There is no better moment for Women In Film (WIF), Los Angeles, to announce the launch of its India chapter than at the Cannes Film Festival. This initiative is part of the worldwide Women In Film and Television International (WIFTI) network, which is dedicated to promoting gender equality in the film industry. “The Women in Films International Summit in Helsinki in September 2023 motivated me to create a similar peer group in India, ensuring that women’s voices are heard and their contributions are recognised,” said Guneet Monga Kapoor, who will lead the India chapter. WIF: India’s mission is to achieve parity and provide opportunities for women pursuing careers in the screen industries. To support its programming, an advisory council of industry leaders from across India will be established. The chapter will focus on research, mentorship, and creative labs for women filmmakers. Although WIF: India will operate independently, it will collaborate with the Los Angeles-based WIF. Monga points out that despite the progressive times, comprehensive studies like the O Womaniya—a 2023 report by Ormax Media suggests that there is still a lack of gender diversity across key filmmaking departments; “only 12 per cent of head of department positions are occupied by women out of the 156 films that were studied. WIF: India Chapter is dedicated to championing gender equity in our industry,” she said before sharing her experience at the Asian University for Women in Japan’s annual fundraising event. “Together, we raised enough scholarships to support 29 young women on their educational journeys. Additionally, we raised ¥2.5 million for an immersive experience in Indian cinema. This will fund a trip to Mumbai, where these women can spend a day at Sikhya [Monga’s production house] and visit our film sets.” Believing that the step will not only empower women but will also give them opportunities. She said, “When women are alone in big boardrooms, how we represent each other, actually defines us. We are not each other’s competitors. We are each other’s companions. If one woman breaks open a door, she makes way for 10 more.”
19 May,2024 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuEver since the release of SS Rajamouli’s RRR, Karan Johar has been keen on working with NTR Junior. Their collaboration finally materialised with the actor’s upcoming two-part action drama, Devara. KJo is presenting Koratala Siva’s directorial venture, also starring Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, in Hindi. As per the latest updates, the filmmaker has given away the title Dragon for Jr NTR’s next with director Prashanth Neel. For the uninitiated, Brahmāstra: Part One: Shiva was initially supposed to be titled Dragon. As director Ayan Mukerji’s script evolved and connected with ancient Indian culture and mythology, the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer was eventually retitled Brahmāstra. So, when Prashanth and Jr NTR felt it suited their collaboration, which also marks the actor’s 31st outing, KJo graciously gifted it to them as a goodwill gesture, without any talk of money. Rendezvous at the Riviera In her second appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was spotted in a shimmery blue and silver gown by designer duo Falguni Shane Peacock. Aishwarya was apparently headed for the screening of filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest feature, Kinds of Kindness, starring two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone. It’s only a wonder as to how she managed to settle down in a seat with that exaggerated ensemble. The outfit boasted a sweeping trail and bold, dramatic shoulders, featuring metallic fringe. On her first trip to the French Riviera, Kiara Advani, who went to represent India at the Women in Cinema Gala dinner, looked classy in an ivory crepe satin dress featuring a thigh-high slit. The Prabal Gurung outfit was completed with matching large earrings and heels. Sodhi is back After nearly a month of going missing, Gurucharan Singh, best known as Sodhi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has returned home. The Delhi Police said that the actor was found to be on a religious journey and had visited several gurudwaras in Amritsar and Ludhiana. Gurucharan reportedly explained to the cops that he had embarked on a spiritual quest but later felt he must return home. According to the investigation, the actor follows a meditation sect and was keen to travel to the Himalayas. While there was talk that he could be facing financial issues, his father, Hargit Singh, denies the knowledge of any financial crisis. SRK, Anirudh reunite Last year, Shah Rukh Khan teamed up with Atlee for Jawan. While the action thriller emerged as a box-office blockbuster, what also worked for it was the music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. We hear that the superstar and the composer are working together on the former’s next, King. Given that the film, helmed by Sujoy Ghosh and jointly produced by Siddharth Anand, also marks the big-screen debut of Suhana Khan, SRK is pulling all the stops to make it an absolute entertainer for the audience. Considering King is an action thriller set to raise the bar a few notches higher, SRK, Sujoy, and Sid understand that Anirudh is the right choice to not only compose a chartbuster soundtrack but also create the background score for it. Apparently, the composer has begun working on the theme music, which could be incorporated into the announcement of the film that is slated to go on floors this August. For the animal kingdom We’re half way through May, and the melting temperatures have caused enough mayhem. Bhumi Pednekar, who is also an advocate for environmental and animal welfare, has started an initiative to provide relief to birds and animals bearing the brunt of this sweltering heat. Through her non-profit advocacy platform, Bhumi Foundation, the actor will set up water bowls across the city for birds and animals to hydrate and cool off. “While we can voice our discomfort during the heat, innocent creatures suffer in silence. It is important that we understand their plight and take care of them. If we all add water bowls in our societies and neighbourhoods, it will go a long way towards helping them,” said Bhumi.
