Mukesh Khanna, in an interview with us at Mid-Day, revealed that he isn't okay with Ranbir Kapoor being cast in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana. Khanna has been making headlines for quite some time now. Recently, Sonakshi Sinha called out the actor for making distasteful comments about her after an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati, where she couldn't answer the question regarding who Hanuman brought the Sanjeevani herb for in Ramayana. Now, as the Shaktimaan star has issued an apology, he has shifted his focus to another A-lister, and this time it is Ranbir Kapoor, who will be seen playing Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana. Mukesh Khanna indirectly called Ranbir Lampat Chhichhora In a chat with us at Mid-Day, Mukesh indirectly called Ranbir 'lampat chhichhora' and said, “What Arun Govil did with the role has become the gold standard. All I can say is that whoever plays Ram must embody Ram; he shouldn’t look like Raavan. In their real life, if they are a (lampat chhichhora) lewd hooligan, then it will show on screen. If you’re playing Ram, you’re not allowed to party and drink. But who am I to decide who plays Ram?” Mukesh Khanna on Prabhas and Ranbir Mukesh further called out Prabhas' casting in Adipurush as Ram. He explained that despite being a superstar, he wasn’t accepted as Lord Ram, and the reason was ‘he doesn’t look like Ram.’ While describing Ranbir as the ‘Kapoor family’s beacon,’ Mukesh claimed, “He’s a fine actor… But I will look at his face, and he should look like Ram. He’s just done Animal, and his negative personality was highlighted in that movie. I hope that doesn’t disturb this…” About Mukesh Khanna Mukesh Khanna is widely known for his show Shaktimaan. The superhero drama was created by Mukesh and aired on DD National from September 1997 to March 2005. The actor played the role of Shaktimaan and his alter ego "Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri," a photographer for the newspaper Aaj Ki Aawaz. Shaktimaan was depicted as a human who attained superhuman powers through meditation and the five elements of nature: Space, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Kitu Gidwani, who was later replaced by Vaishnavi Mahant, played the role of Geeta Vishwas, a reporter who loves Shaktimaan. Surendra Pal played the role of Tamraj Kilvish.
19 December,2024 05:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Katyayani KapoorSameer Wankhede, who headed the case involving the detention of Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the alleged drug racket, has commented on the dialogue from the movie Jawan, which many believed was a dig at him. While discussing the high-profile incident, he referred to it as "the smallest case" of his career. During a podcast appearance on YouTuber Gaurav Thakur's channel, Wankhede was asked about the case, which was described as "the elephant in the room." Reacting to the question, he stated, "I don’t agree that it is the ‘elephant in the room’; I would rather think of it as one of the smallest cases of my career—a microorganism in the room." Sameer Wankhede on the Aryan Khan's case He further added that he does not want to give the case much importance, saying, "I don’t want to waste my time talking about it. The matter is currently in court, and I don’t want to comment on it. I just want to say, neither am I scared of anything, nor am I hiding anything. The only reason I avoid talking about it is because I have given an affidavit in court that I will not speak about the case. There is a lot to share and talk about, but there is a code of conduct, due to which I can’t discuss. Once the court passes its verdict, I will surely speak about it in detail." Sameer Wankhede on the leaked chats and baap bete dialogue It was in 2022 when Aryan was released and got cleared of all charges due to insufficient evidence and later next in Shah Rukh Khan came with a film named 'Jawan. In the film Shah Rukh Khan's character had a dialogue which was “Bete ko hath lagane se pehle, baap se baat kar”. This created quite a buzz as many suspected that Shah Rukh took a dig at Wankhede, who had submitted an affidavit in court detailing purported chats with Shah Rukh When asked about the dialogue, Wankhede said, "I don’t want to take names and make them famous. As far as the leaked chats are concerned, I will repeat myself: I am not allowed to comment on it. Whatever dialogue is seemingly used against me... with the words ‘baap’ and ‘beta,’ they sound extremely cheap and third-rated. We don’t use such words in a cultured society. These are simply roadside dialogues. I don’t expect myself to give importance to such things and react." About Aryan Khan's arrest during alleged drug trafficking case In 2022, Aryan was released and cleared of all charges due to insufficient evidence. The following year, Shah Rukh Khan released the film Jawan, in which his character delivered the dialogue: “Bete ko haath lagane se pehle, baap se baat kar.” This created quite a buzz, as many suspected it was a veiled dig at Wankhede, who had submitted an affidavit in court detailing purported chats with Shah Rukh Khan.
19 December,2024 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently revealed whom he considers to be the coolest actor in the industry. He was promoting his upcoming action film 'Baby John' along with co-stars Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, director Kalees and presenter Atlee in Mumbai. At the press meet, he shared his experience of working alongside Jackie Shroff in the upcoming film. Jackie plays an antagonist in the film. Varun Dhawan on working with Jackie Shroff At a recent event in Mumbai, the Dilwale actor opened up about the deep admiration he holds for Jackie, calling him the "coolest actor" in the industry. Speaking about his experience of working with Shroff, Varun shared, “He is a very chilled-out man; it was wonderful working with him. The way he treats people off-screen is just too amazing. I got to learn a lot from him; he is one of the coolest actors we have here.” Praising the Border actor’s professionalism as a co-star, Dhawan stated, “I had to do some action with him too and he gave me full freedom. Kalees and me had a great time working with Jackie sir.” The 'Bhediya' actor went on to add that the film's producer, Atlee, had Jackie Shroff in mind for the role from the very beginning. “From day one of casting for this role, Atlee sir wanted Jackie sir to play the part. And I must say, he has gone beyond expectations. This will be Jackie Shroff 3.0 in the film,” he mentioned. At the event, Atlee stated that Shroff would take on the role of the villain this year, much like Bobby Deol did in 'Animal' last year. Varun Dhawan on collaboration with Salman Khan The film also has special and power packed cameo by the Dabangg superstar. When Varun was asked about his collaboration with Salman Khan, the young actor said, "Aaj kal log sirf Instagram par collab kar rahe hai, humlog actual film mai kar rahe hai, proper collaboration which feels good. He is one of a kind. He has the largest heart in the business. When you see the film, all his fans are going to be very pleased." Further, when asked if he received a compliment from the superstar, Dhawan shared, "Woh seedha compliment dete nahi. He just saw me and said, 'Baby john, bada hogaya baby'," he said imitating Salman's deep voice. Directed by Kalees, the action drama serves as an adaptation of Atlee's 2016 Tamil film Theri. The film stars Varun Dhawan in the title role, alongside Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Zara Zyanna. The movie is produced under Jio Studios, Cine1 Studios, Vipin Agnihotri Films, and A for Apple Productions. -
19 December,2024 03:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSohail Khan stepped into the film industry as a film director and debuted with the 1997 action thriller Auzaar starring his elder brother Salman Khan and Sanjay Kapoor. Sohail Khan is the master of multiple talents. He is an actor, writer, film director and producer. On the occasion of his 54th birthday, let us revisit some of his best comedies: Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya (1998)This 1998 romantic comedy saw Sohail Khan in multiple roles. He was the writer, director, and producer of the film. His eldest brother Salman Khan was the lead opposite Kajol in the film. His other brother Arbaaz Khan also played an important role in the film. It was a hit at the box office. Maine Pyar Kyu Kiya (2005)Sohail Khan acted in and produced this romcom, which starred Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen, and Katrina Kaif in lead roles. David Dhawan directed the film, which is a remake of the 1969 American film Cactus Flower. Salman portrays a doctor who is liked by his female patients but he is commitment-phobic and when things get serious he lies about his marriage. Due to this, he finds himself in a complex web of lies and is not able to process his true feelings. Partner (2007)This film stars Salman Khan, Govinda, Katrina Kaif, and Lara Dutta. Both the male leads are on a quest to pursue their partners, their love interests amidst tangled and chaotic situations which further leads to humor. Sohail Khan produced this comedy film which proved to be successful at the box office. God Tussi Great Ho (2005)This fantasy comedy stars Sohail Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and Salman Khan. Sohail Khan acted in and produced this film. This film witnesses brothers Sohail Khan and Salman Khan at loggerheads with each other as they love the same girl. The story revolves around Arun who has never achieved success in his life and he blames God for this. In a chance encounter with God, he gets superpowers for 10 days which ensues chaos and comedy. Main Aur Mrs Khanna (2009)This 2009 romcom sees Sohail Khan as an actor and producer. Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor also star in this film. It is based on the theme of extramarital affairs and love. Both Salman and Sohail's characters fall for the same girl in the film.
