Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, who is gearing up for his upcoming film 'Border 2', was spotted at the airport on Sunday with a fresh look. In videos shared by paparazzi, Varun was seen in a casual yet cool outfit. The 'Bhediya' actor wore blue jeans, which he paired with a white T-shirt and a black leather jacket. The actor, who rocked a moustache and light stubble, completed the look with a cool pair of sunglasses. Varun Dhawan is one of the newest additions to the star-studded cast of 'Border 2', which also features Sunny Deol reprising his iconic role, along with Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. The original film, helmed by JP Dutta, was a landmark in Indian cinema, depicting the 1971 India-Pakistan war, and introduced audiences to unforgettable characters like Suniel Shetty's portrayal of BSF officer Bhairav Singh. Besides 'Border 2', Varun has a busy year ahead. The actor is set to star in 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' alongside Janhvi Kapoor. 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' is written and directed by Shashank Khaitan. The film features an ensemble cast, including Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in leading roles, alongside Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi. Produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Shashank Khaitan, the movie is slated to hit theatres on April 18. The actor also has the sequel to 'Bhediya' in his lineup. The film also stars Kriti Sanon in the lead role. As per the announcement by Maddock Films, Bhediya 2 will be released on August 14 next year. 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 January,2025 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIFilmmaker Karan Johar, who never misses a chance to entertain fans with his humour, recently gave a hilarious spin to his relationship status by claiming he is "dating Instagram." On Sunday, Karan posted a humorous Story on the platform where he shared how Instagram supports him and even "pays his bills." "I am dating Instagram! It listens to me... makes me follow my dreams and even pays some bills! What's not to love?" read Karan's hilarious post. Karan has often spoken about finding a life partner. Last Diwali, he opened up about feeling lonely despite being surrounded by people. Taking to his Instagram account, Karan wrote, "Diwali ki raate, itni mulakaate, itni saari baatein, bheed mein fir bhi tanhai, single status se kab hogi judaai (Diwali nights, so many meetups, so many conversations, yet loneliness in the crowd--when will I finally part ways with my single status)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) The filmmaker recently made a stunning appearance at the Ajio Luxe Wkend gala in Mumbai. He walked alongside actor Sidharth Malhotra, dressed in an all-white outfit that included a satin shirt and trousers paired with a blazer trench. He accessorized with a diamond necklace and emerald brooch, perfectly complementing the event's theme, "The Gilded Hour." On the professional front, Karan is gearing up for his next directorial venture. The untitled Netflix series is expected to begin production soon. 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 January,2025 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Ananya Panday recently gave fans a glimpse of a friend's wedding in Delhi. The 'CTRL' actor took to her Instagram Stories to share a series of pictures Among the images, one caught everyone's attention as it featured Janhvi Kapoor and Shikhar Pahariya posing alongside Ananya and their group of friends. In one of the photos, Ananya can be seen casually dressed in blue denim and a green sweatshirt, smiling for the camera. Meanwhile, Janhvi Kapoor stood out in a stunning bright red saree, while Shikhar Pahariya kept it classic in a white-and-black outfit. Captioning one of the posts, Ananya wrote, "Here for Nikki and Kochi." On the work front, Ananya Panday will be next seen in the upcoming romantic drama 'Chand Mera Dil', in which she stars alongside Lakshya. Directed by Vivek Soni, the film is scheduled for release in 2025. In her most recent Netflix project, 'CTRL', Ananya portrayed Nella Awasthi, an influencer who turns to Artificial Intelligence (AI) after a difficult breakup. Speaking to ANI in a recent interview, Ananya's mother, Bhavana Pandey, expressed her pride in her daughter's journey. Reflecting on Ananya's hard work and the challenges she overcame in her career, Bhavana said, "I'm very grateful. I know she's worked hard and everyone does. She's worked hard. But the idea is to put your head down and work hard and take the important, necessary criticism in your stride and work even harder. And the rest is noise." 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 January,2025 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamInspired by National Award-winning director Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s Bengali period drama Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has decided to come onboard as presenter. The Jodha Akbar (2008) filmmaker, who caught Mukherjee’s film at a private screening in Mumbai, says he was egged on to give a boost to the kind of regional cinema that the latter was crafting. Asserting that presenting stories from across India benefits individuals of every generation, Gowariker says, “Bringing to the big screen the magic of what transpired in Bengal’s theatres during their golden era is beneficial for every generation. Ram Kamal Mukherjee needs to be praised. His direction is poignant and adds depth and sensitivity to theatre thespian Binodini Dasi’s remarkable life. I’m glad that Ram Kamal did not succumb to what the market dictates while narrating this epic. It is pure.” Heaping praise on actor Rukmini Maitra’s portrayal of Binodini, he calls the film a “heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Indian theatre and its unsung heroes.” Mukherjee is grateful for Gowariker’s unwavering support and adds that as presenter, the latter may host a “special screening in Mumbai after the national release of the film on January 24.” Backed by Bengal actor Dev Adhikari and Prateek Chakravorty, the movie also stars Rahul Bose and Chandan Roy Sanyal. It tells the story of Binodini Dasi, a young girl from Kolkata’s red light area, who achieves immense fame as a theatre artiste.
13 January,2025 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBROften referred to as the king of recreations, Tanishk Bagchi is certain that the album of Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force will compel filmmakers to see him in a new light. While fans have celebrated his original hits, including Raataan lambiyan and Bolna, the songs have often been dissociated with his name given the spate of rehashed numbers he has served music aficionados. Akshay Kumar in a still from Sky Force But Dinesh Vijan’s Sky Force, he says, is set to put his best work on display. “Imagine an album that has Rata lambiya, Ve mahi, Bolna, and Badri ki dulhaniya, all in one album,” he says of the film that has five songs crafted by him. In this interview, he reveals how he charted his career to facilitate this transition. Edited excerpts of the interview. What was the discussion you had with the makers with regards to the music of this album? I used to create a lot of songs for Dinesh sir, but it would be one song in the entire soundtrack. I’ve also done a lot of recreations. Dino [Vijan] had praised my skills as a composer. Nobody understood that I have the potential [to helm] a solo film. Dinesh sir told me about this film that he was working on, and told me to make the entire soundtrack. That is where we began. He spoke to me about the situations the songs were to be placed in, but left the work to me. He didn’t share any references and allowed me to decide the genres. Because this is a patriotic film, we’ve tried to retain honesty in the emotions. I can’t take references from other tracks. I’m proud of this album because these are the songs that I’ve always wanted to make. I knew that if I ever got an entire film to work on, I could design the soundscape as I desired. When I’d see [composers like] Sachin-Jigar, Vishal Dadlani, or Pritam, I’d always wonder why I couldn’t get an entire soundtrack [like they do], and was only entrusted with promotional numbers. That was, in a sense, a struggle for me. So, this film marks a new journey. I have been known as the person who did recreations, so this breaks the barrier for me. All the songs are original, and have been composed by me. The credit goes to Dinesh sir. Were there any active steps you took to make this transition?It began with saying no to a lot of [offers]. I turned down offers to back recreations. The last remix I did was for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and I did that only because I had worked on the second part as well. Even then, I tried to treat that number like an original song and added a new sound. I no longer wish to do any recreations. As much as I can, I will decline those offers. I’ve done what I had to do; I’ve established a trend. Now, I want to focus on my original music. Is there a genre of music you’ve employed here that you feel you have dominance over?When I compose, my music reflects a lot of the emotions that I encounter. Because I belong to Bengal, I’ve been inspired by folk melodies. I always wanted them to be reflected in my music. For Sky Force, I put all my skills to use, including using all the genres I know. Everything was scattered, but I created this package that brought it all together. This album includes one of the best tracks I believe I have ever composed. There’s another romantic song that, I am certain, will be liked by people. There’s also a number that adds emotional depth to the situation is was made for. Imagine having an album that has songs like Rata lambiya, Ve mahi, Bolna, Aankh maare, and Badri ki dulhaniya, all in one album. I think, this is that.
13 January,2025 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaWhat other than a dancing number featuring him could be a better calling card for a Shahid Kapoor-starrer? Well aware that the actor’s suave moves are enough to lure viewers to cinema halls, the team of Kapoor’s upcoming actioner Deva has been playing to his strengths. Released last week, the first track, titled Bhasad macha, showed a spirited Kapoor grooving to Bosco Martis’s choreography that aimed to present a character who was “erratic and dominating.” Martis says it was Kapoor who encouraged him to design a sequence that put his character to the forefront. Bosco Martis “There was a defined body language that he had manicured, and that’s what we dwelled upon. We created dance moves that could suit his character. The free-spirited sequence allowed him to be this person with free-flowing energy,” says Martis, who has previously choreographed Kapoor’s dance sequences in films like Jab We Met (2007), R... Rajkumar (2013), Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013), and Udta Punjab (2016). Owing to their multiple collaborations, the actor-choreographer duo has a fine understanding of one another’s working methods. Martis credits Kapoor for putting his trust in him, a move that, he says, has contributed to the success of their past works. Since Kapoor is a trained dancer, his technical skills are sound. So, Martis has—when the song demands—encouraged him to not rehearse too much before shooting the number, lest his act look inauthentic. “During the shoot of Agal bagal [Phata Poster Nikhla Hero], I told him not to keep rehearsing the steps. The beauty [of the song] was that the choreography looked natural. I was confident that Shahid would execute it,” he says of the song that was celebrated as much for its music as it was for its dance sequence. Kapoor stands tall among the best dancing stars in the Hindi film industry, including, but not restricted to, Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal. Ask Martis what makes him unique, and he points to his evolution as a dancer. “He is technically sound. He has always pulled off choreography with all his energy but has now begun controlling it as well. That’s beautiful. Earlier, he would dance to [showcase his] energy, but now he has got his bearings right. Now, he dances like a superstar. When you see him dancing, you celebrate with him.”
13 January,2025 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAfter multiple reports of the edits demanded by the Central Board of Film Certification for the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film Punjab 95 hit headlines, the wife of Jaswant Singh Khalra—on whom the film is based—was evidently irate. Paramjit Kaur Khalra had condemned the censor board’s demand for 120 cuts, stating that the biopic on her husband’s life was made with the family’s consent, and should be released without changes. Now, mid-day hears that the film on the social activist is finally headed to screens sans any cuts, following a string of measures taken by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). In December, the SGPC brought together historians who were best suited to study the film for accuracy. Gurcharan Singh Grewal, General Secretary, SGPC, told mid-day, “I have watched the film, and it doesn’t target anyone at all. It shows the truth of Punjab in an unadulterated fashion. It’s a heart-wrenching movie. When I watched it, I had tears in my eyes.” Directed by Honey Trehan, Punjab 95 delves into the life of Khalra, who uncovered mass human rights violations during the s’90s, ultimately sacrificing his life for justice. When midday contacted Navkiran Khalra, the daughter of Jaswant Singh, she said she was “thrilled” that the film will finally make its way to cinema halls. “It’s a story that needs to be told, and we’re grateful. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the film releases this time.” Trehan’s woes commenced two years ago when the movie that was to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival was pulled down after the makers refused to entertain the 25 cuts that were then demanded. It is after a long fight that the film is likely to test its fate at the box office with a February release, with Dosanjh confirming in an online comment that it will release without amends.
13 January,2025 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuBollywood actor Imran Khan, who has been rumoured to make his Bollywood comeback for a while now, celebrates his birthday on January 13. Imran made his foray into acting with the hit film 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' in 2008. The audience was crazy about him and he had a lot of female fans in the late 2000s and early 2010s -- all thanks to his charming looks. A few years ago, he was in the news for his marriage with Avantika hitting a rough patch. The two are parents to daughter Imara. In 2024, he confirmed his divorce as well as finding love once again with Lekha Washington. Imran Khan on his divorce from Avantika Malik In an interview with India Today, Imran Khan said, "Without going too much into that part, because I'm hesitant to add a lot of fuel to the gossip fire, but as I was dealing with all of this baggage and my internal struggle, I did find that my marriage and my relationship were not helping any of that." He added, "In an ideal, healthy dynamic between two people, you are both making each other better, healthier, stronger, and supporting each other to be the healthiest, best, strongest version. We were not in that place." Imran Khan on Lekha being labelled a 'homewrecker' Speaking to Vogue, Imran said, The speculation that I’m romantically involved with Lekha Washington is true. I’m divorced and have been separated since February 2019. There’s this narrative of Lekha being a homewrecker, which infuriates me because not only is it misogynistic but it also takes away my agency as an individual." “Lekha and I grew close during the lockdown, a year and a half after I had been separated from Avantika and almost a year after she had separated from her partner, not husband as it has been widely reported," the actor added. Imran Khan’s acting journey so far After featuring in films like 'Kidnap, 'Luck', ' Delhi Belly', 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan', 'Ekk Main Aur Ekk Tu', 'Break ke Baad', ‘Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara’, and 'I Hate Love Storys' among others, Imran disappeared from the public eye and quit acting. His last release was ‘Katti Batti’ in 2015.
12 January,2025 09:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Zoya Akhtar directorial Gully Boy will mark 6 years of its release next month. In a fresh set of developments, it is now revealed that the makers are working on a sequel that will reportedly star Vicky Kaushal and Ananya Panday. It will be directed by Varain Singh, who helmed Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. Vicky Kaushal and Ananya Panday in Gully Boy 2 According to a report by Filmfare, "Arjun Varain Singh, who directed Kho Gaye Hum Kahan for Excel and Tiger Baby, is slated to direct the Gully Boy sequel. He's confident that Ananya, who was his heroine in Kho Gaye, will be the perfect girl to lead the project. Vicky has been attached with the sequel for a long time now. Let's see if all these three artistes can come together to recreate the magic of Gully Boy." About Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy Gully Boy is inspired by the lives of Indian street rappers Divine and Naezy and follows the story of a young aspiring rapper from the slums of Mumbai who rises to fame in the hip-hop scene. The main character, Murad, played by Ranveer Singh, faces challenges and struggles as he tries to break free from his socio-economic constraints and pursue his passion for music. Alia Bhatt plays the role of Safeena, Murad's girlfriend, and the film also features Siddhant Chaturvedi as MC Sher, a supportive mentor and friend. The film received widespread acclaim for its authentic portrayal of the hip-hop culture in India and the compelling performances of the cast. The film also featured Vijay Varma, Amruta Subhash, Vijay Raaz, and Kalki Koechlin. Vicky Kaushal and Ananya Panday’s work front On the work front, Vicky will next be seen in Chhaava, based on the life of Maratha King Shivaji's son, Sambhaji Maharaj. It also stars Rashmika Mandanna. He will also be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War, and the magnum opus Mahavatar, where he will portray the legendary warrior sage Parashurama. The film, inspired by Indian mythology, is slated for release in cinemas in Christmas 2026. In the coming months, Ananya will be seen sharing screen space in a new romantic drama titled 'Chand Mera Dil' with Lakshya.
12 January,2025 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Tiku Talsania’s daughter and actor Shikha Talsania has shared a health update on her father, who suffered a brain stroke on Saturday and was being treated at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Shikha shared a note on her Instagram stories calling it an emotional time for the family. However, she assured everyone that Tiku is doing much better now. Tiku Talsania's daughter Shikha shares health update Taking to her Instagram stories, Shikha wrote, "Thank for all your you prayers and concern. It's been an emotional time for all of us but we are happy to share that Dad is doing much better now and is recuperating well. We are grateful to the Doctors and Staff at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital for everything that they have done and to his fans for all the love that's come our way in abundance." Earlier, Rashami Desai told ANI that Tiku Talsania is under the observation of doctors. "I met Tiku sir last night. I was so happy to meet him. Unfortunately, a couple of hours after our meeting, I got to know that he suffered a brain stroke and was taken to hospital. I pray for his speedy recovery," Rashami said. Tiku Talsania’s film journey Tiku Talsania is best known for his comic roles in films like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Ishq, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Andaz Apna Apna, Hungama, and Dhamaal among others. He also had a remarkable non-comic part in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Devdas. He was last seen in the film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video alongside Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri. The film follows the journey of Vicky (RajKummar) and Vidya (Triptii), as they, along with their family, go all out to recover their missing "suhagraat CD" in the scenic town of Rishikesh. With help from Mallika Sherawat and the rest of the family, the couple leaves no stone unturned, from appealing to the police and family elders to even venturing into graveyards at night. Tiku's daughter Shikha Talsania is also an actor. She has worked in films such as Veere Di Wedding, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, Satyaprem Ki Katha, and Wake Up Sid.
12 January,2025 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress Mallika Sherawat took to Instagram and shared a fun behind-the-scenes moment with American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars from the shoot of their parody video of Salt-N-Pepa's 1993 song Whatta Man. Calling it an unforgettable experience, she shared a clip showcasing the shoot, in which played a prominent role. Watch the video below. Mallika Sherawat on her shoot with Bruno Mars In the video, which was filmed in 2012, Mallika points a gun at Bruno Mars. He reacts by turning around, performing a dance step with the actress, and attempting to lip-sync the song. The entire crew bursts into laughter due to Bruno's humorous facial expressions. Mallika wrote in the caption, “Shooting a music video with Bruno Mars was an absolute blast :)Every moment on set was filled with excitement and fun. It’s an experience I’ll cherish forever! @brunomars” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mallika Sherawat (@mallikasherawat) Netizens react to Mallika and Bruno’s hilarious video Fans flooded the comment section, expressing excitement over the unexpected collaboration between Mallika and Bruno Mars. Sushant Divgikar wrote, “Iconic”. “She was iconic before people knew what iconic was. A well-spoken intelligent drop dead gorgeous woman,” wrote another user. Another user commented, “Way ahead of her time this woman is.” Mallika Sherawat’s acting journey Mallika, who was last seen on screen in Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri, stepped into cinema in 2002 with the film Jeena Sirf Merre Liye, where she was credited as Reema Lamba. Her journey to stardom began in 2000 when she got the title of a sex symbol courtesy of her performance in the Emraan Hashmi-starrer Murder, a 2004 romantic thriller. The actress was then seen in the West with movies such as Hisss and Politics of Love. Her credits also include movies including Khwahish, Bachke Rehna Re Baba, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story, Welcome, and Kis Kis Ki Kismat among many others. Bruno, on the other hand, is known for songs like Nothin' on You, Billionaire, Just the Way You Are, Locked Out of Heaven, Uptown Funk, 24K Magic, Versace on the Floor, It Will Rain, and the latest APT with BLACKPINK's Rose.
12 January,2025 03:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
