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Subhash K Jha revisits Mirza Juuliet with star Darshan Kumar as it hits eight years since it released in theatres.

More than midway into the turbulent take on the destiny of star-crossed lovers on the run, the Uttar Pradesh ki Juliet, aka Julie, who has been raped by her sexed-up finance, is told by her father-like elder brother to calm down.

“I shouldn’t be saying this. But my sister, you are so pretty. Any man would get carried away,” giggles Bade Bhaiyya Priyanshu Chatterjee anxiously, unwilling to break an alliance that means huge political gains for him and his family.

This is normal procedure in a section of the Cow Belt. Make the daughter a sacrificial cow for your personal gains. And when she shows more spirit than that bottle on the table, kill her. Family honour, you know.

This is one of the more disturbing moments in the...

The highly anticipated Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 Part 2 has released on Amazon’s free streaming service, Amazon Mx Player. This time, the series delves deeper into the complex interplay of faith, power, and deception. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Prakash Jha, the latest installment brings a gripping narrative and absolutely stellar performances. Bobby Deol reprises his role as the enigmatic Baba Nirala, alongside Aaditi Pohankar as Pammi, as well as a powerhouse ensemble cast including Vikram Kocchar, Darshan Kumar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Tridha Choudhury, Anupriya Goenka, Rajeev Siddhartha and Esha Gupta.

Reflecting on her incredible journey, Aaditi Pohankar shares her admiration for working with some of the industry’s finest talents, “Working with Prakash Ji has been nothing short of a dream come true. His precision, deep understanding of characters, and ability to extract the subtlest nuances make him truly exceptional. What sets him apart is his unique approach — he...

It is difficult to make a fair assessment on how deep into the slush Ek Badnaam Aashram jumps to “expose” the cult of godmen. Bobby Deol’s bovine Baba Nirala is the kind of sleazy godman that no self-respecting anti-hero would want to play. There is a limit to artistic licence, and to even extend the word ‘art’ into something so emphatically sleazy is a crime against grime.

I waded through five concluding episodes of the third season in the hope of finding a glimmer of redemptive light at the end of this pitch-dark tunnel. Sure, the law finally catches up with Baba Nirala. At the end I got the very disturbing feeling that this dangerously sleaze-friendly series will find its way back on the Ott platform. God forbid the Godman’s return for a fourth season!

The five concluding episodes of Season 1 unravel like bidi wrappings, and the stench of rot prevails.

Aashram 3 Star Cast Fee(Photo Credit – YouTube)

The third season of Bobby Deol’s Aashram has received a positive response from the netizens. Deol reprises his role as Baba Nirala as the plotline opens to more twists, turns and high-octane drama. The makers have roped in a talented star cast for the show, and here is looking at their remuneration for the crime series.

Aashram 3 Cast Remuneration

Bobby Deol

According to Times Now Navbharat, Bobby Deol is being paid between 1 crore and 4 crore for his role in the show. His performance is definitely one of the USPs behind Aashram gaining a huge critical acclaim. With every season, there are new layers added to his complex character which is also reflected in his stellar act.

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Aaditi Pohakar

Despite being the main female lead of Aashram 3, Aaditi Pohakar is...

When Bobby Deol’s Aashram Was Accused To Be Hinduphobic ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The third season of Bobby Deol’s crime drama series Aashram was released recently on February 27, 2025. The show had Deol reprise the role of the shrewd and conniving Baba Nirala again. However, did you know that the second season of the show had once run into a legal trouble and was accused of being allegedly homophobic by Karni Sena? Not only this, but the organization also sent separate notices to producer-director Prakash Jha and the Ott platform Mx Player, wherein it is available for streaming.

Talking about the controversy that took place in November 2020, Karni Sena called some of the scenes from Aashram 2 to be objectionable to the Hindu sentiments and asked for a ban on the Bobby Deol starrer series. The General Secretary of the organization revealed that the series would create a wrong impression regarding...

Latest Ott Releases 2025 (Photo Credit – Netflix/Facebook)

As the week progresses, several exciting films and series are set to make their debut across various Ott platforms.

From gripping dramas to action-packed thrillers, here’s a rundown of the upcoming releases from February 24 to March 3, 2025.

1. Dabba Cartel

Platform: Netflix Release Date: February 28, 2025

Dabba Cartel is a compelling crime drama featuring an ensemble cast led by Shabana Azmi, Gajraj Rao, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, and Shalini Pandey. The series delves into the lives of individuals whose professional choices lead to unforeseen complications. A gripping pharma investigation and a dabba delivery business serving as a front for drug trafficking take center stage in this thrilling narrative.

2. Vidaamuyarchi

Platform: Netflix Release Date: March 3, 2025

Inspired by the 1997 Hollywood thriller Breakdown, Vidaamuyarchi stars Ajith as a wealthy businessman on a mission to find his missing wife. Along the way, he faces complications from various characters, including Arjun Sarja and Regena Cassandra,...

Did Imtiaz Ali’s Jab Harry Met Sejal Fail Due To Shah Rukh Khan’s Popularity? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Jab Harry Met Sejal was one of the most anticipated films of the year 2017. With a track record like Jab We Met and Rockstar and the star power of Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, director Imtiaz Ali was expected to hit the ball out of the park.

However, the film failed to live up to expectations and bombed at the box office, contributing to Srk’s decision to take a break from movies. At the time, speculations were rife that Shah Rukh’s superstardom affected Imtiaz’s creative expression, which led to the film’s failure. Imtiaz has now finally reacted to these speculations.

Imtiaz Ali Says Shah Rukh Khan’s Star Power Did Not Impact the Writing of Jab Harry Met Sejal

Imtiaz Ali recently appeared for an interview with GQ,...

Prakash Jha Explained Why He Won’t Re-Release Classics Like Gangaajal & Raajneeti (Photo Credit – Instagram)

There is a growing trend of re-releasing popular Bollywood movies nowadays. Karan Arjun, Veer Zaara, Singham, Taal, and Maine Pyar Kiya are some movies that have been re-released in theatres, and they have also fetched the producers a decent return.

However, acclaimed director Prakash Jha is averse to re-releasing his blockbusters. Why? In an interview with India Today, the director shared that the audience has seen his movies several times on television, so there is no need for their re-releases. “Actually, no. All my films have been watched multiple times by my audience. I meet people who say they have watched Gangaajal 40-50 times, so I don’t think there’s any need to release it in theatres again,” Jha said while speaking to India Today.

Gangaajal is one of the finest movies from Jha,...

Applause Entertainment’s Sony Liv Series 36 Days Released Its First Trailer ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

It’s the season for mysteries, and Sony Liv is serving up new ones. The streaming platform released a trailer for a brand-new mystery show titled 36 Days, and we are intrigued. Applause Entertainment will produce the show and star Neha Sharma, Purab Kohli, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Sharib Hashmi, and more. The trailer does not reveal the whole storm, and the entire project has a sense of mystery.

As Neha Sharma takes center stage in this powerful narrative, prepare to unravel the dark underbelly of secrets, betrayal, and forbidden truths. Directed by Vishal Furia, this series boasts an impressive ensemble that includes Purab Kohli, Shruti Seth, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sharib Hashmi, Sushant Divgikar, Shernaz Patel, Faishal Rashid, Chahat Vig, and Kenneth Desai. It promises to be an exciting ride filled with suspense and mystery.

Actor Aamir Ali on Thursday celebrated the festival of Eid with the paparazzi outside his residence and distributed them traditional delicacy made by his mother. The actor is known for his work in ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’, ‘Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki’, ‘Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil’, ‘Hongey Judaa Na Hum’, and others.

The visual show Aamir, who was recently seen in ‘Lootere’, wearing a black plain kurta pajama, and paired it with a black and golden sleeveless Nehru jacket.

The actor rounded off the look with black sunglasses and red kolhapuri chappals.

The ‘Naxalbari’ fame actor said to the paps: “Eid mubarak aap sab ko. Give my love to everybody at home.”

He then distributed homemade Eid delicacies to the camera persons.

Aamir said: “Saal me mummy, ek hi baar banati hain aaj ke din. Please, kha lena jaldi, doodh ka hai. Meri mummy ka instructions hain.”

Meanwhile,...

The film ‘Faltu’ which was released in 2011, and starred Jackky Bhagnani, Angad Bedi, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Puja Gupta, Riteish Deshmukh, and Arshad Warsi, has clocked 13 years of its release on Monday.

Actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani, who played the lead, said that this film is where it all began for him as he called it a “dream come true”.

The film was directed by Remo D’souza and became a favourite of the youngsters upon its release. Jackky Bhagnani and other members of the cast have revisited some memories from the film.

Talking about 13 years of ‘Faltu’, Jackky Bhagnani said: “It is where it all began for me, a dream come true. We were students, not actors who were acting as students. We used to laugh and play. We were all Faltus and it is actually after the film that people told us we were not.”

Remo D’souza, who made his directorial debut with the film,...

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his two recently released projects, the streaming show ‘Lootere’ and the streaming movie ‘Patna Shuklla’, has shared that for him the climate of a place adds in the character build-up.

The actor said that it’s one of the crucial things that work on a subconscious level to add nuances to a character.

Chandan’s part in ‘Lootere’ is based out of Ukraine, the country which is currently engaged in a full-blown war with Russia.

The actor recently spoke with Ians about both the projects and shared how he adds colours to his performances.

Chandan told Ians: “ ‘Lootere’ is another addition to the repertoire of the path-breaking streaming shows from India for the simple fact that it’s created by Hansal Mehta, one of the most acclaimed directors in India. The world of ‘Lootere’ is very intriguing as it factors in pirates,...

Patna Shukla is a brand-new legal drama set in the eastern state of Bihar. There are plenty of legal dramas that are not dramatized anymore and focus on the realism aspect. Sirk Ek Banda Kaafi Hai, Section 375, Jolly Llb, Mulk, and Pink are some examples of Hindi films from the last decade that have portrayed legal matters subtly, with no room for over-the-top theatrics. Patna Shukla is yet another addition to this genre and talks about a young woman’s fight against the marking system of the local university, which led to many revelations and possibly a scam. The movie is more story-driven, yet it has fascinating characters who learn from each other as the story progresses.