19 December,2024 03:05 PM IST | MumbaiRajkumar Hirani’s Munnabhai MBBS is not just a film; it’s a revolution in Bollywood storytelling. With his unique approach to combining humour, heart, and social issues, Hirani crafted a film that became an instant classic. Munnabhai MBBS wasn’t just about a medical student’s quest to prove himself; it was about love, friendship, redemption, and finding joy in the simplest moments. It introduced us to Munnabhai’s lovable, carefree philosophy of life, beautifully expressed through his interactions with the people around him. Over the past two decades, the film’s quirky dialogues have lived on in popular culture, remaining as fresh and relevant as ever. Here are some of the most iconic ones that have left a mark on Bollywood’s storytelling. Popular dialogues from Munnabhai MBBS “Aye Mamu… jadoo ki jhappi de daal aur baat khatam” “Jab tum smile karta hai na… toh aisa lagta hai ki kya mast life hai” “Life mein jab time kam rehta hai na… double jeene ka, double” “Aye chili chicken tera height kya hai re, how long how long?” “Bhai ne bola karne ka matlab karne ka” “Tum bahut mast kaam karta hai” “Bohot kuch life mein first time hota hai re” “6 feet ka ek hain na do do feet ke teen bana dalunga.” “Doctor banna hai toh doctor bhi ban jaa, par insaan banna zaroori hai” “Full confidence mein janeka aur ekdum vinamrata ke saath baat karneka.” Rajkumar Hirani’s Munnabhai MBBS remains a testament to the power of storytelling that blends humor, heart, and social consciousness. The film’s dialogues continue to resonate with audiences, proving that great cinema is not just about entertainment, but also about leaving a lasting impact on the way we think and live. As we celebrate 21 years of this iconic film, it’s clear that Munnabhai’s world, with all its quirky charm and heartfelt wisdom, will continue to inspire for generations to come. When Sanjay Dutt celebrated 20 years of the film Sanjay Dutt took to his Instagram handle to celebrate the milestone last year. Sharing montages from the film, he wrote, "Two decades of laughter, emotions, and a whole lot of jadoo ki jhappi! Celebrating 20 years of Munna Bhai MBBS, a journey filled with unforgettable moments. Grateful for the love and support that made this film a timeless classic. Hoping that Munna Bhai 3 will be made soon!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) In 2006 the makers of the film came up with the sequel titled 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' bringing back Munna and circuit with a new adventure. While the makers had promised a third part to the franchise it was never made. Looking at Dutt's post, it seems that the hope for a third part is still alive.
19 December,2024 03:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAlia Bhatt has reacted to trolls who were targetting her actor-husband Ranbir Kapoor for allegedly not paying attention to her at the recent event to honor Raj Kapoor. The actress liked a viral video on Instagram that showcased the caring side of Ranbir. This came after a video of Ranbir apparently ignoring Alia at the event surfaced online The two actors were part of the host family that arranged the grand event to honour the legacy of Raj Kapoor. Now, Alia Bhatt has come to the defense of her husband and liked a post that shows his caring side towards her. Alia Bhatt reacted to an Instagram Reel defending Ranbir Kapoor. The actress ‘liked’ a video titled, ‘The Ranbir Kapoor they don’t post about’. The video is a compilation of clips from Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary. In the video, Ranbir can be seen taking care of Alia and his older family members. The caption of the video reads: “The side of Ranbir that social media doesn’t show, they cut a 2-sec clip out of context and run a whole lot of negative PR with it. Meanwhile, this is the reality. It’s crazy to me how easily people can be fooled." Alia liked a fan-made reel saying, "The Ranbir Kapoor they don't post about"byu/Independent-160 inBollyBlindsNGossip Alia Bhatt's December dump On Thursday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared an array of pictures in which she can be seen having a great time. One of the pictures also shows her husband, Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor wearing a T-shirt with their daughter Raha's name. Another picture shows her playing the game of teen patti She can also be seen posing with Pandas and working out in the gym. She wrote in the caption, "Bits of here and there". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt 💛 (@aliaabhatt) Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's work front Alia Bhatt was last seen in the film 'Jigra' that did not perform well at the box office. The film directed by Vasan Bala is currently streaming on Netflix. She is currently shooting for the action-packed film 'Alpha' co-starring Sharvari. The film is part of the YRF spy universe. Ranbir Kapoor, on the other hand, has wrapped the shoot of part 1 of the epic Ramayana directed by Nitesh Tiwari. He also has Animal Park and Brahmastra 2 in his line up.
19 December,2024 01:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Atlee's much-awaited action drama film starring Varun Dhawan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Keerthy Suresh is slated to hit the cinemas on Christmas. However, speculations are that the movie will face tough competition as Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna's Pushpa 2 is still ruling the box office. Pushpa 2: The Rule had a worldwide release on December 5, 2024, and has collected over Rs 1400 crore. Atlee clarifies Baby John is not clashing with Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 Despite this mega clash, Atlee is confident of the success of Baby John and dismissed the idea of a 'clash' between the two films. At a recent press meet, the Jawan director provided a clarification on why he thinks it is not a clash. The director said, "It’s an ecosystem. Me and Allu Arjun sir are very good friends. We’re releasing Baby John in the fourth week of December, not head-to-head. So don’t call it a clash. There’s no conflict here. We’re aware that Pushpa 2 shifted from August to December, and we’ve planned our release around Christmas. We’re all professionals, and we know how to handle this." Atlee further shared the close bond between him and Icon-star Allu Arjun. The filmmaker said, “He congratulated me about the film and spoke to Varun. There’s great friendship and love in this ecosystem,". Varun Dhawan's support towards Pushpa 2 actor Allu Arjun Recently, when Allu Arjun was arrested, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan came forward to support the actor. While extending his condolences to the grieving family, Varun mentioned that it is unfair to solely blame one person for such an event. He 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." Allu Arjun was arrested over a fan's death case in the stampede that occurred on the premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. Baby John is directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee and his wife Priya under their banner A for Apple Studios in collaboration with Murad Khetani’s Cine1 Studio and Jyoti Deshpande’s Jio Studios. The film also features a cameo from Salman Khan and is slated to hit the cinemas on the occasion of Christmas hoping for enormous success.
19 December,2024 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDirector Anees Bazmee’s son, Faizan Bazmee, makes his directorial debut with the short film Postman, featuring the renowned actor Sanjay Mishra. Speaking about the film, Faizan says, “The film follows the journey of a postman living in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), whose life is shaped by political unrest and personal struggles. One day, he receives a mysterious letter meant for him an event that changes his life in unimaginable ways. The story beautifully intertwines themes of resilience, duty, love, and the power of untold truths in a land overshadowed by conflict.” Faizan Bazmee heaps praise for actor Sanjay Mishra Reflecting on his experience as a debutante director working with Sanjay Mishra, Faizan adds, “This was my biggest project yet as a director, and while I was initially nervous about working with an actor as brilliant as Sanjay Mishra, he made the experience seamless with his incredible work ethic and commitment. Despite having a dupe, he insisted on performing the long-running sequences on the uneven ground himself. I feel fortunate to have worked with such an inspiring individual, and I hope he continues to motivate young filmmakers like he motivated me.” Faizan describes how the idea of the film struck him When asked how he came up with the idea for the film, Faizan shares, “The idea for the film came around five years ago when my close friend Shwet (the co-writer) and I were brainstorming ideas. It began as a simple story about a postman’s life but evolved into something far beyond what I could have imagined. Shwet and I expanded it into a feature film with many interesting elements. What excited me the most was the message: you might excel at your work, but can you deliver when it truly matters? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Faizan Bazmee (@faizanbazmee) We decided to shoot the film only when we felt confident in doing justice to it. Eventually, we thought of creating a short version to capture the essence of the characters, mood, and feel of the story without revealing the entire plot. If audiences liked it, we could then develop the full feature film.” Faizan further mentioned in his post that the 13 days of the shoot were his best days.
19 December,2024 12:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSalman Khan has a way of making his birthday special for his fans. Come December 27, the superstar will mark his 59th birthday by unveiling the teaser of Sikandar, easily one of the biggest releases of 2025. With less than 10 days to go, we’ve heard that director AR Murugadoss, producer Sajid Nadiadwala and the film’s team are working across two set-ups to shoot the teaser. While Khan shot his portions at the SRPF Grounds in Goregaon, another set has been erected at Filmistan where a part of the first look has yet to be canned. AR Murugadoss An insider close to the production shared, “This is one of the biggest films Salman has worked on in recent years. The team is pulling out all stops to ensure the teaser lives up to the excitement. They have a standing set in Filmistan, where stuntmen will shoot an action set-piece over the next two days. Earlier this week, Salman canned his portions for the teaser. His character is introduced in a hyper-stylised way, as he, wearing a mask, enters the frame and the camera focuses on his eyes. Five other masked men join him in the frame. The sequence is being edited, and the team will fine-tune the teaser this week.” Sikandar, also starring Rashmika Mandanna, marks Khan’s maiden collaboration with Murugadoss, and is designed as an Eid 2025 offering.
19 December,2024 11:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuOn Wednesday, Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from cricket after the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. After his announcement, fans of the cricketer took to social media to celebrate his journey in the sport. Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma and Prithviraj Sukumaran took to social media to thank the cricketer. Celebrities wish Ravichandran Ashwin Taking to Instagram Story, Ranveer wrote, "One of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you for the memories." Anushka Sharma who is currently in Australia accompanying her cricketer husband Virat Kohli also posted an Instagram story for Ashwin. "A lasting legacy," she wrote sharing a heartwarming video of the outgoing cricketer. Actor and filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran also put up a post thanking Ashwin for his contribution towards the game. Sharing a picture of the cricketer, the actor wrote, "An all time great with the red ball! Thank you for the memories champ" Actor Nakuul Mehta also gave a shoutout to Ashwin. "End of The Carrom Ball Maestro Era. I have felt heavy all day. Some of the greatest moments of my life have been benchmarked by how we played at that time. Sachin's desert storm, Laxman and Dravid at Eden, Dhoni's six at Wankhede, Kohli chasing, Beating Aussies in their den and Ash wrecking havoc at Chepauk and saving us the blushes for the n'th time with the bat," he wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nakuul Mehta (@nakuulmehta) Nakuul added, "Ashwin's contribution to Indian cricket would truly be understood in the years to come. An absolute master and servant to the game. Thank you for making our lives so much richer with how you played and upheld the game. Can't wait to see you and DK analyse the game from the box." About Ravichandran Ashwin's cricket journey Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, marking the beginning of an illustrious career in red-ball cricket. He featured in 106 Tests, taking an astounding 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scored 3,503 runs. Ashwin played 23 Tests against Australia, claiming 115 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 2.71. The 38-year-old also holds the record for the most wickets taken in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, with 29 scalps during the 2020-21 edition. In the longest format of the game, Ashwin set numerous records that may prove difficult to surpass. He is the fastest Indian bowler to claim 350 Test wickets and ranks as India's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 537 dismissals at an economy rate of 2.83. (with inputs from ANI)
19 December,2024 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentZEE5's recently released crime thriller film Despatch has been garnering appreciation from everywhere. It follows Joy Bag portrayed by Manoj Bajpayee, a seasoned crime journalist, who, while chasing a routine scoop, stumbles upon a ₹8,000 crore scam that threatens his career and life. As he digs deeper into Mumbai's underworld, he faces personal and professional crises, including his strained marriage and the changing world of journalism. Shahana Goswami shares her experience of working with Manoj Bajpayee in Despatch In this intense thriller, Shahana shares the screen with the talented Manoj Bajpayee. In a recent conversation, Shahana opened up about her experience working with Manoj Bajpayee, highlighting their collaborative and seamless chemistry, and sharing insights into the process that made Despatch such an enjoyable and enriching experience for her. Shahana shared, "Working with such versatile and senior talent like Manoj Bajpayee and Kanu Behl could feel intimidating at first, and there might be a bit of hesitation or fear for anyone. But both of them are incredibly easy to work with. At no point did I ever feel that Manoj's seniority created any distance between us. He is just as much a child, discovering, learning, and building, as I am in that moment. Suddenly, there's no difference between us. So, when we did our workshops and worked on our respective characters, it made everything easier and more comfortable for all of us." Shahana Goswami essayed the role of Manoj's wife, Shweta Bag. Shahana Goswami is a versatile actress, known for powerful performances across both mainstream and independent cinema. She is known for films like Rock On!!, Zwigato, and RaOne. Shahana's acting prowess continues to captivate audiences, earning her acclaim for the authenticity and depth she brings to each role. Recently, she has been gaining widespread attention for her role in ZEE5’s Despatch, directed by Kanu Behl, where she plays Shweta Bag. More details about ZEE5's crime thriller film Despatch Despatch is directed by Kanu Behl, produced by Ronnie Screwvala under the banner of RSVP Movies, and was released on the OTT platform ZEE5 on December 13. Kanu Behl is known for his critically acclaimed works such as Titli and Agra. The film was also screened at IFFI Goa and MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
19 December,2024 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
