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Releasing in 2018, Siddharth P Malhotra’s second film, the terrific Hichki which, starred Rani Mukerji, who was absolutely brilliant in the drama. In this exclusive and excellent in-depth interview, the director talks to Subhash K Jha about the making of Hichki, working with Yrf and Rani Mukerji, and so much more!

Tell me about the genesis of your Hichki with Rani Mukerji playing a schoolteacher suffering from Tourette Syndrome?

My earlier film We Are Family with Kajol and Kareena was declared average at the box office. For a first-time filmmaker, it’s heartbreaking, and there are various other vulnerable feelings in a film that meant so much to him.

The second film is always more difficult?

That’s right. I listened to much advice as a maker, only to realise if you listen to sundry advice and accept then no blame game can be justified ever. My next film was...

Subhash K Jha talks with director Vishwas Paandya on the one where Anupam Kher- Manish Paul play a family of contract killers in his debut film Baa Baa Black Sheep, which released in 2018.

Debutant director Vishwas Paandya chose a very unusual comedic subject for his first film Baa Baa Black Sheep.

“It’s the story of a contract killer masquerading as a cashew nut seller, played by Anupam Kher, who must now reveal the family business to his son, played by Manish Paul, to carry the bloody legacy forward. The humorous pandemonium that ensues forms the crux of the plot,” says Vishwas, whose father, Jayendra Pandya, was a well-known producer in the 1970s associated with renowned filmmakers like Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

“The world I created in Baa Baa Black Sheep is far removed from the cinema my father was associated with. I grew up on everything from David Dhawan to Guy Ritchie,...

The latest trailer for Universal's live-action update of "How to Train Your Dragon" is here, once again making us wonder: Why do we need this movie when the animated version is already great? The new footage offers no answers, but by dropping during Super Bowl Lix, it'll no doubt inspire a few million more people to ask the question.

Admittedly, this new installment in the franchise (which began with the cartoon feature of the same name in 2010) does have a few things going for it, including the return of original trilogy writer-director Dean DeBlois and an animation style that somehow manages to capture the overwhelming cuteness of its heroic black dragon, Toothless. 

The first trailer for the live-action "How to Train Your Dragon," which dropped in November 2024 before screening in theaters with Universal's "Wicked," didn't stray from the original film much at all in terms of its visuals or plot beats.

Jannat Zubair Rahmani Vs Ankita Lokhande & Rupali Ganguly Salary (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Jannat Zubair Rahmani is one of the most bankable faces of the Indian TV industry and one of the most accomplished social media influencers on the block. At the mere age of 23, she has garnered a whopping net worth of more than 200 crore. Not only this, but her paycheck has also toppled some prominent starlets of the TV industry, which includes the likes of Ankita Lokhande and Tejaswwi Prakash when it comes to reality TV shows. Here is a comparison of their remuneration per episode for their fiction and reality TV shows.

Jannat Zubair Rahmani

Jannat Zubair Rahmani has been part of TV shows like Phulwa, Dill Mill Gaye, Siyaasat, Tu Aashiqui, and Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se. She was also seen in the Shraddha Kapoor starrer Luv Ka The End and in the film Hichki opposite Rani Mukerji.

"Dad, I can't kill dragons..." Universal Pictures has debuted another new 60-second promo teaser for their live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie, which will hit theaters in June this summer. The original Httyd movie opened in theaters in 2010, and it was such a huge success for DreamWorks Animation they went on to make two more sequels. The story follows a young Viking boy as he aspires to help hunt dragons, and how he becomes unexpectedly a friend of a young dragon he decides to name Toothless. From the same director as the original three animated movies before - Dean DeBlois is handling this live-action one as well. In this Httyd, Mason Thames (from The Black Phone) stars as Hiccup, Gerard Butler as Stoick, Nico Parker as Astrid, and also with Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, and Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur. This...

Mumbai, January 12, 2025: The vibrant city of Mumbai witnessed a remarkable press conference today as Ridhi Arora, a celebrated former child actress, came forward to share the extraordinary journey of her transition from the entertainment world to the corporate domain and her admission into three of the world’s leading business schools — London Business School (Lbs), Insead, and Indian School of Business (Isb). The event, held in the presence of her proud parents Pramod Arora & Namita Arora. Artist’s like Laxman Singh Rajput, Aayat Shaikh & film Director Sagar Joshi, Amit Kumar Anshu offered a glimpse into her inspiring story of perseverance, passion, and multifaceted talent.