Spoilers Ahead

Tanvi Shukla

Yesteryear Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon has taken up the titular role of Tanvi Shukla, who is the ultimate multitasker. The wife, who runs the household, is also a lawyer...

The Great Indian Kapil Show to Crew: What To Watch This Weekend ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The month of March is filled with many exciting and big releases. The audience is treated with all kinds of content in every genre – comedy, thriller, romance and much more. Kapil Sharma is now all set to rule the Ott world with The Great Indian Kapil Show! On the other hand, the audience will be entertained with love and laughter with Premalu.

It’s a long weekend due to the Good Friday holiday, so even theatrical releases this week are intriguing. Crew ft Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan & Kriti Sanon is finally making its way! If you are not updated with what’s releasing this week, do not worry. We have made a list of titles that will drop on streaming platforms, as well as movies that will rule the big screen this weekend.

Here’s...

Producer Arbaaz Khan has opened up on why the story of ‘Patna Shuklla’ starring Raveena Tandon, is important to tell, saying it had to be told to create conversations about education scams.

‘Patna Shuklla’ revolves around the uncommon journey of Tanvi Shukla (Raveena), a common woman, who takes matters into her own hands when she sees a student entangled in a roll number scam, and soon realises that she is pitted against a Chief Minister candidate.

Arbaaz said: “When I read the script of the film, I was inspired by it. It evoked so many emotions in me, it was unreal, even though I’ve not experienced something like this in real life, the way characters navigated each experience was so relatable and of course Raveena.”

“I couldn’t have imagined anyone else playing Tanvi Shukla. From the minute I read about Tanvi and Raveena being in the talks, I...

‘Patna Shuklla’ follows the journey of Tanvi Shukla, a small-time lawyer and homemaker, who is thrust into the fight for justice when she discovers a student caught in a roll number scam. The film explores her transformation from an ordinary woman to an extraordinary crusader for truth and justice.

As Tanvi delves deeper into the case, she faces numerous challenges and pressures, both within and outside the legal system. Despite the responsibilities of motherhood and societal expectations, Tanvi is determined to unravel the truth behind the scam and ensure justice for the victimized students.

Raveena Tandon portrays Tanvi Shukla with versatility and depth, capturing the essence of her character’s resilience and determination. Supported by a talented ensemble cast, including Anushka Kaushik, Manav Vij, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Jatin Goswami, and the Late Satish Kaushik, the film promises a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences.

‘Patna Shuklla’ is not just a...

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who was seen in the streaming series ‘Charlie Chopra’, is currently in Chennai to meet his acting guru and mentor, the British theatre director Tim Supple.

Chandan, who is known for his terrific performances in ‘Kaminey’, ‘D-Day’, ‘Aashram’ and other titles, will be next seen in the upcoming streaming series ‘Lootere’ the trailer of which was unveiled on Wednesday.

Talking about meeting his mentor, Chandan said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet my acting mentor, Tim Supple, in Chennai. His guidance and mentorship have been invaluable to me throughout my career, and I am eager to learn from him once again.”

Meanwhile, the actor currently has two of his directorial films in the pipeline, ‘The Playback Singer’, which is currently in post-production, and ‘Suzie Q’, which has garnered a lot of positive response in the festival circuit.

He also has ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders:...

Mumbai, Feb 13 (Ians) Actor Sharad Kelkar has lent his voice to the character of Wolverine in the Hindi version of the fourth season of the podcast series ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Wolverine’.

The podcast series also features voices of Mithila Palkar as Sofia, Neelam Kothari as Jean Grey, Aadil Khan as Captain America, Vijay Vikram Singh as Professor X/Charles Xavier, Chandan Roy Sanyal as Crossbones, Aalekh Sangal as Red Skull, Chetanya Adib as Cyclops, Abish Mathew as Kevin and Sachin Kumbhar as Bucky.

It follows the events after killing of the Avengers, the X-Men, as Super Villains win. Since the Red Skull took over the United States, a traumatised Wolverine has wandered in a daze of survivor’s guilt and self-loathing over his feelings of failure to protect his fellow X-Men and their mutant students.

As per an official synopsis: “Wolverine encounters Sofia, a young mutant in-hiding and vows to...

Most Awaited Web Series Of 2024: From Jitendra Kumar’s Panchayat Season 3 To Bobby Deol’s Aashram Season 4 – Every Detail ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

The year 2024 has kicked in, and we are here with the list of the most anticipated web series this year. In the past few years, many stars right, including Sushmita Sen and Bobby Deol, made a lightening presence in the Ott world with their characters Arya Sareen in Aarya and Baba Nirala in Aashram.

On the other hand, the past few years have seen breakthrough Ott stars like Jitendra Kumar, Aditi Pohankar, Prajakta Koli, and others. Their respective web series has been one of the most watched in the past few years.

So, in 2024, many of the popular web series are coming back with fresh seasons and have kept the audiences on their toes. Some of these web series are already shooting for their next part, while...

Mumbai, Dec 6 (Ians) Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who makes his directorial debut with ‘Suzie Q’, has said that the film challenges preconceptions, blurs the lines between genres.

‘Suzie Q’ has been officially selected to be showcased at the Kolkata International Film Festival (Kiff) 2023 on December 9 and December 10. The film is a journey of its lead character Suzie Q played by the versatile and acclaimed actress Parno Mittrah.

The film stars Prakash Jha, Sangeet Sivan, Umesh Jagtap, Kishtee Jog, and Priya Banerjee. ‘Suzie Q’ delves into the journey that gets bizarre and dangerous as the lines of reality blur when a 40-year-old Suzie who sees vivid hallucinations embarks on a trip to her ex-husband’s destination wedding.

Talking about the film, Chandan said, “This film is very special for me. It’s exciting because it challenges preconceptions, blurs the lines between genres, and leaves room for interpretation.”

He further mentioned: “I...

Mumbai, Dec 6 (Ians) Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who makes his directorial debut with ‘Suzie Q’, has said that the film challenges preconceptions, blurs the lines between genres.

‘Suzie Q’ has been officially selected to be showcased at the Kolkata International Film Festival (Kiff) 2023 on December 9 and December 10. The film is a journey of its lead character Suzie Q played by the versatile and acclaimed actress Parno Mittrah.

The film stars Prakash Jha, Sangeet Sivan, Umesh Jagtap, Kishtee Jog, and Priya Banerjee. ‘Suzie Q’ delves into the journey that gets bizarre and dangerous as the lines of reality blur when a 40-year-old Suzie who sees vivid hallucinations embarks on a trip to her ex-husband’s destination wedding.

Talking about the film, Chandan said, “This film is very special for me. It’s exciting because it challenges preconceptions, blurs the lines between genres, and leaves room for interpretation.”

He further mentioned: “I...

Mumbai, Dec 4 (Ians) Actress Shruthy Menon, who takes center stage in the web series on ‘Shehar Lakhot’, opened up on her audition for the show, saying the scenes were tough to crack. Portraying the character of Sandhya, a resilient small-town girl facing societal injustices, Shruthy infuses life into the narrative with her remarkable talent. Sandhya’s journey, marked by hope, ambition, and the challenges of survival, promises to be a powerful cinematic experience.

Reflecting on her audition, Shruthy shared: “My audition scenes were tough to crack, but I was confident that it went well. After a few months, I got a call telling me that the role is mine. I went to the Offroad office, read the whole script, and I was simply blown away. It was thrilling.”

“Imagine a director like Navdeep Singh telling you, ‘Read the script because there are some scenes which, as a woman, we need...

Mumbai, Dec 4 (Ians) Actress Shruthy Menon, who takes center stage in the web series on ‘Shehar Lakhot’, opened up on her audition for the show, saying the scenes were tough to crack. Portraying the character of Sandhya, a resilient small-town girl facing societal injustices, Shruthy infuses life into the narrative with her remarkable talent. Sandhya’s journey, marked by hope, ambition, and the challenges of survival, promises to be a powerful cinematic experience.

Reflecting on her audition, Shruthy shared: “My audition scenes were tough to crack, but I was confident that it went well. After a few months, I got a call telling me that the role is mine. I went to the Offroad office, read the whole script, and I was simply blown away. It was thrilling.”

“Imagine a director like Navdeep Singh telling you, ‘Read the script because there are some scenes which, as a woman, we need...

Actress Kubbra Sait, who is receiving a lot of positive response for her role of a cop in the recently released streaming series ‘Shehar Lakhot’, has said that wearing the uniform of a cop for her role, commanded respect and instilled a sense of responsibility in her.

This is for the first time in her career that Kubbra has portrayed the role of S.I. Pallavi Raj in the noir crime drama.

Sharing the excitement of playing the role of a cop for the very first time, the actress said: “As an actor, I thrive more when surrounded by exceptional individuals who inspire and challenge me to grow both personally and professionally. Pulling off a police uniform for my role in Shehar Lakhot was an exciting opportunity.”

She further mentioned: “Wearing the cop uniform commanded respect and instilled a sense of responsibility. In this story, the uniform symbolises the challenges faced by our real-life heroes,...

Actress Kubbra Sait, who is receiving a lot of positive response for her role of a cop in the recently released streaming series ‘Shehar Lakhot’, has said that wearing the uniform of a cop for her role, commanded respect and instilled a sense of responsibility in her.

This is for the first time in her career that Kubbra has portrayed the role of S.I. Pallavi Raj in the noir crime drama.

Sharing the excitement of playing the role of a cop for the very first time, the actress said: “As an actor, I thrive more when surrounded by exceptional individuals who inspire and challenge me to grow both personally and professionally. Pulling off a police uniform for my role in Shehar Lakhot was an exciting opportunity.”

She further mentioned: “Wearing the cop uniform commanded respect and instilled a sense of responsibility. In this story, the uniform symbolises the challenges faced by our real-life heroes,...

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who essays the role of marble mining magnate Kairav Singh in the recently released streaming show ‘Shehar Lakhot’, has dedicated his performance in the show to his father.

In the show, Chandan portrays the character of Kairav, who is a very polished character belonging to a small town. He commands terrific proficiency in English and often quotes Shakespeare.

Talking about his performance in the show, the actor told Ians: “This performance is dedicated to my father, he passed away a day before my shoot began.”

Chandan also told Ians that he took help from his days in England doing Shakespearean theatre to sketch his performance in the show.

In response to the appreciation, the actor expressed gratitude and said: “I feel blessed to be a part of projects that resonate with the audience. ‘Shehar Lakhot’ is a special journey for me, and I am overwhelmed by the positive feedback pouring in.

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who essays the role of marble mining magnate Kairav Singh in the recently released streaming show ‘Shehar Lakhot’, has dedicated his performance in the show to his father.

In the show, Chandan portrays the character of Kairav, who is a very polished character belonging to a small town. He commands terrific proficiency in English and often quotes Shakespeare.

Talking about his performance in the show, the actor told Ians: “This performance is dedicated to my father, he passed away a day before my shoot began.”

Chandan also told Ians that he took help from his days in England doing Shakespearean theatre to sketch his performance in the show.

In response to the appreciation, the actor expressed gratitude and said: “I feel blessed to be a part of projects that resonate with the audience. ‘Shehar Lakhot’ is a special journey for me, and I am overwhelmed by the positive feedback pouring in.

The first week of December has an array of exciting new titles on Ott ranging from noir crime drama to supernatural suspense thriller to adventure film and biographical sports drama. Here is a list of five titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention for this week.

Shehar Lakhot

The noir crime drama features Priyanshu Painyuli, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Kubbra Sait, and Shruthy Menon in the lead roles. An action-packed and edge-filled drama, the series blends in a lot of dark and bloody elements with a twisted sense of comedy, presenting some very grisly scenarios in a morbidly comical fashion, showcasing its tilt towards the black-comedy style.

Directed and co-written by Navdeep Singh, the eight-episode series also features Manu Rishi Chadha, Kashyap Shangari, Manjiri Pupala, Shruti Jolly, Gyan Prakash, and Abhilash Thapliyal. It is streaming on Prime Video from November 30.

Dhootha

Naga Chaitanya Akkineni will mark his debut...

The first week of December has an array of exciting new titles on Ott ranging from noir crime drama to supernatural suspense thriller to adventure film and biographical sports drama. Here is a list of five titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention for this week.

Shehar Lakhot

The noir crime drama features Priyanshu Painyuli, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Kubbra Sait, and Shruthy Menon in the lead roles. An action-packed and edge-filled drama, the series blends in a lot of dark and bloody elements with a twisted sense of comedy, presenting some very grisly scenarios in a morbidly comical fashion, showcasing its tilt towards the black-comedy style.

Directed and co-written by Navdeep Singh, the eight-episode series also features Manu Rishi Chadha, Kashyap Shangari, Manjiri Pupala, Shruti Jolly, Gyan Prakash, and Abhilash Thapliyal. It is streaming on Prime Video from November 30.

Dhootha

Naga Chaitanya Akkineni will mark his debut...

The makers of noir crime drama ‘Shehar Lakhot’ on Monday unveiled the intriguing posters, featuring the leads of the series- Priyanshu Painyuli, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Kubbra Sait, and Shruthy Menon, raising the excitement among the audiences and capturing their attention.

The eight-episode drama features interesting and multi-layered characters. Priyanshu is seen as Devendra Singh Tomar aka Dev, Chandan as Kairav Singh, Kubbra portrays Sub Inspector Pallavi Raj, while Shruthy plays the role of Sandhya.

Priyanshu as Dev is the prodigal son who is forced returned to his hometown. Dev is dark and sardonic but oddly likeable with deep set anger issues which have previously landed him in trouble with the authorities, causing him to be estranged from his loved ones.

A part of him is looking for redemption by connecting with his past. However, that changes when he is falsely accused of murder. The poster shows Priyanshu in a formal...

The makers of noir crime drama ‘Shehar Lakhot’ on Monday unveiled the intriguing posters, featuring the leads of the series- Priyanshu Painyuli, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Kubbra Sait, and Shruthy Menon, raising the excitement among the audiences and capturing their attention.

The eight-episode drama features interesting and multi-layered characters. Priyanshu is seen as Devendra Singh Tomar aka Dev, Chandan as Kairav Singh, Kubbra portrays Sub Inspector Pallavi Raj, while Shruthy plays the role of Sandhya.

Priyanshu as Dev is the prodigal son who is forced returned to his hometown. Dev is dark and sardonic but oddly likeable with deep set anger issues which have previously landed him in trouble with the authorities, causing him to be estranged from his loved ones.

A part of him is looking for redemption by connecting with his past. However, that changes when he is falsely accused of murder. The poster shows Priyanshu in a formal...

The trailer for director Navdeep Singh’s upcoming black comedy neo-noir crime drama thriller series ‘Shehar Lakhot’ is looking like one crazy, adrenaline-fuelled ride of madness.

Detailing his description, the ‘NH10’ director said: “’Shehar Lakhot’ is a multilayered and nuanced noir crime drama that will take viewers through a labyrinth of human complexities, secrets, twists and betrayal.”

He added: “The series is a labour of love, told through the kaleidoscopic lens of the interesting characters that reside in the city of Lakhot and brought alive by the fantastic performances of the cast, who have embraced the eccentricities and added their own unique flair to it.”

An action-packed and edge-filled trailer, the series blends in a lot of dark and bloody elements with a twisted sense of comedy, presenting some very grisly scenarios in a morbidly comical fashion, showcasing its tilt towards the black-comedy style.

However, this is infused with a...

The trailer for director Navdeep Singh’s upcoming black comedy neo-noir crime drama thriller series ‘Shehar Lakhot’ is looking like one crazy, adrenaline-fuelled ride of madness.

Detailing his description, the ‘NH10’ director said: “’Shehar Lakhot’ is a multilayered and nuanced noir crime drama that will take viewers through a labyrinth of human complexities, secrets, twists and betrayal.”

He added: “The series is a labour of love, told through the kaleidoscopic lens of the interesting characters that reside in the city of Lakhot and brought alive by the fantastic performances of the cast, who have embraced the eccentricities and added their own unique flair to it.”

An action-packed and edge-filled trailer, the series blends in a lot of dark and bloody elements with a twisted sense of comedy, presenting some very grisly scenarios in a morbidly comical fashion, showcasing its tilt towards the black-comedy style.

However, this is infused with a...

The world of detective Charlie Chopra, based on characters created by Agatha Christie, is set to have a prolonged life in India as a franchise.

“Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley,” based on Christie’s 1931 novel “The Sittaford Mystery,” was adapted as a series for Indian streamer SonyLIV by renowned filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj.

Set in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, northern India, the series follows the journey of Charlie Chopra and her quest to uncover a murder mystery alongside her sidekick Sitaram. Bhardwaj served as director and co-producer and co-screenwriter alongside Anjum Rajabali and Jyotsna Hariharan. The cast includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Gulshan Grover, Lara Dutta, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Paoli Dam.

Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures produced with Priti Shahani’s Tusk Tale Films in association with Agatha Christie Limited. James Prichard, Basi Akpabio and Leo Dezoysa served as executive producers...

New Delhi, Sep 21 (Ians) As the country is immersed in Ganeshotsav, Ott platforms brings an exciting array of titles for the viewers to binge-watch this week.

From crime drama whodunit series ‘Charlie Chopra’ to slice of life show ‘Hostel Daze 4’ and Nithya Menen starrer comedy drama ‘Kumari Srimathi’, 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.

‘Kumari Srimathi’

Nithya Menen-starrer upcoming comedy drama series ‘Kumari Srimathi’ is set in a village in East Godavari. It hilariously encapsulates the tribulations in the life of a 30-year-old woman (played by Menen), who challenges stereotypes in a small town riddled with antiquity. It also features Nirupam, Gautami, Thiruveer, Talluri Rameshwari, Naresh, and Murali Mohan in pivotal roles.

Produced by Early Monsoon Tales, a web division of Vyjanyanthi Entertainments,...

New Delhi, Sep 21 (Ians) As the country is immersed in Ganeshotsav, Ott platforms brings an exciting array of titles for the viewers to binge-watch this week.

From crime drama whodunit series ‘Charlie Chopra’ to slice of life show ‘Hostel Daze 4’ and Nithya Menen starrer comedy drama ‘Kumari Srimathi’, 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.

‘Kumari Srimathi’

Nithya Menen-starrer upcoming comedy drama series ‘Kumari Srimathi’ is set in a village in East Godavari. It hilariously encapsulates the tribulations in the life of a 30-year-old woman (played by Menen), who challenges stereotypes in a small town riddled with antiquity. It also features Nirupam, Gautami, Thiruveer, Talluri Rameshwari, Naresh, and Murali Mohan in pivotal roles.

Produced by Early Monsoon Tales, a web division of Vyjanyanthi Entertainments,...

Actress Wamiqa Gabbi, who essays the titular role in the upcoming series ‘Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley’, shared that her father, Govardhan Gabbi played an instrumental part in getting her character right.

The actress was guided and mentored by her father to ace the character of Charlie Chopra.

Talking about the same, Wamiqa said, “I have always believed that the essence of a character lies in its details. Playing Charlie was a remarkable journey for me. My father, Govardhan Gabbi, who is from a literature background, was my guiding light throughout this process.”

She further mentioned: “His assistance in perfecting the Punjabi dialect and dialogues was instrumental in helping me bring authenticity to my character. As a Punjabi myself, I was excited to take on this role and with his support, I felt even more connected to Charlie’s world.”

The series also stars Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah,...

Actress Wamiqa Gabbi, who essays the titular role in the upcoming series ‘Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley’, shared that her father, Govardhan Gabbi played an instrumental part in getting her character right.

The actress was guided and mentored by her father to ace the character of Charlie Chopra.

Talking about the same, Wamiqa said, “I have always believed that the essence of a character lies in its details. Playing Charlie was a remarkable journey for me. My father, Govardhan Gabbi, who is from a literature background, was my guiding light throughout this process.”

She further mentioned: “His assistance in perfecting the Punjabi dialect and dialogues was instrumental in helping me bring authenticity to my character. As a Punjabi myself, I was excited to take on this role and with his support, I felt even more connected to Charlie’s world.”

The series also stars Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah,...

Actress Wamiqa Gabbi, who is known for ‘Modern Love Mumbai’, ‘Jubilee’, ‘Modern Love Chennai’ and ‘83’, will be seen essaying the titular role in the female detective series ‘Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of Solang Valley’. The actress considers it an “incredible honour” to portray a female detective.

The gripping murder mystery is an official adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, ‘The Sittaford Mystery’, and is brought to life by Vishal Bhardwaj with whom Wamiqa has worked in ‘Mumbai Dragon’ part of the anthology ‘Modern Love Mumbai’ and also in ‘Modern Love Chennai’.

The series follows the story of Charlie Chopra, essayed by Gabbi who is entangled in a murder mystery to save an innocent convict and find the real culprit in a town full of suspects.

Sharing her excitement, the actress said: “Playing the role of India’s first female detective in a show is an incredible honour. Charlie...

National Award winning filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj has adapted Agatha Christie’s novel ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ into a streaming series tentatively titled ‘Charlie Chopra’. It is set to release the pilot episode preview of the detective thriller on Friday. The pilot episode will take streamer’s subscribers on an interactive escapade.

The series is set in the snow-capped mountains of Himachal Pradesh, and will follow the journey of Charlie Chopra and her pursuit to uncover a deep mystery.

After watching the pilot, viewers will be required to help the protagonist named Charlie Chopra solve the mystery by finding clues and identifying a character to dig deeper. They are also asked to come up with a title.

The series boasts of an ensemble cast featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Gulshan Grover, Lara Dutta, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and Paoli Dam.

The series is directed, co-produced, and co-written by Vishal Bhardwaj.

Dr. Karan Ramani is quite a known face in the Bollywood entertainment circuit. He has been in the Industry since 2008. He started his career as a talent manager and produced a reality show called ‘Mr and Miss 7 States’ featuring Sonu Sood, Mugdha Godhse, Rohit Khandelwal for MTV. Gradually he proved his creative thinking and execution ability as the creative producer in various music video and feature film projects under the banner of Qureshi Productions private limited.

His expertise is to pick up the right talent for the right project and at the right moment which added a lot of value in every project he executed till date. Few of his well appreciated music video projects are ‘Piya Re Piya’ starring Asim Riaz and Adah Sharma, ‘Mere Sanam’ starring Siddarth Nigam, ‘Tu Mera Misra hai’ starring Jannat Zubair and Mr. Faisu, ‘Lockdown’ starring Rakhi Sawant, ‘Pehli Baarish Mein’ starring Asim Riaz and Nisha Guragain.

Mumbai, May 4 (Ians) The upcoming film ‘The Playback Singer’, directed by actor-turned director Chandan Roy Sanyal, will have its music by Mohan Kannan of ‘Aahatein’, ‘Kinaare’ and ‘Chaandaniya’ fame.

The lyrics to the album will be penned by Abbas Tyrewala. The film portrays the struggles and journey of three characters in a musical period romance. On the casting front, Chandan will be joined by actress Anupriya Goenka and Nidhi Singh.

Talking about his directorial debut, Chandan said: “I always wanted to do a romantic musical and being a fan of that genre in Hindi films I feel the genre has gone amiss. ‘The Playback Singer’ brings that musical nostalgia back. I believe that music has the power to evoke emotions and create a deep connection with the audience and our film intends to do just that.”

He added: “This is a story very close to my heart and I’m...

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has concluded the production of his upcoming web series ‘Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley’.

Bhardwaj took to Instagram, where he shared a picture along with the cast and crew of the series, which marks his debut in the Ott long-format story-telling.

“Charlie Chopra wrapped!! Unbelievable!!! We did it :)” he wrote.

The show is the official adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ and is set in Himachal Pradesh. It will revolve around the journey of Charlie Chopra and her quest to uncover a deep mystery.

The show features Lara Dutta, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Gulshan Grover and Chandan Roy Sanyal, among many others.

Indian streamer Sony Liv and production house Applause Entertainment have extended their existing partnership with two new series and renewals for four more.

Among the new series, “36 Days,” produced in association with BBC Studios India is a suspense thriller, directed by Vishal Furia, featuring an ensemble cast including Neha Sharma, Purab Kohli, Shruti Seth, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sharib Hashmi, Shernaz Patel, Faishal Rashid, Chahat Vig and Kenneth Desai. “Kafas” (“Cage”) is a social drama series starring Sharman Joshi, Mona Singh, Vivan Bhathena, Preeti Jhangiani and Mikail Gandhi in lead roles and directed by Sahil Sangha.

“Tanaav,” the Indian adaptation of “Fauda,” has been renewed for a second season as has Hansal Mehta and Tushar Hiranandani’s “Scam 2003: The Telgi Story.”

“Undekhi” and “Avrodh” have been renewed for third seasons. The shows are part of SonyLIV’s 35-strong 2023 slate in the Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Marathi languages,...

Indian streamer SonyLIV has ordered two new series, social drama Kafas (Cage) and suspense thriller 36 Days, from production powerhouse Applause Entertainment, along with four returning shows.

Kafas is directed by Sahil Sangha and produced in association with Madiba Entertainment. The cast is headed by Sharman Joshi, known internationally for film roles including 3 Idiots and Mission Mangal, along with Mona Singh, Vivan Bhathena, Preeti Jhangiani and Mikail Gandhi.

Produced in association with BBC Studios India, 36 Days is directed by Vishal Furia and features an ensemble cast including Neha Sharma, Purab Kohli, Shruti Seth, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sharib Hashmi, Shernaz Patel, Faishal Rashid, Chahat Vig and Kenneth Desai.

As previously reported by Deadline, SonyLIV’s 2023 slate also includes a second installment of its successful Scam franchise – Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, directed by Hansal Mehta and Tushar Hiranandani, which tells the story of Abdul Karim Telgi and his infamous...

Indian streamer SonyLIV has announced an adaptation of Agatha Christie detective novel The Sittaford Mystery, which marks director Vishal Bhardwaj’s debut on a streaming series.

The Hindi-language adaptation, entitled Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley, is produced by the director’s Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures, along with Priti Shahani’s Tusk Tale Films in association with Agatha Christie Limited.

Bhardwaj has also co-scripted the adaptation, which transplants the action to the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, along with Anjum Rajabali and Jyotsna Hariharan.

The series’ heavyweight ensemble cast includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Gulshan Grover, Lara Dutta, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Paoli Dam.

James Prichard, Christie’s great grandson and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited, is on board as an Executive Producer. Basi Akpabio and Leo Dezoysa have also taken on the role of Executive Producers on behalf of Agatha Christie Limited.

Bhardwaj...

Agatha Christie’s “The Sittaford Mystery” will be adapted as “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley” for streamer SonyLIV by renowned Indian filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj.

Set in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, northern India, the series will follow the journey of Charlie Chopra and her quest to uncover a mystery. Bhardwaj will serve as director and co-producer and co-screenwriter alongside Anjum Rajabali and Jyotsna Hariharan. The cast includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Gulshan Grover, Lara Dutta, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Paoli Dam.

Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures will produce with Priti Shahani’s Tusk Tale Films in association with Agatha Christie Limited. Bhardwaj’s film franchise based on the works of Christie was announced in 2020.

Bhardwaj is best known internationally for his acclaimed Shakespeare trilogy “Maqbool,” (Macbeth) “Omkara” (Othello) and “Haider” (Hamlet).

James Prichard, Basi Akpabio and Leo Dezoysa will serve as executive producers...

Mumbai, Feb 27 (Ians) Filmmaker-writer-music composer Vishal Bhardwaj, who is known for films such as ‘Kaminey’, ‘Omkara’, ‘Maqbool’ and several others, is adapting British writer Agatha Christie’s mystery novel ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ for the Ott.

The series titled ‘Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley’, is set in the snow-capped mountains of Himachal Pradesh and will follow the journey of Charlie Chopra and her pursuit to uncover a deep mystery.

Besides donning the hats of director and co-producer, Vishal Bhardwaj also serves as the show’s co-screenwriter, alongside Anjum Rajabali and Jyotsna Hariharan.

Talking about the series, Vishal Bhardwaj said: “I grew up devouring all Agatha Christie tales. Her plots, characters and setting remain unparalleled in the genre and continue to excite storytellers even today.”

The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Gulshan Grover, Lara Dutta, Chandan Roy Sanyal,...

Serving For The Match

Warner Bros. Discovery has extended its rights to show the U.S. Open in 45 markets across Europe, including exclusive access in 42 territories, after reaching a new five-year agreement with the United States Tennis Association (Usta). Territories excluded from the deal are Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the U.K. and Ireland.

The deal includes live and highlights rights with every match on every court available to stream on discovery+ and the Eurosport app in addition to live television coverage during the tournament on Eurosport 1 and 2.

Markets including the Nordics will also have the option to showcase the best matches on Warner Bros. Discovery’s free-to-air channels.

Warner Bros. Discovery reported record audience engagement in many major markets following the 2022 US Open. This includes the best ever streaming performance on its digital platforms, doubling its audience year-on-year on discovery+, and securing the highest ever viewership on Eurosport...

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal has wowed the audiences with his acting chops, and now is all set to wield the megaphone for his next, ‘The Playback Singer’, alongside essaying one of the lead roles. Anupriya Goenka of Padmaavat, Criminal Justice & Aashram fame and Nidhi Singh joins Chandan as a part of the lead cast.

Set in Patna, The Playback Singer is a musical period romance which will see the journey of three characters and their struggles. The film is a nostalgic and innovative tale about a girl and her melodious world that drives her aspiration, the man she loves, the friends she makes for life, the songs that make her an icon and the twists of fate that eventually defines her life.

The film is being produced by Lonestar Films & Chandan Roy Sanyal Motion Picture Company. The Playback Singer adds as the second film to Lonestar Film’s 2023 slate after...