Radhika Apte has announced the birth of her first baby with the sweetest post. The actress, who announced her pregnancy at the BFI London Film Festival on Wednesday, has now shared a post featuring her posing with her little munchkin as she breastfeeds the baby. In the picture, Apte is seen sitting on a cozy bed with her little one in her arms. The actress is wearing a black turtleneck sweater, while her baby is dressed in a green knitted sweater. The actress revealed through her caption that it has been one week since she delivered her little bundle of joy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhika (@radhikaofficial) Radhika Apte announces birth of her baby While sharing the picture, Radhika Apte wrote, "First work meeting back after birth with our one-week-old at my breast #breastfeeding #mothersatwork #averybeautifulchapter #bliss @benedmusic ♥️". As soon as Radhika dropped the picture, fans and friends started congratulating her. One wrote, "Apte. You powerhouse of a superstar! Blessss." "Welcome to the world, little one," another wrote. Actor Divyendu wrote, "Awww.. ❤️❤️ congratulations." Meanwhile, Zoya Akhtar wrote "congratulations" in the comment section. "Lots and lots of (happy emojis)," Shweta Tripathi commented. About Radhika Apte and her husband Benedict Radhika Apte met her husband Benedict Taylor in London in 2011 while she was on a year-long break to study contemporary dance. In October 2012, her friend and director Sarang Sathaye revealed that the couple had been living together for some time. They had a legal wedding a month before their official ceremony, which was planned for March 2013. About Radhika Apte's work front Radhika Apte, born on September 7, 1985, is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi, Bengali, English, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi films. She has earned several awards and was the first Indian actress to receive an International Emmy Award nomination. While she’s known for her roles in independent films, she has also starred in mainstream hits like the Tamil action movie Kabali (2016), the Hindi biopic Pad Man (2018), and the black comedy Andhadhun (2018), all of which were box office successes.
13 December,2024 07:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentD Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion in chess, beating Ding Liren of China in the 14-game match. The 18-year-old from Chennai capitalised on a blunder by Ding in the winner-takes-all 14th game to dethrone the champion, winning the match 7.5 to 6.5 and becoming only the second Indian to win the World Chess Champion. Soon after his win, social media was flooded with congratulatory messages from well-known faces. Personalities from the Indian film industry also took to social media to congratulate Gukesh D for his historic win. From Kangana Ranaut, S.S. Rajamouli, Amitabh Bachchan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Ayushmaan Khurrana and Jr. NTR among many others heaped praise on D Gukesh after his historic victory at the World Chess Championship. Celebrities congratulate Gukesh D Amitabh Bachchan wrote on X, "T 5222 - Gukesh D world champion chess .. the youngest in the World .. you have made us all so proud .. 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳because of you the entire World salutes INDIA ..JAI HIND". T 5222 - Gukesh D world champion chess .. the youngest in the World .. you have made us all so proud .. 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳because of you the entire World salutes INDIA ..JAI HIND pic.twitter.com/lx8LgFyRfl — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 12, 2024 S.S Rajamouli wrote: “INDIA MAKES ITS MOVE AGAIN! Congratulations @DGukesh on becoming the world’s youngest chess champion and making the nation proud on the global stage. Jai Hind!” Chiranjeevi Konidela said, “WOW!!!! Just WOW !!! My heart swells with pride Dear @DGukesh !!! What A Phenomenal Feat!! India is Absolutely Proud of you!! 18th World Chess Champion at the Age of 18 & Only The 2nd Indian in History!!!! Above ALL Becoming the Youngest World Champion EVER!!!! India Rising Mera Bharat Mahaan !!!” Calling it a historic day for India, Kangana Ranaut wrote, “Wow!! a wonderful and historic day for Indian chess. The country is immensely proud of young #gukeshdommaraju, who becomes the youngest chess player (18 years old) to win the World Chess Championship #woldchampion.” A proud Jackie Shroff penned: “D. Gukesh makes India proud by winning the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship, becoming the youngest ever world chess champion. Congratulations” D. Gukesh makes India proud by winning the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship🇮🇳, becoming the youngest ever world chess champion.Congratulations 🙌 @DGukesh#WorldChessChampion pic.twitter.com/VsR3QU7XuU — Jackie Shroff (@bindasbhidu) December 12, 2024 Jr. NTR wished Gukesh “many more victories.” He wrote: “Grand salute to @DGukesh, India's prodigy and the world's youngest chess champion. Here's to many more victories on your journey to greatness. Keep shining!” A grand salute to @DGukesh, India's prodigy and the world's youngest chess champion. Here's to many more victories on your journey to greatness. Keep shining! — Jr NTR (@tarak9999) December 12, 2024 Ayushmann Khurrana just posted a news article which mentioned:, “India's Gukesh Dommaraju Becomes Youngest Chess World Champion at 18.” Ranveer Singh also reacted to Gukesh's win and put out a sweet story for him. Gukesh D gets emotional after big win Overwhelmed with emotions after his victory, Gukesh termed it the "best moment of his life" during the post-match press conference. Gukesh also spoke about an emotional phone call with his mother after his victory, saying, "We were both crying." The young lad was in tears as he finished the game. He stepped out and hugged his father first and started crying in joy. Reflecting on his journey, Gukesh said he has faith in God and credited divine intervention for his success, which saw him go from failing to qualify for the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament to winning it and ultimately claiming the Chess World Championship title. To the youth, Gukesh offered a simple message: "Keep enjoying chess. You will achieve your dream one day."
13 December,2024 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPushpa 2: The Rule actor Allu Arjun has been arrested in connection with the death of a 35-year-old woman, Revathi, during a stampede at Sandhya Theatre on December 4, at the premiere show of the much-awaited film. Following his arrest, actor Varun Dhawan, who is promoting his upcoming film Baby John, has come out in support of Allu Arjun and expressed his thoughts on the devastating incident. While extending his condolences to the grieving family, Varun mentioned that it is unfair to solely blame one person for such an event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Varun Dhawan on stampede case Varun Dhawan, currently busy with the promotions of his upcoming action drama Baby John, addressed the media at an event. Speaking about Allu Arjun’s connection to the case, Varun said, "Har cheez ek actor apne par nahi le sakta hai. We can tell people around us. Jo hadhsa hua hai vo bohot dardnak hai, and I send my condolences, but at the same time blame mein sirf ek insaan par nahi dal sakta." What Allu Arjun Said About the Tragic Incident On December 6, Allu Arjun announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the deceased's family and expressed that he was "deeply heartbroken." The actor assured the grieving family that he would meet them personally and provide every possible form of support. He also promised to cover the medical expenses of a boy who remains in critical condition following the incident. "Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extending every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey," Allu Arjun wrote on social media platform X. Recently, at the success meet of the film, Allu Arjun addressed the issue once again. He said, "The incident that took place in the Sandhya Theatre is very unfortunate... I’m shocked. It took me hours to process it and respond to the incident. I couldn’t process it psychologically—it took me around 10 hours. We all blanked out when we heard the news. Sukumar sir also got extremely emotional. I will personally meet them later. We will always be there and try to support the family."
13 December,2024 03:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShah Rukh Khan’s famous dialogue – ‘Haar ke jeetne wale ko baazigar kehte hain’ – was born of a Formula 2 car racing scene in the film Baazigar (1993). Despite ample car and bike chase sequences in Indian movies, very few have based their storyline on this high-risk sport. Saif Ali Khan did play a professional car racer in Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007) but the movie was hardly watchable. John Abraham making a film on bike racing John Abraham has been planning a film on bike racing for a long time. He had earlier said that Ajay Kapoor would be producing the film, to be directed by Rensil D'Silva. The film is set to roll next year, John told Mid-day at the Indian racing Festival. He is probably the best person to make a film on the sport since he has been a passionate biker, in real life and in one of his most successful films, Dhoom (2004). He also co-owns the team Goa Aces which won the title at the 2024 Indian Racing League (IRL) at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore. “I needed an excuse to get into motor racing,” John told Mid-day in Coimbatore. “Here I am the co-owner of a fantastic racing team. I want to do a film on motorcycle racing, that’s starting next year, probably in August or September. It’s in the Isle of Man." Isle of Man has been the hub of motorsports for over a century now, with the Tourist Trophy, an annual motorcycle racing event, being held there since 1907. John making his own helmet line "I'm lucky that I can merge my sporting passion into films,” John continues. “And I can use my film star status in sports. I can influence youngsters to get into more sports, be it motorcycle racing or formula racing. Honestly, if you see the number of deaths on the roads in India, if you have a passion for speed, a race track is the safest place to do it. I’d encourage youngsters that listen, ‘You want to drive a great car or a motorcycle, do it on a track.’ There’s no point going fast on the roads, which is why I am also developing my own helmet line,” said the actor who has always been vocal about road safety.
