On January 17, leading man Diljit Dosanjh unveiled the teaser of Panjab ’95 on Instagram, announcing that it will be released internationally on February 7. He ended the post with, “P.S. Full movie, no cuts.” While human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s biopic is poised to release around the globe, director Honey Trehan’s hope of familiarising the Indian audience to the braveheart’s journey remains unfulfilled so far. The biopic’s teaser was pulled down from YouTube India on January 18, indicating a ban of sorts on the movie. A source from YouTube India told mid-day, “The teaser hasn’t been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification [CBFC]. So, it cannot be made available in the sub-continent.” Honey Trehan With this, Trehan’s directorial venture has been dealt another blow by the CBFC. The biopic—which tells the story of Khalra, who had attempted to uncover the killings of Sikh youths during the insurgency in Punjab between 1984 and 1995—has been stuck with the board for over two years. Last September, the Prasoon Joshi-led body handed out almost 120 changes to the biopic, even suggesting that Khalra’s character be renamed (Cut, cut till you edit history, Sep 25). In the last meeting with CBFC held earlier this month, the makers conveyed that they didn’t agree with the proposed cuts. An insider said, “Since 2022, Honey has been fighting hard for an India release, but he is certain about not changing Jaswant’s name. That would be disrespectful to the memory of the martyr who brought to light the Punjab Police’s atrocities." Jaswant Singh Khalra So, will Khalra’s biopic never see the light of day in his home country? The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht, which stood by Panjab ’95 over the past many months, aren’t giving up the fight yet. They have requested for another screening before the month-end, after which they will initiate talks with the CBFC. Gurcharan Singh Grewal, General Secretary, SGPC, told mid-day, “We want to give a proposal to the CBFC before January-end, asking if the film can also be released in India. This film tells the story of what happened when the Congress was in power. The BJP has no grounds to be upset with the film. We also want to save the CBFC from the shame of banning a gut-wrenching biopic of a man whose courage leads the way for us. Considering the court has been provided evidence of everything the film shows, [banning the film] will make people question the CBFC’s decision even more. We’ll talk to Honey Trehan and see if we can make one last attempt to release it in India. Even if there are some cuts, we can understand, but the essence of the story shouldn’t be compromised.” On Monday night, Trehan and Dosanjh informed everyone that the international release has been deferred. The film is no longer to be released on February 7. Panjab ’95—also starring Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan—was to release in 800 to 1,000 screens across the UK, US and Canada and other key territories.
21 January,2025 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAfter sharing a series of cryptic notes about her relationship status and how 2024 was a difficult year, Bollywood beauty Malaika Arora was spotted with ex-boyfriend and actor Arjun Kapoor. The two were photographed leaving Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital after visiting Saif Ali Khan who is getting treated for his stab wounds following a brutal attack by an intruder at his Bandra home. Watch the video below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Voompla (@voompla) What happened to Saif Ali Khan Kareena Kapoor’s best friend Malaika Arora and her Singham Again co-star Arjun Kapoor visited the actor’s husband Saif Ali Khan after he was stabbed multiple times by an intruder who invaded his Bandra residence. The accused, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, who hails from Bangladesh, entered Saif's home with the alleged intent of theft last week. Saif sustained stab wounds to his thoracic spine while attempting to intervene during a confrontation between the intruder and his housemaid. Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor’s relationship Malaika and Arjun started dating in 2018. The duo, however, had never opened up much about their relationship but kept posting romantic pictures from their vacations as well as wishing each other on birthdays. Last year, it was reported that the two had parted ways. It was confirmed by Arjun when he attended the Diwali bash hosted by politician Raj Thackeray. As the crowd chanted Malaika’s name, Arjun replied that he was single. Malaika was previously married to actor Arbaaz Khan. They have been co-parenting their son Arhaan since their divorce in 2017. Arbaaz, on the other hand, tied the knot with Sshura Khan in 2023. On the work front, Malaika is currently seen as a judge on the dance reality show India's Best Dancer. Meanwhile, Arjun Kapoor was last seen in Singham Again which featured him as the menacing antagonist Danger Lanka. He will next be seen in Mere Husband Ki Biwi with Bhumi Pednekar and Rakul Preet Singh. Mudassar Aziz, who earlier helmed projects like Khel Khel Mein and Pati Patni Aur Woh, is directing it. The plot details have not been disclosed yet. The movie is produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, and Deepshikha Deshmukh.
21 January,2025 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood star Sanjay Dutt has been in touch with Saif Ali Khan's family ever since the latter got stabbed by an intruder at his Bandra residence a few days ago. On Monday, Sanjay visited the Lilavati Hospital to meet Saif and enquire about his health. The visuals of his arriving at the hospital surfaced online. Saif is currently recovering from multiple injuries. Speaking to the media, Dr Nitin Dange of Lilavati Hospital informed that the actor will remain under observation for another day, and the decision on discharging him will be made in the next one to two days. The attack took place when an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered the actor's home with the alleged intent of theft. Saif sustained stab wounds to his thoracic spine while attempting to intervene during a confrontation between the intruder and his housemaid. The accused was apprehended at Hiranandani Estate in Thane while attempting to flee to his native village. The police said he hails from the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. The incident occurred around 2:00 AM on January 16, during which Saif Ali Khan sustained serious injuries, including multiple stab wounds to his thoracic spine. At an event, Saif's sister Soha Ali Khan shared an update on his health while speaking to the media. She said, "We are happy that he is recovering well, and we are very thankful. We feel very blessed and grateful that it wasn't any worse. Thank you for all your wishes." 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
21 January,2025 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIBollywood actor Sonu Sood has donned the hat of a director with his latest film, 'Fateh', which hit theatres on January 10. The film, an action-packed thriller inspired by real-life cybercrime events during the COVID-19 pandemic, marks Sood's directorial debut and has already gained considerable attention for its gripping narrative and high-octane action sequences. In an interview with ANI, Sood shared insights into his journey as a filmmaker, and his decision to choose the action genre for his directorial debut, including working with legendary actor Naseeruddin Shah for the first time as a director. When discussing his experience of directing Naseeruddin Shah, Sood expressed admiration for the veteran actor's incredible discipline and approach to cinema. "I have already worked with him in 'Maximum' as an actor and I believe Naseer sir is like an institute in himself. As an actor, being on set with him allows you to learn so much. His approach towards cinema, his discipline, is incredible," said Sood. The actor-turned-director highlighted that Shah's improvisational skills brought an added depth to the film. "When I started making the film, I felt that Naseer ji is the kind of actor who, when given a few lines, can improve them and justify them in his own way," Sood said, adding, "Later, the weight he added to the movie was a huge learning experience for me." Sonu Sood also recalled famed filmmaker Steven Spielberg's one of the famous interviews in which he said, "When your movie's writing is finished, the movie is also made." Sood mentioned that this philosophy guided him throughout the filmmaking process, pushing him and his team to always strive for improvement. "When we made Fateh, the journey was about not thinking that just because we made the film, it was done. No! We always thought about how we could make this movie better and what we could add to it," he said. Sonu Sood explained that his decision to venture into filmmaking stemmed from his extensive experience in front of the camera. As an actor, he often felt there were moments in films where he wished the direction had pushed him further or allowed him to express his character in a more personal way. "When you make your first film, having worked in many films throughout your career, you inevitably miss certain things as an actor," he said, adding, "You think, 'I wish a director had made me do this scene' or 'I wish I had a dialogue like this that could have been delivered in my style.'" Speaking about the action sequences, "Action has always been my forte, and even today, people say that Bollywood's action doesn't quite match up to Hollywood standards," he said, adding, "I made this film with a lot of love, hard work, and honesty, which is why the reviews have been positive. I didn't make a movie filled with masala, dance, and songs. Instead, I chose to include music that matches the sequences of the film." When asked about his definition of a movie's success, Sonu Sood emphasized the importance of a balance between box office performance, audience love, and critical acclaim. "I guess the right percentage of all three is required. Box office numbers are important to motivate producers to make more films. Critical acclaim is also important because people who want to see intelligent cinema, we need to cater to them too," he said. Sood added that he respects critics and believes intelligent cinema should be respected for its honest portrayal. Acknowledging that the success and failure of a film are beyond a director's control, he insisted that the effort put into the film is what truly matters. "Right efforts always pay off; just to hit those box office numbers, we should not forget other things," Sood concluded. One of the key highlights of 'Fateh' is its adrenaline-pumping action sequences, choreographed by international stunt director Lee Whittaker, known for his work in Captain Marvel and Fast & Furious 5. The film also boasts a stellar ensemble cast that includes Jacqueline Fernandez, Vijay Raaz, and Naseeruddin Shah, all of whom play pivotal roles in bringing the high-stakes narrative to life. The film's visual appeal is further enhanced by its stunning international locations, with scenes shot in places like Istanbul, Dubai, and the United States. 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
21 January,2025 08:08 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIGoing the extra mile Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra are teaming up for Param Sundari, marking their first on-screen collaboration. As anticipation builds, sources reveal that Janhvi has been diligently training in Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form from Kerala. This graceful solo dance, inspired by the mythical female form of the Hindu god Vishnu, demands immense precision. While we don’t condone this kind of stereotyping, it will be thrilling to watch Janhvi perform the Mohiniyattam. Seeking stars Ananya Panday, Vedang Raina and Imtiaz Ali Imtiaz Ali is searching for actors to cast as leads in his forthcoming romantic film. Ananya Panday and Vedang Raina have reportedly auditioned for the roles. Although they are strong contenders, the casting is yet to be finalised, with other prominent actors also under consideration. Vedang, who debuted as Reggie Mantle in Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies (2023), has been making waves in the industry. Ananya is winning hearts after Call Me Bae and CTRL (2024), and is currently gearing up for the release of Chand Mera Dil, alongside Lakshya. We are eagerly waiting to see what Imtiaz will bring to the screen after Amar Singh Chamkila (2024).
21 January,2025 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThe team of 'Sky Force' on Monday, unveiled 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon' song from the film. The newly released song perfectly encapsulates the film's essence, celebrating the spirit of patriotism and evoking pride and gratitude. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maddock Films (@maddockfilms) "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon" was originally sung by the legendary late Lata Mangeshkar. The iconic lyrics, penned by the late Pradeep, and the timeless music composed by the late C. Ramchandra, continue to remain etched in the hearts of millions. Speaking about the track, Tanishk Bagchi said, "Working on 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon' has been an emotional journey for me. This iconic song, brought to life by the divine voice of Lata Mangeshkar ji, the profound words of Pradeep ji, and the masterful composition by C. Ramchandra ji, is a cornerstone of India's musical and patriotic heritage. I approached it with immense respect and humility, striving to preserve its original soul while introducing elements that resonate with today's generation." Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, 'Sky Force' tells the gripping story of India's retaliatory strike on Pakistan's Sargodha airbase during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani air war. Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, Nimrat Kaur and Sara Ali Khan are also a part of the film, which will be out in theatres on January 24. Recently, in an interview with ANI, Veer expressed his wish that his movie inspires the next generation just like Hrithik Roshan-starrer 'Lakshya' movie did years ago. "Working on my first film, 'Sky Force', was rather overwhelming. It is a huge opportunity and a responsibility for me to play a real life hero, squadron leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, who was one of the heroes of the 1965 India-Pakistan war, which we won against overwhelming odds...this story needs to be told for the future generations to get inspired by what our heroes of our country have done for our freedom," Veer shared. The actor further said the movie is about family, brotherhood, friendship and loyalty, while urging people to watch this and get to learn something new. "I think it is a very personal story. It is a very human story. And it is about family. It is about brotherhood. It is about friendship and loyalty. So, that is why I urge everyone to watch this film to learn something new. This is a very serious character. And my only wish is that it works like Lakshya film...when that movie came, it inspired people for 20 years to join the force and serve the country. Sky Force will also be a film through which the next 20-30 years young people of our country will be inspired and they will know what our forefathers have done for our freedom. So that you and I can sit and talk like this," he added. 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 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
21 January,2025 08:01 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIRam Gopal Varma's 'Satya' returned to theatres on January 17, sharing the screens with Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' and Ajay Devgn's 'Azaad'. The iconic gritty crime drama, which stars Manoj Bajpayee as Bhiku Mhatre and JD Chakravarthy as Satya, has achieved cult status over the years. To celebrate its re-release, the filmmaker shared a deeply emotional note where he reflected on the film and his career since its release, admitting to being "drunk" on his success following the film. In a post shared on his X account, Varma opened up about his emotional experience watching the film again for the "first time in 27 years" and described how deeply moved he felt while rewatching Satya, with "tears rolling down" his cheeks, not only for the film itself but for the journey that followed its success. Varma also went on to explain that the success of films like 'Satya' and 'Rangeela '"blinded him," causing him to lose his creative vision. "By the time SATYA was rolling to an end, while watching it two days ago for the first time after 27 years, I started choking with tears rolling down my cheeks and I didn't care if anyone would see. The tears were not just for the film, but were more for what happened since. Making a film is like giving birth to a child originating from the throes of passion without truly realizing what kind of a child I am giving birth to. That's because a film is made in bits and pieces without one really knowing what's being made, and when it is ready, the concentration is on what others are saying about it. After that, whether it's a hit or not, I move on, too obsessed with what's next to reflect and understand the beauty of what I myself created," Varma wrote on X. "And I cried in guilt for my betrayals of all those who trusted me due to SATYA. I became drunk, not on alcohol, but on my own success and my arrogance, though I didn't know this until two days ago. When the bright lights of a RANGEELA or a SATYA blinded me, I lost my vision, and that explains my meandering into making films for shock value, or for gimmick effect, or to make a vulgar display of my technical wizardry, or various other things equally meaningless. In that careless process, I forgot such a simple truth: that technique at most can elevate a given content, but it can't carry it," he added. "I truly mean this as a wake up call to every filmmaker, who just gets carried away in self-indulgence due to his own state of mind at any given moment without measuring it against the standards set by either themselves or others Finally now i took a vow that whatever little of my life is left, I want to spend it sincerely and create something as worthy as SATYA and this truth I swear on SATYA," he further wrote. Check out the post A SATYA CONFESSION TO MYSELF —— Ram Gopal Varma By the time SATYA was rolling to an end , while watching it 2 days back for 1st time after 27 yrs, I started choking with tears rolling down my cheeks and I dint care if anyone would see The tears were not… — Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 20, 2025 Written by Saurabh Shukla and Anurag Kashyap, Satya is widely regarded as a game-changer in Indian cinema, blending gritty storytelling with memorable performances. The film also featured Urmila Matondkar, Paresh Rawal, Shefali Shah, and others.
21 January,2025 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIFatima Sana Shaikh has been in and out of the sets of Metro... In Dino for almost two years. But she still feels the joy that she did on the first day of the film’s shoot. For this, she credits director Anurag Basu. “I love him to bits, as a person and a filmmaker. On days when I was really low, his wife Tani and he have been there for me,” she says. (From left) The actor with filmmaker Anurag Basu Basu’s on-screen world is usually populated by many people and many loves. This one is no different. Shaikh stars opposite Ali Fazal in the anthology that also features Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher. Like many of Basu’s films, certain portions of Metro... In Dino were reshot as he was apparently dissatisfied with them. Is it logistically easy to work with a director whose shoots often tend to extend way beyond the originally planned schedule? It is, says Shaikh in a heartbeat. “As a director, he is considerate and takes care of you. People think if the film is taking long, a lot of shoot is being done. But that’s not the case. Since his films have an ensemble cast, he has to coordinate the dates of so many actors. If you trust him, he will get the best performance out of you. Also, his characters are so well-written,” says the actor, who is reuniting with him after Ludo (2020). Shaikh explains that for someone like her, who has trouble remembering lines, Basu’s easy approach works wonders. “He works according to each actor’s strength. If there is a monologue and he knows that I’ll have trouble with dialogues, he will ask me to learn the scene, but to not have a [sur] or a preconceived notion in my mind about how it should play out.”
21 January,2025 07:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaActor Akshay Kumar called Saif Ali Khan "brave" for protecting his family during a shocking burglary attempt at his residence in Mumbai. While Saif is currently recovering from multiple injuries at Lilavati hospital, Akshay at a press event for his film 'Sky Force' in Delhi heaped praises on his 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari' co-star. Akshay said, "It's very nice that he is safe. It's very good. We are happy. The whole industry is happy that he is safe. It was very brave of him that he protected his family and hats off to him." "Meine uske saath ek film ki hai Main Khiladi Tu Anari lekin agli baar agar hum karenge toh banayenge film Tu Khiladi." (I did a film with him called Main Khiladi Tu Anari, but next time if we do a film together, we'll make it Tu Khiladi)," he added. About Saif Ali Khan's stabbing incident Saif Ali Khan is currently undergoing treatment at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital following a stabbing incident at his Bandra residence in the early hours of January 16. The attack occurred when an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered the actor's home with alleged intentions of theft. Saif, attempting to intervene during a confrontation between the intruder and his housemaid, sustained stab wounds to his thoracic spine. He was reportedly stabbed six times and was taken to the hospital by his elder son at around 3 am. As per the police statement, various investigation teams were formed to investigate the crime, and a case has been registered under sections 311, 312, 331(4), 331(6), and 331(7) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Further, according to the police, the accused was about to flee to his native village when he was detained at Hiranandani Estate in Thane. It was revealed that the accused is a native of the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. The accused Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad was sent to 5-day police custody by Bandra Holiday Court on Sunday. Saif was supposed to head home on Monday but has been kept under observation for another day, confirmed COO Dr Niraj Uttamani.
20 January,2025 10:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood star Akshay Kumar recently left the 'Bigg Boss 18' set without shooting with Salman Khan. Since the news surfaced, fans have been keen to know the reason, now, Akshay has spoken about it and cleared the air saying that "he (Salman Khan) was not late". Akshay Kumar on Bigg Boss 18 confusion While speaking to the media, Akshay shared, "He was not late, I reached there, and he came a little bit because he had some of his personal work. Then we spoke about it and he told me that he was about 35-40 minutes late but then I had to go somewhere..so we spoke about it and I left and Veer (Pahariya) was there." Akshay was supposed to come to the 'Bigg Boss 18' grand finale to promote his upcoming film 'Sky Force'. However, he left the set without shooting with Salman. What Salman Khan said about Akshay not shooting with him During the Bigg Boss 18 finale episode, host Salman Khan cleared the air around Akshay Kumar's absence. He welcomed Veer Pahariya on the show as he arrived to promote Sky Force. Talking about Akshay, Salman said, "Akki (Akshay Kumar) is also in the film, I got little late and he had to leave for another function so he left." Akshay Kumar walks out of BB18 sets A report in HT suggested that Akshay and Veer had come on the sets of Bigg Boss 18 to promote Sky Force, which would have seen Akshay and Salman reuniting after Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and getting nostalgic. However, that didn't happen because Salman Khan didn't show up on time. A source shared, "Being as punctual as he is, Akshay turned up on the set for his shoot at the scheduled time, around 2:15 PM. But Salman hadn't come by then. Akshay waited for an hour for Salman to arrive, but he had a trial screening of Jolly LLB 3 in his schedule. Thus, after waiting for an hour, Akshay returned without even shooting for the show." The source further revealed, “Akshay and Salman eventually spoke, and Akshay told him that he had to leave for a prior commitment. Salman also said that he hopes to have him on the show some other time.” About Sky Force Talking about 'Sky Force', the film is set for release on January 24, 2025, just before Republic Day. It stars Akshay Kumar as an Air Force officer, who is on a revenge mission following the death of fellow soldiers. The high-stakes thriller is directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Kapur. Akshay is joined by debutant Veer Pahariya, who plays another IAF officer, and Sara Ali Khan, who portrays Veer's wife. The film will also feature Nimrat Kaur in a pivotal role.
20 January,2025 10:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Junaid Khan visited the sets of “Sikandar” to show Bollywood superstar Salman Khan the trailer of his upcoming film “Loveyapa”. According to a source, "Junaid Khan specially visited the sets of Salman Khan's upcoming film Sikandar to showcase the trailer of Loveyapa. Salman Khan absolutely loved the trailer, especially the part where Junaid said, 'Achi Khasi Zindagi ka Bigg Boss bana ke rakh diya hai.' This line, in particular, left Salman Khan in splits as he found it absolutely hilarious." Recently, it was shared that Junaid spent three months living in the National Capital to understand the lifestyle and culture of the city to understand his character in “Loveyapa”. "Junaid Khan truly immersed himself in the role by spending three months in Delhi to get into the skin of his character. He wanted to capture the essence and nuances of a typical Delhi boy for his upcoming film ‘Loveyapa’," reveals a close source. “Loveyapa”, set in the realm of modern romance, offers a heartwarming tale enriched with unforgettable performances, lively music and breathtaking visuals. "Loveyapa" talks about the life of a young couple and how their relationship is tested after they exchange their mobile phones and learn some harsh truths about one another. The film is a remake of the Tamil blockbuster "Love Today". Pradeep Ranganathan and Ivana played the lead in the 2022 drama. Talking about ‘Sikandar’, the film marks the star’s return to the big screen after more than a year. The superstar was last seen in ‘Tiger 3’. The teaser is further elevated by an electrifying background score composed by the acclaimed Santosh Narayanan, whose music perfectly complements the intensity and grandeur of the visuals. The film is directed by A.R. Murugadoss, who is known for ‘Ghajini’, also stars Rashmika Mandanna opposite Salman Khan. ‘Sikandar’ marks the reunion of Salman Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala after their 2014 blockbuster, ‘Kick’, which also marked the directorial debut for the latter. 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
20 January,2025 08:39 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
