News

Is Ram Charan & Pransanth Neel Teaming Up For A New Project? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

For the past few days, social media has been filled with reports about a possible collaboration between Ram Charan and Prashanth Neel. But is there any truth to these reports? The simple answer is no. According to Telugu 360, they are not collaborating in the near future, so fans might not have much material to be excited about it just yet.

Ram Charan...

Manoj Bajpayee speaks to Subhash K Jha about a film he saysxwas very challenging and very important to his career – 2001’s supernatural action thriller film, Aks, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Manoj, one of your important early films is 24 ?

Aks was a very, very important film in my career. This film I signed in 1999, I think, and right after Satya and Shool and Kaun. Anurag Kashyap told me that Rakeysh Mehra is willing to meet me and when I met him, I heard the first narration till the interval and somewhere it was very, very clear that I’m going to be part of it.

It was a very challenging role?

I could see that, you know, it is going to challenge me to approach this character Raghavan very differently. Also since there were no dialogues I had to create all of it in my head.

Aks was a very...

J D Chakravarthy looks back and speaks to Subhash K Jha about 27 years of Satya, the Ram Gopal Verma directed crime drama that also starred the Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee, alongside Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Shrivastava and Paresh Rawal.

What do you have to say about the lingering impact of Satya?

Actually, the impact of Satya, well, I think I need to change the timelines. I would initially like to start with what happened after the show on 15th January for the re-release of Satya. I’ve been associated with Ramuji from Shiva. I’ve been his assistant. He’s produced about 36 films with me. I directed 12 films for him. I edited ….blah blah blah blah blah bla… we can go on. The point is, I’ve never seen him, and I know this is a very strong statement, I’ve never seen him even crying when his father passed away.

Subhash K Jha looks back at the 2005 Ram Gopal Varma drama D, which starred Randeep Hooda, in a new installment of This Day That Year.

After Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya and Company, after Mahesh Manjrekar’s Vaastav and Hansal Mehta’s Chhal D gives us this day our daily dread… Enough about unwashed men washing their conscience in the blood of the slain. Enough of this swivel-and-snarl routine with blood-red eyes, slurring speech, and smoking guns.

That reminds me…. Why are the censors so worried about smoking people when they should be concerned about those blazing guns that signal urban anarchy? In places D glamorizes violence with disdainful words and crackerjack visuals to a point where you wonder whom the script supports.

“Why do people look at us as freaks? We’re just doing our jobs like doctors and engineers,” Deshu tells his ‘gori chamri’ girlfriend. That’s how...

Amitabh Bachchan speaks to Subhash K Jha in praise of poet and playwright Vijay Tendulkar, whose Death Anniversary we observe today.

Vijay Tendulkar was not only a powerful playwright with a political perspective, he also exerted a strong influence on Hindi cinema in screen adaptations particularly Govind Nihalani’s Aakrosh and Ardh Satya, Shyam Benegal’s Manthan and Jagmohan Mundhra’ Kamla.

Amitabh Bachchan recalls the doyen of Marathi literature with reverence. “Vijay Tendulkarji was a strong and fearless writer and a great mind. I never had the opportunity of spending any quality time with him, but on occasion I did meet him during common social events. Barring the exchange of courtesies and acknowledging each other’s creative contribution, such moments were rushed and hurried. But one reads a lot about him in the media and through his interviews.”

Mr Bachchan is full of admiration for the man who rewrote many rules of stage-writing.

A legal thriller in Bengali, “Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei” (2025) by Srijit Mukherji is a modern-day adaptation of “12 Angry Men” (1957) and its Hindi remake, “Ek Ruka Hua Faisla” (1986). The title of Mukherji’s rendition is derived from a haunting line in the song “Ei Srabon” by Anupam Roy, which alludes to the deeper psychological divisions between perception and truth that the film examines. With an ensemble cast featuring Kaushik Ganguly, Parambrata Chatterjee, Kaushik Sen, Ritwick Chakraborty, and others, the film stages a riveting drama inside the claustrophobic confines of a High Court Judge’s subconscious, where twelve individuals (or rather mental projections of the Judge) must confront their own biases and prejudices while deciding the fate of a young kid accused of murder.

The subconscious mind transports the characters to various locations deeply personal to Brajeswar: his study room, the golf course he habitually goes to, a theater where...

When Microsoft first announced that it would be releasing first-party Xbox titles on PlayStation, we called them crazy. But the decision is no longer controversial now because it has proven to be wildly successful. During the company’s Q3 FY25 earnings call, CEO Satya Nadella confirmed that Microsoft had become the top publisher on the PlayStation Store.

This is based on pre-orders and pre-installs from January through March 2025. I don’t know how they did it, but this is an incredible way to come back into the market. And with Doom: The Dark Ages confirmed for a PS5 release, it’s clear Microsoft’s pivot from hardware to content-first strategy is paying off handsomely.

Microsoft has found the path to success with Xbox

From January through March 2025, Microsoft topped its own charts, but it was also the number one publisher on PlayStation in terms of pre-orders and pre-installs. CEO Satya...

Everything you need to know about Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi Ott release (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The entertaining comedy film, Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbay, directed by Nitin & Bharat (the duo behind the successful TV show Jabardasth), this film carries a special blend of humour, rural backdrop, and crazy narration.

While the movie did not make a lot of noise at the box office, it found a place on a digital medium for more people to discover and watch. Here’s everything you need to know about its Ott release.

The Plot Summary

Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi story revolves around Krishna, a civil engineer from Hyderabad who lives by a peculiar motto: “never help anyone.” His life takes an unexpected turn when he’s assigned to build toilets in the isolated village of Bhairi Lanka. However, the village has an unusual rule: no outsider is allowed to interact with Raja, the only woman in the village.

One of the finest and most versatile gets completely lost inside a character actors, Manoj Bajpayee, who starred in such brilliant films like Satya, Bandit Queen, Gangs of Wasseypur, Gali Guleiyan, and the series The Family Man and so many more, talks with Subhash K Jha about birthday wishes, his range of roles and myriad films, and even a hint of what’s next.

Manoj, any unfulfilled wishes?

My directors locate me in Chandni Chowk or a village near Varanasi where they’ve probably never heard of Savile Row. There was a time when Neeraj Pandey, my director of Special 26, was producing a film that was to be shot in London. I cribbed to him that when he casts me, he takes me to the gullis and bylanes of Indian cities. But when he produces a film located in London, I’m not part of it. No one shoots...

Manoj Bajpayee’s Top 5 Highest-Rated Movies ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Manoj Bajpayee’s reputation as an actor in the film industry is synonymous with intensity, brilliance, and versatility. From playing a variety of roles, from an honest cop in Shool, to a dreaded gangster in Satya, and a helpless father in Joram, he nailed them all.

On his 56th birthday today, we have collated a list of the National Award-winning actor’s top five highest-rated movies as per their IMDb scores, and where you can watch these films on Ott platforms. We have considered only those feature films in which Manoj Bajpayee played the lead role or at least had a significant role, and that are available on various Ott/online platforms.

1. Satya Year of release – 1998 Streaming Platform – SonyLIV IMDb Rating – 8.3/10

The cult gangster thriller follows the titular protagonist Satya (J.D. Chakravarthi), who becomes friends with a dreaded gangster Bhiku Mhatre...

Hansal Mehta, Manoj Bajpayee, and Anurag Kashyap’s anecdote(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Bollywood is sometimes much more than its glitter and glamour. The behind-the-scenes stories can often be more intriguing than the films themselves. Recently, filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared such a story from the struggling days of two living cinematic legends — Manoj Bajpayee, Anurag Kashyap.

Anurag Kashyap’s Race Against Rent

In the mid-90s, Manoj Bajpayee and Hansal Mehta discussed film ideas at Manoj’s Mumbai flat. Hansal recalled, “We were discussing ideas. Baat karte karte woh so gaya.” (He went to sleep while talking).

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. A young man showed up, introducing himself as a huge fan of Hansal’s film Highway. “Ek aadmi aaya… maine bola Manoj bhaiya so rahe hai… wo bolta main aapse milna chahta tha… Highway dekhi thi, paagal ho gaya, bada fan hu… aapko dhund raha hu kabse,” Hansal recalled.

Ram Gopal Varma who last directed the prolific Manoj Bajpayee in Satya 25 years ago, is excited about collaborating with Manoj again.

Sharing details, Ramu tells me, “It’s called Police Station Mein Bhoot. It is a horror comedy. I have written it myself, and we will start in June. Manoj plays a cop who accidentally kills a criminal who comes back to haunt him as a ghost. The idea is, where does the cop hide when he is pursued by a criminal? Let’s see if the audience finds it funny. This is a new genre for Manoj and me. We start shooting in June. Besides Manoj, I can only confirm Abhishek Banerjee at the moment. I think he completely owned the first half of Stree. I have signed a newcomer for the ghost’s role. I don’t want to reveal his name at the moment.”

Ramu’s fights...

To celebrate Ram Gopal Varma’s birthday, Subhash K Jha shares memories of the noted director’s reel and real life.

I have known Ram Gopal Varma for a longer time than I know almost anyone else in the film industry except Shabana Azmi and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whom I have been friends with for much longer. These two apart, Ramu is a friend who has come many times.

We became friends soon after Satya was released. Back then he was seen as the best thing to have happened to Hindi cinema since R D Burman. The whole industry was in awe of the raw. Ramu couldn’t care less. To him Satya was just another film which acquired a super-cult status. “I worked harder on Daud. And look at what happened to that!”

In his self-definition of creativity, Ramu is a true democrat. To him, there is no difference between Shiva,...

J D Chakravarthy, the star of Satya, talks with Subhash K Jha about his directorial debut Durga which turned 23 on March 23.

What prompted you to direct Durga way back in 2002 ?

Durga, well, you know, sometimes some films don’t work, not because they’re bad, but because of your earlier films’ impact. But the whole idea of making this film is only because of Satya. When you ask me about Durga, that is the first thing that comes into my mind. You know, that’s what has exactly happened with Durga. As this was immediately after Satya.

Did you enjoy turning director so early in your career?

Well, the good thing was, it was a tremendous high. And the bad was also that it has tremendous high. At that point in time, for me, you know, the South version worked. So, I decided to make it in Hindi. The moment...

This edition of Subhash K Jha’s Thus Day That Year features looks back at Durga, which released in 2002.

Chakravarthy, who played the title role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya, has gone on record to claim some experience in filmmaking before attempting to make this film. We don’t know how far this is true. As far as we know, Chakravarthy was spotted on the sets of a movie by Varma and cast in Satya.

By borrowing heavily from Satya and even cartlifting a face from Varma’s camp to play his best friend and sidekick, Chakravarthy cannot claim to be qualified to make a feature film. He makes a mayhem-gorged mess out of a plot that’s ridiculously self-important.

Like Ram Gopal Varma’s Shiva, Durga opens on a college campus where we see the protagonist Durga and his friends behaving like overgrown adolescents looking for a first date.

“Black Warrant,” the hit Netflix series currently in the platform’s India Top 10 nearly three months after its premiere, was the focus of a panel at the ongoing Cinevesture International Film Festival in Chandigarh, India.

The discussion featured creator-showrunner Vikramaditya Motwane, producer Sameer Nair of Applause Entertainment, and lead actors Zahan Kapoor and Rahul Bhat, who explored the “synergy for success” that has made the prison drama a streaming standout.

Based on “Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer” by Sunil Gupta and journalist Sunetra Choudhury, the series chronicles Gupta’s 35-year career at India’s notorious Tihar prison, where he oversaw infamous inmates including serial killer Charles Sobhraj and and kidnappers Kuljeet Singh (alias Ranga Khus) and Jasbir Singh (alias Billa).

Motwane, also known for Netflix’s “Sacred Games,” explained that the adaptation process required narrowing the book’s extensive timespan. “When you read the book, it’s fantastic because it’s so dramatic.

This Day That Year: Subhash K Jha revisits Nishabd 18 years later and shares a throwback interview with Mr Amitabh Bachchan about the film.

Ram Gopal Varma’s Nishabd, with its pulsating but humane play of light and shade within the sprawling, gorgeous greenery of a tea estate, is the closest you’re going to come to the passion of a Renaissance painting in Hindi cinema.

Varma’s mastery over visuals, which tells a tale of reclamation and retribution, has never been in doubt. The qualities that have always made his cinema look unique have been applied to a theme that has so far remained forbidden to Varma’s range of vision.

In narrating a 60-year-old ‘happily’ married man’s sudden passion for his daughter’s 18-year-old friend, Ramu goes for the jugular. The luminous language of Nishabd makes you grope for new words to describe the experience of watching a...

Here’s When & Where You Can Watch Ashok Galla’s Devaki Nandana Vasudeva On Ott (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Mahesh Babu’s nephew Ashok Galla was recently seen in the mythological drama Devaki Nandana Vasudeva. Telugu filmmaker Prasanth Varma wrote the film’s story, which was released in theatres on November 22, 2024. The film did not perform well at the box office, and for a long time, no Ott platform was ready to stream it.

Now, the film has finally found a digital platform. According to Hindustan Times, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva will be available on Disney Plus Hotstar starting February 8. It will also have its world television premiere on Colors Cineplex, a Hindi TV channel.

The story of Devaki Nandana Vasudeva revolves around Kamsa Raju, a cruel ruler. During a visit to Kashi, a sage of Lord Shiva predicts his death, and the sage says that Raju will be killed by his sister’s third child.

Thandel Ott Release Details ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Thandel is an upcoming film starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. It has hit the screens today. Chandoo Mondeti directed the film, and Bunny Vas produced it. Allu Aravind presented the film under the Geetha Arts banner.

The film’s budget is Rs. 90 crores, the highest budget for a Naga Chaitanya film. After the theatrical release, the film received a positive response from the audience. The audience appreciated the music composed by Devi Sri Prasad. Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi also received praise for their performances.

Thandel’s digital rights were sold to Netflix, and the makers received nearly Rs. 40 crore for these rights. This made Thandel one of the most profitable films. As per Ott play reports, the agreement with Netflix was made for five weeks. The movie may start streaming in the second or third week of March. However, it is...

Thandel Review On X: Naga Chaitanya-Sai Pallavi’s Film Turns A Winner? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi’s Thandel is turning out to be the underdog in the theaters. The film was low on expectations but audiences after watching it in the theaters are offering positive reviews for the film. This good word-of-mouth might eventually also impact the box office numbers.

Starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, the love story against a patriotic backdrop offers a strong chemistry between the protagonists that has been acting as a masterstroke and might lead to the success of the film.

Audiences have been offering their views and opinions about the film on X and have been praising Naga Chaitanya’s romantic avatar, hailing his comeback in the theaters. Check out Thandel reviews on X by the audiences.

Trending Loveyapa Movie Review: Junaid Khan & Khushi Kapoor Starrer Is A...

Baby John (2024) may share its core premise with Theri, but it takes a darker, more intense approach to storytelling. While both films follow a father on a path of vengeance, Baby John heightens the brutality, delivering more gripping action sequences and deeper emotional stakes. The film also broadens its scope, introducing a larger interconnected universe, including Salman Khan’s Agent Bhai Jaan. With stronger female leads, a more formidable antagonist, and a mid-credits tease hinting at future installments, Baby John carves out its own identity. But before diving into that, let’s first understand what happens to Satya, and what pushes him to become Baby John.

Spoilers Ahead

Baby John (2024) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis: How does Adhira Learn About John’s Past?

John D’Silva, a bakery owner in Kerala, hides a violent past. One night, a sex-trafficking gang storms his house, attempting to kill his daughter, Khushi. To protect her,...

Fan of Sai Pallavi or Naga Chaitanya? Then, your eyes must have enjoyed the starter: Thandel’s trailer and must be eagerly waiting for the whole buffet to come out, right? Well, no need to take any stress of it anymore because Thandel is all ready to hit the silver screens on February 7, 2025. But before this, let’s take the insights from the movie’s screening?

During the film’s trailer launch event, the well-known Bollywood star, Aamir Khan has already made the prediction of Thandel getting on a surefire hit with record breaking success.

Overview of the Thandel

Administered under the direction of Chandoo Mondeti, Thandel, is a soon-to-be-released Indian Telugu language movie starring Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya. This romantic thriller isn’t just penned down by Chandoo Mondeti, but he has also directed this masterpiece. The production of the movie was looked after by Bunny Vasu under...

Why was Allu Arjun absent from Thandel event? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The film Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and directed by Chandoo Mondeti, is set to hit the big screen on February 7, 2025. Prior to the theatrical release, a pre-release event was organized, with Allu Arjun announced as the chief guest. The organizers had publicly confirmed Allu Arjun’s attendance, and entry to the event was restricted to a select few. However, the event was live-streamed online for fans.

The event, held in Hyderabad, was scheduled to begin at 5 Pm but was delayed and didn’t start until 8 Pm. Despite the delay, Allu Arjun was notably absent from the event.

Please Note : No public entry for today’s #ThandelJaathara.

Enjoy the Iconic Event from the comfort of your homes...

Sahiba Bali Opens Up About Losing Roles To Kiara Advani, Triptii Dimri and Anushka Sharma (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Sahiba Bali is best known for her work in Shark Tank India and her roles with Star Sports and Zomato. She is also recognized for her versatile journey as an actor, cricket presenter, influencer, and content creator. Sahiba even had a role in Laila Majnu, where she played the sister of Triptii Dimri. In a recent interview, she opened up about her early struggles in Bollywood.

Sahiba revealed that she had auditioned for prominent roles in blockbuster films like Sultan, Kabir Singh, and Laila Majnu. Despite the heartbreak of not landing these iconic parts, Sahiba reflects on these experiences with positivity and gratitude, as these rejections have played a huge role in shaping her current career trajectory.

Sahiba Bali Believes She Did A “Horrible” Job In The Movie Auditions

In an interview with News18 Showsha,...

When Ram Gopal Varma’s First Wife Slapped Urmila Matondkar (Photo Credit – Instagram)

In a shocking development, Ram Gopal Varma has been convicted and sentenced to three months of imprisonment in a cheque bounce case by a magistrate court in Mumbai. Reportedly, the court has also asked to pay the director a compensation of 3.72 lakhs to the complainant within 3 months, failing which he will have to face another three months in prison. However, there have also been times when his personal life has made quite a lot of noise. In one such instance, Rgv’s first wife, Ratna, had allegedly slapped actress Urmila Matondkar after rumors of her affair with the director had started surfacing.

For the unversed, Ram Gopal Varma was speculated to share a close liking for Urmila Matondkar. He collaborated with her in several films and it was his film Rangeela which catapulted her into the main league.

Ram Gopal Varma Jail Sentence(Photo Credit – YouTube)

Director Ram Gopal Varma has been in the news lately for multiple reasons. A few days ago, he took X to share his guilt about losing track of his career after giving hits like Rangeela and Satya. Then, the director revealed his next project, Syndicate, which is set to be the biggest film he has ever made. The director has now made headlines again, although not for favorable reasons.

Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months in jail by the Andheri Magistrate Court in a cheque bounce case. The case, which has been ongoing for seven years, concluded on Tuesday.

Ram Gopal Varma was not present at the court hearing, which led to a non-bailable warrant

Back in 2018, a case was filed against Ram Gopal Varma by a company named Shree. As per a recent statement by the director, it...

Did Ram Gopal Varma Lose His Creative Vision After Making Satya? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Ram Gopal Varma is one of the most famous directors in Indian cinema. He is celebrated for his groundbreaking films like Rangeela (1995) and Satya (1998). The director was just 33 years old when Rangeela, starring Aamir Khan, became a critical and commercial blockbuster. While Rgv was hailed all around India for these two movies, he has admitted to being “blinded” by their success.

As these masterpieces cemented his reputation in Indian cinema, Varma found himself going far away from his core values as a filmmaker. In a heartfelt note shared on his social media, Varma revealed how the acclaim of Satya and Rangeela caused him to lose sight of storytelling. The realization struck him during a recent screening of Satya, his first viewing of the film in nearly 27 years.

Ram Gopal Varma Became Emotional After Rewatching Satya 27 Years Later

Recently,...

There are so many stories related to the making of Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya, it is hard to tell the trees from the wood, so to speak. The film has been mythologised beyond a reasonable pout. And I do mean pout, what with the film’s leading lady doing a facsimile of an authentic Mumbai working girl.

Urmila Matondkar plays a struggling singer who sings in Lataji’s voice, and gets propositioned by a music director(the late Neeraj Vora) who tells her, ‘Talent is okay, but what else do you have to offer?’

One could ask Ram Gopal Varma the same question. He brings together a gallery of outstanding actors in Satya. But most of the players are swamped by sinking sense of sketchiness, even the protagonist: where does Satya(a subdued J. D. Chakravarthy) come from, why does he behave like a trained Ninja when he is supposedly a virgin to violence?...

A special screening was held on January 15th to celebrate Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya. The director along with composer Vishal Bhardwaj, Aditya Kashyap as well as Manoj Bajpayee and Urmila Matondkar among others came together to celebrate both its release 27 years ago and that it once again is playing on the big screen.

After the screening, Ram Gopal Varma spoke with Subhash K Jha in an open and reflective conversation to share his experience of seeing the film once again.

What was the experience like?

By the time Satya was rolling to an end, while watching it two days back for the first time after more than twenty-five years, I started choking and tears were rolling down my cheeks and I didn’t even care if anyone would see. The tears came from somewhere deep inside me not just for the film, but it was for everything that had...

Ram Gopal Varma’s drama Satya, which starred J. D. Chakravarthy, Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee, Paresh Rawal, Aditya Srivastava

And Saurabh Shukla is back in theatres again after 27 years. Talking with Subhash K Jha, Manoj Bajpayee revisits Satya.

Manoj, how was the special screening of Satya last night?

It was a great screening actually, an amazing interaction when the entire press was there and also so many assistant directors and so many production people, some of the actors, Urmila and Chakravarti, Makrand Deshpande, all of us…Anurag Kashyap made it, Vishal Bhardwaj and yes, of course Ram Gopal Varma.

To be meeting them all together after so many years!

It was great meeting first of all everyone after such a long time. It really seemed to me as if there was no time lost, there was never a gap coming back together and really talking about all those things that...

Sai Pallavi, one of the most beloved actresses in South Indian cinema, is back! And this time, she’s stepping into a role that promises to break new ground. The buzz around Thandel, directed by the talented Chandoo Mondeti, is soaring, and fans can’t wait to see Sai Pallavi back in action. But what exactly makes this role so special for her? Why is Thandel poised to be a game-changer in her already impressive career? Let’s dive into what we know so far and why this film is significant.

From Girl-Next-Door to Powerhouse Performer: Sai Pallavi’s

Sai Pallavi first stole our hearts with her natural charm and impressive acting chops in Premam. Since then, she’s carved a niche for herself by choosing roles that resonate with audiences. Whether it’s her emotionally intense performance in Maari 2 or her heartwarming portrayal in Love Story, Sai Pallavi has...

Written and directed by Upendra, Ui is a socio-political satire where the filmmaker takes an unconventional approach to express his opinions and present his viewpoint to his audience. When it comes to giving a social message, I believe that Ui does a great job, but that said, it is hard to sit through the entire duration of the film. The film lacks entertainment value, and somewhere, it isn’t able to captivate you entirely. You understand the motive of the filmmaker and how he is trying to make a difference through his voice, but in my personal opinion, you need more than just a positive message to grasp someone’s attention. So, let’s find out what the film has to offer and what Upendra wants to say about the society we live in.

Spoiler Alert

Why wasn’t Kiran Adarsh writing the film review?

A film named “Ui” was released in theatres,...

Bollywood Mascot: Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya remains a milestone in Indian cinema, celebrated for its raw portrayal of Mumbai’s underworld and its unforgettable characters. Among them, Manoj Bajpayee’s portrayal of Bhiku Mhatre stands out as a cultural phenomenon. Recently, the film’s director, Ram Gopal Varma, revealed a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about the inspiration behind this iconic role.

The Real-Life Inspiration for Bhiku Mhatre

In a recent interview, Ram Gopal Varma disclosed that Bhiku Mhatre’s character was partially inspired by a real-life individual he had encountered during his research for the film. Although he did not name the person, Varma mentioned that the individual’s magnetic personality, quick wit, and unique mannerisms served as a foundation for the role.

The character’s blend of charm and menace, as well as his raw authenticity, made Bhiku Mhatre resonate deeply with audiences. Manoj Bajpayee’s stellar performance added layers of depth,...

Joker: Folie à Deux has suffered yet another unfortunate milestone. The sequel, which followed the $1 billion 2019 movie, had a massive $200 million budget. Unfortunately, it failed to capture much respect from critics and audiences. Rather than enjoying the breakout success of the original, it earned just $206 million. That total may have exceeded Joker 2's enormous budget, but it could not make up for the losses incurred by a high marketing budget and the cuts that theaters took from the profits. The movie became an instant box office failure.

Joker 2 also faced challenges from critics. The movie earned a 31% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 32% Popcornmeter score. These poor responses contributed to toxic word-of-mouth. Audiences complained about its unnecessary transition into becoming a jukebox musical, and as Joaquin Phoenix's leading man became a shadow of his original self. The movie failed to become a crowd-pleaser, which is why...

Here’s All We Know About The Re-Release Of Manoj Bajpayee’s Satya (Photo Credit – Sony Liv)

Manoj Bajpayee had a decent run in 2024 with the theatrical release of Bhaiya Ji. The action-thriller received mixed reactions from audiences but acquired widespread favor upon its debut in Ott. Speaking of crime thrillers involving the Family Man actor, the association between Ram Gopal Varma and Manoj Bajpayee has always been considered a cult classic, thanks to the iconic film Satya.

Amid the wave of re-releases, PVR Inox has announced the re-release of Satya on the big screen, bringing the cinematic masterpiece back to theaters.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PVR Cinemas (@pvrcinemas_official)

Trending Sky Force: When Will Akshay Kumar-Led Aerial Action Film’s Trailer Release? Potential Date & Duration Reports Explored

Suhana Khan & Agastya Nanda’s Dating Rumors Intensifies After Their New Year Celebration Pics Go Viral!

At one point in Baby John, a little girl named Khushi (Zara Zyanna) hides under a bed, screaming with fear. Outside, bad guys are pulverizing her caretakers. She can hear the mayhem and anticipate that bad things are coming her way.

The scene made me wonder why her father, the titular Baby John (Varun Dhawan), hadn’t trained her the way that Honey instructs her young daughter Nadia in Citadel: Honey Bunny, also starring Dhawan as Nadia’s father. Nadia is such a pro at dealing with murderous attacks that when one takes place, Honey just tucks her into a trunk, puts headphones on her ears and tells her to listen to the song and not come out.

Incidentally, both Nadia and Khushi belong to a club particular within Indian cinema — that of overtly precocious kids who speak like adults. (I think of the cancer-stricken Sexy from Cheeni Kum as the president of this club.

Baby John, directed by Kalees, is an official remake of Atlee’s 2016 thriller drama, Theri, starring Vijay in the lead role. Before Baby John was released, Atlee had announced that it was not a scene-for-scene copy but merely an adaptation of Theri. Though there were many scenes that were replicated in the exact same manner, there were a few characters and subplots that were changed in Baby John. So, let’s track down the major differences between Baby John and Theri and find out the motivation of the creators behind doing so.

Spoiler Alert

Ashwin’s death

In Vijay starrer Theri, we saw that the goat herders found the young victim and then took her to the hospital. That poor girl succumbed to her injuries in the hospital itself. Baby John made things a bit more dramatic as the victim there burned to death in front of Satya’s eyes.

Directed by Kalees, Baby John follows the life of a Dsp named Satya Verma, who fought for justice all his life and made sure that the rule of law prevailed. But then something unprecedented happened in his life, and he had to change his ways. Atlee aims to create a cop universe, and so many more cops-turned-vigilantes will be a part of this world and support Baby John to fight for the country and help the downtrodden and the underprivileged. So, let’s explore the events of the film in a chronological order to find out if Baby John was able to save his daughter or not.

Spoiler Alert

How did Satya meet Meera?

Dcp Satya Verma was a no-nonsense cop, and he was the kind of man who knew that one had to be a part of the system to fix it. Whenever he saw a person being oppressed,...

Baby John’s ending hinges on the faceoff between Dcp Satya Verma and Nanaji Aka Babbar Sher. Other than having his fingers in a lot of pies, Babbar Sher is the head of an international human trafficking racket, while his son, Ashwin, is a serial rapist. When Ashwin molests and murders a schoolgirl named Amba, Satya retaliates by killing Ashwin. Nanaji hits back by attacking Satya while he is meeting his beloved Meera and her family. Then Satya humiliates Nanaji and throws him in jail. [Spoiler Alert] After a few years, Nanaji walks out a free man and shoots Satya, Meera, and Satya’s mother, and leaves Satya and Meera’s daughter, Khushi, to drown. Satya’s mother dies on the spot, Satya and Meera are fatally wounded, and Khushi is barely breathing. While she is on her last legs, Meera forces Satya to save Khushi and then resign from his job to focus only on Khushi.

Varun Dhawan-Led Baby John’s Reported Ott Release Date Revealed ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

After a long time, Varun Dhawan is back with an action thriller, Baby John, which hit the screens today. The audience has been getting a mixed response, and it is too early to give out the verdict. However, it is not too early to discuss the Ott details of the movie. Some people might want to know where the thriller will arrive and when! Scroll below for the deets.

About the movie –

It was directed by Kalees and is the Hindi remake of Atlee’s 2016 Tamil movie Theri. It is headlined by Varun alongside Keerthi Suresh, Waqima Gabbi, Zara Zyanna, and Jackie Shroff. The film has been produced under Jio Studios, Cine 1 Studios, Vipin Agnihotri Films, and A for Apple Productions.

The original movie was loosely inspired by the 1990 Tamil movie Chatriyan and the 2013 Hollywood movie Homefront.

Baby John Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Zara Zyanna

Director: Kalees

Baby John Movie Review ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

What’s Good: Varun Dhawan’s honest efforts, background scores, some action sequences, Salman Khan’s cameo

What’s Bad: Shoddy and poor execution of the screenplay and editing, occasional plot holes, a lack of connection with the emotions, cringe-worthy dialogue, not all performances landing, and some Illogical action sequences.

Loo Break: You can take one in the middle of those unnecessary soundtracks that randomly appear in the middle of the film despite having nothing to do with the plot.

Watch or Not?: Varun Dhawan and Salman Khan’s fans might have a fun ride, but otherwise this is overall a huge letdown and can be enjoyed on Ott too.

Language: Hindi

Available On: Theatrical Release

Runtime: 159 minutes

User Rating:

The...

When Shyam Benegal Convinced Manoj Bajpayee To Play A Prince In Zubeidaa (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Legendary director and screenwriter Shyam Benegal died at 90 on Monday (December 23). The pioneer behind movies acclaimed movies like Manthan, Ankur, Mandi, Mujib, and other notable works, his death has marked a significant loss for Indian cinema. Those who had associated with Benegal spoke highly of his unique vision. One of them was actor Manoj Bajpayee, who worked with the director in the 2001 film Zubeidaa. In a throwback interaction, Bajpayee revealed how the filmmaker had convinced him to play a royal prince in the movie even though he was skeptical before taking the role.

What Did Manoj Bajpayee Reveal About Shyam Benegal?

Manoj Bajpayee revealed to Pti that he met Shyam Benegal a few years after the success of his film Satya wherein he had played the iconic role of gangster Bhiku Mhatre. The director of Satya,...

The countdown has begun! Varun Dhawan’s much-anticipated festive entertainer Baby John is just 7 days away from hitting theaters, promising a Christmas treat packed with laughter, drama, action, and full-on entertainment.

The makers have unveiled a captivating new poster, sparking buzz about whether Varun Dhawan is set to surprise fans in a double role.

Director Kalees helms the film, which offers a complete cinematic package—thrilling action sequences, soulful songs, heartfelt emotions, and a meaningful storyline. Adding to the excitement, Baby John marks Varun Dhawan’s first-ever portrayal of a cop, showcasing him in a rugged, never-seen-before avatar.

About the film, Varun Dhawan shares, “I’m beyond thrilled to be a part of Baby John. This film is a deeply emotional and powerful journey, and it’s been an incredible experience bringing this character to life. The trailer offers just a glimpse of this story’s intensity and heart, and...

In this age of larger-than-life ‘mass’ movies, it is surprising that the makers planned a film capitalizing on the stardom of a female star like Alia Bhatt. With this, the makers made a bold move and offered a response to the toxic masculinity, sexism, and misogyny celebrated on screen. However, setting aside the political undertone, ‘Jigra‘ delivers a mediocre experience, failing to engage due to its loose screenplay and the director’s excessive attempts to emulate a Tarantino-esque style.

‘Jigra’ tells the story of Satya and her unconditional love for her brother, Ankur. After their father takes his own life, Satya assumes responsibility for Ankur and vows to protect him at any cost. But suddenly, one fateful event shatters their world as Ankur is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death penalty, leaving Satya to fight to save him.

Check also this interview

This story clearly positions ‘Jigra’ as a prison break film.

Manoj Bajpayee is familiar with the crime genre. His breakout role was that of Bhiku Mhatre in one of the greatest Hindi films of all time, Satya, where we got a peek into a version of Mumbai’s underworld. Then he was in Shool, which focused on crime and politics in Bihar. He played Veerendra Pratap in Raajneeti, which was an amalgamation of Mahabharat and The Godfather. He was integral to the evolution of the landscape of Hindi cinema that was triggered by Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur duology. He is currently the face of the Silence franchise. Through The Family Man and Killer Soup, he has shown he is incredibly comfortable with flexing his acting chops through the episodic format on the small screen. So, I think it’s pretty normal to be hyped about his next project. But I’d advise you to keep your excitement at bay,...

Top Telugu Films Of 2024 Highlights (Photo Credit – Facebook)

2024 has been a roller coaster ride for filmmakers and audiences as they witnessed a succession of blockbuster successes and unexpected disasters.

From Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Karam and Prabhas’ Kalki to Jr. Ntr’s Devara and the much-awaited lag (2023)-the end of the year Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule—Tollywood has not only flaunted its stars but also impressed with the quality of storytelling.

Beating the hit ratio of the previous year, a broader spectrum of films, including big-budget flicks and sleeper hits, were popular during 2024.

Here’s a list of the Top 10 Telugu films of 2024.

Hanuman

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hanu⭐️Man (@tejasajja123)

Hanuman is a Telugu superhero movie directed by Prasanth Varma. The film casts Teja Sajja, Amritha Aiyer, and Varalakshmi Sarathkumar in the prominent lead roles, along with Vinay Rai, Raj Deepak Shetty,...

Baby John Trailer Review (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The wait is finally over! Varun Dhawan’s much-awaited action-thriller flick Baby John’s trailer has been unveiled by the makers. Fans were waiting with bated breath to witness what the combo of Atlee and Dhawan has in store for them. Check out our trailer review for the film.

Baby John Trailer Review

The trailer begins with John (Varun Dhawan) who is shown to be a dutiful father to his daughter Khushi (Zara Zyanna). She fondly calls him ‘Baby’ and see a childlike streak to him whenever he is around her. However, soon it is revealed that John may have a more sinister past. The Baby John trailer then gives us a glimpse of Dhawan as Dcp Satya Verma who is a no-nonsense police officer. It is hinted that he faced a dangerous foe in a criminal called Babbar Sher (Jackie Shroff) whose...

Jigra Ott Release ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The Alia Bhatt starrer Jigra is heading for its Ott release soon. The movie was released on October 10, 2024, to the theatres. Even though the film failed to do wonders at the box office, it garnered immense critical acclaim.

Jigra Plot

Jigra revolves around an elder sister’s quest to go to any lengths to protect her younger brother. Alia Bhatt plays Satya, a young woman whose life revolves around her younger brother Ankur (Vedang Raina) after they are orphaned as kids. However, her life turns upside down when her brother is imprisoned in a foreign land under false charges. The situation worsens after it is revealed that he has gotten a death sentence. When all hope seems futile, Satya devises a prison break plan to rescue her brother, which is nothing less than a suicide mission.

When And Where To Watch Jigra Online?

Those...

Here’s How Ram Gopal Varma Felt About Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Ram Gopal Varma is all praise for Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal. The ace filmmaker recently had a conversation with Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, expressing his admiration for his work.Rgv revealed that he was so impressed by the violence in the film that it still haunts him. He also talked about what he liked and disliked in the movie, revealing that the father-son relationship storyline did not quite work for him.

Ram Gopal Varma Praises The Violence In Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal

Ram Gopal Varma’s interaction with Sandeep Reddy Vanga has been posted on the former’s YouTube channel. During the chat, Rgv revealed he fell in love with Animal when Ranbir’s character, Ranvijay, started using a machine gun. “For me, the moment this guy comes back with a machine gun, I decided to love the film.

Fan Reactions To Zebra (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Satyadev starrer Telugu action crime thriller Zebra was released in the theatres today (November 22). No sooner was the film released on the big screen than netizens started reacting to the same. Many fans have been calling the film a surprise package and a potential blockbuster.

Netizens React To Zebra

One of the netizens stated, “Satyadev makes a solid comeback. Zebra floats with a mix of fun, and thrill and is full of twists. Director’s sharp writing and engaging screenplay keeps you hooked. Pre-climax and climax twist land perfectly.” A fan added, “Crazy response for Zebra movie overall. A good story and a beautiful content. Acting wise, brilliant. Expecting a blockbuster hit. Go experience it in your nearby theatres.”

Another netizen gave a detailed review, comparing Zebra to Dulquer Salmaan’s Lucky Baskhar. The review read, “Unexpected fire. Easily one of the...