Ameesha Patel made her Bollywood debut alongside Hrithik Roshan with Rakesh Roshan's 2000 romantic thriller Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai gets candid about her first rendezvous with the superstar. As the film was re-released in theatres, Ameesha claimed in an interview that the term Greek God, which is often used by Hrithik’s fans and the media was coined by her. ‘Hrithik Roshan was a thin, introverted, awkward teenager’ In an interview with News18, Ameesha Patel shared her first impression of Hrithik Roshan. “We were family friends and I knew him when we were teenagers. He was a thin, introverted, and awkward teenager. He was shy like me. When I came back to Mumbai after my education in Boston and saw him, he had completely transformed!" said the actor. She added, “It was like this caterpillar had become a butterfly. I looked at him and said, ‘Superstar!’ But he couldn’t digest it and called me biased. We both had changed from gawky teenagers to young people. We became confident and talkative. The shyness had fallen over. And we hit it off from the word go! I used to call him Pierce Brosnan, the Bond! The term ‘Greek God’ was also coined by me and I’m very proud of it. It stuck with him since day one." About Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai originally released in January 2000, and directed by Rakesh Roshan, marked the debut of Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel. The film became an instant blockbuster, with Hrithik's iconic double role, dashing looks, and unmatchable dance skills grabbing the attention of the audience. The movie, which was a blend of romance, drama, and thrilling action, also featured a stellar supporting cast, including Anupam Kher, Farida Jalal, Satish Shah, Mohnish Behl, Dalip Tahil, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Vrajesh Hirjee. The film's songs including 'Pyaar ki Kashti Mein', and 'Ek Pal Ka Jeena', among others are still fan-favourite. Meanwhile, Ameesha Patel was last seen in Gadar 2. It is a sequel to the hit film which was released in theatres in 2001. Sunny Deol played the role of Tara, a truck driver, while Ameesha Patel played Sakina in the film that was set during the partition of India in 1947. Gadar 2 follows Tara Singh as he ventures across the border in a daring attempt to rescue his son, portrayed by Utkarsh Sharma, who has been captured in Pakistan.
15 January,2025 10:58 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor took some time off from his busy work schedule and decided to take over daddy duties while his wife Alia Bhatt indulged in a game of padel. In the video shared by a paparazzo, Raha and Ranbir can be seen sharing some adorable moments as she runs barefoot on the grass. However, while heading towards Ranbir, she trips and falls. The little munchkin gets up all by herself and walks towards her dad, who then comforts her. Watch the clip below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Netizens hail Ranbir Kapoor as the ‘best dad’ As the video surfaced on social media, scores of netizens praised Ranbir Kapoor for being there for his baby girl. One user wrote, “Ranbir is one of the best fathers. Hands-on with his little one since she was born.” “Ranbir is recollecting his childhood memories when his father was not available due to busy schedules.” added another. When Nikhil Kamath, on his podcast, asked Ranbir Kapoor what it was like to have a daughter, the actor replied, "It is like somebody kind of took your heart out and put it in your arms. I think Raha considers Alia as a part of her; and with me, she only looks at masti and fun." Alia and Ranbir tied the knot in April 2022, after several years of dating. Their daughter, Raha was born in November 2022. Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming projects Ranbir is prepping for Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious project, 'Ramayana', a cinematic adaptation of the epic. Produced by Namit Malhotra, the epic saga will feature Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. Sai Pallavi will star as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, with the first installment slated for release in 2026, and the second part will release in 2027. The actor will also be seen in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial ‘Love and War’ along with his wife Alia Bhatt, and his ‘Sanju’ co-star Vicky Kaushal. The film will be released on March 20, 2026. Besides that, he also has Brahmastra parts 2 and 2 as well as Animal Park. He is also reported to have joined the cast of Dhoom 4, which will have two female leads and a South actor as the antagonist.
