Landing the second season of Bandish Bandits was a “surreal experience” for Divya Dutta. The actor, who plays a music teacher in the Prime Video series, says director Anand Tiwari offered her the role in the middle of a casual conversation. “Anand and I were just chatting, and this role came up. I’ve been an ardent admirer of season one. When something is resonating with you, you don’t want to ask too many questions. You just flow with it,” she smiles. In the musical drama led by Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry, most of Dutta’s scenes are with younger co-stars, including Yashaswini Dayama and Rohan Gurbaxani. Tell her that the actors have praised her nurturing approach, and she replies, “I still remember who was nice to me on the sets [in my early days].” One of them, she reveals, was her Veer Zaara (2004) co-star Shah Rukh Khan, whose kindness had moved her. “I didn’t know my camera angles while shooting for Veer Zara. So, I would stand anywhere. I was so enamoured that I’d just look at Shah Rukh and forget that the camera was there. One day, before a shot, he whispered to me, ‘The camera is on that side.’ When I thanked him, he said, ‘I won’t be present on all the sets. So, look after yourself.’” It has been a year of variety for Dutta, who was seen in Neeraj Pandey’s Sikandar ka Muqaddar and Tahira Kashyap’s Sharmajee Ki Beti. But diversity has been a prominent feature of the actor’s three-decade career. It’s getting further magnified, thanks to OTT. She says, “Earlier, there were limited roles as the lead, and if you weren’t the lead, you would be relegated to the mother, bhabhi or the villain. OTT has changed it totally. There is so much to do for 40-plus women. The variety that comes my way now is amazing.”
15 December,2024 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaWhenever there is a series about the entertainment industry, an award show sequence is almost always woven into it. It seems to be true of Aryan Khan’s debut series, Stardom, as well. mid-day has learnt that the first-time writer-director began shooting an award function scene in Mehboob Studios in Bandra yesterday. Sources tell us that as many as 18 stars have been lined up for the sequence. Rajkummar Rao, Sara Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Pics/PTI, Instagram On Friday, Rajkummar Rao, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Shanaya Kapoor filmed their portions. A source reveals further, “On Saturday, Aryan will shoot with his superstar-father Shah Rukh Khan, Sara Ali Khan, and social media influencer Orhan Awatramani aka Orry. Seasoned actors Karisma Kapoor and Neelam, as well as personalities from Bollywood’s inner circle, including Seema Khan, Bhavana Pandey, and Maheep Kapoor, are expected to join. With so many industry figures making cameos, it will be an exhaustive affair. The director plans to wrap up filming by Sunday.” The sequence, we are told, serves as a crucial plot point in the show. For his maiden directorial venture that is led by Mona Singh and Lakshya, Aryan has chosen to take an intimate look at the world that he knows best—showbiz. Stardom, slated to drop on Netflix next year, has been described as the story of “an ambitious outsider navigating the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood.”
14 December,2024 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuBandish Bandits season 2Director: Anand TiwariCast: Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Sheeba Chaddha, Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang, Divya Dutta, Rohan Gurbaxani, Yashaswini DayamaEpisodes: 8 When there is a considerable gap between two seasons of a show, you run the risk of having lost connect with the audience. Especially for a show like Bandish Bandits, which is majorly about the art vs commercial music tussle. Truth be told, I was initially not very keen on watching season 1, which released in the middle of the pandemic. But when you are working from home in a lockdown situation, you end up consuming more content than you intend to. Plus some friends who had watched it had praised the show, and it had the lure of veteran actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Atul Kulkarni. I watched season 1 several months after it dropped on Amazon Prime Video. And fell in love with it. It was so refreshing to have a show dedicated to music, albeit served with a huge dollop of family drama. It reminded me of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aaja Nachle and more such movies that focused on Indian classical music. Wait was worth it Bandish Bandits season 2 has arrived on Amazon Prime Video today, after a 4-year gap. It has been a long wait, but it is totally worth it. The scale, cast, drama, setting, everything is bigger in season 2. Season 1 ended with Radhe (Ritwik Bhowmik) proving that he is worthy of carrying on the legacy of his grandfather (Naseeruddin Shah). Season 2 throws new challenges at him as family secret spill out in the open, and suddenly the well-respected Rathod gharana is shunned by the society. New faces in season 2 The drama also moves up north, as Tamanna (Shreya Chaudhry) enrolls in a music school in Shimla. A new bunch of characters are introduced – Divya Dutta in a never-seen-before avatar as a western music teacher, the underrated by very talented Yashaswini Dayama (Saumya) as the band’s lead singer, and Rohan Gurbaxani (Ayaan) to add a new love triangle. There’s also an exciting cameo by Arjun Rampal. Better music If you loved the music of season 1, you will find season 2 even better. The composers have offered more variety this time, fusing Western classical with Rajasthani folk, and Indian classical with Rock beats. The album is a treat for music lovers. My personal favourites are Holdin’ On and Nirmohiya. Mental health issues, gender disparity While season 1 mostly focused on art vs commercial music tussle, season 2 takes it forward with the classical musicians’ reluctance to subscribe to commercial methods of gaining recognition. A band competition is introduced to pit the two leads against each other, representative of two different genres of music. Season 2 also gives Mohini (Sheeba Chadha) the due space she deserves as a classical vocalist, while also highlighting she is still caught between male egos – her former love Digvijay, husband Rajendra and son Radhe. Yashaswini’s character brings out pressures of social media and visibility that artists have to deal with these days – just being talented is not enough. Despite some plot loopholes and a lot happening thanks to an increased cast, Bandish Bandits season 2 has enough to make it an entertaining watch. Just the novelty and the scale of this attempt is laudable. Looking forward to season 3.
13 December,2024 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Bohni BandyopadhyayCrafting a world filled with love and music takes time. That probably explains why creator-director Anand Tiwari took four years to return with the second season of Bandish Bandits. Tell him that the gap between the two instalments of the Prime Video series was quite long, and he says it was intentional. “We took exactly the time that we took to make season one. We wanted to do it with as much responsibility as we did in season one. Bandish is a unique [narrative] because the story is of musicians, by musicians and for musicians. It gets consumed by everyone because we relate to the inter-personal dynamics, their dysfunctionality, loss, love and insecurities,” he begins. Anand Tiwari Starring Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry, Bandish Bandits became a hit upon its première in 2020 as it told the story of two rising musicians and their love despite their differing ideologies. While the romance between the two leads formed the crux of the first season, Tiwari says in the second edition, he has focused on the quiet love triangle playing out between Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chaddha’s characters. “We keenly saw how the audience responded to their love story [in the first edition] because we wanted to take that journey forward. It’s a mature telling of love that is very much alive on three sides. Radhe [Bhowmik] and Tamanna [Chaudhry] are [grappling with] what love means to them, and whether their love is more important than their love for their art. For the mature characters, these conversations are out of the window, and love means very different things to them. So, as writers, it was a great opportunity.” It has been a significant year for Tiwari, who directed his first big-screen offering, Bad Newz. The Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri-starrer failed to make waves at the box office, but the director is happy with its performance. “It did very well at the Indian box office. Internationally, it is Vicky’s biggest film, and got him his biggest weekend. So, I am full of gratitude. As producers, we also understood what box office meant because until then we had only worked on OTT. It was a big litmus test. We came in wanting to do cinema. I am a millennial. I didn’t have OTT [growing up]. So, cinema was the language of expression for me,” he smiles. The romantic comedy has boosted Tiwari’s confidence to tell more stories for the big screen. The director says, “Bad Newz has given us such a nitro boost that we’ll keep making movies. We are developing something for the big screen.”
13 December,2024 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaSanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi – The Diamond Bazaar on Netflix has taken the world by storm since its release. With its majestic visuals, captivating music, compelling narrative, and outstanding performances, the show has won hearts and critical acclaim alike. Infused with SLB's signature opulent storytelling, it has made a remarkable mark in the OTT space. Now, Heeramandi has made an impact on the global front having secured 4th position globally in Google Trends top-searched movies and shows of 2024. Google’s Most Searched TV Shows of 2024 Google Trends has unveiled the top-searched movies and shows of 2024 globally. While many international shows has made it's place in the top positions, it's remarkable to see that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's lavish Netflix period drama Heeramandi comes in fourth. Remarkably, it is the only Indian show on Google’s Most Searched TV Shows of 2024. Moreover, while the international conversations were about US elections, and climate events, Heeramandi has managed to make it's place in this list. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhansali Productions (@bhansaliproductions) Tops list of India’s most-searched topics Heermandi also features on the top-searched list in India. Then show has topped the list of India’s most-searched topics, followed by Mirzapur which finally unveiled its third season after a gap of four years. Post-apocalyptic drama The Last Of Us bagged the third spot, followed by Bigg Boss 17, and Panchayat which dropped its third season. The sixth spot went to the K-drama Queen of Tears, followed by another one called Marry My Husband. The eighth spot went to Kota Factory, followed by Bigg Boss 18 which is still ongoing and is hosted by Salman Khan. The 10th spot went to 3 Body Problem. Apart from this, Heeramandi proudly holds the title of IMDb's #1 Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2024. Heeramandi stands as a true masterpiece, marking Sanjay Leela Bhansali's remarkable debut in the digital realm and a significant milestone in his illustrious career. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is an eight-part series streaming in 190 countries on Netflix since May 1.
11 December,2024 07:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today launched CN Rewind, Warner Bros. Discovery’s new digital channel, as an add-on subscription. As the home to all-time favourite animated shows, CN Rewind is curated exclusively for Prime Video in India, and brings Cartoon Network’s evergreen classics, including The Powerpuff Girls, Tom & Jerry, Scooby-Doo, Johnny Bravo, Looney tunes, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Ed Edd n Eddy and many more, for fans across India. Prime members can enjoy a diverse range of celebrated animated programming, available both in Hindi and English, by purchasing an add-on subscription to CN Rewind at a special introductory offer of INR 199 per year, following which subscription can be renewed at INR 249 per year. “Animation remains a popular category on Prime Video across demographics, with younger and older audiences alike. With the launch of CN Rewind add-on subscription on Prime Video India, we are excited to take loyal fans on a nostalgic trip as they revisit their favourite Cartoon Network toons, as well as for younger audiences to discover and engage with these beloved stories,” said Gaurav Bhasin, head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals), Prime Video, India. “Over the years, through add-on subscriptions, Prime Video has served a platform for several streaming services to curate exclusive channels and take their content to audiences deep within India. We are thrilled to be the exclusive home for CN Rewind, and are certain that the diverse and timeless library will find deep emotional resonance with our customers across the country.” About Cartoon Network Cartoon Network is a cultural phenomenon that redefined pop culture and is reminiscent of special memories for millennials and generations across decades. CN Rewind, with the special offering, will provide fans the chance to relive those memories in a modern, on-demand format, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the same joy and excitement they felt decades ago and to pass those treasured moments to the younger generation. “There’s a deep emotional connection between Indian audiences and Cartoon Network. CN shows aren’t just cartoons, they’re pieces of our childhood that evoke joy, friendship, and a simpler time,” said Ruchir Jain, Head of Distribution, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery. “With CN Rewind, we’re creating a space where nostalgia can thrive while ensuring these beloved characters continue to inspire and entertain today’s kids in a whole new way.”
11 December,2024 02:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSoon after devouring the second season, fans of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein had one question: Is there a third edition in the offing? There’s good news for them. Barely three weeks after the Tahir Raj Bhasin, Shweta Tripathi Sharma and Aanchal Singgh-starrer dropped online, Netflix India has greenlit its next instalment. Writer-creator Sidharth Sengupta is naturally elated about taking the twisted thriller ahead. It depicts the mayhem that is sparked when Singgh’s character Purva gets obsessed with Bhasin’s Vikrant. “The response has been overwhelming. Considering how the second season ended, things are bound to get more intriguing as we witness how the characters evolve with the circumstances. The audience can expect significant transformations in the lives of Vikrant, Shikha [Tripathi], Guru [Gurmeet Choudhary], Jalan [Arunoday Singh], Akheraj [Saurabh Shukla] and Akhil [Nikhil Pandey],” says Sen. Sidharth Sengupta The latest season centred on the protagonist’s attempt to get rid of Purva, to whom he was forced to get married. When it ended on a cliffhanger, showing Vikrant injured and Purva pregnant, fans cheered the possibility of a third instalment. Upon its inaugural season in 2022, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein became a sleeper hit, with critics believing that its pulp nature makes it an entertaining watch for the masses. By telling the story of a seemingly ordinary couple, the series also highlights how humans can go to any length when pushed against a wall. It is this human behaviour that fascinates Sen. He says the next instalment will explore the tumultuous past of its principal characters, thus depicting why they became the way they did. “Just as we delved deeper into Purva’s character in the second season, we will further explore each character’s journey, providing deeper insight into their lives and personalities,” he shares. Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, adds that the aim is to pepper the storytelling with more twists and action. “This masala entertainer has received both critical acclaim and fan love. With the next season, we are excited to have more twists, action, drama and music,” she says. If things go as planned, the third season will roll sometime next year.
11 December,2024 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaManav Vij focused on living up to audience expectations when reprising his role as special task force officer Kabir Farooqui in Tanaav Season 2. Directed by Sudhir Mishra, the political thriller returned after its successful first season in 2022. Vij admits it took time to grasp the impact his character had on viewers. “The thing that remains in your mind is that people have liked this character, so you have to perform accordingly. You can’t play it in a completely new way. So, it takes time to understand the gravity of how much people have loved it and are attached to it. We have to live up to their expectations. But it’s not difficult because I had a strong team, who was there to guide me,” he says. Even at the script level, Vij was excited to shoot for the new season. He felt a personal connection to the show’s patriotic themes. “I am a patriot by nature. It’s difficult for me to decide whose trauma is bigger—mine or my country’s. I have felt this debate since childhood. When I was reading the script of the second season, I saw how the personal trauma of my character was transferring to the country’s trauma. The aggression and stillness of my character had to go parallelly. That was a challenge, but I enjoyed doing it.” Tanaav marked Vij’s debut as a leading man in his two-decade career, and he acknowledges the shift it brought. “Offers change. The perception definitely changes when you play a leading role. I have got a [heroic] projection in the show. The love and the bond that we [co-stars] have shared, I haven’t experienced that on any other set,” he reveals. He notes that actors often face inequitable treatment when not playing the protagonist. “I always believed no work is big or small. It’s the intent that matters.” Despite enjoying his leading-man status, Vij does not dwell on the industry’s changing perception. “If something works, they will applaud you. And if it doesn’t, they will say, ‘We always knew he never deserved this.’ I focus more on my work than what the industry is thinking. My father does see a hero in me now. My elder brother shows more respect,” he laughs.
