Vikramaditya Motwane ventured into uncharted cinematic territory with his latest film, CTRL. Starring Ananya Panday and Vihaan Samat, the film has received rave reviews.
The idea for CTRL originated from a conversation with Sharad Devarajan, the head of Graphic India. Together with screenwriter Avinash Sampath, Motwane developed a story that delves into the dangers of digital obsession and the potential consequences of unchecked technological advancement.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, the original ending of CTRL envisioned a revenge-driven narrative for Nella, but Motwane and Sampath realized that such a plotline would deviate from the screenlife format. They ultimately chose to maintain the film’s unique structure, focusing on the organic progression of the story. Motwane said, “That’s the moment we realised, why would anyone in that right mind stream this or shoot this, what would be the screenlife element? So very quickly, that went out of the window. It has to be organic to the story,” he says.
While the possibility of a sequel exists, Motwane is hesitant to continue the story, believing that Nella’s journey is complete. He views CTRL as a cautionary tale rather than a franchise starter.
CTRL stars Ananya Panday as Nella Awasthi and Vihaan Samat as Joe Mascarenhas, a romantic couple who create content together and are loved by their Internet audience. But what happens when they break up? In a world where data is power, how much sharing is too much? How much of your life are you willing to share, and do you slowly lose control in the process?
Bollywood Hungama has been at the forefront of giving breaking and exclusive updates about the grand Diwali release, Singham Again. On Thursday, October 3, we exclusively reported that the trailer of the much-awaited action entertainer will be launched with much fanfare at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, BKC, Mumbai in the presence of 2000 fans and journalists. And now we bring to you another exciting update.
A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Singham Again already has seen a lot of actors and now it’ll also star none other than Salman Khan. He will play Chulbul Pandey, his much-loved character from Dabangg series. His glimpse will be seen in the film at an important juncture.”
The source further said, “Salman Khan is one of the biggest stars of Indian Cinema, Rohit Shetty is also a director to reckon with while the Cop Universe has an enviable fan following. Hence, when these three will come together in Singham Again, expect fireworks of another level this Diwali in cinemas.”
The source also added, “Salman, however, won’t be a part of the trailer of Singham Again that releases tomorrow, on October 7.” As per reports, the superstar will be shooting for the cameo in a few days.
Singham Again stars Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone and Tiger Shroff. It is all set to release on Friday, November 1. It is the third Singham film and the fifth film of the Rohit Shetty cop universe. The franchise began with a bang with Singham (2011) followed by Singham Again (2014). Then, Simmba (2018), starring Ranveer Singh, was released and it had a cameo of Singham. In Akshay Kumar-starrer Sooryavanshi (2021), both Singham and Simmba appeared and it led to a frenzy in cinemas.
Nikhil Kamath was all smiles and well before time when we met him at an Andheri café for a Bollywood Hungama exclusive interview. And these 2 factors are his USPs besides, of course, his music. With Vinay Tiwari, he formed the hit musical Jodi of Nikhil-Vinay. But even individually, he has done a great amount of work. We met him on the day Tum Bin (2001) had a re-release and he spoke about the film, his journey and a lot more.
How do you feel about the re-release ofTum Bin?
I am very happy. When it was released in 2001, it faced a lot of competition from Gadar and Lagaan. Aks was released on the same day. And I feel the Gen Z generation will love it. Today, I saw the film as an audience for the first time. I realized that the screenplay, story, performances, cinematography, etc. were spectacular. It’s commendable how Anubhav Sinha created the mood. The performances of Priyanshu Chatterjee, Sandali Sinha, Raqesh Bapat and Himanshu Malik were all natural. I even realized that even the editing was fantastic. There was no comic relief or bakwaas scenes added in the film for the heck of it. The dialogues are also mouthed realistically. Nowadays, in some of the films, you get the feeling that the actors are hamming.
Himanshu Malik exclusively told us that he used to be recognized in the remotest corners of the earth, thanks toTum Bin. Did your life also change after this film?
Yes. I once went to Australia as a chief guest for an event. When the announcer mentioned that I had composed ‘Koi Fariyaad’, 4000-5000 people turned around to look at me. Then they suddenly gave me a standing ovation (smiles). Many of them came to greet me and a few of them even touched my feet! ‘Koi Fariyaad’ has touched people deeply. It’s a 9-minute song and yet, you don’t realize it’s so long. Anubhav Sinha has used it very effectively, as a part of the script.
I met Vinay today and we were discussing that we had no idea that the music of Tum Bin would become such a big hit. We worked hard on it like we did on every other project. I never do half-hearted work. Whatever I do, I do it with passion. If I get too many projects, I decline or I ask the makers to wait for a couple of months. But I don’t take up too much work; or else, I’ll spoil all my projects.
Was‘Koi Fariyaad’your first-ever collaboration with Jagjit Singh?
Yes. We never even worked with him on a private song. And it was very easy to convince him. I used to play cricket with his son Vivek in Breach Candy as a child. I used to see Jagjit sir frequently then. When we felt his voice fit the song, I decided to use his son’s reference to contact him. I cycled to his house as he used to stay nearby! I told him, ‘Main Vivek ke saathkhelta tha’. He immediately got interested and also he had heard about us. I told him that the song was made for him and that we were recording it on the e-minus scale. I also gave him the basic melody of the track. Then he came to the T-Series office where I, Vinay, Bhushan Kumar and arranger Suresh Lalwani had a sitting.
I have always been fascinated by the lyrics of the title song. It starts with‘Tum Bin Jeeya Jaaye Jaise’followed by‘Kaise Jeeya Jaaye Tum Bin’. The words are the same but are inter-changed…
It’s all due to the importance of team work. This is how lyricist Faaiz Anwar bhai said that these words are final. We agreed with him. After all, he’s a great poet who has written songs like ‘Iss Tarah Aashiqui Ka’. In fact, there was no interference in the music process at all. Bhushan trusted us completely. Just imagine, at that time, he was so young (22-23 years old) and yet, he chose a tune like ‘Koi Fariyaad’. Can you imagine his music sense at that point? There were times when we used to make him hear the songs in his car. We played ‘Koi Fariyaad’ for him also in his vehicle and explained to him that the situation in the film is grim. He immediately related it to the script.
On one hand, there are songs and on the other hand, there are songs with stories behind them. So, when you hear such songs individually, they sound good and when you see them in the context of the story, it’s killer! ‘Koi Fariyaad’ was one of the experiments that succeeded.
When did you realizeTum Binsongs have become a rage?
Within a few weeks of the songs coming on television. Also, we knew when Bhushan called us to say, ‘The music of Tum Bin is a big hit’!
The entire journey of the film was fun-loving and motivating. No one was pulling anyone down. Today, somebody or the other would interfere or try to act smart.
The tune was something we never heard before…
It was programmed and had Western beats. Moreover, Tum Bin was a rare film to be shot in Calgary in Panavision, which James Bond films used to have. The difference between a normal print and a Panavision print was Rs. 10 lakhs. It means that Bhushan had to put Rs. 10 lakhs extra. Yet, he went for it as he was very passionate. I told Jagjit ji that ‘Tum Bin is a very futuristic movie. Hence, I can’t keep a very Indian sound’. He understood my point. We had a workshop before the film went on floors where Anubhav told us about Panavision. Hence, the orchestration was done according to the scenes in many of the songs.
How much time did it take for you and Vinay to compose the songs for the film?
It didn’t take more than 2 weeks (smiles). When Anubhav was narrating the script, whatever we had in our mind, we used to play those compositions. Whatever he liked, he took. Only ‘Koi Fariyaad’ took some time.
You and Vinay Tiwari began your career withPyar Bhara Dil(1991), made by Chandra Barot ofDon(1978) fame. How did you bag the film of such a popular director?
I met him through a producer known as Anis Ahmed. He knew Chandra Barot and he told them about us and that we are working on the private songs of T-Series. We met him and when we played the song ‘Banke Kitaab Teri’, he immediately signed us! T-Series also liked the songs and they sponsored the music.
You and Vinay composed for 3 films of Shah Rukh Khan –Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke(2004),English Babu Desi Mem(1996) andHum Tumhare Hain Sanam(2002). Did you get a chance to interact with him?
We interacted with him. Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke was earlier called Jaadu. It was directed by Pawan Kaul. We went to meet him on the sets of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994) with Pawan Kaul ji. He introduced us to Shah Rukh. Pawan ji used to keep saying, ‘This person is going to be a superstar in Bollywood’! He had that gut feeling right from the first day. His prophecy came true.
Unfortunately, Jaadu got stalled due to some problems. It was released a decade later but a different story was added by B N Tiwari. Hence, it became a khichdi of sorts. If it had been released in the early 90s, it would have been a blockbuster.
Did you meet him again?
Yes, 2-3 times. He was a very nice person. In fact, once he called Vinay and me on the sets of Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) at Mehboob Studio. He was shooting for the song ‘Koi Ladki Hai’ with Madhuri Dixit. He sat in a room in the studio and a stand-up comedian, Madhav Moghe, had come to meet him. He used to tell us, ‘Meena Kumari, Dilip Kumar, etc, used to do their makeup in this very room’! Then, Shah Rukh came and listed the films he was working on at that time. He promised to work with us if any opportunity arose.
And you and Vinay did work with him inHum Tumhare Hain Sanam…
Yes, but that was because of T-Series. He used to not interfere in the music process. He was very professional. He is a director’s actor and depends on the director.
The title song ofHum Tumhare Hain Sanamwas a hit…
Indeed, and even the songs of English Babu Desi Mem were hits, especially ‘O Bijuria Sun’ and ‘Deewana Main Deewana’.
What is going wrong with music in today’s times?
The person, who has to decide the music, doesn’t know music. They are CEOs with MBA degrees. No offence to them but music is not selected by MBAs. It has to be selected by a person who has an understanding of the song. You need to get a director, who knows the pulse of the audience.
If you have hired me, then you better trust me. Bhushan, for example, trusted us when we suggested ‘Koi Fariyad’. He didn’t say ‘It’s very slow. People might get bored and go to sleep’. Today, it’s a cult song. So, you need to have that gut feeling. Nobody has that, except for T-Series. Bhushan Kumar, Raj Chanana, etc. all have musical sense.
While working on devotional songs, I go with a baby keyboard. Then, I sing the song aloud. And they choose the song. Either you like it or you don’t. But the new breeds of corporates don’t understand anything. They keep on asking for changes. Earlier, live recordings used to happen. Now, they know that they can keep on interfering as the process is digital. They keep changing the beats. The end product is nothing but confusion.
Do you sometimes feel that you have not got your due? After all, you and Vinay did such great songs together and yet, neither of you are counted in the league of other music directors of the 90s…
Yes, we feel the same but today, Vinay and I also believe that we are in a good space. If you do something and you are not happy about it, it’ll kill you. You’ll get all sorts of diseases. If you take up fees for a project and then you are not happy with the makers, you might end up fighting. It’ll create a tremendous amount of stress. You’ll get burnt out and suffer from ailments. Your family will suffer since you will suffer. Today, I am happy and look younger as we didn’t do projects that didn’t seem satisfying to us. We didn’t have a bad name or reports were never spread that we were thrown out of a film. Hence, there’s less popularity but there’s also happiness. We enjoyed the journey. We believe a lot in quality work and giving time to our producers.
Can you and Vinay Tiwari collaborate once again?
We are trying to do something. There’s no enmity. He wanted to move on his own to London to seek newer pastures. He started a digital company in the UK. We saw Tum Bin together today (the composer was sweet enough to share the picture of them together which they clicked when they went to see the film).
The highly anticipated Bollywood Hungama India Entertainment Awards 2024 took place on October 4 at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai, drawing a star-studded lineup from the OTT and entertainment industries. Let’s take a look at the Best Dressed Men who graced the event with their impeccable style:
1. Kartik Aaryan
Kartik set the bar high with his sleek black tuxedo, exuding timeless elegance. His choice of an open-collared shirt added a touch of casual flair while keeping it effortlessly stylish. Kartik’s easygoing vibe paired with his dashing look made him one of the standout stars of the night.
2. Sunny Kaushal
Sunny Kaushal made a suave statement in his all-Pinstripe Black Blazer attire adding an edge to his style. Opting for a well-fitted black suit with a subtle sheen, Sunny embodied the balance between sophistication and boldness. His confident pose only amplified his sharp look.
3. Tiger Shroff
Known for pushing the fashion envelope, Tiger Shroff stunned in an all-black leather ensemble. His high-fashion leather jacket and trousers gave off an ultra-cool vibe. Paired with his signature shades, Tiger brought his A-game with this powerful look.
4. Ayushmann Khurrana
Ayushmann stuck to a classic black tuxedo but his radiant smile stole the show! His sleek suit paired with a crisp white shirt and a perfectly tied black tie made him look polished and refined. Simple, sharp, and effective—Ayushmann’s look was a perfect example of how classic never goes out of style.
The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest 2024 and India Entertainment Awards kicked off with a bang on October 3 at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai. The inaugural day featured several insightful panel discussions with prominent figures from the Indian OTT industry. On the second day of the event on October 4, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Abhishek Banerjee talked about several aspects of the film industry, growing OTT space and what does stardom mean in current times.
Nushrratt Bharuccha said, “I have actually, of lately, started believing and feeling that just the kind of stars we have now, new generation stars – stardom is very volatile right now. For me, I think the content is the star. On one Friday, you could be a big star on any platform – OTT, films or any platform – if the content is not supported by the audiences, then your stardom becomes invisible or if it works on a Friday or any day whenever or wherever it releases, then you become a star. So, it has become very volatile. It’s not what it was before that you are a star for generations now. These are very short-lived. And it’s become difficult to actually decide the magnitude of your stardom based on the social media life you are living today.”
Adding to the same, Abhishek Banerjee said, “I think what’s happening now these days that OTT stars, especially, it’s coming from your characters. So, when the characters are becoming a hit, when they are becoming catchy, when the audiences are talking about the characters, and they sing those lines. For me, Sambha [Sholay] is also a star, Bhiku Mhatre is also a star.”
He continued, “I think that the characters, they decide your stardom. Like even for chhoti mooh badi baat but Shah Rukh Khan liye bhi Raj, everybody was talking about that, and for Mr. Bachchan, it was becoming Vijay. Yeh joh naam hain na, Salman Khan ke liye Prem, so joh woh naam hain na mujhe lagta hai woh kisi actor ko stardom ke taraf le jata hai. Jab tak ki audience aapke character ko nahi pakad payegi tab tak mujhe nahi lagta aap star nahin ho (I believe that characters play a crucial role in defining stardom. For example, when people think of Shah Rukh Khan, they think of Raj, and for Mr. Bachchan, it’s Vijay. Names like these resonate deeply. For Salman Khan, it’s Prem. I feel these character names are what elevate an actor to true stardom. Until the audience connects with your character, I don’t think you can truly be considered a star). You might be visible, you might be known to people, but not calling you with that character name, I don’t think you have gained that kind of love for your acting. That’s what I really feel, and it can come with any of the characters. That’s my perspective, and it applies to any character.”
The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and India Entertainment Awards, in association with Cinema Waale Film and Television Productions LLP and Across Media Solutions, is to be held on the 3rd & 4th of October 2024 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. Presented by TVS Jupiter, co-powered by Fujifilm Instax, Fima, Carlo Frattini, powered by Valvoline, alongside dating partner aisle, Stylish time partner Helios, comfort partner Frido, grooming partner Ikonic, and Lahori Zeera & Smoor, Radio partner Radio City, and celebration partner Heineken Silver.
The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and the India Entertainment Awards, held on October 3 brought together industry stalwarts and fresh talent, offering a vibrant platform for discourse on the evolving landscape of digital entertainment. Held on October 3 at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai, among the highlights is a panel discussion titled “The Art of Empathy: Navigating Cultural Nuances in Storytelling,” which will delve into the challenges and rewards of creating authentic and inclusive content. The panel featured actors Aparshakti Khurana, Ishwak Singh, and Anupriya Goenka, who shared their insights on the importance of understanding diverse cultures and perspectives in storytelling. They worked together on recent project, Berlin.
Ishwak Singh shared insights into the complexities of portraying characters that use sign language: “Sign language has its own structure and requires a different skill set. It was a challenging task for both Aparshakti and me.”
Aparshakti said, “Ishwak called someone at home to understand the sign language and how they communicate. Ek insaan joh is not from the community and become that person and understand how to lead that life”.
Aparshakti shared insights into the complexities of portraying characters that use sign language: “Sign language has its own structure and requires a different skill set. It was a challenging task for both Ishwak and me.”
In the frigid winter of 1993 New Delhi, Berlin unfolds as a tense espionage thriller when authorities arrest a deaf-mute young man [Ishwak Singh] on suspicion of being a foreign spy. The case takes a complex turn as a skilled sign language expert [Aparshakti Khurana] is brought in to interpret, only to find himself drawn into a web of intrigue. With accusations of aiding a notorious spy [Anupriya Goenka], the truth becomes elusive, and an intelligence officer [Rahul Bose] races against time to uncover it. But as rival agencies and unseen forces conspire, a startling revelation turns the case upside down: could the real spy be someone hiding in plain sight?
The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and India Entertainment Awards, in association with Cinema Waale Film and Television Productions LLP and Across Media Solutions, is to be held on the 3rd & 4th of October 2024 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. Presented by TVS Jupiter, co-powered by Fujifilm Instax, Fima, Carlo Frattini, powered by Valvoline, alongside dating partner aisle, Stylish time partner Helios, comfort partner Frido, grooming partner Ikonic, and Lahori Zeera & Smoor, Radio partner Radio City, and celebration partner Heineken Silver.
The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and the India Entertainment Awards, held on October 3 at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai, brought together industry stalwarts and fresh talent, offering a vibrant platform for discourse on the evolving landscape of digital entertainment. Held on October 3 at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai, one of the standout panels featured stars from TV, digital and movie mediums – Jennifer Winget, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Ayush Mehra, Pratibha Ranta and Kusha Kapila – who talked the different mediums and how the OTT shaped and changed the game for many in the entertainment space. Talking about her movie Laapataa Ladies, helmed by Kiran Rao, Pratibha Ranta recalled the experience of shooting the film, which is not only became huge on OTT after theatrical release; it is also India’s official entry for Oscars 2025.
“I think we truly appreciated the attention to detail on the film’s sets. The dedication that Ravi Kishan and Chhaya Kadam brought to their roles was inspiring; they always gave their all, making it feel like we were all professionals, despite being newcomers. The atmosphere on set was incredibly vibrant and enjoyable, and I believe that energy resonated with audiences on Netflix, resulting in a remarkable response. The pressure we felt was focused on delivering quality work and making the most of the learning experience,” Pratibha Ranta remarked in Hindi at the panel on Thursday afternoon.
The film, a delightful comedy about the misadventures of two young brides who become separated on the same train, is a blend of mistaken identities and laugh-out-loud escapades. Presented by Jio Studios, Laapataa Ladies is directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande. The film has been made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, with the script based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. The screenplay & dialogues are written by Sneha Desai, with additional dialogues penned by Divyanidhi Sharma.
The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and India Entertainment Awards, in association with Cinema Waale Film and Television Productions LLP and Across Media Solutions, is to be held on the 3rd & 4th of October 2024 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. Presented by TVS Jupiter, co-powered by Fujifilm Instax, Fima, Carlo Frattini, powered by Valvoline, alongside dating partner aisle, Stylish time partner Helios, comfort partner Frido, grooming partner Ikonic, and Lahori Zeera & Smoor, Radio partner Radio City, and celebration partner Heineken Silver.
Shah Rukh Khan, sporting a fresh makeover and looking his best, shared a promotional video on his social media accounts on Tuesday. While many anticipated an announcement regarding his upcoming film King, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, Shah Rukh had different intentions.
Taking to her X account, Shah Rukh Khan posted the video and wrote, “See you soon, after dark. #DYAVOLAfterDark.”
In a brief 17-second video, SRK introduces a new product from his son Aryan Khan’s brand, Dyavol, called After Dark. He delivers a straightforward monologue as he highlights the new product’s allure. “When the sun goes down and the moon is up, some will sleep but we will be up and about. After Dark,” he says in the teaser, sporting a black t-shirt, paired with cargo pants and a cap.
Shah Rukh has consistently supported his son’s company; earlier this year, he collaborated with his daughter Suhana Khan to launch the ‘Triple Threat. X-2’ line, which featured a variety of apparel including hoodies, T-shirts, crop tops, and denim jackets.
Recently, Shah Rukh Khan recently won over viewers at the IIFA Awards 2024, where he returned to host the event. Several clips from his hosting gig with Vicky Kaushal went popular on social media. To top it all off, Shah Rukh won the Best Actor award for his portrayal in Jawan.
On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki. His upcoming film, King, is reportedly set to feature his daughter Suhana Khan alongside him and is anticipated to be an action drama.
Palak Sindhwani won hearts with her stint as Sonu Bhide in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah but it seems that the actress has decided to move on from the show. Readers would be aware that the actress has got into a legal battle with makers with a lot of accusations being directed at each other. The actress, however, recently confirmed in a report that she would be quitting the show and now it seems that her last day has arrived.
Palak Sindhwani has been a part of this popular Sony SAB sitcom for almost five years now and while the actress insisted that encapsulating this long journey is quite difficult, she did add that she felt quite emotional as she wrapped up her last episode of the show recently. On October 1, she took to Instagram to share some of her fondest memories she had while shooting the show including several pictures with the entire cast as well as her onscreen parents Mr. and Mrs. Bhide.
She even penned a heartfelt note expressing gratitude and wrote, “As I wrap up my last day on set, I reflect on the past five years filled with hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Thank you to my amazing audience for the love and support you’ve given me throughout this journey. I’m truly grateful for this journey and the incredible people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I’ve learned so much-not just from my fellow actors, but also from everyone behind the scenes, from my hairstylist to the spot team, makeup team and everyone else. Our goodbyes were filled with tears, and I will cherish the wonderful memories we’ve created together as a team.”
She went on to add, “As I take some time to transition back to a more normal life, I will take this time to reflect, relax and recharge to return stronger and ready for the next chapter. PS – Being an actor, stepping onto the set, means letting go of everything and focusing only on delivering your best and that’s what I did right till the final shot. Finally, for the very last time, tune in to watch my dance performance with Bappa tonight at 8:30 as I bid everyone goodbye!! (sic)”.
Readers would be aware that Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah team has accused Palak Sindhwani of breach of contract whereas the actress has alleged undergoing mental harassment while working on the show, insisting that she hasn’t done anything illegal or unethical.
The IIFA 2024 event at Yas Island, Abu Dubai was a star-studded affair. The second day saw the Etihad Arena packed with Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan himself hosting the awards night. From Rekha and Hema Malini to Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol, the front row was occupied by all the industry people. On Day 2 of IIFA, SRK and Vicky Kaushal held the audience in rapt attention with their fun banter.
At one point, Vicky was seen pulling the leg of SRK by reminding him of all the flop movies he did. But SRK said he had also rejected a few movies that went on to become blockbusters. Vicky asked why he said no toPushpa, and SRK replied, “One, I can’t match the swag of Allu Arjun sir,” drawing cheers from the audience.
Thereafter, King Khan also tried to groove to the famous item number fromPushpa, ‘Oo Antava’saying he would not have been able to pull off a song like that! Venkatesh who came to hand over an award asked SRK, if he would have doneAnariif it was offered to him, SRK in his usual witty way said, “No. I am way too educated for the role!”
Apart from this, Allu Arjun has already piqued the excitement for the release ofPushpa 2: The Rulewith the song‘Pushpa Pushpa.’ Now, everyone is eagerly waiting for its release on December 6, 2024.
Varun Tej starrer much awaited period mass action entertainer Matka is currently in the last leg of shooting. As production nears completion with post-production happening simultaneously, the makers of Matka have finally locked the film’s release date. The movie will hit theatres on November 14, just ahead of Karthika Purnima, allowing it to capitalize on a long weekend.
The makers, who have already unveiled the first look poster, decided to add to the anticipation by coming up with the second look. Varun Tej exudes effortless elegance in the poster, which features a retro vibe. Keeping up with the theme, Varun too is seen dressed sharply in a suit, as he walks on the stairs with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. The two distinct looks of the actor from the film which have been released aims at beautifully encapsulating his character’s evolution over time.
Coming to the film’s progress, as of now, the team is filming a very crucial and intense action episode involving the popular Telugu actor and fighters. Spanning across over two decades, the movie is set against the backdrop between 1958 to 1982 with Varun Tej in four distinct avatars. Apart from Varun, the film will feature Meenakshi Chaudhry and Nora Fatehi in key roles with Naveen Chandra, Ajay Ghosh, Kannada Kishore, Ravindra Vijay, P Ravi Shankar, etc, in supporting characters.
Directed by Karuna Kumar and produced by Dr Vijender Reddy Teegala and Rajani Thalluri under Vyra Entertainments and SRT Entertainment banners, Matka is said to be mounted on a massive scale and will have GV Prakash Kumar as the music composer along with the cinematography handled by A Kishore Kumar and Karthika Srinivas R as the editor.
Now with the film releasing on November 14 in multiple languages, it is expected to clash with Suriya starrer Kanguva. The latter shifted its date to November recently after Suriya bowed out of October 11 release date out of respect for Rajinikanth and to prevent the clash with Vettaiyan.
Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher took to social media to react to the bizarre news that counterfeit Rs 500 currency notes featuring his face had been discovered in Ahmedabad. The fake notes, which replaced Mahatma Gandhi’s image with Kher’s, were part of a Rs 1.6 crore scam targeting a bullion firm. Kher humorously responded in Hindi, stating, “Lo kar lo baat. My photo instead of Gandhiji’s photo on the five hundred rupee note???? Anything can happen!”
The incident came to light after Ahmedabad Police seized the counterfeit notes during their investigation into a scam that defrauded Mehul Thakkar, the owner of a bullion firm, out of gold worth Rs 1.6 crore.
How the scam unfolded
According to reports, Thakkar was approached by a group posing as potential buyers, who expressed interest in purchasing 2,100 grams of gold. Thakkar sent his employee to deliver the gold to the suspects, who handed him a plastic bag, claiming it contained Rs 1.3 crore in cash. The suspects excused themselves, stating they would return with the remaining Rs 30 lakh, but fled the scene.
Upon opening the bag, Thakkar’s employees were shocked to find counterfeit currency notes with Kher’s face on them, instead of Mahatma Gandhi’s. The notes also carried the text “Resole Bank of India” instead of “Reserve Bank of India,” further adding to the strangeness of the situation.
Ongoing investigation by Ahmedabad Police
A case has been registered at the Navrangpura police station in Ahmedabad. Inspector A.A. Desai, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that the suspects rented a shop with fraudulent documentation and created a fake courier service sign to facilitate the scam. No arrests have been made yet, and police are working to track down the culprits.
The scam has garnered attention, particularly because of the counterfeit notes’ unusual design. Meanwhile, Kher’s lighthearted response has added a humorous twist to an otherwise serious crime.
On the work front, apart from Tanvi The Great, Anupam Kher is set to appear in Vijay 69, expanding his slate of upcoming films.
Rekha has once again shown that age is merely a number. At the IIFA 2024 awards, she captivated the audience with her enchanting performance of the classic song “Piya Tose Naina Lage Re.” The video of her performance has gone viral, garnering widespread admiration.
The footage, shared on Reddit, features Rekha in a stunning pink Anarkali, effortlessly executing every dance step and receiving high praise. Fans quickly responded to the clip, with one commenting, “Wow, what energy! I need that!” Another remarked, “So graceful! The ultimate diva.”
The IIFA 2024 ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi on September 28, celebrating the best in Indian cinema. The night highlighted Animal, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, which won the coveted Best Film award. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and producer Bhushan Kumar accepted the award on behalf of the team.
In acting accolades, Shah Rukh Khan won Best Actor for his impactful performance in Jawan, while Rani Mukerji received Best Actress for her portrayal of a determined mother in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, a film that resonated strongly with audiences.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra was honored as Best Director for 12th Fail, a biopic showcasing the inspiring journey of IPS officer Manoj Sharma, portrayed by Vikrant Massey.
The evening was packed with unforgettable performances, featuring an electrifying dance routine by Shahid Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Kriti Sanon. Shahid’s collaboration with Prabhu Deva and Kriti on stage left the audience spellbound, while Vicky delighted everyone with his hit song “Tauba Tauba.”
The IIFA 2024 festivities began on September 27 and will wrap up on September 29. The gala also includes a special performance night featuring artists such as Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao, and the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
Sunny Kaushal is celebrating his birthday today, receiving well-wishes from all around. Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif also took to social media to share unseen photos and extend their greetings. Fans have joined in, sending their wishes to the actor.
Vicky Kaushal posted the photo on his Instagram story and captioned, “Happiest birthday to the person I learn so much from…the most zen Kaushal. The most fun Kaushal. Love you my brother. May you keep smiling and shining!!! @sunsunnykhez.”
Meanwhile, Katrina Kaif took to her Instagram story and wrote, “Happy birthday to the best devar and pancake partner. May this year bring you even more peace, fulfillment, and joy.”
On the work front, Sunny Kaushal was last seen in Phir Aaye Hasseen Dilruba, alongside Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey. Directed by Jayprad Desai and co-written and produced by Kanika Dhillon, the film also features Jimmy Shergill. Produced by Aanand L Rai’s Colour Yellow Productions and Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series Films, this sequel combines romance, suspense, and unexpected twists, reflecting the signature style of fictional Indian pulp writer Dinesh Pandit.
Meanwhile, the upcoming film Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, has been generating buzz since its announcement. The teaser begins with Vicky’s introduction as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, showcasing him as a valiant warrior. His impressive look and action scenes in the brief clip have captured attention. Prior to the teaser’s release, Vicky shared the film’s first poster on social media, which depicts him in a dramatic battle against hundreds of soldiers. Chhaava is a historical drama centered on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Vicky plays the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, while Rashmika Mandanna portrays Yesubai Bhonsale. The cast also includes Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta in significant roles.
Actress Dame Maggie Smith, best known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, passed away on September 27, 2024 after a prolonged illness. Fans of the HP franchise are mourning the demise of this Oscar winning actress while her co-stars from the series like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, and the bestselling author of HP series, JK Rowling have shared their emotional message expressing their grief and condolence.
After the news hit the tube, fans of the renowned Harry Potter series decided to pay a tribute to one of the most loved actors, Maggie Smith by raising their wands at the Hogwarts castle, which is a part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. This much-loved sight of the fans coming together to honor the actress was shared on social media by several users who also expressed their sorrow about the demise of Smith.
Fans gathered in front of Hogwarts Castle tonight to raise their wands up in tribute to Dame Maggie Smith pic.twitter.com/wv2F1c8yQo
Meanwhile, actors from the film series like Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Bonnie Wright have penned heartfelt notes on social media. Emma aka Hermoine Granger wrote, “When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend – the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with. It is only as I’ve become an adult that I’ve come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness. She was real, honest, funny and self-honouring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors and by God, you held your own. Thank you for all of your kindness. I’ll miss you”. She also shared a sweet moment she shared with the late Maggie on the sets of the Harry Potter movies.
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley (later Potter) wrote, “Our dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house <3 you will be so missed by the Harry Potter community. My favourite scene with Maggie was when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball. She embodied that perfect balance of sass and loving care that McGonagall has. She kept Gryffindors on their toes. My deepest condolences to Maggie’s family at this time”.
Rupert Grint too shared an adorable photo of him dancing with Smith from one of the Harry Potter films and said, “Heartbroken to hear about Maggie. She was so special, always hilarious and always kind. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared a set with her and particularly lucky to have shared a dance. I’ll miss you Maggie. Sending all my love to her family. Rupert x”.
Daniel Radcliffe shared a statement expressing his grief. A fan page of the actor, who is not on social media, released the same saying, “I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease. She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films. She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny. I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her and spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you, Maggie,” he added.
