The season of Diwali this year has come to and end. The festive season saw people celebrate with sweets, music, dancing, and even firecrackers. Actress Rakul Preet Singh has not burst crackers since the age of 10. She revealed that her father's lesson on not bursting crackers left a deep impact on her after which she stopped bursting firecrackers. In an interview from a couple of years ago, Rakul Preet Singh had said that her father made her burn Rs 500 note after he saw her bursting crackers. She said that it was his way of teaching her to avoid bursting crackers. “It was a memorable Diwali. My father gave me a ₹500 note and asked me to burn it. I was shocked and asked him why he was asking me to do such a thing. He told me, 'But that is exactly what you are doing. You are buying crackers and bursting them. What if you use the money to buy some chocolates and give them to the needy," Rakul told Dainik Bhaskar. She added, “I must have been around 9 or 10-year-old girl. I remember we went to the sweets shop, bought sweets and distributed them among the homeless. I felt different kind of happiness that day and have not burst crackers ever since.” Rakul's first Diwali after marriage Meanwhile, Rakul celebrated her first Diwali with her husband Jackky Bhagnani after her wedding in February this year. The actress took to social medi t share pictures from her Diwali celebration with their family. For the occasion, Rakul dressed in a stunning red saree by Faabiiana India. She celebrated the festival in Mumbai surrounded by her parentsand Jackky Bhagnani's parents. "Our first Diwali was filled with a lots of firsts for me . Learning traditions , first puja and the most special first chappan bhog. Grateful, aur jab poori family saath ho toh maza hi alag hai," she captioned the photographs from their Diwali celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rakul Singh (@rakulpreet) After performing the Diwali puja and honoring traditional rituals, Rakul and her family dove into the celebrations, complete with delicious food, sweets, laughter, and endless fun. The warm, festive spirit truly filled the air, making this Diwali an unforgettable one for the family. Rakul Preet Singh's work front On the work front, Rakul Preet Singh, is poised to dazzle audiences with her upcoming sequel, ‘De De Pyaar De 2.’ Following this, she will appear in ‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’ and is set for the gripping drama ‘Ameeri.’ Known for her seamless blend of modern trends and chic designs, Rakul is a true style icon.
05 November,2024 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBeing inspired Even as Hrithik Roshan is prepping for his cameo with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in Alpha, while working on War 2 with Junior NTR, he is planning his slate. The light-eyed superstar, who also has Krrish 4 lined up for production next, is reportedly contemplating an adaption of Will Smith’s I am Legend (2007). Sources claim that Duggu has acquired the rights to adapt the Hollywood post-apocalypto actioner in Hindi and has even got his team to develop it. Interestingly, this is not the first time the Fighter actor is exploring a subject in this space. A few months ago, the Kaabil actor was said to be discussing the idea with Kabir Khan. However, their talks fell through due to creative differences. Duggu has apparently begun discussing the concept with another director, but things are still in the initial stages. For now, only the fourth edition of his superhero franchise looks certain. Produced by his filmmaker-father Rakesh Roshan and Siddharth Anand, Krrish 4 is set to go on floors next year with Agneepath (2012) director Karan Malhotra at the helm. Pushing for the pan-India rule Now that the dust on the Diwali clash between Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has settled, the makers of Pushpa 2: The Rule are getting ready for their promotional blitzkrieg. Director Sukumar is getting ready to unveil the trailer of his Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer on November 15. If things go as per plan, the trailer will be showcased in Patna. Soon afterwards, the movie’s team will embark on a promotional tour to cities like Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Considering the hype and curiosity around Pushpa 2, the makers are leaving no stone unturned to keep the momentum high for its pan-India release on December 5. Trade pandits are already hedging bets on the Allu Arjun-starrer registering the highest opening numbers of the year. Celebrating 30 years of AAA Yesterday, Andaz Apna Apna (1994) producer Vinay Kumar Sinha’s children—Namrata, Priti and Amod—launched exclusive merchandise to celebrate 30 years of the cult comedy’s release. From T-shirts and hoodies to notebooks, totebags, posters and more, the collection is created to pay a tribute to director Rajkumar Santoshi’s film starring Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon. Excited about the new venture, the Sinha siblings echoed, “From Amar [Aamir] and Prem’s [Salman] mischief to Crime Maaster Gogo’s [Shakti Kapoor] goggles, this collection lets fans wear a piece of cinematic history and keep the fun going!” The Sinhas are also planning to re-release Andaz Apna Apna in cinemas in 2025. The date will be finalised soon. Packing a paanch Buoyed by the mammoth success of Stree 2, Rajkummar Rao has hiked his remuneration. Industry sources claim that he has upped his fee by R5 crore. Raj, who was getting about R7 crore per movie before his recent blockbuster, is now asking for R12 crore to sign up for a film. That’s not all, he is even declining filmmakers who aren’t willing to pay him his revised market price, like Vikas Bahl. The Ganapath director signed on Siddhant Chaturvedi for about one-fourth of Raj’s asking price. An industry insider shared, “For quite a while, Raj remained reasonable about his fee. His current asking price is justified considering the massive success of Stree 2 and is a modest hike, as compared to the R25 crore to R35 crore remuneration being demanded by other actors with smaller hits.”
05 November,2024 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamIt was in 2023 when 'Adipurush' was released. The movie starred Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan, and Sunny Singh, among others. Just after the release of the film, it met with serious criticism due to the dialect, dialogue, and several other factors. Now, as Sunny Singh returns to films with 'Luv Ki Arrange Marriage', this is his first film since the debacle of 'Adipurush' (2023), where he portrayed Laxman alongside Prabhas’ Lord Ram. Reacting to the backlash he received for 'Adipurush', Sunny Singh, in an exclusive chat with us at mid-day.com, revealed that such aspects mostly depend on the director and writer of the film. ‘It all depends on the director and the writer’- Sunny Singh on Adipurush failure While discussing his feelings before 'Adipurush'’s release and how it went downhill, the actor said, “At first, there was a sense of nervousness before the release because I didn’t know what would happen, especially since it’s such a big film. When I watched the film at the screening, I noticed that people’s reactions were mixed. But after two days, the reactions shifted, and it became clear that they didn’t like it due to the dialect and other factors. At that moment, I focused on my own performance, thinking about how well I had acted. Ultimately, it all depends on the director and the writer. For us, it's about surrendering ourselves to their vision.” ‘I’ll definitely do a film with an ensemble cast’ He further shared that 'Adipurush'’s debacle will not stop him from signing another ensemble. “If there’s an ensemble film in the future, I’ll definitely do it and will only follow what the director and writer envision. It’s their job to communicate with the audience and make them understand. For us, no matter how much effort we put in, it never feels like enough. You can’t go into it thinking about the outcome,” he added. About 'Adipurush' 'Adipurush', released in June last year, was based on the Ramayana epic and starred Prabhas and Kriti Sanon. Saif Ali Khan played the antagonist, Lankesh. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t do well critically or financially, falling short of its reported budget of over Rs 600 crore.
05 November,2024 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Shachi ChaturvediFor Ajay Devgn and filmmaker Anees Bazmee, life quickly transitioned from Jaani Dushman to Hum Saath Saath Hai. After all, even as the duo’s films are currently embroiled in a box-office tussle (both Devgn-starrer Singham Again and Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 released on November 1) it is their joint venture, Naam, that will hit cinema halls on November 22. If the film’s title seems all too familiar, that wouldn’t be inappropriate. Bazmee had teased about his directorial venture back in 2019 while sharing a picture with Devgn on social media. “This was taken in Switzerland while shooting for an unreleased film, Naam. It was a suspense thriller that you would have enjoyed. I hope the film releases someday,” he had shared of the movie that never made it to theatres due to production-related issues. The movie also starred Sameera Reddy and Ajay Devgn. Pic/X Anil Roongta, now a co-producer of the film that was then backed by Dinesh Patel, says it was pushed to the back-burner following the latter’s demise. “He passed away before post-production work was completed. I came on board in 2020, after his daughter and wife approached me to complete it. We got the required permissions and addressed the financial issues. But then, the pandemic hit, and the film got delayed further. When film business resumed, the market was still [dwindling]. We decided to go ahead only when the time was right,” he shares. Touted to be a psychological thriller, the movie, a source shares, follows an individual who loses his memory and sets out to find his identity. “It was shot in Mumbai and Switzerland. They began filming in 2004, with the title Benaam. Priyanka Chopra [Jonas] was part of the cast then, but left the project citing date issues after shooting for three days. Sameera Reddy stepped in her shoes, but in 2013, the film ran into financial issues,” says the source, adding that now, Bazmee is delighted that the release may also serve the late producer’s family well. “It is Ajay who always kept a tab on the film. He has never forgotten that it was Dinesh Patel who launched him in Phool Aur Kaante (1991). In the past few years, he has also allotted time from his busy schedule to complete the post-production work.” Bazmee and Roongta Reddy, who is seen in Naam as a glamorous girl with shades of grey, looks at this release as an opportunity to support Patel’s family. “His family put their strength, love, and money into making it. I will do whatever they want me to, to promote it. Bazmee was at his peak in 2004, and this film definitely [showcases his prowess],” she says of the offering that also featured Bhumika Chawla. The actor speaks highly of both Bazmee and Devgn, who share a “magical and unspoken bond”. “There is brotherhood. They understand each other without saying a word to one another.” Roongta is hopeful to find the support of Bazmee and Devgn in the film’s promotional work. “They said they will think about it later, because they are busy promoting their individual films. Ajay Devgn said he will connect with me after a week. If they give me some time after November 15, that would be fine. [Even if they don’t], it will still be alright. I liked the film. It’s an edge-of-the-seat thriller.” Interestingly, the release date of the film coincides with that of Devgn’s debut movie, Phool Aur Kante.
05 November,2024 07:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRIn presenting the story of Malegaon’s amateur filmmakers in Superboys of Malegaon, Reema Kagti showcased a lesser-known facet of India’s filmmaking history to the crowd at the Toronto International Film Festival. Ahead of the India release of the movie, based on the life of Nasir Shaikh, who crafted no-budget community-sourced films, cast member Adarsh Gourav reveals that he spent a considerable amount of time shadowing him. “To really understand him, I didn’t only want to hear about his experiences; I wanted to live them. That is why I spent time in Malegaon, shadowing Nasir and creating my own short film with the same limitations that he had—minimal equipment, a small crew, and almost no budget. It was an eye-opening experience. The struggles they faced and the resilience they had to create something meaningful with limited means helped me understand the soul of Malegaon’s film community. Going through the process of filmmaking with these constraints allowed me to get into the skin of the character in a way that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. I have deep admiration for everyone in Malegaon who dares to dream big, despite all odds,” says the actor.
05 November,2024 06:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuFilmmaker Shuchi Talati has been winning accolades across film festivals. Soon after her movie Girls Will Be Girls won a title in the World Cinema Dramatic category at Sundance 2024, it earned a nomination for the Gotham Awards, an American presentation that aims to celebrate independent films in New York City. “I am incredibly honoured to be recognised,” says the director, adding, “This nomination is not just a personal milestone; it reflects the collective efforts, creativity, and passion of everyone involved. Our film seeks to illuminate the complexities of female experiences in a fresh and engaging way, and I hope it resonates deeply with audiences. This recognition inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in storytelling.” Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s production is set in India, and sheds light on the tale of a 16-year-old whose sexual awakening is cut short by her protective mother, who attempts to live her life through her daughter’s experiences. “As producers, we have always aimed to tell authentic stories that challenge societal norms. It’s thrilling to see our work gaining recognition,” says Chadha. The drama will compete with offerings like the romantic comedy Anora and American actor Zendaya’s Challengers, a sports-based movie that also involves a love triangle.
05 November,2024 06:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuBoney Kapoor has four kids but he has been clear for his extra love and bias towards his youngest daughter Khushi Kapoor. "I was definitely always the favourite and now everyone has accepted it finally," said Khushi during her debut appearance on Karan Johar's 'Koffee With Karan' when he was posed the question of being her dad's forever favourite. Khushi being best part of Boney Kapoor's day Janhvi Kapoor who had accompanied Khushi on the show also agreed with it by recalling initial days when it became evident that her dad exhibited favouritism towards Khushi. She said that in the middle of a work day, Boney would come home, play with Khushi and then feel recharged to carry on with the rest of the day. Janhvi said that she had to remind him of her existence. When Khushi made her father walk for two hours On the same show, Karan Johar recalled the episode of Khushi making her father walk for hours in London as he wanted to sit in a pink taxi. Janhvi said, “Khushi has been spoiled by papa. I was not like this.” The 'Dhadak' actor said that their father had blisters when Khushi made him walk two hours in search of the pink taxi. Khushi said, “He found the taxi also and made us sit in it.” Janhvi added, “But after two hours. The poor man had a knee problem.” When Karan Johar asked why she was so obsessed with the pink taxi, Khushi said, “Because someone had made the mistake of pointing out that London had pink taxis. There were two pink taxis. So I refused to sit in a normal taxi. And they all look the same inside. I don’t know why I thought it would be anything different.” Boney Kapoor cried for three days after watching The Archies On the show, Khushi also revealed that her father got emotional after watching her debut film 'The Archies' at its premiere last year in December. She said that her father would not stop crying. Janhvi added, “He cried for three days!” To which Khushi said, “I would get random messages from him saying, ‘You are just so good beta.’ It was really cute and sweet!” Janhvi also praised her little sister's debut film. She said it was an “obviously” emotional moment for her to see Khushi act on screen and then listed what her younger sister has in common with mother Sridevi. “My biases aside, she is phenomenal, she is unreal. I have seen her for nine months, slog her a** off every day in every aspect of the film. She is a very quiet person and that is something she has in common with Mumma. But in front of the camera, she explodes. I didn’t know that all of this was cooking inside. I live with her, but I didn’t know that’s what it could convert to on screen. I really do think she is magical.”
04 November,2024 07:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, and Vidya Balan are currently basking in the success of the horror-comedy 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'. The movie has already crossed the 100-crore mark. To promote the film, the trio appeared on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', where Sunil Grover entertained everyone as his beloved character, Dafli. During his act on stage, Sunil teased Triptii Dimri about her romantic scenes with co-star Ranbir Kapoor in their 2023 film 'Animal', a moment that didn’t sit well with the internet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) In character as Dafli, Sunil asked Triptii, “Yeh jo Ranbir Kapoor ke saath aapne kiya, I hope woh shooting wagera thi. Aisa asli mein toh kuchh nahi tha naa?” When Triptii replied, "Bilkul nahi," Sunil jumped in delight, high-fiving her and saying, “We are friends!” Many viewers found this disrespectful and criticized Grover for his comments. Fans found Suniel Grover disrespectful towards Triptii Dimri One user wrote, “Triptii is sweet and calm. She took it so sportingly. Would this question be asked if she was Ananya or Janhvi? Janhvi in particular comes off as vulgar many times. But I don't recall anything negative or weird asked to her when she was on the show.” Another added, “It’s becoming as disgusting as 'Koffee with Karan'. She’s an outsider, so she’s asked such questions. Kareena did such scenes in the 2010s, and no one questioned her about that. Ranbir was in 'Animal', yet no one asked him about his scenes. They are still stuck in 'Animal' while she has done three movies since. Get a life, writers. Such embarrassing lines. Eeww.” 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' is Kartik Aaryan’s Biggest Opener Directed by Anees Bazmee, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' not only exceeded expectations but also marked a significant milestone in Aaryan’s career, surpassing his previous best opener, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', which earned Rs 14.11 crore. This is the third successful horror-comedy release of 2024, joining 'Munjya' and 'Stree 2', hinting at a promising trend for more films in this genre in the future. Speaking of 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', it is the third installment in the popular 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' franchise. The first part, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', released in 2007, starred Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan in lead roles. The second part, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2' (2022), starred Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, and Tabu in the lead roles.
04 November,2024 07:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Sonali Bendre has revealed that the late designer Rohit Bal co-starred with her in one of the movies. The prominent designer passed away on November 1 following prolonged illness. He was 63. He is well known for his contribution to the fashion industry and his timeless pieces serve as an inspiration for generations. But apart from being a stellar designer, he had also tried his hand at acting in front of a camera. However, the film was never released. Sonali Bendre on her film with Rohit Bal Sonali Bendre recently took to the Stories section of her Instagram on Monday, and shared a screenshot from the film in which Rohit stars along with her. She wrote on the picture, “Gudda, known to everyone as a fantastic designer, but to me, he was also a co-actor in our film Love You Humesha. He was a natural in front of the camera, and his energy was always fantastic”. She further mentioned, “Though the movie never saw the light of day, it gave me beautiful memories and relationships that have lasted a lifetime- connections I still cherish today. @artisurendranath @kailashsurendranath. Today, on his chautha, may his soul rest in peace”. Rohit Bal's death leaves a void in fashion world Rohit Bal had been battling a heart ailment for a while. On November 1, he was rushed to the hospital but didn't make it. He left for his heavenly abode at the age of 63. In 2023, he was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Delhi due to heart ailments, and later expressed gratitude to his supporters for their love during his recovery, saying, "Your support has been a beacon of hope and strength." The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) also honoured Rohit Bal, acknowledging him as a founding member who brought a unique fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics to Indian fashion. Their tribute emphasised the lasting impact of his artistry. "We mourn the passing of Legendary designer Rohit Bal. A founding member of the FDCI, Bal was known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities. His legacy of artistry and innovation will live on in the fashion world. Rest in peace, GUDDA," the post read. Rohit Bal had recently returned to the runway, showcasing his collection "Kaaynaat: A Bloom in the Universe" at Lakme Fashion Week in October 2024, following a year marked by health challenges.
04 November,2024 06:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe taster cut or the teaser of Varun Dhawan's upcoming film 'Baby John' has been released digitally today. The clip gives glimpses of the upcoming actioner that also stars Wamiqa Gabbi and Keerthy Suresh. The film directed by Kalees is presented by Atlee. The teaser has been getting largely positive reactions from fans members of the film industry. Actress Alia Bhatt took to her Instagram stories to praise the teaser and also congratulated the team. She was in awe of her friend and co-star Varun Dhawan. She complimented about his upcoming projects and wrote "Wow wow wow wow!! What is happening!! VD first Citadel now Baby John really taking over the end of the year". Alia Bhatt calls Baby John stars the best actors In her post, Alia referred to the female leads of Baby John as the best actors in the industry at present. "...And then to see two of the best actors we have today @keerthysureshofficiaal & @wamiqagabbi... cant wat to see it all come to life" . For those unaware, Keerthy Suresh is a National Award winning actress while Wamiqa has proved her mettle with her performance in films like 'Godha' (Malayalam), 'Khufiya', Jubilee, Charlie Chopra and The Mystery of Solang Valley. She has also starred in several hit Punjabi films. About Varun Dhawan's Baby John taster cut Released on social media platforms on November 4, the teaser had previously been shown in theatres over the Diwali weekend, attached to the films 'Singham Again' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'. It paints 'Baby John' as a mass action drama enriched with emotional undertones. Dhawan plays a police officer and single father, portraying a character who is not afraid to confront adversaries head-on. In a powerful scene, he declares, "Mere jaise bohat aaye hoge, main pehali baar aaya hu" ("Many might have come before me, but I have come here for the first time"), setting the tone for his heroic journey. The teaser also introduces Keerthy Suresh as the female lead and features veteran actor Jackie Shroff in a brief yet impactful role as the antagonist. Wamiqa Gabbi and Rajpal Yadav round out the cast, contributing to the film's dynamic ensemble.
04 November,2024 06:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' has emerged victorious at the box office despite a clash with the Rohit Shetty's giant 'Singham Again'. While both films have done exceptionally well at the box office, the margin between the two films' earning is also quite less. The audiences have whole heartedly accepted by the 'Singham Again' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' this Diwali season at the theatres. Now, the Anees Bazmee directed horror comedy has created history for Kartik Aaryan at the box office. This has marked his third century at the box office after 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2'. As for Vidya Balan who also stars in the film, it marks her second Rs 100 crore film. Kartik Aaryan's film opened at the box office with Rs 36 crore on Diwali day and managed to keep the moment on Saturday and Sunday as well. The film crossed Rs 100 cr in just three days, which makes it the lead actor's fastest 100 crore film. This is also Vidya Balan's second film to cross Rs 100 cr at the box office. Earlier, her film Mission Mangal co-starring Akshay Kumar has collected a lifetime of Rs 202.98 cr. Detailed analysis of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 first weekend collection Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to social media to give a detailed analysis of the film's first weekend collections. #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 scores a fantastic number in its opening weekend... Crosses ₹ 100 cr on Sunday [Day 3] - a remarkable feat given the fierce competition from #SinghamAgain, which led to split screens, divided showtimes, and shared audience attention. #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 has fared very well across the board, with #Delhi and #WestBengal emerging as standout states. While #KartikAaryan has delivered ₹100 cr films in the past [#SKTKS and #BhoolBhulaiyaa2], what sets #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 apart is its remarkable speed in reaching the ₹100 cr mark in just *3 days*... #BB3 is #Kartik's quickest ascent to the ₹ 100 cr Club. Looking back, #BhoolBhulaiyaa2 reached the ₹ 100 cr milestone on Day 9 [second Saturday]... The fact that #BB3 has achieved this in just *3 days* demonstrates the franchise's massive growth as a brand. Notably, all three of #KartikAaryan's centuries [#SKTKS, #BB2 and #BB3] have been produced by #BhushanKumar. Looking ahead, the Monday-to-Thursday trends are extremely crucial and will determine whether #BB3 can surpass the ₹ 200 cr or even the ₹ 250 cr mark. #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 [Week 1] Fri 36.60 cr, Sat 38.40 cr, Sun 35.20 cr. Total: ₹ 110.20 cr.#India biz | Nett BOC | #Boxoffice". #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 scores a fantastic number in its opening weekend... Crosses ₹ 💯 cr on Sunday [Day 3] - a remarkable feat given the fierce competition from #SinghamAgain, which led to split screens, divided showtimes, and shared audience attention.#BhoolBhulaiyaa3 has fared… pic.twitter.com/NG9F05gx1D — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) November 4, 2024
04 November,2024 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
