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Eminent filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, known for his Oscar-nominated works like Lagaan, Swades, and Jodhaa Akbar, has been appointed as the Honorary Chairman of the 10th Ajanta Ellora International Film Festival (Aiff). The festival will be held from January 15 to 19, 2025, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), celebrating its decade-long journey of cinematic excellence.

Aiff’s Esteemed Organizing Committee

The Aiff, organized by the Marathwada Art, Culture, and Film Foundation, has secured partnerships with MGM University, Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, and Nath Group. Endorsed by prestigious organizations like Fipresci and Ffsi, and recognized by the Government of India and Maharashtra, the festival promises a significant lineup of films and talents. Key members like Founder-Chairman Nandkishor Kagliwal and Chief Mentor Ankushrao Kadam recently unveiled the festival details.

Ashutosh Gowariker’s Vision for Aiff

Ashutosh Gowariker, who is also a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, expressed his excitement for the festival.

Three years after the stormy success of Haseen Dillruba came Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, returning us to the deeply troubled world of Rani and Rishu. The 2021 film left us with as many questions as answers about the twisted relationship between Taapsee Pannu’s Rani and Vikrant Massey’s Rishu. Director Vinil Mathew spun a tale of deception, obsession, and passion that gripped audiences until the climactic finale.

Now in 2022, we find Rani and Rishu on the run once more, hiding out in the bustling city of Agra. But their troubles are far from over—Rishu’s police officer uncle Montu, played by Jimmy Shergill, is determined to track down his nephew, the prime suspect in the murder of Rani’s ex-lover Neel. With Montu closing in, Rani hatches yet another desperate plan to reunite with her beloved Rishu.

Picking up the story under new director Jayprad Desai, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba...

In Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, the romantic thriller from director Jayprad Desai, Taapsee Pannu (Dunki) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail) play lovers on the run who’ll do anything — including marry other people — to ensure they eventually find their way into each other’s arms. The film is a follow-up to 2021’s Haseen Dillruba, in which the two lead characters, Rani and Rishu, enter an arranged marriage — despite Rani’s misgivings. After a tumultuous start, and a very steamy affair, the pair eventually end up deeply in love … and involved in a murder case that could tear them apart.

So if you’re all caught up on Rani and Rishu’s cross-country mischief and are jonesing for more movies about lovers who’ll go up against anything — and anyone — for the sake of their relationships, here’s what to check out next.

In the follow-up to Haseen Dillruba, husband-and-wife fugitives Rani and Rishu have escaped to the Indian city of Agra after getting away with murder in their former home of Jwalapur. But they can’t live freely as lovers, not so long as the cops are still committed to solving the cold case. As Rani plans another escape, this time to Thailand, Rishu couples with a new man to lessen mounting police scrutiny. But, boy oh boy, nothing goes as planned — and soon, Rani and Rishu are on the run again. From director Jayprad Desai (Mukhbir: The Story of a Spy) and Haseen Dillruba writer Kanika Dhillon (Dunki), Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba stars Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, and Sunny Kaushal.

Stream it now.

Check it out at the top of this page.

At the end of Haseen Dillruba, Rishu (Massey) allegedly dies and Rani (Pannu) narrowly avoids a murder charge for...

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, directed by Jayprad Desai, once again took us on a thrilling and bumpy ride where the lovebirds, Rishu and Rani, were trying to defy the odds and live together. It was a challenge for them to stay together after what had happened in the previous installment. Rishu was in hiding, delivering pizza and tutoring kids to sustain his livelihood, and Rani worked at a beauty parlor and pretended to be a widow. They met each other secretly, but soon, a man named Mrityunjay Paswan came to turn their lives upside down. So, let’s find out what happened to Rani and Rishu in Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba’s ending and if they were able to escape the clutches of law once again.

Spoiler Alert

What was Abhimanyu’s plan?

Rishu and Rani both knew that Montu uncle, aka Mrityunjay Paswan, wouldn’t stop following them for the rest of their lives.