A Stellar Beginning in Entertainment

Ridhi Arora’s journey began at the tender age of 8, when she ventured into acting through theatre. Her exceptional performances earned her numerous national awards from esteemed organizations like Ipta, igniting a spark that led her family to make a bold decision.

The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is responsible for some of the greatest and most memorable characters in DreamWorks Animation's history. From the endearing Hiccup to the inspiring Astrid, the film franchise introduced fans to compelling human characters and fun dragons alike. But there's one character in particular that truly sells the franchise and acts as the face of the series: the ever-lovable Toothless.

Toothless is an iconic figure because of his phenomenal character design, adorable mannerisms, and his role in the franchise at large. There's no denying how impactful of a character he has been in the pop culture landscape of the 2010s and beyond. While the list could theoretically be endless, there remain many reasons Toothless is the best character in the whole franchise.

Updated on January 4, 2025, by Lauren Younkin: With the live-action remake on the horizon, many are returning to the original How to Train...

Universal Stuidos' new Epic Universe expansion was recently billed as the ultimate immersive theme park experience, bringing guests into the world of Harry Potter, Super Mario, Hiccup and Toothless, and the Universal Monsters. It looked like the project would sizzle the House of Mouse, but new footage teases otherwise.

The Walt Disney World Resort might not have Dracula and the Mario Bros. on its payroll, but when has the company ever been afraid of some competition? Disney isn't just sitting on its Mickey Mitts while Universal builds. As seen in the footage below, it might be the start of a theme park turf war.

Walt Disney Worlds?

As Universal continues its campaign of multiple worlds and franchises, Disney just said, "Hold my Dole Whip" to give us the ad above. While the footage contains imagery we've all seen before, the way the script is written teases Disney is hiding something behind the pixie dust.

Vijay Sethupathi’s Maharaja Beats Prabhas’ Baahubali 2 At The China Box Office (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Vijay Sethupathi starrer Maharaja is enjoying a glorious run at the China box office. On its 21st day, the film has now achieved a humongous milestone. It has surpassed Prabhas’ Baahubali 2’s lifetime collection at the China box office to be the highest-grossing South Indian film in China.

Maharaja Surpasses Baahubali 2’s Lifetime Collection

According to the estimates in Sacnilk, Maharaja earned 85 lakhs in its day-wise collection at the China box office. This has resulted in the total China collection coming to 85.75 crores. For the unversed, the lifetime collection of the Prabhas starrer Baahubali 2 was 80.50 crores.

Trending Ram Charan Revealed Why He Grew Up Unaware Of His Father Chiranjeevi’s Superstar Status Pushpa 2 vs Baby John: Theatre Owners To Discontinue Allu Arjun’s Film Over 50% Screen Count Demand? Christmas Battle Gets Ugly! Maharaja...

Maharaja China Box Office Is Roaring At The Box Office! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Vijay Sethupathi’s Maharaja is all set to open with a huge number at the China Box Office. The film has been having a phenomenal run already with the previews and the opening numbers might be a revelation taking the 109 crore worldwide box office of the film further!

Maharaja China Box Office

The film’s premiere gross has closed at ¥4.61M (Chinese Yuan) which is almost 5.4 crore in Indian rupees. The film is expected to open with almost the same amount at the Chinese box office, with an opening of around ¥4.5M (Chinese Yuan).

Will Vijay Sethupathi Enter Top 10?

It would be interesting to see if Vijay Sethupathi enters the top 10 highest-grossing Indian films at the China box office. Currently, the tenth spot is occupied by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion that earned 89 crore at the China box office in its lifetime.

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon has revealed its first look at the character Hiccup ahead of its release. The film is planned to hit theaters in June 2025.

Empire revealed the exclusive first look at live-action Hiccup, who will be portrayed by Mason Thames (The Black Phone) in the remake. The upcoming film is written, produced and directed by Dean Deblois, the writer and director of the original Dreamworks Animation How to Train Your Dragon film trilogy. Empire's photo from the film shows Hiccup, the awkward son of Stoick the Vast. The photo shows young Hiccup standing and holding a shield in an arena as members of the Viking village watch earnestly.

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The glimpse at Hiccup is...

Update: Empire has now shared an official look at Hiccup. Talking to the site, director Dean DeBlois says, "[The movie is] so dialled-up in terms of stakes - having a fully credible, photo-real dragon stomping around trying to kill him."

You can see the still below and, beneath that, you'll find the original leak. 

World-exclusive...

How to Train Your Dragon successfully made the jump from books to film more than a decade ago, spawning a trilogy of beloved animated movies. However, when it was revealed that the first animated film in the franchise was being remade as a live-action entry, many fans were left skeptical about its prospects.

First images from live-action How To Train Your Dragon remake surface (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

According to reports, some images from the live-action adaptation have made their way online. As a result, netizens got their first look at the upcoming remake. Social media has since flooded with reactions to the looks of the fan-favorite pair Hiccup and Toothless in the live-action medium, with haters likely to change their minds after seeking the images.

How to Train Your Dragon Live Action Movie Drops First Images The Black Phone star Mason Thames plays Hiccup in the live-action remake (Credit: Universal Pictures...

They shape our minds, they inspire our souls, they change our lives. When it comes to teachers, no amount of words do justice to the impact they have in our journeys. But, where words fall short, art can always do the trick!

This Teacher’s Day, the best way to commemorate our beloved teachers could be by dedicating a film or series to them. Here are 5 films and audio series that celebrate the hard work, grit and spirit of teachers across the world:

To Sir, with Love ( Amazon Prime Video)

An all time classic starring late Hollywood icon Sidney Poitier, ‘To Sir, with Love’ has all the makings of an unforgettable viewing experience. From the very first scene, once we meet Mr. Thackeray (Poitier), we root for the man to transform the lives of some wayward and roguish students. The journey of one determined teacher who refused to give up...

Indian cinema stalwarts Rani Mukerji and Karan Johar are set to deliver a keynote address at the Australian Parliament House on Aug. 13. The event precedes the 15th annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (Iffm), which begins Aug. 15.

The invitation comes on the heels of a recently ratified co-production treaty between India and Australia. Mukerji and Johar will speak about cinema’s power to bridge cultures and unite audiences across geographical boundaries.

Mukerji, known for her versatile performances in films like “Black,” “Hichki,” and “Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway,” has been a prominent figure in Bollywood since the late 1990s. Johar, who made his directorial debut with the iconic “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” starring Mukerji, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Salman Khan, in 1998, has since become one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema, as a director, producer and media personality.

Mukerji said, “I’m proud to represent the Indian film...

Siddharth P. Malhotra’s directorial venture Maharaj is now streaming on Netflix, a hit with critics and audiences the film is now trending all over the world, however, more on that in a few lines.

Let’s set the stage, earlier describing the project, Malhotra shared that the film is set in the 1800s and is “inspired by true events.” “It is a film that shows the resilience of the human spirit and how a common man could wield the courage to help people around him and, thus, help society at large. Get set to get mesmerised into a world of horse drawn carriages, old school printing presses, kaccha roads, beautiful traditions and a man’s will power to do good. We are beyond thrilled to present Maharaj that is set to stream exclusively on Netflix, the world’s biggest streaming platform. A story like this will resonate to audiences...

Junaid Khan, the son of Indian superstar Aamir Khan, has scored a hit with “Maharaj,” his debut film role. The Siddharth P Malhotra-directed period piece uploaded to Netflix on June 21 and ranked in the top ten lists in 22 countries and territories.

In its second week, it was watched for 5.3 million hours, propelling it to second place in the streamer’s non-English language films list for the period June 24-30.

Set in the 1800s and drawing on a real-world libel case, “Maharaj” is a David vs Goliath story about how a regular man, a journalist by profession, takes on a powerful role-model of society, hailed by many as a messiah for the masses. The fearless reporter uncovers a series of incidents that shake the foundation of society.

Khan stars alongside Jaideep Ahlawat (“Jaane Jaan”), Sharvari (“Bunty Aur Babli 2”) and Shalini Pandey (“Jayeshbhai Jordaar”). Production started during the pandemic and spanned three years.

Maharaj Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, Sharvari

Director: Siddharth P Malhotra

Maharaj Movie Review(Photo Credit –Instagram)

What’s Good: The intention of telling such a critical story/case

What’s Bad: The uneven first half

Loo Break: It’s an Ott release, so you can decide

Watch or Not?: Yes

Language: Hindi

Available On: Theatrical release

Runtime: 162 Minutes

User Rating:

The Netflix film Maharaj begins with the birth of Karsandas Mulji in Gujarat, narrated to show his extreme curiosity. As a child, Karsan often questioned societal norms, such as why women must cover their faces with a ghungat or why widows cannot remarry. Growing up, he relocates to Bombay and becomes a journalist. Upon discovering the wrongful practices of the Maharaj, also known as JJ, and experiencing a personal loss, Karsandas becomes determined to expose the religious leader who manipulates his power to exploit followers,...

A new Khan is entering the scene. Junaid Khan, whose father is Aamir Khan, is debuting in an exciting new film on Netflix. Titled ‘Maharaj’ the drama is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra, known for his movies We Are Family and Hichki.

Set in the 1800s and inspired by actual events, the film is the story of the fight for the truth between a powerful man and a fearless journalist. “It is a film that shows the resilience of the human spirit and how a common man could wield the courage to help people around him and, thus, help society at large. Get set to get mesmerized into a world of horse-drawn carriages, old school printing presses, kaccha roads, beautiful traditions, and a man’s willpower to do good,” Malhotra revealed on Instagram.

About his young star, the director said, “This boy’s passion and dedication is truly unmatched.

Big news has been revealed for the live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie. The film has officially wrapped filming, as announced by the director with a new image from the set.

On Instagram, director Dean DeBlois announced that filming has wrapped on the new How to Train Your Dragon. The filmmaker praised the cast and crew for the 85-day shoot they'd spent together, happy with every facet of the production. He also included an image taken revealing some of the props on a table, teasing the medieval vibe of the How to Train Your Dragon remake.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dean DeBlois (@dean.deblois)

Related Dungeons & Dragons: How To Handle Travel And Rests Everyone knows that adventuring involves a lot of travel. And travel involves a lot of rest. Even in Dungeons & Dragons.

DeBlois included a message that noted, "Thats a wrap! Principal photography is complete in Belfast,...

Rohit Saraf is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi films and series. Here are some of his most notable works

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rohit Suresh Saraf (@rohitsaraf)

Early Life and Career

Born on December 8, 1996, in Kathmandu, Nepal, into an Indian family Moved back with his family to Delhi and was raised there; moved to Mumbai when he started modeling Father, Suresh Saraf, passed away when Rohit was 12 years old Completed early education at Saint Francis D’Assisi High School and then went to St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, for graduation

Notable Works

Dear Zindagi (2016): Made his film debut in a supporting role What Will People Say (2017): Played the cousin of the lead character in the Norwegian drama Hichki (2018): Starred alongside Rani Mukerji in the comedy-drama The Sky Is Pink (2019): Starred alongside Priyanka Chopra and Zaira Wasim in the...

Bollywood aspirants the world over wanting to feature alongside top Indian stars can now cut out the middleman.

Leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films (Yrf), the outfit behind Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone starrer “Pathaan,” and “Tiger 3,” led by Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, has launched its Yrf Casting app. Acting aspirants from across the world can get information about casting calls and submit their auditions via the app.

The Yrf Casting app, which is live now, will enable actors to register their profile details within the app. Registered users will get information about all the upcoming auditions related to theatrical films and streaming projects that the studio will greenlight. The app is designed as an online destination for actors to submit their auditions for these projects directly to Yrf. The studio will not charge a fee for applications.

The company believes that the app will tackle the issues...

The behind-the-scenes image showcases the bond between the live-action Astrid and Hiccup actors on the set of How To Train Your Dragon. The success of the live-action reboot will rely on the onscreen relationship between Hiccup and the dragon Toothless. It remains to be seen if the live-action Toothless can capture the same appeal and energy as the animated counterpart and if the actor can deliver a convincing performance alongside a computer-generated dragon.

A new behind-the-scenes image from the set of How To Train Your Dragon offers a glimpse of the bond between the movie’s live-action Astrid and Hiccup. Based on the children’s books penned by Cressida Cowell, Dreamwork’s How To Train Your Dragon franchise began with the 2010 animated movie and would eventually grow to encompass two sequels, multiple short films, and three spinoff television shows. A live-action reboot of the property was announced in February 2023, with...

DreamWorks' live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" has the potential to be the best one yet, thanks to director Dean DeBlois's involvement, who directed, produced, and co-wrote the original animated film. The passion of the cast and crew, including returning actor Gerard Butler and newcomers Mason Thames and Nico Parker, indicates that the remake is being made with creative value in mind, rather than just financial profit. The visually stunning and emotionally evocative scenes from the original film are expected to be enhanced by the live-action treatment, giving the remake the power to be a heartwarming and visually exciting work of art.

Live-action remakes of animated movies have been all the rage in recent years, but How to Train Your Dragon has the potential to be the best one yet, thanks to one critical creative feature. Disney has been leading the way with all its past remakes,...

The spectacular, death-defying action sequences in 2023 Bollywood hits like “Pathaan” and “Tiger 3” involve not just stunt work, but also a huge amount of visual effects (VFX).

Leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films’ VFX division yFX was founded in 2016 with its first major project being Ali Abbas Zafar’s wrestling saga “Sultan,” headlined by Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma. There were more than 2,000 VFX shots in the film, including CGI virtual sets, crowd multiplication and digital prosthetics.