19 May,2024 06:54 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamHuma Qureshi is missing all the action happening on the French Riviera. She has been a regular at the Cannes Film Festival since her first appearance in 2018, but she skipped this year as the event coincided with the shoot of Jolly LLB 3. Qureshi, who previously attended the festival as part of a brand, had her breakout film, Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur, screened at Cannes in 2012. A still from the Jolly LLB franchise Instead of flying to France and sashaying on the red carpet in haute couture, Qureshi chose to stay in India for the Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi-starrer. The Subhash Kapoor-directed courtroom drama, known for its satirical take on the Indian legal system, has Qureshi reprising her role from the last edition. She also wrapped up the Ahmedabad schedule for her film Gulabi and will soon start working on another series. “I absolutely love attending the Cannes Film Festival. It’s not just a glamorous event, but a place of immense learning. Watching diverse cinema from around the world helps the artiste in me evolve,” said the actor, whose absence was keenly felt at the gala. “At this point, I’m deeply committed to my shoot here. I can’t wait to return to Cannes and immerse myself in its incredible cinematic experience once again,” she added.
19 May,2024 05:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is known for ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Sacred Games’, ‘Raman Raghav 2.0’, ‘Black Friday’ and ‘The Lunchbox’, has shared his experience of working with Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan in ‘Sarfarosh’ and ‘Talaash: The Answer Lies Within’. The film, which recently clocked 25 years of its release, saw Nawaz in a small role when he is interrogated by the cops from Aamir’s team. From that scene with his humble beginnings in Bollywood, Nawaz went on to work with Aamir in ‘Talaash’. Recalling his experiences on the sets of ‘Sarfarosh’ and ‘Talaash’, Nawaz said: "Sharing the screen with Aamir in both Sarfarosh and Talaash has been a remarkable journey. Off the sets, our bond was just as strong, full of mutual respect and an unspoken understanding.” He further mentioned, “Aamir's dedication and passion for his craft are truly inspiring, and our discussions often went beyond scripts and scenes, we loved discussing cinema”. Over the years, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's career has flourished, earning him accolades and a dedicated fan base. He has come a long way carving a niche for himself and cultivating a loyal fanbase given the success of his films like ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Badlapur’, ‘Kick’, ‘Manto’ and others. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 May,2024 11:02 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film ‘Mr and Mrs Mahi’ alongside Rajkummar Rao. The ‘Dhadak’ star recently participated in a conversation on Dharma Productions’ YouTube channel moderated by producer Karan Johar. In the video, Janhvi recalled the time she was sexualised at the tender age of 12-13 and how pictures of her ended up on a porn website. Janhvi said, “The first time I felt sexualised by the media, I think I was 12-13 years old. I went for an event with Mom and Dad and there were pictures of me online. Instagram and social media had just started to boom and I found pictures of me in what seemed like a pornographic site and boys in my school were like looking at it and laughing.” “It is a very weird thing to navigate and I have been navigating it for a very long time. I think I am very apologetic about where I come from and I need to get over that. I am sure other people deal with it in a much more different sense. I still think the way I am explaining it and my experiences of it are very privileged. But it was complicated… There is a sort of character assassination that a girl faces when she dresses in a way that makes it seem like she is comfortable with her sexuality,” she added. Janhvi's 'Mr and Mrs Mahi' is a film that's high on cricket, drama, and love. It is directed by Sharan Sharma, who is known for 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl'. It will hit the theatres on May 31. She also has 'Ulajh' in her kitty. Directed by National Award winner Sudhanshu Saria, the patriotic thriller film also stars Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew, of 'The Poacher' fame, in lead roles. Produced by Junglee Pictures, the project follows the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf, at a career-defining post. It also stars Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Sachin Khedekar, Rajendra Gupta, and Jitendra Joshi in pivotal roles. (With inputs from ANI)
18 May,2024 10:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFrom the very first poster, the audiences have been eagerly awaiting this very moment of trailer launch in Gwalior. The posters introduced everyone to the various flavors of this biggest cinematic spectacle, each of them flaunting Kartik Aaryan's versatility and transformation journey. But it was the trailer that stole the spotlight, fulfilling the demand of the nationwide audiences and driving them into an ecstatic frenzy! The trailer launched in Gwalior is loaded with emotional moments, action, a glimpse of the biggest-ever war sequence, the extraordinary journey of a man who refused to surrender, and heart-warming moments. The trailer grants the audience a sneak peek into the big-scale world of 'Chandu Champion' that could have happened only with the solid support of a strong producer Sajid Nadiadwala who is bringing this story to the audience. Kartik Aaryan's incredible transformation as a soldier, boxer, and wrestler, channels his dedication, and perfection, intensifying the countdown to its release in cinemas on June 14, 2024. The trailer launch event, set against the backdrop of Gwalior's iconic Roop Singh Stadium, is rumoured to be one of the grandest events. The choice of venue is a heartfelt nod to Kartik's roots, making the event even more special for the actor and his legions of fans. The homecoming is not just a personal milestone for Kartik but also a celebration for the city that has supported him throughout his journey to stardom. The excitement is palpable, with local media and fans thronging the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of their hometown hero. Kartik's arrival in Gwalior has turned the city into a festive hub, with banners, posters, and enthusiastic crowds adding to the celebratory atmosphere. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) Visually stunning and captivating also filled with the heart-pumping background score, the trailer promises a cinematic spectacle, setting the stage for "Chandu Champion" to rewrite box office records upon its big-screen debut. Sajid Nadiadwala produced and Kabir Khan directed film carries colossal expectations on its shoulders and the anticipation after the trailer to experience the film in theatres has reached an all-time high as it promises an unforgettable cinematic journey and ensures that it connects with every segment of moviegoers. Jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan, 'Chandu Champion' is set for a June 14, 2024 release, and is poised to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of audiences worldwide.
18 May,2024 08:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress Aditi Rao Hydari, who garnered praise for her role as Bibbojaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic web series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ shared an interesting anecdote from her role in ‘Rockstar’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri. In the film directed by Imtiaz Ali, Aditi played the role of Sheena, a journalist. In an interaction with Humans of Bombay, Aditi said, “Working with Ranbir Kapoor was mad! He is incredible. He is always present. He is someone who can convince you to do anything! With Rockstar I was called to audition for Nargis Fakhri’s part, and I so wish I could’ve done that. But she had already been cast. Months later I was called for my part. When I read it, it was actually beautiful. I have done quite a few cameos in my career, but this was one of those that got edited a lot. It was beautifully complete in its own way. I felt bad that it got edited out.” When asked what she feels about being branded an underrated actor, Aditi asserted, “Until quite recently I used to hear everyone say that I am an underrated actor and that I deserve so much more. But I would think - that’s on you! How is that on me? My mother told me, that if people think you are underrated that means you have so much more to give. Every time a film of mine comes out I get a lot of love and good press, but they still say I am underrated. So I guess they feel I can do more.” The 2011 film ‘Rockstar’ revolves around Janardhan Jakhar, played by Ranbir, a young man from Delhi who dreams of becoming a rockstar like his idol, Jim Morrison. He transforms and adopts the persona of Jordan when he meets Heer Kaul, played by Fakhri, a free-spirited girl with whom he falls in love. The movie portrays Janardhan's journey as he navigates through love, heartbreak, and fame in pursuit of his musical ambitions. It explores themes of passion, self-discovery, and the sacrifices one makes for their art. 'Rockstar' is renowned for its soulful music composed by A R Rahman, which includes chart-topping songs like 'Sadda Haq' and 'Nadaan Parindey. 'The film received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and music, earning several awards and nominations. (With inputs from ANI)
18 May,2024 06:57 PM IST | MumbaiVeteran Bollywood actress Soni Razdan took to Instagram and warned netizens about a scam where imposters call up in the name of Delhi Customs and ask for personal details as well as a huge amount of money through intimidation. Soni wrote on Instagram, “There is a huge scam going around everyone. Someone calls up pretending to be from Delhi Customs… and says you have ordered some illegal drugs. Or they say they’re from the police or something of that nature… They try to get your Aadhar card number from you. I got the same call. Then they intimidate you to the point that you transfer a large sum of money to them. Bottom line is don’t fall for it. Someone we know just did and it’s a nightmare if you get psyched." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soni Razdan (@sonirazdan) “Luckily I told them I’d let them know later as soon as they asked for the Aadhar number. Of course, they didn’t call back. But it’s scary. Save any numbers that you get calls from and go to the police. I know of 3 people in the last few weeks who have gotten these calls,” she added. The ‘Raazi’ actor wrote in the caption, “It’s very easy to get confused when you get a call of this nature and think it’s a real call. Trust me I almost thought it was. When I spoke to someone they told me it was a scam and to ignore it. But it seems to be getting worse and honestly, it’s not that difficult to think you’re in trouble even if it’s not your fault …. And it’s a mistake. So beware. THIS IS A SCAM @mumbaipolice.” Meanwhile, on the work front, Soni Razdan was last seen in the 2023 film ‘Pippa’. The movie was headlined by Ishaan Khatter. It is a thrilling narrative of a landmark moment in history, the 'Battle of Garibpur', during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, that was pivotal in Bangladesh’s struggle for independence. Soni has starred in many movies such as ‘Saaransh’, ‘Gumrah’, and ‘Mandi’ among others. She also shared screen space with her daughter Alia in 'Raazi' in 2018.
18 May,2024 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLok Sabha Elections 2024: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan came forward on Saturday to encourage people to immerse themselves in the celebration of democracy and get their fingers inked amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Taking to X, SRK wrote, "As responsible Indian citizens we must exercise our right to vote this Monday in Maharashtra. Let's carry out our duty as Indians and vote keeping our country's best interests in mind. Go forth Promote, our right to Vote." As responsible Indian citizens we must exercise our right to vote this Monday in Maharashtra. Let’s carry out our duty as Indians and vote keeping our country’s best interests in mind. Go forth Promote, our right to Vote. — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) May 18, 2024 For those unversed, in the 2023 film ‘Jawan’ SRK delivered a two-minute-long monologue where he spoke about the importance of voting and how electing the right candidate who holds no prejudices towards caste, religion or race is so crucial. While delivering the monologue, he urged people to ask political candidates, "what they will do for you in the next 5 years. If someone in the family falls ill, what will you do for their treatment? What will you do to get me a job?" Earlier, Salman Khan also wrote on X, "I exercise 365 days a year no matter what, and now I’m going to exercise my right to vote on the 20th of May no matter what. So do whatever you want to do man, but go and vote and don’t trouble your Bharat Mata .. Bharat Mata ki Jai." I exercise 365 days a year no matter what and now I’m going to exercise my right to vote on the 20th of May no matter what. So do whatever you want to do man, but go and vote and don’t trouble your Bharat Mata .. Bharat Mata ki Jai — Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) May 17, 2024 Actor Randeep Hooda, who recently essayed the titular role in 'Swatantra Veer Savarkar', also penned down a post stating, "Mumbai, your vote is your RIGHT & DUTY as well! This May 20th, let’s unite and head to the polls with full enthusiasm. Together, we can build the future we dream of. Don’t miss your chance to be HEARD!" Mumbai, your vote is your RIGHT & DUTY as well! 🗳️ This May 20th, let’s unite and head to the polls with full enthusiasm. Together, we can build the future we dream of. Don’t miss your chance to be HEARD! #MumbaiKarVoteKar #GeneralElections #LokSabhaElections2024 — Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) May 18, 2024 As the voting date for Phase 5 of the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra is set for May 20, posts by celebs act as a reminder among fans and followers. Elections in 6 Lok Sabha seats of Mumbai are scheduled for Phase 5. The seats are Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South and Mumbai South Central. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases running from April 19 to June 1. The counting and results will be declared on June 4. (With inputs from ANI)
18 May,2024 04:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFukrey has been one of the most successful comedy franchises in Hindi cinema. The first film, directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, released in 2013 and became a sleeper hit. Ever since, fans have always looked forward to the subsequent instalments, which carried forward the stories of the characters – Hunny (Pulkit Samrat), Lali (Manjot Singh), Choocha (Varun Sharma), Bholi Punjaban (Richa Chadha) and Zafar (Ali Fazal). Fukrey 3 released in September 2023. Ahead of its television premiere, cast members Richa Chadha and Pulkit Samrat spoke to mid-day.com about the significance of the franchise in their careers and if there will be a Fukrey 4. What is the significance of this franchise in your lives as an actor? Pulkit: Whoa. I feel every kind of recognition, every kind of respect, every kind of way forward, Fukrey is what gave us the torch to do that. It gave us the opportunity. If you look at the names that have come out of Fukrey - Varun Sharma, Richa Chadha, Pankaj Tripathi, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal - I am probably the weakest one out of the entire lot. So the names that have come out of Fukrey, being newcomers and trying to learn their craft, but very honest and hardworking individuals and artists, I think all of us collectively have got a lot from Fukrey. Richa: I feel like this was my first very commercial outing after Gangs (of Wasseypur) and it was very necessary for me and my career at that time. I've really gained a lot of friends and fandom and a lot of popularity, especially in North India, with this character. And it's a very iconic, unique character. It's quite different from who I am. I enjoy playing it very much… For a lot of people, you are who Bholi Punjaban is. Richa: Correct. So, that love is always there. I find it interesting because kids love it and families like this character. And everybody's watched it at least once, so it's kind of iconic. I, of course, enjoy playing this character tremendously and it came at a good time for me in my career also. Will there be a 4th time that you get to reprise your roles? Richa and Pulkit: We would love that for sure! How does it feel to be able to come back to a familiar franchise? Is it a safe space to fall back on? Richa: Certainly. The crew and the cast, there's a lot of familiarity between us. We are friends also outside of this workspace. So, it's good. Especially to create comedy, which is such a lively genre. Even though our director is quite strict about how he wants something said, I think that knowing each other for a long time definitely helps. Pulkit: Getting back to Fukrey is always like getting back to your family. It gets you rooted again. It's the same world that helped me become a better actor. So, I take it as an opportunity to grow further from here. Do you watch TV? Pulkit: I do. I used to watch Anupamaa. It will sound very weird, but my television watching is basically when my sister is sitting and she's doing her - she does a lot of crochet knitting. So while she's crocheting, she keeps watching either Anupamaa, or CID reruns. I would be right next to her and going through whatever's happening on Anupamaa. On one of her birthdays, we got a cake also that had Anupamaa written on it. When I met Rupali ji (Ganguly, lead character of Anupamaa) last time, I took a picture with her and told her that my sister and I, we're big fans of yours. Richa: I was traveling recently, to Chennai, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was coming on TV. So, whenever there's an older film that reminds me of my school or college time, I love watching it. Tune in to &pictures and experience the magic of 'Fukrey 3' with your loved ones this Sunday, 19th May at 12:00 noon.
18 May,2024 03:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Bohni BandyopadhyayBollywood superstar Salman Khan has made a strong pitch for people to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections, saying he does not miss exercise any day of the year and will not miss the opportunity to vote on May 20. The fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls will be held on May 20 and will cover seats in Mumbai. Urging people to vote, Salman Khan said "don't trouble your Bharat Mata" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai". "I exercise 365 days a year no matter what and now I'm going to exercise my right to vote on the 20th of May no matter what. So do whatever you want to do man, but go and vote and don't trouble your Bharat Mata .. Bharat Mata ki Jai," he said on X. The actor's call to action resonated with fans and followers, eliciting a range of responses.Many echoed his sentiment, stressing the importance of voting for the nation's welfare and democratic values. Meanwhile, on the work front, Salman Khan has several upcoming projects, including AR Murugadoss's 'Sikandar' and Aditya Chopra's 'Tiger Vs Pathaan.' This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 May,2024 01:36 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