There’s this notion that Bollywood is synonymous with over-the-top, grandiose romantic dramas, and if and when we get a toxic romance, it should be seen as something that’s radical. But, apart from a select few examples (like Veer-Zaara), I think Bollywood has always made toxic romances. I mean, look at the most popular Bollywood film of all time, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The inciting incident of the relationship between Raj and Simran is stalking and harassment, but since they get a happy ending, it’s celebrated by many. Every article about Bollywood romances brings up Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, which rewards a man-child’s problematic behavior with love. Hence, Haseen Dillruba didn’t impress me a lot when it chose domestic abuse, something that’s been normalized to a frightening degree and bafflingly enough, is seen as an “act of love,” as the fire that reignited the romance between an estranged married couple.

Taapsee Pannu’s portrayal of Rani Saxena in the 2021 romantic thriller “Haseen Dillruba” has indeed left a lasting impression on her fans. Interestingly, she wasn’t the first choice for the role. Screenwriter Kanika Dhillon had initially approached another actress for the lead. Taapsee showed interest in the film, but due to her commitments to another project, she missed the initial opportunity.

Also read: Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Dialogues: Taapsee Pannu, Sunny Kaushal and Vikrant Massey’s thriller romantic dialogues

However, fate had other plans, and she eventually got a call from Kanika for a script narration. After hearing the script, Taapsee felt destined to play the role and immediately accepted it. Despite not being the typical choice for the character, she was excited about the challenge and the opportunity to portray a character with gray shades.

Taapsee is now preparing for the release of the sequel, “Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba,...

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. (L to R) Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey in Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024

Are you ready for love, romance and more? It’s all coming in the pulp thriller Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. Directed by Jayprad Desai, and written and co-produced by Kanika Dhillon, the film promises to go deeper into the lives of the star-crossed lovers, played by Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey. Yes, Rani and Rishu are back, and their tumultuous journey continues in this sequel to Netflix’s hit Haseen Dillruba.

Speaking on reprising her role in the film, Taapsee Pannu shares, “Reuniting with Rani feels like coming home, and I’m thrilled to dive back into her world again. The immense love and support I received for this film is overwhelming. Kanika has once again crafted a phenomenal arc for Rani, pushing the character to new depths. This time around,...

The trailer for Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba the sequel to the 2021 thriller “Haseen Dilruba,” has been released by Netflix India. Starring Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, and Sunny Kaushal, the two-minute trailer sets the stage for another suspense-filled romantic drama.

The trailer starts from the sequel picks up from where the previous film ended, featuring Rani (Taapsee Pannu) still living with her manipulative husband Rishu (Vikrant Massey). Sunny Kaushal joins the cast as Abhimanyu, Rani’s new love interest. Their relationship begins with a movie date and quickly intensifies. As Rishu discovers Rani’s affair, the tension escalates, with hints of a dramatic crocodile attack. The trailer ends with Jimmy Shergill’s character introducing himself as Neel’s uncle, bringing a personal vendetta to the unfolding mystery.

Taapsee Pannu’s murderous love triangle with Vikrant Massey and Sunny Kaushal: Fans call, “Badchalan aurat ko firse ho gaya pyaar, Is baar dusra...

The trailer for the much-anticipated sequel, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, has finally been released, and it’s already setting the stage for an exhilarating rollercoaster of love and betrayal. With the return of Rani and Rishu, played by Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey, respectively, the narrative promises to take their tumultuous journey to new heights.

Rani and Rishu Return: Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Trailer Unveiled

The new trailer unveils Rani and Rishu’s attempts to escape their troubled past, only to find themselves ensnared in a fresh series of challenges. Their quest for a peaceful existence is shattered by the arrival of new characters, including the enigmatic Abhimanyu, portrayed by Sunny Kaushal. His presence introduces a fresh layer of intrigue and disruption to their lives.

Adding to the suspense is Officer Mritunjay, or Montu Chacha, played by Jimmy Shergill. As a formidable ace cop with a personal grudge, he is...

The trailer for “Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba,” the sequel to the 2021 hit “Haseen Dilruba,” has been released by Netflix India, sparking excitement among fans. Starring Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, and Sunny Kaushal, the film promises more twists, drama, and intrigue.

Trailer Highlights: Opening Scene: Rani (Taapsee Pannu) admits to her past misdeeds with her husband Rishu (Vikrant Massey). Rishu sets a condition for their relationship: no third person should come between them.

