As gorgeous as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks, even she can’t sell us this gown, complete with the train of giant gold flowers. Sobhita Dhulipala gives off retro disco vibes in the pink jumpsuit at the Cannes Film Festival Fan mania Fans cornered Kartik Aaryan outside his gym as the actor wrapped up his workout. Even a sweaty Kartik works for the admirers, no? Uhhhh.... We are not sure what to make of Kirti Kulhari’s yellow shorts suit and those blue socks. If her aim was to shock us, consider it mission accomplished Just in Girl next door: Shraddha Kapoor; Forever smiling: Vidyut Jammwal; So ethereal: Wamiqa Gabbi; Weather mix-up?: Karan Johar
18 May,2024 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamKartik Aaryan unveiled the third poster from the upcoming sports drama, Chandu Champion, and offered a glimpse into the eight-minute long single-take war sequence in the movie. The third poster depicts pivotal war scenes shot in Aru Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, tucked away at an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level. Sharing the poster on social media, Aaryan wrote: “This is the proudest moment of my career so far—playing a soldier of the glorious Indian Army; one of the many facets of Chandu Champion’s life. Here’s a glimpse of the eight-minute long single-take war sequence salute to the Indian Armed Forces.” He shared that the trailer will be out soon. Aaryan plays paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar in the film that has been jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan. For women Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor and Women In Film Los Angeles (WIF) launched a new initiative to support women filmmakers in India at Cannes. At an exclusive Cannes Film Festival event hosted by the Paris Film Region and WIF (Women In Film, Los Angeles), the official launch of a new Women In Film chapter was announced. An initiative is committed to advancing gender equity in Indian screen industries, read a statement. It will be led by Monga. “From being in rooms where male colleagues have had to communicate on my behalf so I’d be taken seriously, to leading international co-productions and studio-scale projects, I’ve seen and been actively involved in the progress over two decades. Yet, comprehensive studies like the O Womaniya report still suggests a lack of gender diversity across key filmmaking departments. The study of 156 films reported that only 12 per cent of head-of-department positions were occupied by women. My hope for WIF: India is to help lower the systemic barriers in accessing these jobs for women, as well as excite a new era of transformation, by offering mentorship, networking, and opening up fellowships, workshops, and an industry helpline to help sustain the careers of those currently in the industry.” PM responds to Rashmika After heaping praise on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link bridge, and subsequently being trolled for supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashmika Mandanna celebrated the inauguration of the Atal Setu. Interestingly, her video caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who responded to her by stating, “There’s nothing more satisfying than connecting people and improving lives.” Mandanna had previously shared, “Look at the country’s growth—the way it has grown in the last 10 years is brilliant. The young India is growing at a rapid pace,” she said, encouraging people to vote. New collaboration is underway Produced by Isabella Sreyashii Sen and Olivier Dock, co-CEOs of Singapore production house Hazelnut Media, the anticipated biopic, Slow Joe—starring Jackie Shroff—will receive a boost. French filmmaker, Sandrine Bonnaire, after all, will step into the director’s chair. Bonnaire brings her expertise to helm this project that sheds light on the life of the late Indian musician, Joseph Manuel Da Rocha, affectionately known as Slow Joe. Expressing his excitement, Shroff said, “I am thrilled to have Sandrine Bonnaire on board to direct Slow Joe. Her exceptional talent and vision will elevate the film to new heights.” Taking charge The fourth chapter of the crime drama series Criminal Justice was announced yesterday with Pankaj Tripathi set to return as the uncanny lawyer, Madhav Mishra.“In the hall of fame of on-screen lawyers, I feel that Madhav Mishra has earned his place with Criminal Justice. I could not believe how much Madhav’s character in the series resembled me. Every victory felt like my own and every defeat felt like a personal loss. I’m excited to announce the new season and hope the audiences continue to shower love on this season like they have done previously,” Tripathi said. Hasao, don’t pakao At the launch of the trailer for the upcoming film, Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan, Farah Khan shared that her films have found favour among children, because they are high on the entertainment quotient. “Whatever films I have made, they were loved by the kids,” she said, adding that a movie doesn’t need to be labelled as one for children for it to draw this audience. “Kids love entertainment. They do not want messages to be told. They have schools for that. So, the real challenge is to make entertaining films that children can watch.” A long way to here Set to feature in Mr and Mrs Mahi, Rajkummar Rao walked down memory lane during a recent interaction. Stating that he was not raised with a lot of money, he said, “It’s not been easy. I love parents, no matter whose parents they are, [because] mine really supported me. There were a lot of tough times. I have not seen too much money in life, but I also know other parents who knew that I wanted to go to the FTII, and that there wasn’t enough money at home. They would help my mother so that she could [help me],” said the actor, who has appeared in over 30 films since 2010.
18 May,2024 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamA young man, who apparently sold salted snacks on his scooter in Gorakhpur, rises to establish a multi-billion dollar conglomerate. But his dramatic rise is soon eclipsed by an equally dramatic downfall. The life of the late Subrata Roy, the Sahara Group founder, was in equal parts fascinating and controversial. No wonder then, it has caught the attention of two filmmakers. While producer Sandeep Singh had announced the business tycoon’s biopic, Saharasri, in 2020, filmmaker Hansal Mehta announced Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga on Thursday. The third edition of Mehta’s successful OTT series is based on Tamal Bandyopadhyay’s book, Sahara: The Untold Story. The recent announcement has sent Singh into a tizzy. “I was shocked when Hansal and Sameer [Nair, Applause Entertainment, producer] announced Scam 3 based on Saharasri’s life. Regardless of what the world may think or say about Subrata Roy, I hold him in the highest regard as he is the only business tycoon who remained in India to face all allegations and be jailed for them. He had given me the official rights to make his biopic when I had met him at his Lucknow residence in 2019. His was an interesting zero-to-hero story. He also gave his team to work with me; that’s how I met people—from Kapil Dev to Lata Mangeshkar ji, from Akhilesh Yadav to Sachin Tendulkar. I also met his wife and family. He had not only signed the formal agreement that said I possess the legal rights to his story, but also read the script and signed off on it.” Since the 2010s, Roy was under scrutiny after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) found that his company had failed to repay billions of dollars to investors in bonds. He was subsequently arrested in 2014, and released on bail in 2016. Considering the script was monitored by the late tycoon, will the biopic show his chequered past? “Saharasri had said that I had to show the uncompromising truth.” He told me not to lie, so, the movie is an honest account,” says Singh. He says he met Nair last November when Scam 3 was at the inception stage. “[It’s sad] when friends do this to each other in spite of knowing that I have the rights. When I met him with my writer Rishi Virmani and co-producer Zafar Mehdi, Sameer told me that he wanted to make the Subrata Roy story as Scam 3. My director and I flatly refused and left, as it is not a scam story. We will make it like a Deewar [1975] about a man who started with a capital of Rs 2000 and how he built an empire. Now, Sahara India Pariwar plans to take legal action against the Scam 3 makers. [The company] and I will jointly fight against them. They have no right to make anything on him.” As per its announcement, Scam 3 promises to “reveal the dust-to-diamonds story of the maverick businessman, who was caught in accusations ranging from chit-fund manipulations to fake investors, ultimately leading to his arrest in 2014. With approximately Rs 25,000 crore lying unclaimed with government authorities, the repercussions of the scam continue to reverberate even today.” mid-day reached out to Mehta, who did not wish to comment. Nair did not respond till press time. Sahara India Pariwar issued a statement objecting to the making of Scam 3 and questioning the use of the word ‘scam’ in a case that is still pending. An excerpt from the statement read, “The aggrieved members are seeking advice to take suitable legal action against the producer, director and all those involved in making the illegal portrayal.”
18 May,2024 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRThe last time Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar joined hands for a laugh riot, they took the audience on a hilarious ride with Welcome Back (2015). Many hoped that they would recreate the magic with Housefull 5. But one hears that Kapoor—who was in talks to join Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh in the comedy franchise’s fifth instalment—is no longer part of the film. While producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Tarun Mansukhani were keen to have the senior actor on board, the talks apparently fell through over remuneration. “There is no bad blood. But Sajid and Anil disagreed on the fee that the latter demanded,” says a source. Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan Naturally, the development has led to some shuffling in the cast. From what we hear, Patekar’s role in the film is being rewritten. “Like in the Welcome franchise, Nana and Anil were to play characters related to each other, who work together as a duo. But with Anil exiting Housefull 5, the makers are writing a new role for Nana,” the source adds. This change in cast, however, won’t have any bearing on the schedule as Mansukhani preps to roll the comedy in August-end. Mid-day reached out to Nadiadwala, who did not respond till press time.