13 December,2024 12:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Bohni BandyopadhyayYash Raj Films’ Mardaani is the biggest solo female-led franchise in Hindi cinema that has garnered love and acclaim over 10 years now! The blockbuster franchise has received unanimous love from people and has attained a cult status amongst cine-lovers. Today, on the release anniversary of Mardaani 2, YRF officially announced that it is making Mardaani 3 with Rani Mukerji again essaying the character of a daredevil cop Shivani Shivaji Roy. One of Indian cinema’s finest actors ever, Rani Mukerji, is the only actress to have a blockbuster franchise as a solo lead to her credit with Mardaani! The wait is over! #RaniMukerji is back as the fierce Shivani Shivaji Roy in #Mardaani3. In cinemas 2026. #AbhirajMinawala | #AdityaChopra pic.twitter.com/Yc1Zw1auDA — Yash Raj Films (@yrf) December 13, 2024 Rani Mukerji talks about Mardaani 3 Rani says, “I’m thrilled to announce that we are starting shooting of Mardaani 3 in April 2025! It is always special to wear the police uniform and play a character that has only given me love. I’m proud to essay the character of this feisty cop again in Mardaani 3 as a tribute to all the unsung, brave, self-sacrificing cops who work tirelessly every single day to keep us safe.” Rani reveals Mardaani 3 will take the adrenaline rush several notches higher than the previous films! She says, “When we set out to make Mardaani 3, we were hoping that we find a script that would take the experience of watching a Mardaani franchise film higher. I am really excited about what we have at hand and I’m only hoping that the audience too feels the same after watching Mardaani 3 in theatres!” Rani adds, “Mardaani is an extremely loved franchise and we have a certain responsibility to deliver to the expectation that people have. We will do our best to live up to this. Mardaani 3 is dark, deadly and brutal. So, I’m intrigued to find out the response of the people towards our film. I hope they shower this film with the same amount of love that they have always given.” Writer and director of Mardaani 3 Mardaani 3 will see Aditya Chopra empower two talents from its direction and writing team to creatively collaborate and take forward the legacy of the franchise. Aayush Gupta of The Railway Men fame has written the script of Mardaani 3. With The Railway Men, Aayush debuted on streaming as a screenplay and story writer and saw meteoric success as the series was a global success and also went on to become the best ever series from India. His gut-wrenching and hard-hitting edgy writing was lauded worldwide. Mardaani 3 will be directed by Abhiraj Minawala, who has also been groomed by YRF. His potential was spotted by Aditya Chopra who first empowered him to assist on films like Band Baaja Baarat, Gunday, Sultan, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Tiger 3 to name a few. Abhiraj is currently the Associate Director of War 2 and is now being trusted by the company to take over the reins of the blockbuster Mardaani franchise.