15 January,2025 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe much-loved B-town couple Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat celebrated their first Lohri after tying the knot in March last year and the pictures are "kaafi cute" to handle. The couple took to their Instagram account to share adorable glimpses from their intimate home celebration. Kriti posted photos of the couple taking rounds around the sacred fire, dancing, and celebrating with their parents, making the occasion extra special. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti Kharbanda (@kriti.kharbanda) The actress looked stunning in a red suit adorned with intricate floral designs, while Pulkit kept it stylish yet simple in a blue kurta-pyjama set. Along with the pictures, the actress added a caption that read, "Kaafi cute! Hamari pehli Lohri!" Fans flooded the comment section with love and wishes. One user commented, "Ghar pe hi manali, good idea," while another added, "Very cute. Bless you guys." Last year, Kriti celebrated Karwa Chauth with Pulkit and shared a couple of pictures from the occasion. Along with the post, the actress also added a long caption where she wrote about the traditions she grew up watching her mother follow. Pulkit and Kriti married on March 15 2024, in Manesar. Their wedding festivities took place in the presence of close family members and friends. Actors Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha, Varun Sharma, and Manjot Singh were also a part of the functions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti Kharbanda (@kriti.kharbanda) Kriti and Pulkit have appeared together in several films, like 'Veerey Ki Wedding', 'Taish', and 'Pagalpanti'. Reportedly, their love story began during the filming of Pagalpanti in 2019, and since then they have been treating fans to their heartwarming moments on social media. 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
15 January,2025 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | ANINavya Nanda, granddaughter of Jaya Bachchan and Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, shared pictures from her recent trip to Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Initially, Navya had uploaded images featuring her grandmother Jaya Bachchan and mother Shweta Bachchan, but she later deleted those pictures. After a couple of minutes, she uploaded more pictures showcasing just herself and the beauty of the white desert. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Navya Naveli Nanda (@navyananda) "Rann of Kutch [?]," she captioned the post. Navya also uploaded a video of a group of local women dancing in the desert. Reacted to the post, Shweta teased Navya for sharing only her pictures. "Did you go alone??," she commented. In response, Navya dropped a few laughing emojis. Navya, granddaughter of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, may belong to a family of actors, but she has carved a niche for herself by pursuing her passion for entrepreneurship.In 2021, she launched Project Naveli to fight gender inequality in the country. She is also known for hosting a podcast, What The Hell Navya, which featured Shweta and Jaya Bachchan. 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
15 January,2025 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Sunny Deol has treated his fans with a sneak peek of his Lohri celebration. On Tuesday, Sunny dropped a picture on Instagram where he can be seen sitting beside a bonfire and clicking a picture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) His brother and actor Bobby Deol reacted to the post. He dropped heart and fire emojis in the comment section. Netizens also reacted to the post and extended heartwarming wishes to the 'Gadar' actor. A user wrote, "Happy Lohri Sunny ji." Meanwhile, on the work front, Sunny is all set to make his return to the big screen with the action film 'Jaat', following the huge success of 'Gadar 2' released in August 2023. The teaser of 'Jaat' was unveiled in December last year, giving fans a glimpse of the high-octane action they can expect. 'Jaat' is directed by the Telugu director Gopichand Malineni starring Randeep Hooda, Vineet Kumar Singh and Regina Cassandra in major roles alongside Sunny Deol. The one-minute and twenty-seven-second teaser of 'Jaat' features intense action scenes which include crushing faces with dumbbells, hanging bodies, flying cops and more. The video begins with an introduction of Sunny's character, the protagonist, who has a menacing appearance. Initially, he is also seen with his hands and legs chained. Sunny Deol appears to be back in action, this time wielding a big fan to defeat enemies rather than a handpump. Randeep Hooda is expected to be playing a negative role in the film. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, 'Jaat' aims to be a cinematic experience filled with high-octane action and gripping drama. It will hit theatres in April 2025. The music is composed by the acclaimed Thaman S, while Rishi Punjabi takes charge of cinematography. Navin Nooli will oversee editing, and Avinash Kolla will be responsible for production design. Furthermore, the film's action sequences, choreographed by Anl Arasu, Ram Laxman, and Venkat, promise to deliver breathtaking stunts that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. 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