18 May,2024 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaKareena Kapoor always keeps her social media game strong. Every now and then, she posts photo dumps on her Instagram account. The actress, with her cute photos, always makes us go 'aww.' Today, again, Kareena decided to make her fans' day happy as she posted a series of pictures on her Instagram featuring Saif Ali Khan, Taimur, and Jeh. While dropping the pictures, Kareena wrote, 'May-be it’s time for a photo dump!' Today, Kareena took to Instagram. The first picture in the post has Kareena hugging her love, Saif Ali Khan, as they posed for a candid shot. The second picture in the series has Kareena clicking a selfie as Saif and Taimur posed for it while Jeh is busy digging in the sand. The next picture features Taimur playing with a football, while another one has Taimur with his furry friend. One picture in the series shows Kareena posing in front of a delicious dessert, and the next one has the actress showing her rigorous workout skills. The last picture in the series stole our hearts as it has our dear Bebo posing for a selfie, looking like a queen. The actress has her hair open while she wears nude lipstick and simple kajal. As soon as Kareena dropped the pictures, fans started showering her with love. One fan wrote, 'Kareena is the only courageous lady who accepts her age with time and believes in her natural beauty...I like your courage when you gave the statement about growing age.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) 'This morning, I heard the rumour that Saif and Kareena are divorcing, but I said, 'NO WAY!',' another one wrote. While the third one said, 'Kareena ji, we need a san sanananana san sananana nan video from you as well.' About Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor tied the knot on October 16, 2012, in Mumbai after dating for several years. Prior to his marriage to Kareena, Saif was previously wed to actor Amrita Singh, with whom he parted ways in 2004. The couple has two sons, Jeh and Taimur. On the work front Kareena Kapoor was most recently seen in 'Crew' alongside Tabu and Kriti Sanon. She has an interesting lineup ahead, including Rohit Shetty’s cop-drama 'Singham Again.' Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan was most recently seen in 'Adipurush' in the role of Ravan. He will next be seen in 'Devara' alongside Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor.
17 May,2024 08:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentStand-up comedian and actor Karthik Kumar and his ex-wife Suchitra have been making a lot of headlines after the latter made serious allegations about Karthik. Suchitra, who has been away from the limelight for some time, gave an interview where she spoke about her ex-husband’s sexuality. What was more surprising is that she also made allegations against Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar. "My ex-husband, SRK, and Karan Johar had a gay encounter in London. SRK and Karan usually go to countries on holiday where gay encounters are legal," Tamil singer Suchitra said. "My Ex husband, SRK and Karan Johar had gay encounter in London. SRK and Karan Usually go to the countries on holiday where gay encounters are legel" - Tamil singer Suchitra pic.twitter.com/SkPp8SCdWm — MASS (@Freak4Salman) May 16, 2024 After this clip of the interview spread like wildfire, Karthik allegedly responded to the statement. Karthik put out a video on his social media titled ‘For all the click baities’. Although he didn’t directly pinpoint any interview, his statement made it clear that this was his answer to all the controversies. In the video, Karthik was seen saying, “If I am a homosexual, no? I would not be ashamed of being homosexual. I would be very, very proud to be any kind of sexual in the gigantic and glorious spectrum of sexuality that exists out there. I would not be ashamed. I would be proud. I would join a pride rally in my city, which I anyway will. All kinds of sexualities join the pride rally and show your support. There is no shame anymore. There’s just pride. Be proud.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karthik Kumar (@evamkarthik) After Suchitra made the statement, a clip of an old interview with Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar started circulating where SRK was seen jokingly saying, “I take care of Karan’s wardrobe and sleep together making love, that’s the God’s honest truth.” A statement by SRK. https://t.co/Apvw2l12qn — MASS (@Freak4Salman) May 17, 2024 Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan are very good friends, and they have worked together on several films. On the work front, after seven years, Karan Johar donned the director's hat with the much-loved film 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan returned to the silver screen with Siddharth Anand’s 'Pathaan' in January 2023. However, if reports are to be believed, he will be seen sharing screen space with Salman Khan in 'Tiger vs Pathaan'. The film will reportedly have Tiger (Salman) locking horns with Pathaan, played by Shah Rukh Khan. The official announcement regarding the project is still awaited.
17 May,2024 04:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNawazuddin Siddiqui Birthday 2024: The actor is known for his incredible acting prowess and his ability to portray diverse and complex characters on the big screen. On the occasion of the 50th birthday of a versatile actor, here are five of his best scenes from Bollywood movies, where his performances were exceptional and no one else could have done justice to those roles. Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)Scene - The monologue scene In this epic crime action drama directed by Anurag Kashyap, Siddiqui played the character of Faizal Khan, a man seeking revenge. One of the standout scenes is his powerful monologue, where he passionately expresses his thoughts on revenge and the vicious cycle it perpetuates. Siddiqui's intense delivery, raw emotions, and impeccable dialogue delivery make this scene unforgettable. Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012)Scene - The climax scene Siddiqui plays the character of Tehmur Langda, a ghost, in this crime thriller. In the climax scene, he confronts Aamir Khan's character and reveals the truth behind his existence. Siddiqui's enigmatic presence, combined with his ability to create an air of mystery and tension, adds depth to the scene and leaves the audience in awe. Manjhi: The Mountain Man (2015)Scene - Breaking the mountain scene Siddiqui portrayed the real-life character of Dashrath Manjhi, a man who spent 22 years carving a path through a mountain. In a pivotal scene, he relentlessly strikes the mountain with a hammer, showcasing Manjhi's unwavering determination and his struggle against nature. Siddiqui's ability to convey Manjhi's sheer resolve and resilience makes this scene a remarkable display of his acting prowess. Badlapur (2015)Scene - The revenge scene In this revenge drama, Nawaz portrays Liak Tungrekar, a grief-stricken father seeking vengeance. The scene where he confronts Varun Dhawan's character is a riveting display of Siddiqui's acting prowess. He seamlessly transitions between anger, pain, and a desire for justice, portraying Liak's complex emotions with great authenticity and intensity. Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)Scene - The Psycho Killer scene playing the role of a psychopathic serial killer named Ramanna Siddiqui delivers a spine-chilling performance. In a scene where he confesses his gruesome crimes to a police officer, Siddiqui seamlessly switches between a menacing demeanour and moments of vulnerability. His portrayal of Ramanna's complex psyche and the intensity he brings to the scene are both haunting and captivating. In these five movie scenes, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's exceptional acting skills shine through, capturing the essence of his characters and leaving an indelible mark on the audience. His ability to embody a wide range of emotions, deliver powerful dialogues, and bring depth to complex characters sets him apart as one of Bollywood's finest actors. These scenes showcase his talent and demonstrate that his performances are truly irreplaceable. From this list, which character did you like the most?
17 May,2024 03:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNawazuddin Siddiqui is one of the most loved and acclaimed actors in the industry. The actor has delivered some of the most cherished films in the industry, such as Gangs of Wasseypur and Badlapur. In a recent conversation, the actor opened up about his love for acting and his principles. He shared that he would rather sell his belongings to fund his own projects than ask for work. In a conversation with Samdish, the actor stated, 'If a day like that comes when I have no work, I don’t even have the strength to go and ask for it. I can’t come to you and say, ‘Give me work.’ I will sell my house, my shoes, and everything and make a film on my own. I am so confident about that. I can’t do that in my life. Acting is important, but acting in films is not. I will do it on the streets, trains, or buses.' The actor further detailed that he doesn't feel that asking for work is wrong, but personally, he wouldn't ask for it. In the same interview, Nawazuddin shared that he used to stammer, and it made him quite insecure. He said, 'When I am really angry, the stammering comes back. It went away in 2005 and 2006. Maybe it was there because of insecurity, and then when I achieved some things in life, it went away.' Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Work Front: Nawazuddin Siddiqui was last seen in a project called 'Haddi.' In a conversation with Mid-day.com, director Akshat Ajay Sharma shared that he was willing to wait a year instead of approaching any other actor other than Nawazuddin for Haddi. When he wrote Haddi, which revolves around a transgender woman who rises through the ranks to become a feared criminal, he could only imagine Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the titular role. The director’s belief paid off as the actor gave his nod as soon as he read the script. 'Without Nawaz, there is no Haddi. He reads all his scripts. Given his busy schedule, it was a task to get him to sit down with me for three hours. But once he read the script, he said yes immediately,' recalls Sharma. 'He was my only choice for this role. Why do you think I waited a whole year for him and didn’t pitch it to anyone else?”
17 May,2024 03:01 PM IST | MumbaiNawazuddin Siddiqui recently opened up about his drinking habits, mentioning that he doesn't drink regularly and prefers to keep it in moderation. He shared a funny incident during Holi when Swanand Kirkire offered him thandai, and the effects lingered for two days. Nawazuddin Siddiqui confesses to not being a 'regular drinker' In an episode of Unfiltered with Samdish, Nawazuddin talked about his occasional drinking, highlighting that he only drinks a little on special occasions. When asked about his first experience with alcohol, he fondly recalled trying beer for the first time at the National School of Drama (NSD) during a celebration after a play. He said, "Main toh kabhi kabaar wala hoon. Aur bahut thoda wala hoon. Ek main hi aukaat yaad aati hai.” (I drink rarely and I drink very less). The host proceeded to ask him when was the first time he got drunk. The actor replied, “First time I was in NSD and after a play, where we were celebrating, everyone brought beer. Before that I never drank. I was very innocent. I smoked for the first time in a play.” While Nawazuddin isn't a big fan of drinking, he mentioned that he enjoys a bit during Holi, considering it his favorite festival for this reason. He shared how Swanand's thandai left him feeling pretty buzzed for a couple of days. Addressing a question about marijuana, Nawazuddin expressed his enjoyment, especially in places where it's legal. He explained how it enhances his experience, particularly when combined with music. Nawazuddin Siddiqui's work front Nawazuddin Siddiqui was last seen in a project called Haddi. In a conversation with Mid-day.com, director Akshat Ajay Sharma shared that he was willing to wait a year instead of approaching any other actor for Haddi. The actor will next be seen in Section 108. Nawaz recently made headlines for his personal life due to several allegations put on him by his wife Aaliya. Nawazuddin and Aaliya got married in 2009, but later, Aaliya sent a divorce notice to Nawazuddin in 2021. Amidst all these events, a recent post by Aaliya has sparked speculation about a reconciliation, where she wished him on their anniversary.
17 May,2024 02:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAishwarya Rai Bachchan might have hurt her hand and had to wear a white plaster, but she still looked stunning in her Falguni Shane Peacock black and white gown. The gown matched her hand plaster, turning it into an unexpected accessory. The Miss World 1994 winner has been attending the Film Festival every year since she debuted in 2002 with her film Devdas. This year, she walked the red carpet for the premiere of Francis Ford Coppola's film Megalopolis. The gown had a corset-style top made of black taffeta with large white puff sleeves. The standout feature of her outfit was the gold accents on the gown. The bust had molten gold detailing, and the train of the gown was decorated with hand-beaten gold flowers. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan 2024 Cannes Film Festival look leaves netizens unimpressed Some people on the internet were happy to see Aishwarya looking radiant on the red carpet, while others had a different opinion. An online anonymous personality, Diet Sabya, posted Aishwarya's look and the comment section was filled with netizens who thought that the former Miss World was let down by her team. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DietSabya® (@dietsabya) One comment read, "looks like a 5 y/o conducted a DIY craft project on a bin bag (sic.)" "Someone please remind her that she's one of the most beautiful women on earth and she doesn't need to keep covering her arms all the time (sic.)" Another user wrote. "Honestly she’s a beauty but the outfit really took away from her. It was so confusing and all over the place (sic.)" a netizen wrote. One angry fan penned, "Did her daughter work on this dress? Then 100/100. Otherwise falguni Shane peacock did a bad one. CHOP IT AWAY (sic.)" "Was the theme TRAUMA ….. coz this is giving me THAT …. How can you put the most tacky thing on most gorgeous woman on planet…. How??? (sic.)" A fan noted. About Aishwarya Rai at Cannes Film Festival Aishwarya made her Cannes debut in 2002 with superstar Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the premiere of their film 'Devdas'. Decked in a yellow saree, her iconic entrance in a chariot is remembered fondly by fans even today. After making her debut, she became the first Indian actress to be part of the Cannes jury and ever since then the actress has been attending the film festival. Over the years, she served memorable iconic red carpet moments, making her undisputed 'Cannes queen'. Last year, Aishwarya walked the red carpet in a giant silver hooded gown. Her floor-sweeping gown was adorned with thousands of dainty aluminum paillettes and crystals. There was also an oversized black bow detail cinched on her waist.
17 May,2024 02:21 PM IST | MumbaiActor Sonakshi Sinha says she decided to change her career trajectory almost a decade ago to focus on roles that challenged her and that's what has led her to projects like "Dahaad" and now "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar". While she played no-nonsense small town cop in Reema Kagti's critically-acclaimed "Dahaad", Sonakshi is being praised for her turn as the vengeful Fareedan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's pre-Partition era Lahore-set drama about courtesans. The actor said it was not easy to pull off dual roles of mother-daughter Rehanna and Fareedan in the eight-part Netflix series but she managed it thanks to Bhansali's trust in her capabilities. Bhansali had earlier produced Sonakshi's 2012 movie "Rowdy Rathore". "If you give me the right roles and right directors, I can do magic," Sonakshi told PTI in an interview. The actor also credits former collaborators Kagti, Vikramaditya Motwane ("Lootera") and "Akira" director A R Murugadoss for imagining her in a different light. "I'm just looking for parts that truly challenge me and help me reach my potential... Once I changed my trajectory into doing the kind of roles that really challenged me, I ended up becoming a better actor. And all those experiences have brought me to where I am today," she added. Sonakshi, who made her debut with "Dabangg" opposite Salman Khan in 2010 and featured in many films opposite Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn before taking on roles in "Lootera", "Akira", "Happy Phir Bhag Jayegi" and "Khandaani Shafakhana", is happy that films led by women are doing well commercially. Citing the example of "Crew", the actor said she called up its lead actors Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon to congratulate them for making a "super cool" film. "I've been choosing movies that are led by a female protagonist for a while now and I'm really enjoying them. The success and failure of those movies haven't really set me back in any way. It's been about seven-eight years since I've been doing that so I haven't stopped. "I'm going to keep trying until it works... The time is right for movies like that. It's amazing to be a part of an industry which is finally coming around to you, projecting and showcasing women-led films in this manner. I enjoy being the hero of my own films," she added. Sonakshi, 36, said directors such as Imtiaz Ali, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shetty and Priyadarshan are now on her wish list. "I want to be that actor which a filmmaker can cast in any genre, and in any role... I can play a police officer from rural Rajasthan (in 'Dahaad') and I can also play a courtesan from Lahore (in 'Heeramandi'), who's exquisite in every way. "I can also play an action role as 'Akira' or play a hopeless lover like I did in 'Lootere', or do the song and dance as in 'Rowdy Rathore', 'Dabangg' or 'Son of Sardaar', I can do all of that. I don't want to put myself in any box." While Sonakshi's role has earned her acclaim, the show has received polarising reviews. Addressing the varied reactions of viewers and critics, the actor said, "Everybody's entitled to their opinion and you can't please everyone. I got to learn that early in my career that there will always be someone who will have a different taste. So, that's fine, you can't hold that against anyone. We are very happy to focus on the positives. On Instagram, it's all about 'Heeramandi', the girls are imitating fashion, makeup, jewellery and making reels on the songs." The actor is looking forward to the release of "Kakuda", a horror-comedy with director Aditya Sarpotdar, a thriller "Nikita Roy and the Book of Darkness", helmed by her brother Kussh Sinha, and a romantic thriller with first-time director Karan Rawal. "I've worked with established and absolute newcomer directors because I believed in them. Everybody should be given a chance; I was also new at some point of time. If a director has a vision and if I can help him execute that vision, I would love to work with them," Sinha said. The actor said she had a blast working on her first horror-comedy "Kakuda" and it was great to see her brother bloom as a director on "Nikita Roy and the Book of Darkness". 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
17 May,2024 02:10 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIADVERTISEMENT
