedding planner,...

Streaming

Series “Tulsa King,” “1923,” “Funny Woman,” “Mayor of Kingstown” Season 2, “Rabbit Hole,” “Ripley,” “Three Women” and “Lioness” and blockbuster films “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Jurassic World Dominion,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “The Northman,” “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” “Nope,” “Ambulance” and “The Bad Guys” are among the content slate revealed by streamer SkyShowtime at a launch event in Amsterdam.

The content is specific to Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and Portugal, where SkyShowtime is now available. SkyShowtime will continue its roll out across Spain, Andorra and central and eastern Europe over the coming months and through Q1 2023 and ultimately will be available in more than 20 European markets encompassing 90 million homes including Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

SkyShowtime features content from Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation,...

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah will be seen essaying a special role in the film ‘Minimum’. The film, which also stars Saba Azad, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Namit Das and Rumana Molla, is directed by Rumana herself, recently wrapped up its shoot.

Set in Belgium, the film deals with transactional marriage and migration with love, affection and friendship at the core. The film’s official synopsis describes it as a story of a newly wed immigrant Fauzia, who lands in a house that isn’t hers with her mother-in-law, Ruxana, who insidiously keeps her captive.

She finds out that everything she had been told about her husband Ali was a lie and loses all hope until a French tutor, Laurie, is hired to teach her the basics. An atypical friendship is forged, secrets are revealed and Fauzia learns to demand more than the bare minimum.

Brought up in Belgium herself, Rumana, has appeared...

Ahead of its much-awaited theatrical release across India, the makers of India’s Official Entry to the Oscars Last Film Show (Chhello Show) hosted a star-studded premiere of the film in Mumbai.

The event witnessed a turn-out of the biggest names in Bollywood who unanimously appreciated the film. Once the screening ended, the celebrities were so moved by director Pan Nalin’s cinematic gem that they gave it a standing ovation which went on for long, long time!

Personalities like Deepika Padukone, Kiara Advani, Vidya Balan, Mira Nair, Aditya Roy Kapur, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Sunny Kaushal, Sarvari Wagh, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Babil Khan, Kirti Kulhari, Rasika Dugal, Jaaved Jaaferi, Prateik Babbar, Aparshakti Khurana, Vikramaditya Motwane, Nikkhil Advani, Chitrangada Singh, Ramesh Taurani, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Mahima Makwana, Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, Anushka Ranjan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Ranveer Allahbadia, Parmeet Sethi, Rajat Barmecha, Namit Das, Mayur Puri, Amrita Puri, Pashmina Roshan, Rohit Saraf,...

Marathi-language Indian romance film “Toh, Ti ani Fuji” will start principal photography across across India and Japan from September.

The film, written by Irawati Karnik (“Anandi Gopal”) and to be directed by Mohit Takalkar (“Medium Spicy”), revolves around a passionate love affair that turns toxic due to a change in priorities, opposite personality traits and unfair demands. When the former couple unexpectedly meet in Japan seven years later, the relationship could be rekindled. Lalit Prabhakar and Mrinmayee Godbole, who starred together in 2017 blockbuster “Chi Va Chi Sau Ka,” have been paired again for this film.

The film is produced by Shiladitya Bora for Platoon One Films (Busan selection “Yours Truly”) and for Crazy Ants Production, Rakesh Varre, who previously produced “Evvarikee Cheppoddu” and has acted in “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.”

Bora said: “The genesis of the film started with my stint at the Kyoto Filmmakers’ Lab in 2019, where I got...

A new film titled, ‘Minimum’ starring Saba Azad, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Namit Das and Rumana Molla is set to go on floors in June. The international drama will be helmed by Rumana herself in her directorial debut. Set in Belgium, the film deals with transactional marriage and migration with love, affection and friendship at the core. […]...

Indian origin, U.S.-born Belgian actor Rumana Molla (“Irada”) will make her directorial debut with Belgium-set Indian immigrant drama “Minimum,” which will commence principal photography in June.

The film will follow newly-wed immigrant Fauzia, whose mother-in-law Ruxana keeps her captive. She finds out that everything she had been told about her husband Ali was a lie and loses hope until a French tutor, Laurie, is hired to teach her the basics. A friendship is forged, secrets are revealed and Fauzia learns to demand more than the bare minimum.

The cast includes Saba Azad (SonyLIV’s “Rocket Boys”), Geetanjali Kulkarni (Venice winner “Court”) and Namit Das (BBC’s “A Suitable Boy”) with Molla herself playing one of the major roles.

The film is produced by Shiladitya Bora for Platoon One Films (Busan selection “Yours Truly”) and Radhika Lavu for Ellanar Films (Disney+ Hotstar series “Unheard”).

Molla was selected for the...

Actor and casting director Abhishek Banerjee recently opened up on his experience of working on the soon-to-be-released Ott film ‘Stories On The Next Page’. The micro-anthology film, which features three short stories, stars Abhishek Bannerjee, Ditipriya Roy, Namit Das, Bhupendra Jadawat, Veebha Anand, Renuka Shahane, Rajeshwari Sachdev and Syed Raza. Abhishek shared how Bengali actress […]...

Mumbai, March 28 (Ians) Holi is here with all its colours and fervour. However, with the recent rise in Covid cases, actors are urging their fans to stay indoors and play Holi with their families.

Actress Monica Dogra, who is part of the show "The Married Woman", said that she will be celebrating the festival with a special dinner at home.

"Festivals for me is about sharing little joys and I can't wait to do it again this year. Even if it's just a couple of my closest people for dinner. Quality time is everything after all. I hope the world also pushes for celebrating this festival in the most eco-friendly way possible," she said.

Actor Ankur Bhatia, who is part of the shows "Aarya" and "Crackdown", said that he is making sure to be indoors this year.

"As we are very well aware of the ongoing crisis the world is battling now,...

All the worlds a stage when it comes to honing acting talent. Theatre has always been a ready pool for Bollywood as well as television when it comes to sourcing the finest of actors. Now, Ott as a platform seems to have taken cue.

With the rapid surge in popularity of streaming sites as platforms of entertainment, a new breed of actors with theatre background, who were waiting for the right break, have emerged as household names.

On World Theatre Day, we look at these prominent names in the digital space who owe their roots to theatre.

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who won new fans with his act in the popular series "Aashram", is a well-known name in the theatre circuit. He says the medium taught him "humanity".

"I think the biggest takeaway for me is humanity. It teaches you how to treat everyone equally. I did revive my theatre in lockdown.

Mumbai, Feb 22: Actor Namit Das, who was last seen in Mira Nair's Ott-released series A suitable boy, on Monday recalled learning how to make a shoe for his role.

The actor wrote a long post on Instagram remembering the time he did workshops with a local cobbler to hone his skills for the role.

Posting a picture of himself in the get-up of a cobbler, he wrote, "Last year while working on 'A suitable boy' I had to go and train with a local cobbler. The idea was to make me more comfortable with the shoe making process for a sequence in the show which was about Haresh making a shoe. One could have never learnt the process in ten sessions but just sitting with the desi cobbler made me come close to what it meant to be Haresh. He knows how to make a shoe and...

Ever since “Mad Men” led to the surfeit of mid-century modern furniture on every design blog, period dramas have been television’s bread and butter — creating an abundance of shows that are as enjoyable for their eye-watering design as for their dramatic storytelling. Hit shows like “The Crown,” “The Queen’s Gambit, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” may have first lured viewers with their plucky women characters, sure, but the ornate wallpapers and enviable wardrobes kept them coming back for more. No matter how critical these shows purport to be of the elite classes they portray, such candy-colored visuals never fail to add a veneer of romanticism cloaking the sexism, classism, and racism that lurks in the shadows.

Delivering sumptuous visuals of a different ilk is “A Suitable Boy,” a six-part BBC miniseries set in 1950s India, during the country’s first years of independence from British colonial rule. The entire...

Mumbai, Dec 5 (Ians) Actor-singer Namit Das has collaborated with rapper Slow Cheeta on a song based on the theme of respecting women. Titled Aankhon ka tara, the song delivers a strong message on crime against women.

"This song is an answer to the horrific incidents of crimes against women being reported these days. Huge props to Slow Cheeta for writing and composing the song so beautifully," shared Namit, talking about his first collaboration with the rapper.

"Aankhon ka tara is all heart and I dedicate it to all the women who are trying their best to be heard. This song is a reminder of the power of music," he added.

The song has been composed and written by Slow Cheeta and performed by him along with Namit. The video of the song released on Saturday.

--Ians

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Mumbai, Nov 27 (Ians) Actor Deepak Dobriyal loves watching zombie films. He feels the genre gives freedom to the filmmaker, to come up with new ideas.

"I really like watching zombie films. It is a fun zone to act as well because it gives freedom to the director to show something unique to the audience. I have a different level of connection with zombie films," said Deepak, on the sidelines of a screening of the new South Korean action horror thriller "Peninsula", a standalone sequel to the 2016 global hit, "Train To Busan".

Sharing his feeling on watching a film in a theatre after a long time, Deepak said: "I came here in Mumbai to work in films and the film industry has given me recognition, so it holds a very special place in my heart. During lockdown, we all have watched films or web series on our television sets but it...

In today’s TV News roundup, PlutoTV announced new channels for classic shows like “Happy Days,” and Netflix revealed that “Nate: A One Man Show” will be available starting Dec. 1.

Casting

Actor Megan Suri will join Season 2 of Netflix‘s “Never Have I Ever” as a recurring guest star. The comedy drama series follows Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in the role of Devi, a young girl learning to navigate school and friendships as she enters her sophomore year. Suri, known for roles in “Atypical” and “Fresh Off the Boat,” will take on the role of a new Indian student attending Devi’s high school, posing a threat to the main character due to her perceived confidence. Mindy Kaling co-created and executive produces the show, while Lang Fisher co-created and serves as showrunner. Howard Klein and David Miner also executive produce.

Dates

Netflix has announced a Dec. 1 premiere date for “Nate: A One Man Show,...

Actor Namit Das shared a fond memory from his small screen days on the occasion of World Television Day on Saturday.

Namit recalled his stint on the popular sitcom "Sumit Sambhal Lega". He played the titular character Sumit, a reckless young man who is responsibility-phobic.

"I have very fond memories of 'Sumit Sambhal Lega' because I was on set two days after my marriage, thanks to my lovely wife who waited for the honeymoon," shared Namit.

"What I remember of my television days is that it polishes you for the other things you will do in life as an actor. You can't get that kind of practice anywhere else," he added.

Namit Das is married to actress Shruti Vyas. The couple tied the knot on February 15, 2015.

On World Television Day, Namit got nostalgic about his TV debut. "My association with television goes back to when I was a college boy and had started acting.

Having worked in a bookstore for much of my university life, I was definitely aware that Vikram Seth’s “A Suitable Boy” was something special. But it did not intrigue me enough to delve into the 1500 pages long acclaimed novel. So, when I heard about the BBC mini-series, I was quite excited to find out what the fuss was all about. The excitement grew even more when Mira Nair’s name was mentioned. A maker par excellence, I was really keen to see her flaunt her talent in this long film format. And that she did. The fact that A Suitable Boy still manages to stay with you long after the 6th and final episode concludes, despite its glaring flaws is a huge compliment to the maker.

What are those glaring flaws you ask? Well, on a key aspect of a piece of cinema, language. Set in 50s India, the characters speak English.

One of the BBC’s most ambitious and cinematic TV series ever makes its highly-anticipated Stateside debut on Acorn TV this December: A Suitable Boy, an epic tale of life and love set in vibrant 1950s India in the first screen adaptation of the classic, bestselling, 1,349-page novel of the same name by Vikram Seth. A Suitable Boy will premiere exclusively on Acorn TV in the U.S. and Canada with two episodes on Monday, December 7, 2020, and weekly episodes every Monday through January 4, 2021.

With a dynamic cast of India’s most well-known actors alongside rising stars, this six-part, six-hour drama tells the story of spirited university student Lata Mehra as she comes of age in North India at the same time as the country is carving out its own identity as an independent nation and is about to go to the polls for its first democratic general election.

A Suitable Boy is a vast,...

New Delhi, Nov 17 (Ians) The advent of Ott has not only been a boon for fresh talent. Many senior actors are also seeing a fresh lease of life to the careers thanks to the digital domain.

Ians lists names of actors who saw a new life to their career all thanks to OTTs.

Sushmita Sen

The actress, who was last seen in the 2015 Bengali film "Nirbaak", made her acting comeback with a fierce avatar through the web series "Aarya". The show is about how her protagonist Aarya is pulled into the narcotics business when her family is threatened. The series streams on Disney+ Hotstar VIP. Sushmita now looks forward to the second season of the show.

"The response to ‘Aarya' has been overwhelmingly great. An entire team of fantastic people put this show together and we knew we were creating something magical with ‘Aarya'. However, even we could not fathom...

Mumbai, Nov 9 (Ians) Neha Sharma is grateful that gyms have finally reopened. The actress revealed on Monday that she is trying to lose her Covid weight.

"Gyms finally reopen and I couldn't be more grateful.. body feels better and so does the mind.. stay active for both your mind and body..." Neha shared in an Instagram post on her verified account along with the hashtags #fitnessmotivation, #fitness, #bemindful, #stayhealthy and #tryingtoloseallthecovidweight.

The actress also shared a video where she can be seen working out in a gym. She looks happy in the video.

Neha will next be seen in the digital film "Aafat-e-Ishq" co-starring Ila Arun, Namit Das, Amit Sial and Deepak Dobriyal.

"Aafat-e-Ishq" is based on award-winning Hungarian film, "Liza The Fox-Fairy". The Zee5 original film is directed by Indrajit Nattoji.

--Ians

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Mumbai, Nov 1 (Ians) Actor Namit Das picked up how to make shoes while working on the Mira Nair web series, A Suitable Boy. He now says shoemaking could be his alternative profession!

In Nair's series, Namit plays Haresh Khanna, a shoemaker, a businessman and one of the suitors of Lata, the lead character played by Tanya Maniktala.

For the sake of authenticity, Namit learnt the process of shoemaking right from cutting the leather to fixing the sole of a shoe.

"I went to a factory that makes shoes in Navi Mumbai to understand the mechanised process of shoemaking. After that, I went to a 'desi' cobbler near JJ Flyover and kept visiting him for eight days. I sat with him on the pavement and learnt how to make a shoe. I know how to make a shoe and if I ever gave it a try it could be my alternative profession.

Mumbai, Oct 24 (Ians) Rising actress Tanya Maniktala is currently winning plaudits for her role of Lata in A Suitable Boy, but she surprises you claiming that she had no idea she would be vying for the lead role in a new Mira Nair web series when she went in for the audition.

"I used to work as a copywriter and I was happy with it. One day a friend called me and asked me to come for an audition, without telling me what it was for. I showed up at the audition and it was for ‘A Suitable Boy', for Lata's character! I was shocked. Just a few days before the audition, my friend and I were talking about the novel and about Lata and Malti's relationship in the story, because we could relate with it. It was sudden but it was the most memorable audition of my life,...

Review While Tabu and Ishaan Khatter shine in their respective roles, the English dialogue sticks out as unpalatable.Geetika MantriScreenshot/NetflixIndian parents’ desire to find a suitable match for their children is the stuff of legends – you’ll find references in folklore and mythical tales, in documented history, in fiction and in reality. So when you hear the phrase A Suitable Boy, it’s not hard to imagine what it will entail. In this case, the plot is premised on a widowed woman determined to find a match for her young daughter. Based on Vikram Seth’s massive novel, the BBC adaptation of A Suitable Boy, directed by Mira Nair and written by Andrew Davies, released on Netflix on Friday. With a runtime of six hours split into six episodes, the series follows Lata Mehra (Tanya Maniktala), a young English literature student in the fictional town of Brahmpur, whose mother,...

One of two things happen when Mira Nair tries making an Indian film in India. She crafts a story that is beautifully authentic and inspired by India that is (think Salaam Bombay! or Monsoon Wedding). Or, she tries recreating an India that was, in which case the outcome is beautifully plastic (think Kama Sutra).

Mira Nair's new web series talks of an India that was. The show diligently tries to belong to the former lot, but tends to gravitate to the second category.

Maybe it was the challenge of adapting Vikram Seth's book of the same name. A massive work of fiction comprising nearly six lakh words would seem difficult to capture in six episodes.

Or maybe, just as it was blatant in the case of Kama Sutra, Nair was out making an Indian film in India for the West.

The trouble with A Suitable Boy is despite so much story to tell,...