15 January,2025 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Shahid Kapoor is leaving no stone unturned to create excitement among his fans regarding his upcoming film 'Deva'. After sharing film's teaser and video of the song 'Bhasad Macha', Shahid on Tuesday shared a picture of his rugged look with a cigarette in his mouth, exuding intensity and charisma. He also gave an exciting update about the film's trailer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) He informed everyone that the trailer of Deva will be released next week. The film revolves around Shahid Kapoor portraying a rebellious police officer tasked with solving a high-profile case that unravels layers of deceit, betrayal, and a dangerous conspiracy. Apart from Shahid Kapoor, 'Deva' also stars Pooja Hegde as a journalist in a pivotal role.Directed by Rosshan Andrrews and produced by Zee Studios and Siddharth Roy Kapur, the film has generated immense buzz since its announcement.The film is slated for release on January 31, 2025. 'Deva' also marks Shahid's return to the big screen after almost a year, following his last appearance in the film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya', co-starring Kriti Sanon. 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
15 January,2025 08:03 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIThe upcoming Kangana Ranaut directorial ‘Emergency’, which is based on the life of the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, won’t be released in Bangladesh as the political relationship between the neighbouring countries continue to get strained. The film, which delves into the turbulent period of the Emergency declared in India in 1975 by Indira Gandhi, has found itself at the center of a geopolitical impasse. A source close to the matter revealed, "The decision to halt the screening of ‘Emergency’ in Bangladesh is tied to the current strained relations between India and Bangladesh. The ban is less about the content of the film and more about the ongoing political dynamics between the two nations." Indira Gandhi played a vital role in the Liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan even though the USA demanded her not to meddle in the affairs of both the nations. Nevertheless, Indira went ahead as she felt that instead of taking in millions of refugees, India would be economically better off going to war against Pakistan leading to the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. With the USA threatening India with a naval offensive by deploying their aircraft destroyers in the Bay of Bengal, India found support in the USSR, as they deployed nuclear-armed submarines and warships. The relationship between India and the USSR continues to grow even long after the collapse of the USSR leading to Russia becoming a major power in the Eastern bloc. ‘Emergency’ highlights the Indian Army and Indira Gandhi’s government role in the 1971 Bangladesh war of independence and the support given to Shaikh Mujibur Rehman who is called the Father of Bangladesh and who called Indira Gandhi as Goddess Durga. The film also showcases the assassination of Shaikh Mujibur Rehman at the hands of Bangladeshi extremists, factors which are believed to have led to the ban of the film in Bangladesh. India fought a two front war against West Pakistan, and erstwhile East Pakistan which later became Bangladesh. In the current era, Bangladesh was India’s sole ally in the subcontinent. However, with the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the equation between both the nations have greatly changed. India now finds itself surrounded by hostile neighbours from all sides including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and the terrorist government of Taliban in Afghanistan. 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
15 January,2025 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe years he spent studying cinema while working behind the scenes were instrumental for Veer Pahariya, who used the knowledge to design his act for his debut film, Sky Force. Pahariya, who is cast as the lead alongside Akshay Kumar in the January 24 release, plays squadron leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, a revered Maha Vir Chakra recipient celebrated for the valour he displayed during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. Pahariya hasn’t left any stone unturned to prepare for the role, spending over three and a half years comprehending Devayya’s life. The young actor recently met the Air Force officer’s family, including his 90-year-old wife, Sundari Devayya, and their daughters, Smitha and Preetha. “When you play a role like this one, the first emotion you feel is intimidation. I was intimidated by the magnitude of what I had before me. There’s so much written about him, but to [portray] him on the screen is a challenge. I told myself that if I put my head down and gave it my all, I would be able to crack it. I knew that if I did well, this film had the potential to inspire a whole generation of young people to join the armed forces,” the young actor tells mid-day. The internet may have given him an insight into Devayya’s life, however, it is the anecdotes relating to his personal life that were crucial in enabling Pahariya to ace his act. “I was sent to Air Force bases in Lohegaon [Maharashtra], Suratgarh [Rajasthan], Delhi, Pathankot, and Gwalior. I was able to engage with fighter pilots my age and learn from them. There’s little written about him in history books, so, his family helped me bring him to life on screen. He loved photography, was a great golfer, and was rebellious. We added those elements into the film. It was the emotional prep that was [challenging] too—understanding a man who was leading a life driven by passion, and one who made India his priority,” he says, adding that he worked with acting coaches who guided him in the journey. It is the film’s climax scene, depicting an aerial dogfight that leads to Devayya’s ultimate sacrifice, that was particularly challenging for Pahariya. “I am in the cockpit, and my entire face is covered. It gives you a glimpse of how fearless the character is. I could only portray [Devayya’s] vulnerability, courage, and passion via my eyes. When I finished the scenes, I held my directors and cried for the man and the sacrifice he made.”
