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This time in his terrific This Day That Year feature series Subhash K Jha looks at Anubhav Sinha’s Thappad, which released in 2020 and featured the brilliant Taapsee Pannu.

Damaged humanism, fractured emotions, and flawed relationships are the crux of Great Cinema. If there was no Auschwitz, there would be no Schindler’s List. If Madhubala had not died so young, would we still think of her as being so unattainable? And if Romeo and Juliet had lived happily ever after, would Shakespeare’s play have become a timeless classic?

Thappad is a flawed but important film on a fractured marriage. Like director Anubhav Sinha’s earlier monumental works Mulk and Article 15, Thappad tears at the hypocrisy of the middle class to show how pathetically short we fall as a collective nation when it comes to basic human rights even within the four walls of private homes.

The issue in Thappad is ostensibly solvable.

Renowned director Anubhav Sinha, famous for impactful films like Mulk, Article 15, Thappad, and Anek, recently opened up about his experience making Ra.

One, a pivotal project in his career. In a frank discussion, Sinha talked about the hurdles he encountered during production, which ultimately contributed to the film’s struggles.

The Birth of Ra.One

Sinha shared that he first came up with the idea for Ra.One back in 2005 and started writing it the next year. However, it wasn’t until Shah Rukh Khan announced the film at a press event in Berlin that things really kicked off. Sinha recalled being bombarded with calls for eight straight hours, unable to confirm the news. When he finally got in touch with Khan, the actor simply said, “Why hide it?”

The Production Journey of Ra.One

Sinha admitted that Ra.One didn’t turn out the way he had hoped. Even with a...

When Rishi Kapoor Had Quit Acting (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Rishi Kapoor was hailed as the Og chocolate boy in the 70s and 80s with his endearing performances. With a prolific body of work, he was one of the most sought after actors in the film industry. However, there came a phase when the late actor had decided to quit acting because he got bored and thought he could not compete anymore with the younger lot of actors.

In a throwback interview in 2011 with Firstpost, Rishi Kapoor had said he had no regrets in life even though his name was never mentioned in the top league of actors. The Amar Akbar Anthony actor said, “I’ve no regrets in my life – even though my name is not there in the top names. I didn’t wait for stardom – Bobby was an instant hit in 1973 and it was after that, that...

After a 27-year hiatus from television, veteran Indian filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is making his streaming series debut with Netflix’s “Ic 814: The Kandahar Hijack.”

The six-episode thriller, based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, marks Sinha’s first return to long-form storytelling since his early days in television, which includes Dd Metro series “Sea Hawks.”

The drama, adapted from the book “Flight Into Fear” by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, explores the crisis from multiple angles. It offers a multifaceted look at the incident, showcasing the tense negotiations in Delhi’s War Room, the high-stakes diplomacy at Taliban-controlled Kandahar, and the terrifying ordeal faced by passengers and crew aboard the hijacked aircraft.

Sinha, known for socially conscious films like “Article 15” and “Thappad,” initially resisted the idea of making a series. “I was doing films, so I wasn’t interested,” he tells Variety. However, a persistent...

Netflix India has unveiled the highly anticipated trailer for its upcoming mini-series, “Ic 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” slated for release on August 29. The series delves into the harrowing 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight Ic 814, bringing to life one of the most traumatic events in India’s recent history.

The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring veteran actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Pankaj Kapur, and Patralekhaa. This project also marks the Ott debut of acclaimed director Anubhav Sinha, known for his impactful dramas like Mulk, Thappad, Article 15, and Bheed. Produced under his banner, Benaras Media Works, the series promises to be a gripping retelling of the events that unfolded during the hijacking..

The trailer offers a tense and immersive experience, capturing the extreme fear and uncertainty faced by the 188 passengers aboard the ill-fated flight. It opens with the sudden takeover of the aircraft by militants,...

Anubhav Sinha is set to make his streaming debut with “Ic 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” a thrilling series based on the real-life hijacking of an Indian aircraft in 1999 by five Pakistani militants. The series will premiere on Netflix India on August 29 and boasts an ensemble cast.

The teaser opens with Indian passengers preparing for takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, heading to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Vijay Varma, portraying pilot Sharan Dev, instructs the passengers to sit back and relax. Suddenly, five masked militants hijack the plane, putting the pilot at gunpoint and assaulting the air hostess, plunging everyone into terror.

Priyanka Chopra reacts on Citadel: Honey Bunny teaser says, “Vd and Samantha are incredible”

The stakes are high as the teaser emphasizes that the hijack is not just a crisis for the passengers but a matter of national security. Indian government officials, played by Pankaj Kapur,...

Neetu Kapoor, the veteran actor, honored her late husband and frequent co-star, Rishi Kapoor, on the fourth anniversary of his passing. She expressed that life hasn’t been the same since his departure.

Rishi Kapoor, famed for his performances in films such as “Bobby,” “Rafoo Chakkar,” “Karz,” “Agneepath,” “Kapoor & Sons,” and “Mulk,” passed away at 67 on April 30, 2020, after a two-year fight against cancer.

Neetu Kapoor shared a poignant picture of herself with Rishi Kapoor on Instagram, reminiscing about their collaborations in films such as “Rafoo Chakkar,” “Amar Akbar Anthony,” and “Do Dooni Chaar.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by neetu Kapoor. Fightingfyt (@neetu54)

Neetu Kapoor penned, “It’s been four years… life feels incomplete without you,” alongside the picture, adding the instrumental theme from Rishi Kapoor’s 1980 romantic thriller “Karz” to her post.

Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, the daughter of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, posted a...

Mumbai, April 21 (Ians) Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who scooped praise for his recent streaming series ‘Lootere’ and ‘Scoop’, is busy with the production of his new project.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the filmmaker shared snapshots from the shoot.

He showcased his sartorial elegance in the images, dressed in baggy pants, a white shirt, and a cream-coloured jacket.

In the caption, Hansal wrote: “Baggy pants. Nip in the air. On location with @rishghel @gyaskz.02 @nikita_bavishi.”

The first picture depicts the director surrounded by his crew at an undisclosed location against the backdrop of Victorian architecture.

The second picture captures the director briefing his actors inside an atrium with a staircase adjacent to him.

Members of the film fraternity flooded the comments section, praising Hansal for his choice of outfit.

Director Anubhav Sinha, who is known for ‘Mulk’ and ‘Article 15’, commented, “Star hai tu”.

Actress Neena Gupta wrote: “Kya style hai sir.

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

Spoilers Ahead

Tanvi Shukla

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

New Delhi, Feb 4 (Ians) The Indian diaspora spread all over the world has mostly stayed connected to its roots. And one of the institutions that keeps this connection alive is Indian cinema. These films could be in Hindi or in any of the South Indian languages.

The Indian film market is spread far and wide, but Indian films also have to conform to the local culture and sensibilities, mainly of the religious kind. We do not make films that are against any other country or its culture, but when it comes to religious sentiments, considering the mixed population we have, Indian films feature characters from different religious backgrounds. Yet, Indian films cannot always please all people.

Almost all countries exhibiting films have their own censorship bodies. It is also not uncommon for them to occasionally ban films from theatrical release. The reason could be a vulgarity, nudity or religious sentiments being hurt.

Actor Indraneil Sengupta, known for her roles in projects like ‘Mulk’, ‘Doctor G’, ‘Human’, is set to star in crime thriller drama ‘Aarya’ season 3, and opened up about the emotional baggage that came with his character ‘Sooraj’.

Acting plunges into emotions and complex characters that spark electrifying performances. However, mastering the art of separating reel from real life. That’s where the magic happens. It’s a testament to an actor’s skill when they can immerse themselves in a role on set, yet leave that character behind when they return home.

Indraneil opened up about playing Sooraj in the show.

The show is headlined by actress Sushmita Sen, who plays the titular character Aarya Sareen.

Talking about the same, Indraneil said: “My character is consumed by his demons. I do not want to sound too dramatic about it, but as actors, we have been professionally acting for quite some...

Actor Indraneil Sengupta, known for her roles in projects like ‘Mulk’, ‘Doctor G’, ‘Human’, is set to star in crime thriller drama ‘Aarya’ season 3, and opened up about the emotional baggage that came with his character ‘Sooraj’.

Acting plunges into emotions and complex characters that spark electrifying performances. However, mastering the art of separating reel from real life. That’s where the magic happens. It’s a testament to an actor’s skill when they can immerse themselves in a role on set, yet leave that character behind when they return home.

Indraneil opened up about playing Sooraj in the show.

The show is headlined by actress Sushmita Sen, who plays the titular character Aarya Sareen.

Talking about the same, Indraneil said: “My character is consumed by his demons. I do not want to sound too dramatic about it, but as actors, we have been professionally acting for quite some...

Top Indian actor and emerging producer Taapsee Pannu is on a tear with a welter of projects lined up.

Pannu debuted as a producer with horror-thriller “Blurr” (2022) that she co-produced via her Outsiders Films. The company’s next, “Dhak Dhak,” which follows four women who set out for a road trip to the highest motorable pass in the world on a motorbike journey of self-discovery, went on theatrical release on Oct. 13. While “Blurr” starred Pannu, “Dhak Dhak” sees her serving as a producer only and stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Sheikh and Sanjana Sanghi. “Dhak Dhak” is produced by Outsiders, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, BLM Pictures and One India Stories.

“When you release a film, that’s a different monster altogether, nobody’s understanding why you want to release this film in theaters, because it has no big stars, it’s got no formula and no conventional...

Mumbai, June 18 (Ians) Actor Manoj Pahwa, who is known for his work in films like “Article 15”, “Mulk”, the show “Office Office”, “Singh Is Kinng” and several other works, on Father’s Day revealed why family is so central to his existence and why he takes the role of a father seriously.

The actor began his acting journey with India’s first daily soap “Hum Log” in 1984 but put his ambitions on hold for many years to take care of his father’s business and also looked after his siblings.

“Both Seema (his wife) and I come from close-knit families and grew up seeing how much our parents did for our education, well-being, and our future. We imbibed their values of commitment and sacrifice and as parents, we learnt to find a balance between work and family. During school breaks in summer, we consciously made the decision to not take...

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is known for films such as ‘Mulk’, ‘Article 15’, ‘Ra.One’ and the most recent ‘Bheed’, had a walk down the memory lane.

Taking to his Instagram, the director shared pictures from the Day 1 of shooting of his films ‘Ra.One’ and ‘Mulk’ in two separate posts.

The first picture shared by Anubhav shows him in the company of the late actor Rishi Kapoor. The two can be seen in an intense conversation as the director appears to be explaining something to his actor.

He captioned the picture: “Shoot Day 1 #Mulk. I so miss him.”

The other post shared by Anubhav shows Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan doing pooja with the director on the first day of shoot on ‘Ra.One’.

Anubhav wrote in the caption: “Shoot Day 1 #Ra.One. what a ride that still goes on.”

‘Ra.One’ is considered to be a game-changer in Indian animation and VFX.

Mumbai, April 30 (Ians) Veteran actress Neetu Kapoor has remembered her late husband-actor Rishi Kapoor on his third death anniversary.

Taking to her Instagram on Sunday, Neetu shared an old memory with Rishi. In the image, the couple posed together and smiled for the camera.

She captioned it: “You are missed every day with all the wonderful happy memories.”

Rishi Kapoor passed away at 67 in 2020, after a two-year battle with leukaemia. He worked in many films including Kabhi Kabhie, Bobby, Rafoo Chakkar, Chandni, Agneepath, Amar Akbar Anthony, Do Dooni Chaar, Naseeb, Ajooba, Kapoor & Sons, Mulk and 102 Not Out among many others.

Neetu was last seen on screen in JugJugg Jeeyo alongside Varun Dhawan, Anil Kapoor and Kiara Advani.

–Ians

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Mumbai, March 24 (Ians) Bollywood woke up to a sad morning on March 24 with the news of filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar passing away. Sarkar, who is known for many of his notable works like ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S’, ‘Parineeta’, ‘Mardaani’, and others, was working on a biopic on the life of late Bollywood actress Priya Rajvansh.

Priya Rajvansh died under mysterious circumstances, titled ‘Priya Interrupted’ to be produced by Deepak Mukut.

While the late filmmaker was expected to start shooting ‘Priya Interrupted’ this year, producer Deepak is shocked and deeply saddened by his passing away.

He informed: “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Pradeep Da. Apart from being an extremely talented filmmaker and storyteller, he was a very large-hearted person and kind soul. The Priya Rajvansh biopic ‘Priya Interrupted’ was his dream project and he had already worked out the story, set design and costumes for the project.

Entertainment‘Bheed’ will hit theatres on March 24.IANSFilmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is known for his films such as Mulk, Article 15, Tum Bin, Dus, and Thappad, is awaiting the release of his upcoming film, the pandemic drama Bheed. The director, on Tuesday, March 21, took to Instagram to share a lengthy note about the film and made a heartfelt and honest appeal to the audience to judge the film for what it intends to convey. He shared that the film's work related to its release was completed on Monday and that he himself saw the whole film for the very first time after all the work was done. Sharing the film's trailer, he wrote in Hindi, "Hello friends, Bheed is coming to theatres on March 24. The work on the film in the run up to its release went on till last night. I myself saw the final output for the first...

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is known for his films such as ‘Mulk’, ‘Article 15’, ‘Tum Bin’, ‘Dus’, and ‘Thappad’, is awaiting the release of his upcoming film, the pandemic drama ‘Bheed’. The director, on Tuesday, took to his Instagram to share a lengthy note about the film and made a heartfelt and honest appeal to the audience to judge the film for what it intends to convey.

He shared that the film’s work related to its release was completed on Monday and that he himself saw the whole film for the very first time after all the work was done.

Sharing the film’s trailer, he wrote in Hindi, “Hello friends, ‘Bheed’ is coming to theatres on March 24. The work was going on for the film in the run up to its release till last night. I myself saw the final output for the first time after it was done in the night.

After “Mulk” (2018), “Article 15” (2019), “Thappad” (2020) and “Anek” (2022), filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is back with “Bheed,” another hard-hitting film that shines a light on the fabric of Indian society.

The film is set during the 2020 Indian pandemic lockdown and tells the poignant story of migrant workers stranded without basic necessities while trying to go home to their villages. Shot in black and white, it is deliberately evocative of the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan when people were uprooted from their homes in the largest migration in history.

“When the pandemic hit, people were seeking help on Twitter. Everybody had different strengths so we were helping each other and, and I really got sucked into it. And that was the time when I felt that this film had to be made, this period of time has to be recorded, and I didn’t want it to be just a Coronavirus film,...

India’s Reliance Entertainment, a producer on Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans,” has pacted with T-Series and Anubhav Sinha’s Benaras Mediaworks to distribute Sudhir Mishra’s “Afwaah,” Sinha’s “Bheed” and Hansal Mehta’s “Faraaz” internationally.

First up is Mehta’s hostage drama “Faraaz,” starring Zahan Kapoor, Aditya Rawal, Juhi Babbar Soni, which releases Feb. 3. The film, which had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, unfolds over one night and is based on an incident in July 2016, where armed gunmen held up customers at the Holey Artisan Bakery, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for 12 hours, before killing 20 of them and two of the bakery staff.

Bangladeshi auteur Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s “Saturday Afternoon,” based on the same incident, was recently cleared for release after a four-year struggle with the Bangladesh Film Censor Board.

Next up is Sudhir Mishra’s thriller “Afwaah,” starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bhumi Pednekar, Sumeet Vyas and Sharib Hashmi.

Mumbai, Feb 1 (Ians) Director Anubhav Sinha, who is known for films such as ‘Mulk’, ‘Article 15’ and ‘Thappad’, is set to roll out another film titled ‘Bheed’. The film promises to be a powerful commentary on modern society and is based in the backdrop of the 2020 India lockdown. The film stars Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Kapur, Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza, and Ashutosh Rana, and is scheduled to release on March 24, 2023.

Talking about the film, the director said, “‘Bheed’ is a film that reflects the complexities and contradictions of our times. It is a story that sheds light on the social disparity that the country faced in the toughest of times. It was imperative for me to bring this story to life and share it with the audience.”

The film is jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and Anubhav Sinha’s Benaras Mediaworks.

Commenting on the matter, Bhushan Kumar stated,...

Soon the prestigious London Indian Film Festival will begin! Running from 23 June – 5 July 2022 you can go to the festival in cinemas in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds or experience it on your own sofa, at home, via the digital site www.LoveLIFFatHome.com.

As always, showcasing the best independent films from South Asia, this year’s lineup looks to be amazing! From the opening night film Dobaaraa to the closing night gala screening of Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story and every film, in the intriguing and exciting strands, Liff is shining the light on brilliant and thought-provoking cinema.

One of the highlights every year are the special and always fascinating In-conversation events, and for Liff 2022, they boast some incredible women.

Taapsee Pannu, the lead protagonist of Liff’s Opening film Dobaaraa, talks about the film and her fantastic career as an actress on June 25th.

The actress has been lauded...

As we told you earlier, Anubhav Sinha has brought together prolific filmmakers – Sudhir Mishra and Hansal Mehta for a unique anthology film with the pandemic as a backdrop. The film will be produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and Sinha’s production house Benaras Mediaworks.

Now we have some details about one of the films. The first story to get locked under the project is Sudhir Mishra’s short, which will star Taapsee Pannu.

Taapsee Pannu says, “The story is unique and never done before; it’s a socio-political drama that spans across two generations with the pandemic as the backdrop. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with a brilliant filmmaker like Sudhir Sir, who is so solid with his craft.”

Taapsee Pannu earlier worked with Sinha on the hard-hitting Thappad in 2020 and Mulk in 2018 and returns to his banner Benaras Mediaworks with this film. About reuniting with Sinha,...

CinemaDirector Ajay Bahl’s ‘Blurr’, starring Taapsee, will mark Outsider Films’ debut production venture.PTIfile photoActor Taapsee Pannu on Thursday announced her first production feature film Blurr, to be made under her banner Outsiders Films. Billed as an “edge-of-the-seat thriller", Blurr will be directed by Ajay Bahl, known for films like BA Pass and Section 375. Taapsee, who made the film announcement on Twitter, said she has backed the project along with Zee Studios and Echelon Productions. "And here's the first one of the slate. The chill to match the thrill ! #Blurr! @ZeeStudios_ #OutsidersFilms & @echelonmumbai come together for an edge of the seat thriller. Directed by #AjayBahl," she wrote. Ajay has co-written the story of Blurr with Pawan Sony. Param Gill and Kabir Lal are credited as co-producers. Taapsee , known for her critically-praised performances in Hindi films such as Pink, Mulk, Manmarziyaan, and Thappad, has teamed up with producer Pranjal Khandhdiya to start Outsiders Films.

Top Indian actor Taapsee Pannu has launched production company Outsiders Films alongside former Sony Pictures Networks executive Pranjal Khandhdiya.

Pannu who works in both Bollywood and the South Indian film industries, is known for her eclectic choice of roles including “Thappad,” for which won best actress at India’s prestigious Filmfare awards, “Badla” and “Mulk.”

Khandhdiya’s producer credits for Sony include “Piku,” “Poster Boys” and “Soorma,” in which Pannu was one of the leads. They also worked together on the upcoming “Rashmi Rocket,” co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP.

“I kind of identify myself as a very proud outsider from the Hindi film industry, who came from no background and somehow took years and made some space for myself,” Pannu tells Variety, explaining the rationale behind the company’s name. Once she achieved success as an actor Pannu began thinking about how she could give back to the industry...

Indian actor Taapsee Pannu is on a roll. She has just won best actress at India’s prestigious Filmfare awards for her role in Anubhav Sinha’s “Thappad” and wrapped shooting Anurag Kashyap’s “Dobaaraa.”

Pannu also has a raft of films coming up, including Sony Pictures’ official remake of “Run Lola Run” (“Looop Lapeta”), cricket biopic “Shabaash Mithu,” sports drama “Rashmi Rocket,” Netflix thriller “Haseen Dillruba” and comedy “Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan?”

Pannu began her career in South Indian cinema, debuting with Telugu-language “Jhummandi Naadam” in 2010, followed by Tamil-language “Aadukalam” (2011), which won a clutch of accolades at India’s national film awards. Even after breaking through into the Hindi-language Bollywood film industry, Pannu continues to act in South Indian films.

Early on in her career, Pannu made the bold (for India) choice of not being an ornamental foil to the leading man, instead switching to powerful, women-centric roles.

“People...

Actor Prateik, who is currently seen in the web series "Chakravyuh: An Inspector Virkar Crime Thriller" and the feature film "Mumbai Saga", says lockdown offered him a much-needed refuelling.

"I think the pause that we all took during lockdown, actually worked in my favour, if I may say, because I was working, shooting many projects in the last three years before lockdown started. So, my body was not getting enough rest that was required," Prateik said.

"I think during lockdown main apna neend ka qouta pura kar liya (completed my quota of sleep)," he laughed.

The actor recently finished shooting Madhur Bhandarkar's upcoming filmIndia Lockdown".

"It is a very special story that shows how during lockdown people from different walks of life survived. I play a very interesting character. We are done with the shooting of the film and the post-production will start soon," shared the actor.

Prateik has...

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha will deliver the prestigious Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture at the 26th Kolkata International Film Festival on January 9. He will share his views on the subject, Social Responsibility In Mainstream Indian Cinema.

Sinha's critically-acclaimed film Mulk will also be screened at the fest. The 2018 release, starring late Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu, tells the story of a Muslim family trying to reclaim its lost honor after a member of the family is involved in terrorism.

"I feel honoured to be invited to such a prestigious film festival where I have been showered with the esteemed responsibility of delivering the Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture. I look forward to meeting and interacting with eminent personalities there. I'm delighted that 'Mulk' will be screened at the festival," said Sinha.  --ians/nn/vnc...

Although a lot of speculations have been going on around director-producer Anubhav Sinha’s next project being a political drama, action thriller and other genres; we now hear from sources that Anubhav Sinha's next is a creature film set in the wild and lush forests of India. His Instagram suggests so!

According to sources, Thappad director Anubhav is all set to roll out a large-scale hush-hush project and is currently on a recce to find the best lush green locations in India. His social media is proof of how explorative he is getting with the preparations and continues to give us glimpses from the forests on an everyday basis. “Anubhav is holding onto this news very closely to his heart and wants to keep it under wraps until the locations and preparations are done. This will be the first time that he will be helming this big and extravagant creature...

Mumbai, Nov 12 (Ians) Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha on Thursday revealed he has quit smoking for roughly around a year, adding that no one should fall prey to the addiction.

"I am so happy I kicked this bad habit. Not even a year yet but still. No one should smoke. No one. Roughly 8 to 10 thousand cigarettes that I have Not smoked in roughly a year," Sinha wrote on Instagram.

Along with it, he posted a picture that shows him smoking cigarettes on the set ot his film "Article 15".

"Mar/Apr 2019. On set Article15. Photo by @kaamodkharade," he added.

Reacting to the post, actress Taapsee Pannu commented: "Come on."

Taapsee has worked with Sinha in the 2018 release "Mulk" as well as "Thappad", which released earlier this year.

Fans, too, urged Sinha not to start smoking again. "Please maintain this good habit. I know it's not easy giving up," a user wrote.

On the work front,...

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha reminisced about the first day shoot of his film Thappad starring Taapsee Pannu. The actress quipped if he had started planning their next because, according to her, his usual frequency of delivering a film is one per year.

Anubhav shared a picture on Instagram, where he sits with Taapsee for a pooja on day one of the filming.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE3SeUkJVBK/

He captioned: "This day last year. #Thappad Day 1 filming."

Taapsee took to the comment section and dropped a hilarious comment.

"Uffff. Ek saal ho gaya! Itni jaldi! Toh agli wali ki pooja plan karein? Usual frequency ek saal ki hai (it's been one year! So soon! So let's plan for the next pooja? The usual frequency is of one year)."

To this, Anubhav replied: "@taapsee usual frequency mein Pandemic nahin likha tha. Kitna time wasters ho Gaya yaar (Taapsee in the usual frequency the pandemic wasn't written.

Five of India’s leading filmmakers are joining hands for an as-yet untitled anthology film about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The project will be produced by filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s Benares Mediaworks. Other filmmakers contributing to the anthology include Ketan Mehta, Sudhir Mishra, Hansal Mehta and Subhash Kapoor.

“The past few months during the lockdown we have been speaking more regularly than ever before,” Sinha told Variety“. “Obviously a lot of those conversations have been about this pandemic that ground the whole world to a halt. We could see a lot change or unravel. I thought this must be recorded for posterity. We had to cherrypick the stories we would like to tell. It is a fascinating bunch we have put together.”

The filmmakers are all well-known chroniclers of the Indian condition. Sinha had a fruitful Bollywood innings, including big-budget sci-fi “Ra.One” starring Shah Rukh Khan, and then changed direction with religious intolerance drama “Mulk,...