10 December,2024 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaBehind the high walls of Asia’s largest prison - Tihar Jail, a novice jailer uncovers the untold stories and moral dilemmas that lie within. This sets the scene for Black Warrant, a first-of-its-kind prison drama that marks Vikramaditya Motwane’s return to long-form storytelling on Netflix following the success of Sacred Games and CTRL. Presented by Applause Entertainment, an Andolan Production in association with Confluence Media, the series is a dramatised book adaptation of Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury’s 'Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer.' What is Black Warrant about? Set in the 1980s, Black Warrant is a fictionalised retelling of certain true events told from the perspective of Sunil Gupta, a timid rookie jailer at Tihar Jail, as he confronts the brutal realities, high-profile cases and complex power dynamics within Tihar’s walls. Zahan Kapoor stars as the lead actor. Vikramaditya Motwane reflects, "Black Warrant is a book that is raw, intense, and authentic and immediately demands to be brought to life. Collaborating with Netflix, Applause Entertainment, and Confluence has been incredible, and I’m grateful to have had partners who have supported me and the team in telling this story the way it deserves to be told." 'Vikramaditya Motwane has brought a unique perspective' Sameer Nair, Managing Director of Applause Entertainment, expressed his excitement: "Black Warrant delves into the untold contemporary history of Tihar Jail—a world rarely explored with such depth and authenticity. Collaborating with a visionary like Vikramaditya Motwane has brought a unique perspective, infusing the story with both nuance and realism. Partnering with Netflix allows us to share this powerful and resonant tale with a global audience, offering a rare glimpse into a hidden world that leaves a lasting impact." Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, said, “We are so excited to start 2025 with something completely fresh, distinctive and truly in signature Netflix style. True crime is a genre our members can't get enough of. Behind this defining series is Vikramaditya Motawane who also created our maiden series Sacred Games. We’re thrilled to rekindle this successful partnership again for Black Warrant, with Vikram, Applause, Andolan & Confluence media. Black Warrant is a defining show in the landscape of crime and Vikram's craft brings to life a tone and telling that captures the many firsts of this story with utmost flair. It is India's first prison drama, based on a recount of India's longest tenured jailer and a story that is an absolute must watch!” Discover the stories inside Tihar through the lens of one of India’s longest-serving jailers in Black Warrant, only on Netflix.
09 December,2024 05:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe first edition of Bandish Bandits was appreciated as much for its narrative as it was for the sonic soundscape crafted by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Why then would the makers choose to replace the trio with a bevy of young composers for the next edition? “It was solely in the interest of time,” reveals music supervisor Akashdeep Sengupta, tasked with cohesively presenting the 17 tracks designed by musicians with different sensibilities. “The first season took three years to create. For the second season, we only had 18 months. Keeping that in mind, and the fact that in this edition we needed to highlight both traditional and modern music, we decided to champion new artistes from across India.” Script in hand, Sengupta was tasked with traversing the country and finding musicians who could serve as the musical backbone of the new season. “We needed individuals who could understand the tone of music that we wanted, and also make the album diverse. The script is diverse, and is influenced by Indian classical music, and western sounds. There’s also a beautiful ghazal, as well as futuristic tracks that are modern. So, we cater to different tastes, and that assortment was also aligned with the script.” A still from the series Accompanied by director Anand Tiwari, Sengupta says the listening sessions organised with each composer were instrumental in ascertaining that the songs, though diverse, didn’t seem disparate. “We wanted to make the melody pan-Indian, in terms of its accessibility. We wanted to make it [appealing], not only for the elite listener, but also for the masses. We wanted to attract Gen-Z, who are also consumers of western and fusion classical music.” The drama, starring Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry, will release on Prime Video on December 13.
09 December,2024 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaWhile acting provides her with creative satisfaction, Kritika Kamra finds fulfilment in supporting local artisans by showcasing their craftsmanship through her fashion label based in Madhya Pradesh. Currently filming Nagraj Manjule’s Matka King, which also stars Vijay Varma, the actor took time off her schedule to visit the local artisans. She adopts a hands-on approach, personally overseeing production to maintain the quality of her label’s designs. Speaking about her dual journey, she says, “Balancing my acting career and business has been challenging yet incredibly fulfilling. I feel a deep sense of responsibility towards both worlds. On one hand, I’m creating stories that resonate with audiences, especially with Matka King, on the other, I’m building a brand that celebrates the talent and craftsmanship of local artisans in Madhya Pradesh. They pour their heart and soul into their work, and it’s an honour to collaborate with them. Their stories inspire me to push boundaries, whether it’s in my acting projects or in building my brand. Taking a few days to meet the artisans and suppliers ensures we stay true to our values. It’s hectic, but when you love what you do, it’s all worth it.” Matka King explores the culture of gambling that gained popularity in Mumbai during the 1970s and ’80s.
08 December,2024 07:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