15 January,2025 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuKaran Johar surely knows how to play his cards right. The producer-filmmaker, who has managed to present narratives in a way that appeases the young generation, has come up with a way to gain the eyeballs of both Gen Z and millennials. Johar, whose upcoming venture is the Kartik Aaryan-starrer romantic drama Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Teri Tu Mera, is apparently toying with the idea of introducing the cast of his 2013 film, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, to this venture. Cast members, including Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Kalki Koechlin, are expected to revive their characters in Sameer Vidwans’s film in what is being seen as Dharma Productions’ initial efforts to explore cinematic crossovers. Sharvari is expected to feature alongside Aaryan. Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone “Since this film is a rom-com, and is along the lines of YJHD, this move seems like a natural progression. They are contemplating roping in the original stars for special appearances. Even if all of them aren’t available, they will try to get two of them to be part of it. These cameos will be a delightful nod to the beloved film. Apart from the fact that the actors’ dates must match, their introduction into the film needs to be seamless, not forced. That will be addressed during the writing process,” says a source. Johar may want to capitalise on the demand for Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, which amassed R10 crore on its re-release weeks ago.
15 January,2025 07:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuDon’t fake it! A still from Game Changer; (right) Ram Gopal Varma Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has criticised the makers of Ram Charan’s Game Changer for allegedly faking box-office numbers. He took to social media, to share, “If @ssrajamouli and @SukumarWritings skyrocketed Telugu cinema in real-time collections into fantastically stratospheric heights, thereby sending legitimate shock waves into Bollywood, the people behind GC [Game Changer] succeeded in proving that the south is much more fantastic in being a fraud.” He added that by inflating figures, Game Changer undermines the success of box-office hits like Baahubali, KGF, Kantara, and Pushpa. The makers of Game Changer claimed the film grossed R186 crore on its first day, while trade sources reportedly stated it opened under R100 crore worldwide. Moving on Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan has decided to step down as Treasurer of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He shared the announcement on Instagram, stating, “I have made the difficult decision to step down from my role as Treasurer of AMMA. In recent months, the increasing demands of my work, with Marco and other production commitments, have impacted my mental health. Balancing these responsibilities, along with the pressures of my professional life, has become overwhelming.” After submitting his resignation, he promised to serve until a new member is appointed. The stress related to #MeToo allegations involving AMMA members appears to have taken its toll. Reviving the story Madhur Bhandarkar and Shah Rukh Khan Before the pandemic, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar envisioned an action-packed film with Shah Rukh Khan. Although COVID-19 disrupted his plans and left the script on the backburner, Madhur recently spoke about reviving the project in an interview. The film, titled Inspector Ghalib, deals with a topical and reality-based storyline. Madhur expressed his desire to revisit the story someday, though it remains uncertain whether Shah Rukh will be part of it. Currently, SRK is busy with King, his film with daughter Suhana Khan. It’s timeless! First look of Sirf Tum; (right) Ganesh Acharya Choreographer, director, and actor Ganesh Acharya has announced his next project. He will be presenting the forthcoming romantic entertainer, Sirf Tum. Sharing the news on his official Instagram account, he wrote, “Happy Makar Sankranti and Happy Pongal! On this auspicious day, I’m presenting Sirf Tum, written and directed by Deepak Shivdasani, known for his super-hit films Baaghi [2016], Gopi Kishan [1994], Bhai [1997], and Krishna [1996]. This timeless love story will go on floors this April in Sydney, Australia.” The cast is still under wraps for now.
15 January,2025 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamJaideep Ahlawat's father, Dayanand Ahlawat, passed away on Monday evening, the actor's spokesperson said. The cause of demise isn't known yet. The actor's team has released a statement, asking for privacy for him in this time of distress. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mid-Day Entertainment (@midday_entertainment) “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jaideep Ahlawat’s beloved father. He departed for his heavenly abode surrounded by family and love. Jaideep and his family request privacy during this difficult time as they cope with their profound loss. We thank you for your understanding and prayers," the statement from Jaideep's spokesperson reads. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jaideep Ahlawat (@jaideepahlawat) The last rites will be performed in Jaideep's hometown in Haryana. In a 2020 post, just after Jaideep rose to fame with the first season of crime thriller series Paatal Lok, the actor had shared on Instagram a picture of himself with his father, mentioning similarities between him and his fan-favorite character, Hathiram Chowdhary, from the series. "Tera hi toh ansh hun, toh phir tujhsa hi toh hunga na-- Ditto bauji ki copy ho Hathiram Chowdhary (sic)," he had captioned the post.
14 January,2025 10:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaADVERTISEMENT
