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Maa Trailer Impact At Box Office Day 1: Kajol Puts Priyanka Chopra’s Position In Danger In Top 10 Female-Centric Openers? (Photo Credit – Instagram/YouTube)

Last year, Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan’s Shaitaan surprised everyone by minting impressive moolah and becoming a clean hit at the Indian box office. After over a year, the makers have returned with another promising horror flick, Maa. Featuring Kajol in the lead role, the film gives us the feeling of a complete winner from its recently released trailer. But has it boosted the film’s potential in fetching a good collection on day 1? Let’s discuss the trailer impact below!

Appetite for the horror content among audiences

Lately, we have seen that the audience is interested in horror content. From Bollywood, we saw films like Stree 2, Shaitaan, Munjya, and Tumbbad (re-release) performing brilliantly. So, it’s clear that the appetite for horror is there,...

The countdown is on. Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi, premieres in cinemas on 25th April 2025 is an unflinching exploration of survival, power, and the human spirit in times of crisis.

Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, the film, a high-intensity action drama, paints a portrait of the men and women who risk everything for the country. A story of intelligence, bravery, and sacrifice, Ground Zero uncovers the covert world of counterterrorism and the high-stakes missions that operate in the shadows, often unknown to the public, yet vital to national security.

Leading the cast is Emraan Hashmi, as Officer Dubey — a man torn between duty and personal cost. Alongside him, acclaimed actress Sai Tamhankar, portraying a character who stands as both an emotional anchor and a reflection of the human side of those in uniform.

Ground Zero explores the limits of courage and survival in a high-stakes conflict zone. The film...

In this Subhash K Jha feature, he focusses in Paoli Dam’s powerful vendetta act on Hate Story. Paoli speaks exclusively about the film.

Long before The Kashmir Files, Vivek Agnihotri directed this interesting revenge drama released on April 20, 2012. The fascist avenging woman has always been a favourite figure of fantasy fashioning for our films. Who can forget Nargis gunning down her own son in Mehboob Khan’s Mother India? The motivations for revenge in Hate Story are not quite the ones that impelled the woman protagonist to rise up in arms in Mother India or, for that matter, in Bhavna, a film directed by Hate Story producer Vikram Bhatt’s father Pravin Bhatt, where Shabana Azmi killed her own husband.

Really, who needs a gun to get even when you have sex? Paoli Dam doesn’t give a damn if her bare back or flesh flash across the screen.

Ajay Devgn Tabu Banter ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

If there’s one Bollywood friendship that continues to age like fine wine, it’s the one between Ajay Devgn and Tabu. While the magic of the duo is often witnessed on-screen, that magic is nearly overshadowed by their chemistry off-screen. In a throwback interview, Ajay had the internet buzzing when he hilariously joked about why Tabu is still single.

The Viral Moment: Ajay’s Joke That Stole the Spotlight

In a previous interview with Navodaya Times, Ajay Devgn didn’t hold back when asked about Tabu’s unmarried status. Without missing a beat, Ajay delivered a classic one-liner: “Tabu ko main hi chahiye, but main mil nahi raha hoon (Tabu wants me but that can’t happen).”

After the laughter died down and Tabu gave him a mock glare, Ajay quickly followed it up with: “Matlab mere jaisa yaar. Mere jaisa aur...

Celebrity MasterChef: Tejasswi Prakash’s Total Earnings 433% Higher Than Thecha Queen Nikki Tamboli! ( Photo Credit – SonyLiv )

In a classic turn of events, Gaurav Khanna lifted the trophy of Celebrity MasterChef India, and Tejasswi Prakash, who was expected to win the show as per speculations, finished third! The second spot was claimed by Nikki Tamboli, the official Thecha Queen of the cooking reality show.

While Tejasswi could not win the trophy, she won a personal meeting with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who encouraged her to fulfill her dream of owning a restaurant and winning a Michelin star for the country!

Tejasswi Prakash’s Total Earnings Till Grand Finale

While earlier, it was reported that the actress was charging 3 lakh per week for the show, a Filmibeat report suggests that the former Bigg Boss winner earned as high as 8 lakh per week! This makes her total earnings from the show as high as 88 lakh.

Celebrity MasterChef Winner Gaurav Khanna’s Total Earnings Much Higher Than Cash Prize!( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Gaurav Khanna, the loved star of the Indian Television, who quit Anupamaa, the number show of Indian television where he played Anuj, to explore more opportunities has finally won his first ever reality show. He gleamed with happiness and pride as he took the trophy of Celebrity MasterChef India.

While Gaurav is impressed with his journey, rightfully wearing the golden white apron and winning a cash prize of 20 lakh, we are stunned to learn about his total earnings from the show!

Gaurav Khanna’s Total Earnings From Celebrity Masterchef

While earlier, it was reported that Gaurav is earning 2.5 lakh per week from the show, a Filmibeat report suggests that the actor was paid a whopping 4 lakh per week! This means that the Anupamaa actor earned 44 lakh for his participation in the show for 11 weeks!

Bipasha Basu Race 4 Comeback ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

A fair amount of time has passed since Bipasha Basu was last seen setting the screen on fire; meanwhile, her last Instagram story has created buzz among fans. With Race 4 gearing up, the actress recently sent the fandom into a tizzy by posting a cryptic and nostalgic throwback, after which many started believing that she is preparing for a long-awaited comeback.

Bipasha’s Post Feels Like More Than Just Nostalgia

Bipasha Basu earlier this week posted on her Instagram a video of the legendary Race song “Race Saanson Ki” on her story. According to reports, the clip was initially posted by a fan page on Instagram and sees the lead cast grooving to the song. What’s even more interesting is that the actress didn’t provide any caption or comment to the story, and it has created further speculation in fans’ minds.

Here’s All We Know About Hrithik Roshan & Priyanka Chopra’s Reunion! ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, the famous on-screen Jodi known for their collaboration in the Krrish franchise, are again back in the news. Years after the duo were last seen onscreen, the War star reportedly reunited with Chopra during her husband Nick Jonas’ Broadway show.

The reunion comes just in time with the buzz around Krrish 4. The latest inside stories claim that the two stars will allegedly reunite in the sequel. The sequel has caught tremendous attention ever since its announcement, and now this news adds fuel to the fire. With the return of Priyanka, Krrish 4 promises to bring waves of nostalgia to the big screens.

Hrithik Roshan & Priyanka Chopra Met In NYC

It all began with a casual yet headline-grabbing reunion in New York. Hrithik Roshan, who was in town to catch Nick Jonas’ Broadway performance,...

What Did Ektaa Kapoor Say About The Dirty Picture? ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

Filmmaker Ektaa Kapoor recently attended the Waves event and an interesting anecdote about her 2011 film, The Dirty Picture, starring Vidya Balan in the titular year. The Balaji Telefilms owners that the film was initially exceeding its budget by Rs 10–12 crores on paper.

However, the team still decided to take the risk and moved forward with the film’s production using effective cost-cutting measures. The Dirty Picture went on to collect Rs 112 crores at the box office and even earned Vidya Balan a National Award.

Speaking about the initial challenges of making the film, Ektaa Kapoor said, “A film of mine called The Dirty Picture. It was about this woman who decided to take on a full male-dominated film industry. It was a real story, and we couldn’t buy the rights. So we said there were many women...

Bollywood has seen several actresses deliver remarkable performances in period roles, bringing historical figures and settings to life with depth and authenticity. Here are some notable Bollywood divas who have excelled in period dramas:

1. Deepika Padukone- Padmaavat (2018)

– Deepika Padukone’s portrayal of Rani Padmavati in Padmaavat was both powerful and graceful. Her performance captured the queen’s strength, beauty, and tragic fate, and the film itself was noted for its lavish production and historical detail.

2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

– Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played the role of Jodhaa Bai, the Rajput princess and wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar, in Jodhaa Akbar. Her performance was praised for its elegance and emotional depth, set against a backdrop of historical grandeur.

3. Kangana Ranaut – Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)

– Kangana Ranaut portrayed Rani Lakshmibai, the valiant queen of Jhansi, in Manikarnika. Her portrayal of the warrior queen was both fierce and inspiring, showcasing...

Bollywood has witnessed several iconic makeovers that left a lasting impact on both the audience and the industry. Here are a few standout transformations:

Amitabh Bachchan – Paa (2009)

– Amitabh Bachchan’s transformation into a 12-year-old boy suffering from progeria was groundbreaking. His appearance as “Auro,” complete with prosthetics and a childlike demeanor, set a new benchmark for character transformations in Bollywood.

Priyanka Chopra – Barfi! (2012)

– Priyanka Chopra’s portrayal of an autistic woman in *Barfi!* was both subtle and stunning. She underwent an intense physical transformation, adapting a childlike innocence and a softer, more vulnerable look, completely different from her glamorous roles.

Ranveer Singh – Padmaavat (2018)

– Ranveer Singh’s drastic makeover for his role as the ruthless Sultan Alauddin Khilji was a major highlight of *Padmaavat*. From long, unkempt hair to a rugged, menacing look, his transformation reflected the villainy of the character.

Deepika Padukone – Chhapaak (2020)

– Deepika Padukone’s portrayal of an acid...

5 Best Cricket-Inspired Looks Of Janhvi Kapoor From the Mr & Mrs. Mahi Promotions ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Janhvi Kapoor is basking in the rave reviews of Mr & Mrs. Mahi. The actress, who has been receiving praise for her role in the movie, has been the talk of the town for several weeks now thanks to her method styling tricks to promote the movie. Miss Kapoor has followed in the footsteps of the It girl of fashion, Zendaya. The Dune actress wore a series of custom outfits to promote her hit movie, Challengers, which was based on tennis. And Janhvi Kapoor has been very open about the inspiration she drew from Zendaya to infuse sports-based themes in her outfits.

Mr & Mrs Mahi, starring Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor, has finally released in theaters. Rajkummar plays Mahendra in this romantic sports drama, while Janhvi plays Mahima. In this cricket-themed love tale, a...

Vidya Balan Takes A Jibe At Male Actors In Bollywood!(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Vidya Balan has played a crucial role in the evolution of Bollywood and normalizing female-led films. She’s been involved in box office successes like The Dirty Picture and Kahaani, among others. The 45-year-old actress gets unfiltered and takes a jibe at her male colleagues, who she claims feel threatened by the women taking over. Scroll below for all the details!

Only a few actresses in Bollywood don’t mince their words, and Vidya is one of them. She has previously stood up against pay disparity. The actress also recently spoke up about nepotism and slammed, “kisi ke baap ki industry nahi hai.”

In an interview with Indian Express, the Begum Jaan actress spoke about how Hindi cinema has evolved for female actresses. Vidya Balan shared, “Back in the day? (rolls eyes) I don’t think they’d be okay,...

Vidya Balan will be next seen in the film, Do Aur Do Pyaar. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Bollywood has its fables and stories, and under all the glitz and glamour, many have said there is a dark underbelly. Vidya Balan is a bonafide star, who has mettle in acting over time. The actress made some stunning revelations when she said she faced a witch hunt in the industry because of an issue someone had with her.

Movie stars must develop a thick skin because they are constantly put under the microscope for everything. However, sometimes, the prejudices stem from the industry itself. And actresses have often opened up about facing these rejections for unkind reasons. Vidya Balan has had to deal with her share of insecurities, body shaming, and trolling. The actress recently spoke about her early days in the industry and how it took her time to regain her confidence...

Box Office – Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon’s Crew is amongst Top-10 female centric films after Week One ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Crew continues to be in the record books after spending one week in theatres. It had a really good opening when it started in double digits, and then that stayed on to be the case for rest of the weekend as well when more than 10 crores kept coming in. Though Monday hold was quite good, there were steady numbers that kept coming between Tuesday to Thursday. That said, the drops were there and while they were not drastic, they were negligible. As a result, the Crew has to now contend with being in the Top-10 instead of being in the top 5.

Here Are the Week One/first 7 day numbers of the Top-10 Female-Centric Films: The Kerala Story – 81.07 crores Gangubai Kathiawadi – 68.93 crores Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi – 61.15 crores Veere Di Wedding...

Box Office – Tabu, Kareena, Kriti’s Crew is amongst Top-5 biggest weekend openers for a female centric film, edges past Alia Bhatt’s Dear Zindagi ( Photo Credit – Instagram; iMDb )

Tabu, Kareena Kapoor and Kriti Sanon have done it. Their film has gone beyond just the opening day bonanza and has now done consistently well right through the weekend as well. It has been a bountiful score for the film, allowing it to find a place amongst the Top-5 weekend openers of all time. Interestingly, three out of these have come post-pandemic – Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kerala Story, and Crew, each of which belongs to a different genre. That said, while the first two in the list are hard-hitting dramas, its Crew, which is light-hearted.

In fact, there is more. If one looks at the entire Top 10, then it’s only Crew and Veere Di Wedding which are light-hearted whereas the remaining eight all are drama.

Director Milan Luthria, who is celebrating 25 years of his directorial debut ‘Kachche Dhaage’, is looking back at his journey in cinema. The film was released on February 19, 1999, and captured the hearts of audiences with its captivating narrative, compelling performances, and memorable soundtrack. The film starred Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan.

Reflecting on the journey of ‘Kachche Dhaage’ and his tenure in the film industry, Milan said: “As I look back on 25 years in this incredible industry, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and support that ‘Kachche Dhaage’ and all my films have received from audiences worldwide.”

He further mentioned: “It has been an extraordinary journey filled with unforgettable experiences, and I am deeply humbled by the continued appreciation for our work.”

‘Kachche Dhaage’ remains one of the most celebrated mainstream films owing to its compelling storyline, powerful performances, and timeless appeal.

The director has also directed films...

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.

A Look At India’s Highest-Grossing Adult Films At The Indian Box Office, Here’s Where Animal & Salaar Stand (Photo Credit – IMDb)

Salaar is in the headlines yet again as it made its Ott debut yesterday (except for the Hindi version). The digital premiere happened too early as the film is still running at selected locations. In the theatrical run, the biggie crossed the 600 crore mark comfortably at the worldwide box office, but it failed to achieve one feat, which had the task of surpassing Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal in the domestic market. Keep reading to know more!