Introduction of Sunny Kaushal’s Character: Sunny Kaushal plays Abhimanyu, the new love interest who asks Rani out on a movie date, leading to a clandestine affair. Rani’s Dual Romance: The trailer depicts the escalating tension as Rani juggles her relationships with Rishu and Abhimanyu. Crocodile Attack: A dramatic scene hinting at unexpected danger. Jimmy Shergill’s Entry: The trailer ends with a surprising twist as Jimmy Shergill introduces himself as Neel’s uncle, adding a new...

Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, and Sunny Kaushal are set to enthrall audiences with the upcoming murder mystery film, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. The trailer for the much-anticipated sequel drops on Thursday, and to heighten the excitement, the makers have shared two new posters.

In the first poster, Taapsee Pannu is depicted holding both Sunny Kaushal and Vikrant Massey, her hands smeared with blood. She is seated on a boat with Vikrant Massey, while Sunny Kaushal occupies another boat. The second poster features Taapsee with Sunny and Vikrant in the background, and the iconic Taj Mahal can be seen, hinting at a romantic yet mysterious setting.

The first installment, Haseen Dillruba, starred Taapsee as Rani, Vikrant as her husband Rishabh, and Harshvardhan Rane as her lover Neel. The story followed Rani’s marriage to the small-town Rishabh and her subsequent affair with Neel, culminating in a twisty, murder-mystery plot that kept...

Director Jayprad Desai, recognized for his gripping narratives in films like “Kaun Pravin Tambe?”, “Mukhbir,” and “Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba,” ventures into a new cinematic realm. His upcoming project explores the compelling narrative of the 2022 fake Ipl scam, drawing inspiration from Faraz Ahsan’s acclaimed book “First Copy.”

Jayprad Desai’s Next Cinematic Journey

The untitled film will unravel the intricate details of the scandal, shedding light on how villagers orchestrated a fraudulent cricket tournament to deceive Russian punters. Collaborating on the screenplay are Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal, promising a captivating storytelling experience.

‘Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba’ Director’S Next Film On Cricket Scam… #JaypradDesai – director of #KaunPravinTambe?, #Mukhbir and #PhirAayiHasseenDillruba – to make film based on 2022 fake Ipl scam, where villagers set up a sham cricket tournament and duped Russian punters.

The… pic.twitter.com/1KfYq9fNEA

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 30, 20242022 Fake Ipl Scam in New Movie Venture...

The highly anticipated film “Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba” has unveiled its teaser, reigniting excitement for the world of love and intrigue. Starring Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Sunny Kaushal, and Jimmy Shergill, the movie serves as a sequel to the beloved romantic thriller “Haseen Dillruba”.

Released on February 29, the 52-second teaser provides a tantalizing peek into the story, set against the backdrop of the iconic song “Ek Hasina Thi”. Taapsee Pannu returns as Rani, alongside Vikrant Massey as Rishu (Ravi Varma). Sunny Kaushal joins as Abhimanyu, with Jimmy Shergill as Mrityunjay, enriching the narrative.

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Set in Agra, the plot follows Rani and Rishu as they confront obstacles like a broken barrage, floods, and unexpected crocodile encounters in the Yamuna River, all while dodging authorities and planning their escape for a happily ever after.

Directed by Jayprad Desai and scripted by Kanika Dhillon,...

Netflix’s Indian slate for this year includes a feature film about a group of drunk young men who crash a wedding, and a series about a plane hijacking.

Toplining the new titles is Wild Wild Punjab, a Luv Films feature from Simarpreet Singh written by Harman Wadala and Sandeep Jain. According to the longline, it follows “a group of drunk boys” who “avenge a friend’s breakup by crashing his ex’s wedding and achieve closure.”

Cast includes Varun Sharma, Sunny Singh, Manjot Singh, Jassie Gill, Patralekhaa and Ishita Raj.

Other new films include Akshay Roy’s Vijay 69, a “quirky, slice-of-life film about a man who decides to compete in a triathlon” nearly the age of 70, from Try Entertainment; heist thriller Sikandar Ka Muqaddar from Neeraj Pandey; and Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, from director Jayprad Desai, writer Kanika Dhillon and co-producers T-Series and Colour Yellow Productions.

Murder Mubarak,...

Actor, director and producer Prakash Raj plays a cop in the web series ‘Mukhbir: The Story of a Spy’, which tells the story of an Indian secret agent in Pakistan who played an important role in the 1965 war. The 57-year-old actor speaks about the reason behind saying ‘yes’ to his debut Ott series, and the Usp of the show.

Raj plays ‘Bhagat’, an Intelligence Bureau officer who trains secret agents.

On being part of the series, he says: “Ott platforms have opened up so many opportunities. There are a dozen scripts I want to explore. Having said that, I look forward to roles where I would be relevant and only then choose to associate in that space.”

On making debut with ‘Mukhbir’, he says: “It is my first web series. This is a very fresh script that circles around the journey of a spy and very magically picturises the ’60s,...

Veteran actors Prakash Raj, Adil Hussain and Harsh Chhaya have joined forces for the upcoming espionage thriller series ‘Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy’ the trailer of which was unveiled on Monday. The three will be seen headlining the streaming show.

The trailer presents the tale of India’s secret agent in Pakistan who rose to the occasion to save the nation and turn the tide of the India-Pakistan 1965 war in India’s favour.

The show has been directed by Shivam Nair, who is known for ‘Naam Shabana’ and ‘Special Ops’, in association with Jayprad Desai.

Commenting on the occasion of trailer release, actor Prakash Raj said, “Mukhbir celebrates the bravery and the sacrifices of the unsung heroes of India, the spies and I am glad to be a part of such a remarkable project. These spies go unnoticed despite their silent but monumental work and hence, Mukhbir is our tribute to their self-less efforts.

After “Sunrise” in 2014 and a double whammy with “The Wayfarers” and “Nirvana Inn” in 2019, Indian thespian Adil Hussain is back at the Busan International Film Festival this year with two more films – “The Storyteller” in the Jiseok section, and “Max, Min and Meowzaki” in the Open Cinema strand.

Hussain, best known internationally for “Life of Pi” and “Star Trek: Discovery,” also won global plaudits for “What Will People Say” and “Hotel Salvation.”

Both of the actor’s Busan films this year are by festival alumni – “The Storyteller,” is by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, whose “Bittersweet” was in Busan 2020 and “Max, Min and Meowzaki” is helmed by Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy, who was at Busan in 2016 with “A Billion Colour Story.”

In “The Storyteller” Hussain plays Goradia, a Gujarati businessman who believes that once physical wealth is accumulated, happiness will follow, but this proves not to be the case. The film is based on a story by the late,...

Online Concert Record

A weekend concert by Hong Kong acting and singing superstar Andy Lau Tak-wah attracted a record-breaking 350 million viewers on Douyin, the mainland Chinese sister company of TikTok. The concert ran for two hours and attracted 100 million viewers in the first 30 minutes, with tens of millions more joining by the end. The figures beat Lau’s own previous record on the platform, which he set in July last year at a concert to celebrate his 40 years in the business. The South China Morning Post said the record numbers were swelled by a recent wave of nostalgia for Canto-pop or Cantonese-language contemporary music, though the paper also noted that Lau also performed a couple of Mandarin-language classics.

Arrested Executives

Tokyo prosecutors Tuesday arrested two executives of publisher and film production giant Kadokawa on suspicion of funneling bribes totaling to Takahashi Haruyuki, the former director of the Organizing Committee for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

When the Nation is celebrating the 75th year of Independence Day and paying tribute to martyrs and freedom fighters, there are also several unsung heroes whose stories at certain times are missed out. ‘Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy’ is one such story about India’s secret agent in Pakistan and how he fights against all the odds for his nation.

The spy-thriller ‘Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy’ is based on the life and struggle of an Indian secret agent in Pakistan.

The plot revolves around a spy and historical events that took place in the 60s.

Producer Vaibhav Modi says about the spy-thriller: “Creating a period drama with true historic events as the backdrop is a challenge as well as an opportunity.”

“We are proud of ourselves to have turned this challenge into a brilliant series. It’s a unique story of how some exemplary men and women...

‘Kaun Pravin Tambe’ director Jayprad Desai has praised actor Shreyas Talpade and called him powerhouse performer who can look 25 and 42 at the same time. Post the response to the trailer, director Desai speaks on how Shreyas was apt to play Pravin Tambe’s role. He reveals, “We always wanted somebody who embodies the body […]...

As the web series "Hutatma", based on the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, is in Marathi, its director Jayprad Desai says he isn't worried about the language limiting the audience from accessing the historical story because it lends authenticity.

"I am not disheartened that the language is going to limit the propagation of such content. Rather I think that if the choice of the language makes the content more authentic and strong, I am sure it will transcend the barriers of language. I would rather concentrate on making authentic content than making it accessible to people by using a certain language," Desai told Ians here.

The show has been dubbed in Hindi too and was released on May 1 on Ott platform ZEE5.

"The subject lent itself towards Marathi context. All the actors in the show are cultural icons of Maharashtra. The essence of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement and the struggle lend itself to the Marathi language,...

Filmmaker Jayprad Desai, making his digital debut with the web series 'Hutatma', which is based on the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, says he has attempted to tell a fiction derived from reality. The Samyukta Maharashtra movement, which started in 1956, led to carving out of the state of Maharashtra from the (then-bilingual) State of Bombay on 1 May 1960.? 'Hutatma', which releases on the Ott platform ZEE5 on May 1, is loosely based on Meena Deshpandey's book of the same name.?

Asked about his research for 'Hutatma' Desai said, "We have done extensive research and read most of the works, including real life accounts, that have been written about the movement."?

Remarking that fiction is an extension of reality, he said "Our attempt was to understand the reality of that time. Thus, we tried for a story that went beyond the clash of political ideologies."

The show features celebrated Marathi cinema actors like Anjali Patil,...

Mumbai-based Film City is presenting a package of nine Marathi-language films at Film Bazaar, as part of the Maharashtra state’s initiative to promote Marathi culture.

“It’s the first time the Maharashtra government is promoting Marathi films at Film Bazaar, as a first step towards creating international exposure for Marathi films,” said Sanjay Bhokare, managing director of Film City, who is also the deputy secretary of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs.

The company’s joint managing director Sanjay Patil has brought a delegation of nine directors to Film Bazaar and their nine producers for the Producers’ Lab. The company has arranged industry screenings for all the films, which are also available in the Viewing Room.

The films are mostly first features such as Mrunalini Bhosale’s Kapus Kondyachi Goshta, Jayprad Desai’s Nagrik, Bhaurao N. Karhade’s Khwada, Shrihari Sathe’s 1000 Rupee Note, Abhijit Panse’s Rege and Atul Jagdale’s Ganvesh.

The package...

The 16th edition of the Mumbai Film Festival announced its line-up in a press conference today.

Here is the complete list of films which will be screened at the festival:-

International Competition

Difret

Dir.: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari (Ethiopia / 2014 / Col / 99)

History of Fear (Historia del miedo)

Dir.: Benjamin Naishtat (Argentina-France-Germany-Qatar-Uruguay / 2014 / Col / 79)

With Others (Ba Digaran)

Dir.: Nasser Zamiri (Iran / 2014 / Col / 85)

The Tree (Drevo)

Dir.: Sonja Prosenc (Slovenia / 2014 / Col / 90)

Next to Her (At li layla)

Dir.: Asaf Korman (Israel / 2014 / Col / 90)

Schimbare

Dir.: Alex Sampayo (Spain / 2014 / Col / 87)

Fever

Dir.: Raphaël Neal (France / 2014 / Col / 81)

Court

Dir.: Chaitanya Tamhane (India (Marathi-Gujarati-English-Hindi) / 2014 / Col / 116)

Macondo

Dir.: Sudabeh Mortezai (Austria / 2014 / Col / 98)

India Gold Competition 2014

The Fort (Killa)

Dir.: Avinash Arun (India (Marathi) / 2014 / Col / 107)

Unto the Dusk

Dir.: Sajin Baabu (India (Malayalam) / 2014 / Col / 118)

Names Unknown (Perariyathavar)

Dir.: Dr. Biju (India (Malayalam) / 2014 / Col / 110)

Buddha In a Traffic Jam

Dir.