13 December,2024 12:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnushka Sharma and Virat Kohli celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary on Wednesday, December 11. On Friday, the couple who are currently in Brisbane, Australia took to social media to share a glimpse of their best day ever'. Anushka shared a picture of a half-eaten puff. The second picture featured her and Virat where the latter can be seen holding a french fry. The actress can be seen wearing an ear-shaped hairband. "Bandit and chilli," she captioned the picture referring to the popular cartoon characters. The characters are from the cartoon series Bluey. Bandit and Chili are parents to the titular character and his younger sister Bingo. It's only befitting that Anushka and Virat called themselves Chilli and Bandit as the couple like the cartoon characters have a son and daughter. Anushka, Virat in Australia Anushka Sharma is currently in Australia with Virat Kohli accompanying him as he plays the Border-Gavaskar trophy matches. The third Test of the series is set to begin on December 14 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Recently, during one of the Test matches it was speculated that Anushka and Virat's son Akaay was captured on TV. The couple has been conscious about not revealing the faces of their kids. A video that went viral showed Anushka cheering for Virat after he scored a century. Many assumed the child seen behind Anushka in the video was Akaay. However, Virat's sister, Bhawna Kohli Dhingra, clarified the misunderstanding through her Instagram Stories. She wrote, "Have been seeing Virat and Anushka's friend's daughter being mistaken for Akaay on social media. The child in the picture is not our Akaay.. thank you." Virat and Anushka tied the knot on December 11, 2017 in Italy. The duo was blessed with Vamika on January 11, 2021. The couple was tight-lipped about their second pregnancy. On February 15, 2024, they became parents to son Akaay. Why Virushka do not show their kids' face After the birth of their daughter Vamika in 2021, Kohli revealed the good news on his Instagram and a fan asked about if he will be showing a glimpse of the bday. However, Kohli replied - “No we have decided as a couple to not expose our child to social media before she has an understanding of what social media is and can make her own choice,” he said. The couple quietly welcomed their second child, a baby boy named Akaay Kohli, in February this year. They welcomed him in London where they currently reside.
13 December,2024 10:40 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHindi cinema is going through a lull phase but this churning will, hopefully, lead to something better as creative people always find a way, says actor Manoj Bajpayee. In a year where the box office once again appears to be dominated by blockbusters from the South like 'Kalki 2898 AD' and 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', the successful business of 'Stree 2', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', and 'Singham Again' has given some hope to Bollywood. Asked whether Hindi cinema was in "trouble", Bajpayee said that isn't the case. "... But it is definitely forcing filmmakers to think differently. And there is nothing wrong with it. I think it is a churning, it's a lull period. I'm hopeful that it will go back to its natural self very soon. "I don't see it as a problem because creative people always find a way. It is a jolt, a shock. And, now they are thinking hard and trying to come together to find a solution to it. And they will find a solution," the actor told PTI in an interview during a visit to the news agency's headquarters. Bajpayee said horror comedy "Stree 2", which earned over Rs 800 crore at the box office, did "remarkable" business. "That means people are somewhere willing to go to theatres but they want something else. And that 'something else', a filmmaker has to really innovate and think hard about... My films these days come onto OTT and they have an even bigger audience. "Last year, my film 'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai' amassed historical views on OTT. If we convert it into rupees (box office collection), then it would be called an all-time blockbuster. The same goes for 'Gulmohar'." The National Award winner said mass audience always wants a hero and when theatres shut down during the pandemic, people stopped getting that from Hindi cinema but in south, single screens have thrived. "We always search for a hero in our films. In the changing times, people stopped getting their hero because there were many multiplexes. The south never let the multiplexes flourish and maintained unity. They knew that their cinema would survive only through mass audiences. "But we (Hindi industry) changed because while multiplexes were coming up, an aspirational India was also emerging. They wanted their hero. The kind of heroes they got, who ruled for 20-30 years... During COVID, there was a shift as mass audiences were going to theatres in big numbers but the multiplex audience chose to sit at home and enjoy OTT." Rising ticket costs could also be a factor in people choosing to stay at home and enjoy movies on the OTT, according to Bajpayee. Citing the example of "Pushpa 2" star Allu Arjun, he said the Telugu actor is giving the audiences the kind of films they want. "The person who is going to the theatres, he is a mass guy and he can't afford the ticket of a multiplex. Our mass audience can't go to the multiplex but even if they are able to go there, they want to see 'Pathaan', 'Jawan' or 'Animal'. The single screens are running packed and their audience see their hero in Allu Arjun. He is giving them the kind of film that should be enjoyed in theatres," added the actor, who worked with Arjun in "Vedam" and "Happy". Whether it is Allu Arjun, Jr NTR or Mahesh Babu, the audiences in the north are not new to these actors as they have been watching their Hindi-dubbed films for years now through satellite TV channels and streamers, the actor said. "I did some Tamil and Telugu films during those days. One day someone told me that they liked my movie 'Khatron Ka Khiladi'. I wondered when I did a film titled 'Khatron Ka Khiladi'?' Later I realised that it was the name of my Telugu or Tamil films which were dubbed in Hindi," said Bajpayee, who has starred in Tamil movies "Anjaan" and "Samar" and Telugu titles "Prema Katha" and "Puli". Bajpayee, who is friends with many Malayalam actors and filmmakers, said he wants to venture into Malayalam films. "They are making very good films. But they are also aware of the fact that I don't know the language. So, they'll get me those roles that have very less Malayalam dialogues or a character who speaks Hindi, English or doesn't speak a word." The actor's upcoming film "Despatch" is set to premiere on ZEE5 on Friday. 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
13 December,2024 10:15 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIRecently, it was reported that Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor has ended her relationship with writer Rahul Mody. However, the actress has put all of the speculations to rest with a picture from her date night. Those following Shraddha, know her love for all things food especially Mumbai's favourite street food- Vada pav. She got Rahul to take her out at night for a vada pav treat. Shraddha took to her Instagram stories, where she shared a picture of her fun outing with Mody, which involves gorging on vada pavs. The picture has reignited speculations about their relationship. The actress posted a picture of herself holding the iconic snack from Mumbai and wrote: “May I always bully you into taking me for vada pav," and tagged Rahul Mody. For the background score, she added the song “Yeh Vaada Raha” by late star Kishore Kumar. About Shraddha Kapoor and Rahul Mody Reports about Shraddha and Rahul's split surfaced in August this year after the Stree actress stopped following her rumoured partner on Instagram. It was earlier this year, when news about the two dating started doing the rounds. In April this year, Shraddha confirmed the dating rumours when she posted a picture with him on her Instagram Stories. In the photo, Shraddha is smiling at the camera while Rahul makes a funny face. With the picture, Shraddha Kapoor wrote, “Dil rakh le, neend to vaapis de de yaar.” She included a few emojis like a laughing face and a heart. She also tagged Rahul in the picture. The buzz about their relationship got even louder when Shraddha was seen wearing a pendant with the letter 'R.' Fans started speculating more after noticing that her recent mountain vacation photo looked very similar to one Rahul posted. Mody is a screenwriter and assistant director. He worked with the actress in 'Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar', which also stars Ranbir Kapoor. Shraddha Kapoor's work front On the work front, Shraddha was recently seen in the blockbuster Stree 2, the sequel to her 2018 horror-comedy hit with Rajkummar Rao. The film broke all records at the box office becoming one of the biggest openers of the year and the biggest box office film in Kapoor's career.
13 December,2024 09:56 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her singer-actor husband Nick Jonas posed together on the red carpet of the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The actress wore a metallic silver off-shoulder bodycon while Nick looked sharp in a black suit for the night. Priyanka had her hand around Nick's arm as they posed together for the pictures on Thursday evening. Priyanka took to her Instagram handle to share pictures from the evening. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) Priyanka gets honoured at the Red Sea Film Festival The actress has been honoured at the ongoing edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival. On the occasion, the actress said that is a believer of the universal power of entertainment to bring people together. With this, the actress has joined previously announced Red Sea Honouree, Viola Davis as the film festival celebrates and recognises her accomplished career and achievements on screen and within the wider film industry. The actress said, “I am humbled to be recognised at the Red Sea International Film Festival, a celebration of storytelling that transcends language, borders, and cultural divides. I have always believed in the universal power of entertainment to bring people together, and I applaud the Red Sea team for their commitment to showcasing the incredible talent and diversity of stories being told around the world, not just within Hollywood or Bollywood but far beyond”. She further mentioned, “Reflecting on nearly 25 years in the industry, I am reminded of how fortunate I’ve been to witness and contribute to storytelling that challenges perspectives, inspires change, and connects us all. This recognition is a reminder of why I fell in love with making movies in the first place. My gratitude to the Red Sea International Film Festival for this special honour and for their efforts to spotlight the extraordinary artistry of global cinema”. Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation said, “Each year we honour changemakers and entertainment icons – and Priyanka is someone who has become both of those things over a magnificent career which continues to flourish. She is a global star, but also an actor who has championed the work of upcoming filmmakers and has gone on to produce herself. We’re thrilled to be welcoming her to Jeddah as a Red Sea Honouree”.
13 December,2024 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Preity Zinta reminisced about shooting the song Jaane Kyon Log Pyar Karte Hai by sharing a throwback photo from the iconic film Dil Chahta Hai. This Bollywood comedy-drama, written and directed by Farhan Akhtar, featured Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia in lead roles. Released in 2001, the film became a cult classic. Sharing a humorous anecdote, Preity Zinta recalled shooting the popular song in Sydney, Australia. The Kal Ho Naa Ho actress revealed that she had skipped breakfast due to the tight shooting schedule. "Like all shoots, we had to hurry and finish within a certain time frame, so everyone was focused on wrapping up as quickly as possible. Of course, I missed breakfast that morning, so all I could think about was food!" she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Preity G Zinta (@realpz) Preity added, "Once the shoot was over, I was asked to pose for a few stills/photos. I made a face and said, 'I'm starving. Can we do this later?' Someone replied, 'It will only take a second. Just look at the camera and think of a yummy chocolate croissant.' And that's exactly what I did when this photo was taken." The photo, which highlights Preity's signature dimples, shows her smiling at the camera. She captioned it, "This photo always reminds me to enjoy and appreciate the little things that bring us so much joy. Tell me, what makes you smile like that? I'd love to know." Dil Chahta Hai was praised for its compelling storyline, strong performances, and memorable music. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. Primarily shot in urban locations across Australia and Mumbai, the film resonated more with urban audiences than rural ones. It explores the journey of three best friends as they navigate love, friendship, and the challenges of life after graduation. Preity Zinta is set to make her comeback to the big screen after six years with Lahore 1947, where she will share screen space with Sunny Deol. 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
13 December,2024 07:59 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIIn a film career spanning over two decades, actor Rahul Dev has gained recognition for his powerful and villainous portrayals in films. The 'Mass' actor recently reminisced about his Bollywood debut and how it set the stage for a series of negative roles in Hindi cinema. Rahul made his debut with the film Champion in 2000, where he played the antagonist. He went on to portray negative characters in several films, including Champion, Aashiq, Awaara Paagal Deewana, Mass, and others. Reflecting on his career, Rahul admitted to attempting a shift by exploring opportunities in South Indian cinema to break free from the monotony of negative roles in Bollywood. "The divide was very clear in 2000. Artists were not called actors but heroes and villains. In acting school, we are taught various methods, but when I applied that knowledge practically, it changed my perspective," Rahul said. Talking about his big break and its impact, he shared, "At that time, if your first project like Champion is so successful--you win awards and all--it becomes significant. Sunny Deol, being a larger-than-life hero, needed an equally strong anti-hero in the film, right? I didn't choose to confine myself to negative roles. It's wiser to diversify, or it becomes monotonous. That's why I tried going down South. It was getting boring (Boring ho jaa rha tha)." After delivering some of the most menacing performances as a villain in Hindi films, Rahul's career has taken a fresh turn in recent years, thanks to the variety of roles offered by OTT platforms. He has played prominent roles in web series such as The Test Case, Who's Your Daddy, Poison 2, LSD, Hunter: Tootega Nahi Todega, Empire, and Adhura. Discussing the growing influence of OTT platforms in India, the Footpath actor remarked that they have helped bridge the divide between South and North Indian films. "The South and North divide has, in a way, closed. Many people went to watch Pushpa 1 on the first day, even though it was in Telugu and they didn't know the language. The reception for films not in one's mother tongue has increased. Audiences are now seeking better-quality content," Rahul said. He also cited the example of the recent re-release of Tumbbad, adding, "Tumbbad got re-released and earned much better than during its first release, which was pre-Covid. This shows how much the audience has evolved in terms of cinema appreciation." Rahul Dev will next appear in the OTT film Zabt alongside actor Eijaz Khan. The film will stream on Prasar Bharati's OTT channel, Waves, starting December 13. The story revolves around Eijaz Khan's character, a smart and ambitious man who relocates to Mumbai. To acquire a real estate property, he borrows money from an underworld don but gets robbed. The film further explores the mysteries of Eijaz's past and his quest to recover the lost money. 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
13 December,2024 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