Rise of adult-rated films in the country

In recent times, the market growth of adult-rated films has been terrific. Of course, the films that enjoyed humongous success despite the 18+ rating found appreciation among the majority of the audience, and they didn’t just boast of unnecessary s*xual or violent content. Omg 2, The Kashmir Files,...

Dunki Box Office Collection Day 11 Updates ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

After a wait of a couple of days, Dunki got into double digits all over again. It was expected that the 10 crores mark would be crossed on Saturday at least, if not Friday. However, the film missed that by just a few lakhs, as 9.92 crores had come in. However, finally, it did happen on Sunday, though, with 11.25 crores* being collected.

Again, the growth is limited, but then that’s on expected lines. Moreover, the fact remains that at the end of the day, Dunki is still collecting, and that’s what matters when the response is mixed. It’s about taking the film as far ahead of the 200 crores mark and that’s where at least a small win lies. There have been instances in the past when a film has just not managed to do well after a mixed start,...

National Award-winning actress Vidya Balan said on Monday that women are way ahead of time in today’s world. She was speaking during a session on ‘Women and the Glass Ceiling’ held on the sidelines of the ongoing 54th International Film Festival of India (Iffi) here.

Highlighting the significance of the portrayal of women in Indian cinema, Vidya said, “We all need to shed the stereotypes regarding women that are ingrained in our society. Women are way ahead of time in today’s world.”

“All the exceptional characters played by female actors in Indian films in the past and their desire to do more pushed us to reach a stage where we are telling women-oriented stories in movies now,” the actress said.

Expressing her willingness to play different characters, the actress shared that looking for new stories and characters that can relate with the audience is very important.

“Unconventional roles...

National Award-winning actress Vidya Balan said on Monday that women are way ahead of time in today’s world. She was speaking during a session on ‘Women and the Glass Ceiling’ held on the sidelines of the ongoing 54th International Film Festival of India (Iffi) here.

Highlighting the significance of the portrayal of women in Indian cinema, Vidya said, “We all need to shed the stereotypes regarding women that are ingrained in our society. Women are way ahead of time in today’s world.”

“All the exceptional characters played by female actors in Indian films in the past and their desire to do more pushed us to reach a stage where we are telling women-oriented stories in movies now,” the actress said.

Expressing her willingness to play different characters, the actress shared that looking for new stories and characters that can relate with the audience is very important.

“Unconventional roles...

Actor Emraan Hashmi has completed two decades in cinema, and has given some exceptional performances in a span of 20 years. The actor, who was once tagged by the media as a “serial kisser”, shattered the stereotype as he doled out terrific performances in ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’, ‘Awarapan’, ‘Gangster’, ‘The Dirty Picture’, ‘Shanghai’ and many others.

As he receives more love from the audience for his latest release ‘Tiger 3’, which also stars Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, the actor spoke with Ians, about the importance of tentpoles for the economy of the industry, the paradigm shifts that have happened in cinema and entertainment, his preparation for his part of Aatish Rehman, an ex-Isi agent, and the tendency of the makers to play safe in huge film markets.

The actor told ians that the success of tentpoles is very important for the industry and called it “a domino effect.

Actor Emraan Hashmi has completed two decades in cinema, and has given some exceptional performances in a span of 20 years. The actor, who was once tagged by the media as a “serial kisser”, shattered the stereotype as he doled out terrific performances in ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’, ‘Awarapan’, ‘Gangster’, ‘The Dirty Picture’, ‘Shanghai’ and many others.

As he receives more love from the audience for his latest release ‘Tiger 3’, which also stars Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, the actor spoke with Ians, about the importance of tentpoles for the economy of the industry, the paradigm shifts that have happened in cinema and entertainment, his preparation for his part of Aatish Rehman, an ex-Isi agent, and the tendency of the makers to play safe in huge film markets.

The actor told ians that the success of tentpoles is very important for the industry and called it “a domino effect.

Period dramas are the current rage in the Ott space. Many streaming giants suddenly have a budget to recreate a decade, place a believable story in the setting, and sell it by using the nostalgia factor. There is nothing better than the reminiscence of a decade that viewers consider special to them. Milan Luthria is known to have delivered many period movies in the past. The Dirty Picture, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, and Ouatim Dobaara! are some of his noted works that garnered some attention. He is back with another period show, Sultan of Delhi, that talks about the capital city and the workings of the rich businessmen around the clout of powerful politicians. The show is a Disney+ Hotstar special released on October 13, 2023, and is based on the novel Sultan of Delhi: Ascension by Arnab Ray.

Sultan of Delhi is a fictitious title given to a person...

Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, who is gearing up for his upcoming streaming show ‘Sultan Of Delhi’, has shared the names of the actors who served as an influence to his character of Arjun Bhatia in the series. The webseries, set in the India of 1960s, is based on the book, ‘Sultan of Delhi: Ascension’ by Arnab Ray, and marks the web debut of director Milan Luthria, who is known for films like ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’, ‘The Dirty Picture’ and ‘Taxi No 9211’.

Taking inspiration from legendary performers or actors who aced the fashion statement and style in the past and adding ones originality to it makes a perfect character of any era. Tahir Raj Bhsin has blended this well to make Arjun Bhatia

Talking about the same, Tahir Raj Bhasin said: “For inspiration to play Arjun Bhatia in the series, James Dean and Robert Redford were major...

Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, who is gearing up for his upcoming streaming show ‘Sultan Of Delhi’, has shared the names of the actors who served as an influence to his character of Arjun Bhatia in the series. The webseries, set in the India of 1960s, is based on the book, ‘Sultan of Delhi: Ascension’ by Arnab Ray, and marks the web debut of director Milan Luthria, who is known for films like ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’, ‘The Dirty Picture’ and ‘Taxi No 9211’.

Taking inspiration from legendary performers or actors who aced the fashion statement and style in the past and adding ones originality to it makes a perfect character of any era. Tahir Raj Bhsin has blended this well to make Arjun Bhatia

Talking about the same, Tahir Raj Bhasin said: “For inspiration to play Arjun Bhatia in the series, James Dean and Robert Redford were major...

Indian content queen Ektaa R Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, which is in robust financial health, has revealed a strong upcoming slate.

On the film front, Balaji recently boarded director Nanda Kishore’s Malayalam and Telugu-language magnum opus “Vrushabha,” starring Mohanlal, and also in the works are Hansal Mehta’s “The Buckingham Murders,” starring Kareena Kapoor, Rajesh Krishnan’s “The Crew,” starring Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon and Karan Boolani’s “Thank You for Coming,” starring Bhumi Pednekar. Sequels to Dibakar Banerjee’s groundbreaking “LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha” and Raaj Shaandilyaa’s “Dream Girl,” starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Pandey are also in the making.

On the television and streaming front, the details of the shows will be eventually released by the respective platforms, but broadly, they include an untitled historical for a leading broadcast channel, a pre-medieval era show for a global streamer, a show based on a real...

Tusshar Kapoor is all set to play a police officer in his next film ‘Maarrich’, also starring Naseeruddin Shah. ‘Maarrich’ is the second venture of the actor as producer, who has given hits such as ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’, ‘Khakee’ and ‘Golmaal’.

He said: “This film is very close to my heart for multiple reasons. ‘Maarrich’ is my second film after ‘Laxmii’ as a producer and I am also going to be reuniting with Naseeruddin Shah Saab after a very long time.”

The film, written and directed by Dhruv Lather, has been described as a whodunit thriller.

Tusshar had ventured into production in 2020 with the Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘Laxmii’. He was last seen with Naseeruddin Shah in the biographical drama, ‘The Dirty Picture’.

The actor-producer said that his role in ‘Maarrich’ is different and challenging as well. “The film has challenged me as an actor on many levels as it...

A landmark report spearheaded by Ormax Media and Film Companion, and supported by Amazon Prime Video, has revealed an abysmal state of affairs in the on- and off-screen representation of women in India.

The report, in collaboration with the Producers Guild of India and Active Telugu Film Producers Guild, streamers Hoichoi, SonyLIV, Voot and ZEE5, and studios Clean Slate Filmz, Dharma Productions, Emmay Entertainment, Excel Entertainment, Purple Pebble Pictures, RSVP and Sikhya Entertainment, analyzed 150 theatrical films, streaming films and series released in 2021 across eight Indian languages.

Key findings of the report, titled O Womaniya! 2022, include:

• Women have low representation behind-the-camera. Only 10 head of department positions (HODs) across key divisions are held by women. Out of the 56 theatrical films analyzed across multiple languages, not one was directed or edited by a woman. In media and entertainment corporations only 10 of senior leadership roles were held by women.

•Only 55 of the films and series passed the Bechdel Test.

Leading Indian producer Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures has signed a multi-film production deal with Armaan Zorace’s U.S. genre label Dark Hell and prolific Hollywood producer Steven Schneider.

Under the terms of the deal, a slate of high-concept films in the thriller-horror genre will be produced in Hindi and other Indian languages jointly by the three entities. Details of the projects under this association have not yet been revealed, but they are expected to “cater to the audiences of the South-East Asian markets in India and overseas,” the signatories said in a statement.

Schneider’s credits include “Paranormal Activity,” “Blair Witch,” and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split.” Zorace is an American filmmaker whose credits include the acclaimed short film, “God Is Dead.”

Films produced by Balaji include “Dream Girl,” “The Dirty Picture,” “Lipstick Under My Burkha,” “Once Upon a Time in Mumbai,” “Udta Punjab” and “Pagglait.”

Kapoor said,...

Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, a regular at Cannes, is currently in post-production on his next feature “Dobaaraa,” a Hindi-language adaptation of Oriol Paulo’s 2018 Spanish-language film “Mirage.”

Kashyap had read the script of “Mirage” before the film was made and was taken by it. This is the first time Kashyap has done a remake. “It is a nice, fascinating idea for me to delve into, I can’t come up with an idea like that,” Kashyap told Variety. “So I said, why not step outside my secure zone and attempt something.”

In “Mirage,” a 12-year-old boy witnesses a death during a thunderstorm and is killed himself. Twenty-five years later the woman who moves into the same apartment is connected to the boy through a television set during a similar storm and has the opportunity to save his life.

The film is headlined by Taapsee Pannu, one of India’s top actors,...

FIlmThe Academy added 395 new members from 50 countries to its existing list.Tnm StaffActor Vidya Balan, film producer Ekta Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor’s mother Shobha have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the year 2021. The three are among 395 new members invited this year by the Academy. “It's time to announce our new members! Meet the Class of 2021,” the Academy announced in a tweet on its official handles. The Academy has said that this includes artistes and executives from 50 countries who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Vidya Balan, who was recently seen in Amazon Prime Video movie ‘Sherni’ joins the class of 2021, which also features Hollywood big names such as Janet Jackson, Robert Pattinson, Henry Golding and others. Meanwhile, mother-daughter duo Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, who have produced Hindi movies The Dirty Picture, Udta Punjab and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai,...

Vidya Balan has time and again challenged Bollywood stereotypes with her roles, living out her characters with power-packed performances. The actress says it was not something that she did consciously.

Ever since she made her Bollywood debut with "Parineeta" in 2005, Vidya has wowed the Hindi audience with her work in films such as "Bhool Bhulaiyaa", "No One Killed Jessica", "The Dirty Picture", "Paa", "Kahaani", "Ishqiya", "Mission Mangal", "Tumhari Sulu" and "Shakuntala Devi". She will next be seen in "Newton" maker Amit Masurkar's "Sherni", which casts her as a forest officer.

"I did not set out to break stereotypes but I think through my experiences in life, especially as an actor, I have realised I am not going to let anything come in the way of me being an actor," said Vidya, who has been feted with a National Award and a Padma Shri.

The 42-year-old actress added, "So if you tell me,...

Emraan Hashmi is back with 2 major projects - Mumbai Saga and Chehre - ready for release. There are unconfirmed reports that suggest Emraan could play Salman Khan's villain in Tiger 3. He also has a supernatural thriller titled Ezra coming up.

As per modest trade estimates, the actor has Rs 200-250 crore riding on him. Emraan is more interested in the audience reaction to his upcoming mix of films.

"This year is interesting. I am very proud of these releases. There is Mumbai Saga, Chehre and the horror film, Ezra. It's a mixed bag and I am waiting for them to release and have people enjoy them. After 20 days of Mumbai Saga releasing, we have Chehre coming. I am looking forward to my films," he says.

His forthcoming roster is spread over the next several months and could define the shape of things to come for the actor, who...

Mumbai, Feb 19: Bollywood Czarina Ekta Kapoor, who has successfully tapped the domains of film, TV and Ott, says in most countries, sexuality of a woman is considered a sin.

It is a conscious decision on her part to push strong women-centric stories such as 'Lipstick Under My Burkha', 'The Dirty Picture' and 'Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare', she adds.

"It is a conscious decision. In most of the countries, the sexuality of a woman is considered as sin. That's a big problem and I was told many times that I was a big part of that journey - by showcasing women wearing sarees and sindoor (on her TV shows). I have somehow stunted the growth of women in this country. I don't agree to this because I felt that a woman in a saree is a choice, as a woman in a swimsuit," says Ekta.

Tusshar Kapoor kicked off his acting journey in 2001 with the box office super hit Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai and has had an illustrious career ever since. Having done films of various genres like horror, romance, drama and comedy, he was appreciated immensely for his performances in Khakee, The Dirty Picture, Shootout at lokhandwala and Shor in the City, among others.

However, it was his impeccable comic timing as a mute character in the blockbuster comic franchise Golmaal, that made him a household name and a favourite among kids and families. Tusshar has always pushed the envelope and reinvented himself with challenging roles and characters. More recently, after completing 20 years in the film industry, the actor donned the hat of a producer with the horror-comedy Laxmii, headlined by superstar Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani. Laxmii released pre Diwali to a thunderous response and broke all records to become the biggest movie opener ever,...

Over the 21st century, Bollywood cinema has entered into a completely different era of filmmaking and storytelling than was being made in the decades prior. Actors and directors who started their careers in the ‘80s and ‘90s have experienced such a drastic shift from their beginnings to what they are doing now that their older works seem almost archaic and unrecognizable. This has led, expectedly, to many of Bollywood’s artists making self-reflexive work that also reflects on the industry in general––Fan, Sanju, The Dirty Picture, Luck By Chance, and Shamitabh are just a few examples. Vikramaditya Motwane’s Ak vs Ak is the latest and best of the lot.

One of India’s most interesting filmmakers, Motwane’s movies are constantly in dialogue with both India’s cinematic past and its socio-political present. In his latest offering, he dives headfirst to deconstruct Bollywood’s cinematic identity crisis, where...

With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options—not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves–each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Ak vs Ak (Vikramaditya Motwane)

Over the 21st century, Bollywood cinema has entered into a completely different era of filmmaking and storytelling than was being made in the decades prior. Actors and directors who started their careers in the ‘80s and ‘90s have experienced such a drastic shift from their beginnings to what they are doing now that their older works seem almost archaic and unrecognizable. This has led, expectedly, to many of Bollywood’s artists making self-reflexive work that also reflects on the industry in general––Fan, Sanju, The Dirty Picture, Luck By Chance, and Shamitabh are just a few examples. Vikramaditya Motwane’s Ak vs Ak is...

KollywoodKS Manikandan of 'Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya' fame will be directing the film.Digital NativeA brand new biopic on the late actor Silk Smitha is on cards, according to reports. Reports are that Ks Manikandan of Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya fame will be wielding the megaphone for this venture which will be bankrolled by Chithra Lakshmanan and H Murali under their respective banners Gayathri Films and Murali Cine Arts. The prep work for this project titled Aval Appadithan is currently on and the shooting is likely to begin next month. Speaking about the project in an interview to the Times of India, director Ks Manikandan said, “Her hotness quotient too has been unmatched till date. And to play her character, we are trying to get the right person who can do justice to the role.” While fans are eager to know who would be playing Silk Smitha in the biopic Aval Appadithaan,...

EntertainmentSome of these films have retained the origins of the character though the language is Hindi while others have completely changed their identity. Tnm StaffThe newly released biopic Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl has opened to good reviews but has also snowballed into a controversy for supposedly distorting facts about the Indian Air Force. More importantly, the film does not show Iaf pilot Sreevidya Rajan from Kerala, who also served in the Kargil war with Gunjan. Sreevidya has, in fact, said that she was the first woman Iaf officer to fly in a combat zone and not Gunjan as the film suggests. Though the makers have said that the film is a fictionalised account, it has drawn sharp criticism for these departures. While Bollywood has made several biopics and films based on real life incidents, the southern industries are slowly catching up with the trend. Perhaps in future, south Indian...

Actor Vidya Balan, who has won many accolades in her successful film career, contradicts the popular notion that award ceremonies in India are rigged. At an event to promote the 2020 edition of a popular Bollywood awards function, she said that everything seems fair when an artiste wins an award.

"People often say many things about award ceremonies but I feel when you get that (award) in your hand then everything is fair," said Vidya, at a promotional event for the upcoming 65th edition of Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020.

Also Read:?Janhvi Kapoor giving us desi vibes

She further said: "It's a special feeling (to be an award-winner). Firstly, the statue of Filmfare Award in itself is so beautiful. It is a symbol of love and appreciation from the audience and the industry, so it is very special for me."

"I feel it's every Indian actor or actress' dream to win a Filmfare Award.

Padma Shri Awards Singers Suresh Wadkar and Adnan Sami as well as veteran TV actor Sarita Joshi have also been conferred with the honour.PTIFilmmakers Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and actor Kangana Ranaut are among the six cinema personalities to be awarded the Padma Shri, officials said on Saturday. Singers Suresh Wadkar and Adnan Sami as well as veteran TV actor Sarita Joshi have also been conferred with the fourth highest civilian honour of the country. Karan and Ekta said they were humbled to receive the honour. "Overwhelmed by so many emotions right now. Humbled, elated and also thankful for the opportunity to live my dream every day, to create and to entertain. I know my father would be proud and I wish he was here to share this moment with me," he said in a statement posted on Twitter. Son of veteran Bollywood producer late Yash Johar, Karan Johar...

Padma Shri Awards Singers Suresh Wadkar and Adnan Sami as well as veteran TV actor Sarita Joshi have also been conferred with the honour.PTIFilmmakers Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and actor Kangana Ranaut are among the six cinema personalities to be awarded the Padma Shri, officials said on Saturday. Singers Suresh Wadkar and Adnan Sami as well as veteran TV actor Sarita Joshi have also been conferred with the fourth highest civilian honour of the country. Karan and Ekta said they were humbled to receive the honour. "Overwhelmed by so many emotions right now. Humbled, elated and also thankful for the opportunity to live my dream every day, to create and to entertain. I know my father would be proud and I wish he was here to share this moment with me," he said in a statement posted on Twitter. Son of veteran Bollywood producer late Yash Johar, Karan Johar...

CinemaThe mathematician was born in Bengaluru and displayed unique abilities to memorise and compute complex arithmetic calculations mentally.Tnm StaffLast seen playing a scientist in the Hindi film Mission Mangal, actor Vidya Balan will next be getting into the shoes of mathematical prodigy Shakuntala Devi, popularly known as ‘the human calculator’. The teaser was released on Monday and Vidya's look in the film's poster has gone viral. To be directed by Anu Menon, the film is being produced by Sony Pictures Network Productions and Vikram Malhotra. Titled Shakuntala Devi, the poster announces that the film will release for summer next year. Excitement is multiplying each day! Time to dig into the 'root' of the mathematical genius, #ShakuntalaDevi. #FilmingBegins @sonypicsprodns @Abundantia_Ent @anumenon1805 @vikramix @SnehaRajani pic.twitter.com/Ayz2TNlePF — vidya balan (@vidya_balan) September 16, 2019 Dressed in a bright red saree, Vidya sports a long bob and stands on a prize...

Vidya Balan is one of the most sought-after actresses in Bollywood, but she had faced a lot of rejections in the south film industry. She says there was a time when a Tamil producer made her feel ugly.

"There were a lot of rejections down South. There were a lot of Malayalam films, but I was replaced in each of them. There was a Tamil film I was doing and I was thrown out of the film... I remember my parents had come with me because they were so worried about me... I had really begun to fade," she said in an interview to an entertainment portal, reports indiatoday.in.

Also Read:?Vidya Balan reveals her character in Mission Mangal

"We went to the producer's office. The producer showed us the clippings from the film and he said, 'Just look at her, does she look like a heroine'. He said...

Actor Suniel Shetty's son Ahan has started shooting for his debut film, a Hindi remake of the 2018 Telugu hit, "Rx 100".

A post from the official Twitter account of Nadiadwala Grandson read: "First shoot. First Day.

Also Read:?Suniel Shetty loves his 'Pehlwaan' look

First Clap. We are ready to embark on this beautiful journey together. Here's to many more. Ahan Shetty, Sajid Nadiadwala, Milan Luthria and Tara Sutaria."

The Telugu version of "Rx 100", a drama film, stars Kartikeya Gummakonda and Payal Rajput in the lead.

The remake is being directed by Milan Luthria, who is known for directing films like "The Dirty Picture", "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai", "Kachche Dhaage", and "Baadshaho".

The yet untitled film is being produced under the banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and is presented by Fox Star Studios.

Other details about the film are still under wraps.

Actress Vidya Balan has addressed the issue of body shaming via a video and called out people for passing derogatory remarks on others' body type.

"Kabhi tu moti kehta hai, kabhi tu choti kehta hai.... " Vidya says in a video, with a certain confidence and weight in her voice.

She highlights the discriminatory comments and jokes made at people regarding their looks.

"Don't make jokes on someone's size, color. Everyone is different...that's why everyone is special," Vidya said in the video, which is part of an initiative for her radio show "Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho" which airs on Big 92.7 FM.

Vidya had uploaded the video on Instagram a few days ago. Dressed in a black sari and messed up make-up, Vidya even broke down while talking about the issue.

She captioned it: "Most of us are potential victims of 'body shaming' - the widespread phenomenon of receiving cruel...

TollywoodVidya recently made her debut in the Telugu film industry with the Ntr biopic in which she played his wife Basavatharakam.Digital NativeAt an awards function held recently, Keerthy Suresh had the opportunity to pose for photos with the Bollywood diva Vidya Balan. The two were posing happily for the shutterbugs at the event and Keerthy Suresh went on tweet “It was such a pleasure meeting you @vidya_balan mam.” She also shared a picture in which she posed with Vidya Balan. The Bollywood actor recently made her debut in the Telugu film industry with the Ntr biopic in which she was seen playing Ntr’s wife Basavatharakam. Keerthy Suresh is one of the most sought-after heroines in Tollywood right now. She made her debut in Telugu with Nenu Sailaja in 2016 and then acted in Nenu Local and the Pawan Kalyan starrer Agnyaathavaasi. However, it was her role as the...

EntertainmentThe director confirmed to Tnm that he was working on a web series based on the life of the yesteryear star. Tnm StaffThe life of yesteryear actor Silk Smitha continues to be a fascination for filmmakers over two decades after her death. Ace director Pa Ranjith is now all set to make a web series on the life of the actor who ruled the screen for several years but died tragically. Without divulging more information, the director confirmed the news to Tnm. According to a source quoted in the Deccan Chronicle, “The web series will be shot lavishly and aired across several episodes. Director Pa. Ranjith feels that his series will be true to Silk Smitha and bring out untold stories of her childhood. Further, he believes that her story has a pan-Indian appeal and hence, he’s doing a web series.” According to the report, the filmmakers believe that...