The division is presided over by Sherry Bharda whose credits include the Dhoom and Tiger franchises, “Sin City” and “Genghis Khan,” amongst many others. Barda, who is an AMPAS member, reveals that several of the sequences in “Pathaan” and “Tiger 3” were shot during the pandemic, which came with its own set of challenges including travel restrictions and a limited number of people on set. It also meant that a lot of live...

Dunki Box Office (Worldwide): Shah Rukh Khan Surpasses Not One Or Two But Nine Films’ Lifetime Total… (Picture Credit: IMDb)

Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki has entered the 200 crore club (worldwide) in just five days, thanks to Shah’s firm hold in the international markets. Its nasty box office clash with Prabhas’ Salaar has resulted in what everyone kind of predicted the outcome to be. But, despite all the roadblocks, Rajkumar Hirani’s yet another attempt at bringing back families together in cinema halls rejoicing in the festive spirit seems to be doing its thing.

In India, the film has managed to clock 105.63 crores in 5 days, which proves why Srk certainly deserves to flaunt the tag of ‘Overseas Box Office King.’ Why so? Many of you may ask! It’s because the film has collected in a similar range internationally as it has earned back home.

At this pace,...

The Maharashtra government has decided to name a street in Andheri West in honour of late National Award-winning actor-director Vikram Chandrakant Gokhale on his first death anniversary on November 26, officials said here on Saturday.

The street is adjacent to the new headquarters of Cine & Television Artistes’ Association (Cintaa) and Cawt, which was inaugurated last month, and leads to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of the late actor’s wife Vrushali Vikram Gokhale, a galaxy of Bollywood and Marathi film personalities and political leaders, will perform the road-naming ceremony on Sunday.

Gokhale, who passed away last year aged 77, was a past President of Cintaa (2017-2022) when he contributed immensely to the welfare of Cintaa artistes and even donated one-acre land to the premiere association.

Cintaa General Secretary Amit Behl said that “Gokhale will be remembered for his overpowering histrionics and humanitarian initiatives, both...

The Maharashtra government has decided to name a street in Andheri West in honour of late National Award-winning actor-director Vikram Chandrakant Gokhale on his first death anniversary on November 26, officials said here on Saturday.

The street is adjacent to the new headquarters of Cine & Television Artistes’ Association (Cintaa) and Cawt, which was inaugurated last month, and leads to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of the late actor’s wife Vrushali Vikram Gokhale, a galaxy of Bollywood and Marathi film personalities and political leaders, will perform the road-naming ceremony on Sunday.

Gokhale, who passed away last year aged 77, was a past President of Cintaa (2017-2022) when he contributed immensely to the welfare of Cintaa artistes and even donated one-acre land to the premiere association.

Cintaa General Secretary Amit Behl said that “Gokhale will be remembered for his overpowering histrionics and humanitarian initiatives, both...

DreamWorks is following Disney's successful trend of turning animated movies into live-action hits with the upcoming live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon. How To Train Your Dragon is the best choice for a live-action remake among DreamWorks' animated lineup due to its relatable human characters and realistic world. The success of the original How To Train Your Dragon trilogy at the box office suggests that the live-action remake has the potential to perform well financially, which is crucial for DreamWorks' first foray into live-action remakes.

How To Train Your Dragon is set to be DreamWorks' first live-action remake of an animated movie, and the reasoning behind the selection is fairly obvious. After three animated movies focused on Hiccup and Toothless' adventures, DreamWorks confirmed in 2023 that original director Dean DeBlois is spearheading a new live-action remake. The focus on a new How To Train Your Dragon movie helped it...

Monika Shergill, VP, Content, Netflix India (left) and Akshaye Widhani, CEO, Yash Raj Films

India’s most legendary storyteller Yash Raj Films (Yrf) is coming together with the world’s leading streamer, Netflix to form a new multi-year creative partnership. The two iconic entertainers will collaborate to create films and series to bring defining stories to audiences in India and across the world.

The first project to come out of this partnership is the character-driver thriller, The Railway Men, a four-part series starring R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyendu Sharma and Babil Khan, which is directed by debutant director Shiv Rawail.

The second, Maharaj, is a film marking the debut of actor Junaid Khan and also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari & Shalini Pandey. The film is directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, whose last film Hichki was a global hit.

Monika Shergill, VP, Content, Netflix India, said, “We are passionate about serving...

Yash Raj Films (Yrf) is joining forces with leading streamer, Netflix to form a new multi-year creative partnership. The two iconic entertainers will collaborate to create films and series to bring defining stories to audiences in India and across the world. The first project to come out of this partnership is the character-driver thriller, The Railway Men, a four-part series starring R Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyendu Sharma and Babil Khan, which is directed by debutant director Shiv Rawail.

The second, ‘Maharaj’, is a film marking the debut of actor Junaid Khan and also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari & Shalini Pandey. The film has been directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, whose last film Hichki was a global hit.

Monika Shergill, VP, Content, Netflix India, said, “We are passionate about serving our broad audiences with series and films that they connect with and love, and we want to do more of this.

Yash Raj Films (Yrf) is joining forces with leading streamer, Netflix to form a new multi-year creative partnership. The two iconic entertainers will collaborate to create films and series to bring defining stories to audiences in India and across the world. The first project to come out of this partnership is the character-driver thriller, The Railway Men, a four-part series starring R Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyendu Sharma and Babil Khan, which is directed by debutant director Shiv Rawail.

The second, ‘Maharaj’, is a film marking the debut of actor Junaid Khan and also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari & Shalini Pandey. The film has been directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, whose last film Hichki was a global hit.

Monika Shergill, VP, Content, Netflix India, said, “We are passionate about serving our broad audiences with series and films that they connect with and love, and we want to do more of this.

Netflix and leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films (Yrf) have set a multi-year creative partnership.

The two entities will “collaborate to create films and series to bring defining stories to audiences in India and across the world,” they said in a statement.

The partnership will kick off with four-part thriller series “The Railway Men,” a previously-announced tribute to the unsung heroes of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. A cloud of toxic gas escaped from an American pesticide plant, in 1984, in the central Indian city of Bhopal. It killed and injured thousands of people. The protagonists of “The Railway Men” are workers at the Bhopal railway station who saved thousands of lives. It is the first production from Yrf Entertainment, the studio’s streaming production arm.

The cast is led by R. Madhavan (“Rocketry”), Kay Kay Menon (“Bambai Meri Jaan”), Divyenndu Sharma (“Mirzapur”), emerging talent Babil Khan (“Friday Night Plan”) and Sunny Hinduja...

Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji played the role of a sensitive and visionary teacher, Naina Mathur in her 2018 hit ‘Hichki’. Remembering her own mentors on Teacher’s Day, she said that her teachers were instrumental in shaping her career, and as such she tried to emulate them in ‘Hichki’.

Detailing the impact, her teachers had on her life, the actress said: “Teachers and mentors have played a very important role in my life. Thankfully, I was blessed to have found teachers who guided me and shaped my foundation as a child for the person that I have become today. I cannot thank them enough because they are the most important people for a child outside their home.”

As such, Rani Mukerji was excited to play the role of a teacher herself, and said: “So, when I got the opportunity to play a teacher in ‘Hichki’, I was thrilled. I tried to emulate the kind-hearted,...

Mumbai, Aug 3 (Ians) Actress Rani Mukerji will be conducting an exclusive masterclass on her illustrious journey in cinema at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (Iffm).

The special event will take place a day ahead of the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, on August 10.

Rani in a statement said: “I’m honoured to have been invited to the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. As an actor, I have been fortunate enough to receive incredible love from people in Australia and I’m looking forward to sharing my journey in Indian cinema through a masterclass that I have been invited to conduct.”

“I think it will be a beautiful experience to connect with my fans and cinephiles during this event. I’m ready to delve into some of the most memorable characters from my filmography and try to peel off layers of emotions and nostalgia attached to those characters and scenes,...

Over a career spanning two decades, actress Rani Mukerji has impressed audiences with her acting prowess. She credits her powerful performances to new directors for shaping her career and empowering her to have the love she has received in her journey in cinema.

Rani said: “If you look at the list of new directors that I have collaborated with, you will see how they have contributed in shaping my career, my craft and empowered me to get the love that I have got all through my journey in cinema.”

Rani believes that all the newcomers she has worked with throughout her journey in Bollywood, have one thing in common. They are always more hungry to disrupt because they are looking to make the biggest mark on the industry with their first few films.

“I have always been excited by new directors because I have believed that they are always hungrier...

Mumbai, May 30 (Ians) Actress Rani Mukerji has shared her vision to represent women correctly in Hindi cinema. She said that women are the backbone of a family and the society and that she has a responsibility to show this to people across the world.

Rani says, “As an actor, your vision for cinema and roles will constantly evolve but one thing that’s constantly stayed for me is the way I wanted to portray and represent women on screen. Women are the backbone of a family and the society, and I think, as an actor, I have a responsibility to show this to as many people as possible across my country and the world.”

She added: “Cinema can have a lasting impression on the minds of people. It is a very powerful tool to trigger a national conversation and I became conscious very early on in my career that I...

Yash Raj Films’ “Pathaan” is the biggest Indian hit of the year so far grossing $130 million. The studio’s Akshaye Widhani also served as a co-producer on the film.

Part of the release strategy around “Pathaan” was keeping Shah Rukh Khan away from the film’s promotions, creating curiosity around the superstar’s comeback film, the first time he’d headlined a project since 2018’s “Zero.”

“There was a lot of excitement and hunger to see India’s biggest movie star on screen after four years. We wanted to preserve that. So when we got into a room with him to talk about marketing the film, we all felt what if we went with a different strategy this time, which is less is more. So we hold back Shah Rukh, not have him seen pre-release, not have him interact with anybody pre-release,” Widhani told Variety. “But once the the film is out,...

Those live-action remakes of animated Disney movies have proven so lucrative at the box office since 2010 that it was inevitable that other studios would get in on the act. I had a hunch DreamWorks Animation would always be the next one to jump into this fray given that the studio has an extensive library of animated projects and has never been able to resist a buck. However, I’d always thought The Prince of Egypt or Shrek would be the first ones to get the remake treatment. Instead, it was a relatively recent title, How to Train Your Dragon. The idea of Hiccup and Toothless getting translated into live-action filled my heart with…just frustration more than anything else. We need to stop this. We need to stop live-action remakes of animated movies.

How To Train Your Dragon's live-action remake movie could be a bad idea for Universal for several reasons. DreamWorks turned How To Train Your Dragon into a wildly popular animated trilogy throughout the 2010s. Now only a few years after How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World ended the franchise, the studios have figured out a way to breathe new life into the massively successful IP. This comes as Universal follows in Disney's footsteps to remake one of its most beloved animated movies as a massive live-action remake.

Given the acclaim the How To Train Your Dragon animated movies received, there is some understandable pessimism around the idea of a live-action remake. While it could come across as a cash grab by the studios, the involvement of director Dean DeBlois - who helmed all three animated movies - and the return of composer John Powell means that the...

Composer-singer Jasleen Royal, whose track ‘Ranjha’ from the Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani-starrer ‘Shershaah’, became a nationwide sensation, is getting a positive response for her compositions in ‘Runway 34’ where she has the credit of a solo composer for the second time after ‘Hichki’. After the first song from the album, ‘Mitra Re’, her new […]...

It’s been 16 years since Bollywood star Rani Mukerji played the role of Vimmi, an infamous con-artist in Bunty Aur Babli, a local hit which took $3.4M at the box office This week, the multiple-award winning actor returns to the role for Bunty Aur Babli 2, the much-awaited sequel that hits Indian theaters on November 19 after its original release last year was delayed by the pandemic. The Hindi-language romantic comedy is backed by production giant Yash Raj Films and produced by the company’s chairman Aditya Chopra (who also happens to be Mukerji’s husband). Mukerji can also be seen in recent Hindi title Sooryavanshi’, which was released just after Diwali on November 5, taking $1.3M in its opening weekend in India.

This year, Mukerji is celebrating 25 years of her career as a Bollywood actor. She’s starred in a raft of commercially successful love stories such as Saathiya and Hum Tum,...

Mumbai, March 23 (Ians) The Rani Mukerji-starrer "Hichki" was released three years ago on this day. The actress lost her father Ram Mukherjee while shooting the film, and she recalls using his walking stick in the last scene of the film.

"I lost my dad around the same time I was filming for 'Hichki', and since my parents have been an integral part of my career and always see my films first, this was the first film my dad was not going to be there to see my performance," Rani recalled.

The 2018 film directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra is an endearing story about a teacher suffering from Tourette's Syndrome.

"In the last scene of the film where I am seen retiring as the principal of St. Notker's School, I used my father's walking stick, which was very special for me and yet it was heart-breaking. It was my way...

Exclusive: Bollywood star Rani Mukerji is set to lead feature drama Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, we can reveal.

Plot details are being kept under wraps on the film, but we understand the project is based on the controversial 2011 true story of an Indian couple whose children were taken away from them by Norwegian welfare services.

Indian studio Zee Studios and local producer Emmay Entertainment are behind the Hindi-language film, which is currently in pre-production. Ashima Chibber has scripted and will direct. Nikkhil Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and Monisha Advani are producing for Emmay.

Popular Bollywood star Mukerji, a recipient of seven Filmfare Awards, is known for movies including Yuva, Black, Mardaani, Mardaani 2 and Hichki.

Mukerji said: “There could have been no better way to celebrate my birthday today than announce this really important film. In my 25th year in cinema, I have possibly signed one of the most special and significant films of my career.

Mumbai, March 8 (Ians) Actress Rani Mukerji says the power lies with women to change the perception about how they are represented in every aspect of filmmaking. On the occasion of Womens Day on Monday, Rani added that if women celebrated each others success, they would be heard all the more.

"In my journey in the Hindi film industry, I have realised that the power is with the women to change the perception about how women are represented in every aspect of film-making. We have to support each other, root for each other and empower each other, so that the road is smoother for others who want to make a name for themselves in the male-driven industry. We have to celebrate each other and our successes collectively to ensure that we are all heard all the more," Rani said.

She considers herself fortunate to have got the opportunity to bring fantastic characters to life.

Mumbai, Dec 4 (Ians) Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji says she learnt a lot about humanity essaying roles as the specially-abled Michelle McNally in Black and the Tourette Syndrome patient Naina Mathur in Hichki.

"I learnt a lot about humanity by doing these outstanding, sensitive films like ‘Black' and ‘Hichki'. I think these films contributed to making me a better human being and I'm fortunate that I got to do these films and be a part of such beautiful cinematic visions of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Siddharth P. Malhotra. I hope these films managed to spark the right conversations in society about the need to treat everyone as an equal," she said.

"I learnt about the resolve of people who are determined to triumph despite the odds stacked up against them, their dreams, their aspirations and essaying these powerful girls on screen, made me a stronger human being. I'm grateful that I can talk,...

If you’re wondering what you’re going to watch this weekend, you don’t have to anymore, as Netflix has just added a whole bunch of new content for you to binge during your downtime, including a particularly popular animated film adored by children and adults alike.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 has landed on the service today, and it promises 102 minutes of equally funny, emotional and exciting viewing for the whole family. This sequel takes place five years after the original and catches up with Hiccup and Toothless on a brand new quest that deals with the hunger for power. With a solid 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, you’re almost guaranteed to love it.

Once the kids are asleep, though, you can always catch season 2 of Family Business, which is about a French family who turns their butcher shop into a marijuana cafe. It promises plenty of laughs,...

India celebrates Teachers' Day on September 5 every year in the memory of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was the first Vice-President and second President of the country.

Teachers are integral to one’s formative years, having left an impression which you may realise years later.

Also Read: Independence Day 2020: Patriotic Bollywood Dialogues that makes us proud as an Indian

Bollywood has paid its due to the evergreen character of the ‘teacher’ figure in more ways than one. Bollywood hasn't remained far from portraying the guru-shishya bond on the big screen. Somewhere, some time in our lives we have all met teachers who remind us of the gorgeous Ms. Chandni from ‘Main Hoon Na’, or Dr. Viru Sahastrabuddhe from ‘3 Idiots.

Check out Bollywood Teachears on this Teachers Day 2020 that we adore below: Amitabh Bachchan in Black Sushmita Sen in Main Hoon Na Aamir Khan in Taare Zameen Par Rani Mukerji...

ReviewA remake of the 2012 Tamil film ‘Sattai’, the movie carries a significant message but is a few decades late, especially in terms of the making.Aravind ShwethaShiva Rajkumar’s movies have a unique fan following. The lack of promotions don’t really matter, as a bunch of his fans are always eager to catch the first day first show. Still, Drona is one of the most under promoted films so far. Many fans did not even know that the movie was releasing today, and had lashed out at the team about it on social media. Surprisingly, the actor himself has stayed away from promotions for his last few films. Drona is a remake of the 2012 Tamil film Sattai. By making slight changes here and there, and adding the typical action masala to please Shiva Rajkumar fans, the director has come up with a relevant if predictable film. Guru (Shiva Rajkumar...

ReviewA remake of the 2012 Tamil film ‘Sattai’, the movie carries a significant message but is a few decades late, especially in terms of the making.Aravind ShwethaShiva Rajkumar’s movies have a unique fan following. The lack of promotions don’t really matter, as a bunch of his fans are always eager to catch the first day first show. Still, Drona is one of the most under promoted films so far. Many fans did not even know that the movie was releasing today, and had lashed out at the team about it on social media. Surprisingly, the actor himself has stayed away from promotions for his last few films. Drona is a remake of the 2012 Tamil film Sattai. By making slight changes here and there, and adding the typical action masala to please Shiva Rajkumar fans, the director has come up with a relevant if predictable film. Guru (Shiva Rajkumar...