(Crisp) Movie Review: STREET FIGHTER by FENIL SETA
3:49 PM
Street Fighter begins with a prologue presented in anime style, setting the mood. The characters are entertaining and the premise looks fun. But in no time, the interest levels start dipping. A few scenes are haphazardly cut and also certain developments happen without explanation. The action scenes stand out, but they are not enough to save the film. Noah Centineo (Ken Masters) ably delivers as per the requirement. Andrew Koji (Ryu) makes his presence felt with his nuanced performance and impressive action scenes. Callina Liang (Chun-Li) leaves a huge mark and so does Eric André (Don Sauvage). David Dastmalchian (M Bison) is decent as the villain. Among the cameos, Jason Momoa (Blanka) stands out, followed by Vidyut Jammwal (Dhalsim). All in all, Street Fighter fails to impress.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
(Crisp) Movie Review: NAYYI NAVELLI by FENIL SETA
3:36 PM
On paper, Nayyi Navelli must have sounded interesting on paper. Sadly, the weak script and execution plays spoilsport. There are barely any funny scenes in the first half and thankfully, the film gets interesting when the twist occurs in the tale just before interval. But in the second half, the film again falters big time. The developments are amateur and the religious angle fails to work as intended. Yami Gautam Dhar delivers a restrained yet impactful performance. Anurag Thakur (Bantu) is the scene-stealer and is too entertaining. He and Yami make the film watchable. Addinath M Kothare has a crucial part in the story and does very well. Mita Vasisht comes next and her scene in the first half is the funniest part of the film. Sushmita Mukherjee is over the top while Suneel Sinha (S K Awasthi), Sunita Rajwar (Asha), Prateek Pachori (Pannu Chacha), Babita Pandey (Rekha Chachi) and Sonal Jha (Sumitra Tayi) are decent. All in all, Nayyi Navelli is a waste of a golden opportunity.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
Alia Bhatt was amazing; learnt a lot from Anil Kapoor-Pavleen Gujral
3:07 PM
The actor reflects on taking roles that align with her artistic ambitions
Shagun Roy (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 16, 2026)
Actor Pavleen Gujral is riding high on the good reviews she has been getting for Hunkkaar: The Roar . “I am ecstatic to get compliments from everyone. Friends, family and film fraternity also have only good things to say, and that’s something that makes you want to go even bigger the next time,” says Gujral, who is stil getting compliments for portraying Dr Preeti in Alpha.
But that’s not her only take away from this big-budget multi-starrer. “The film set was a learning experience. The bigger the star, the more grounded and warm they are. Alia Bhatt was amazing. And especially with Anil Kapoor ji, I learnt a lot.! He has accomplished so much in his life, and he still has the same enthusiasm and, perhaps, more energy than anybody else on set. He talks about the character, he discusses the scene with you. I, who is just starting out, it was very rewarding,” says the 43-year-old.
She adds that the cherry on top was, when he “complimented me” saying, “the dialgoue delivery is very impressive”.
But this has only fuelled her ambition. “I have reached this far due to a lot of hard work and having honed my skill every step of the way. Now, I feel I am ready for a character-driver lead role,” says Gujral, who is also an enterprenuer and a certified nutritionist who co-owns a Sir Lankan-cuisine restaurant, Zetu, in Delhi.
“I have always wanted to do a lot of things. And hosting events, running a restaurant and consulting have helped me pursue my acting career in a big way. This has given me liberty to choose only roles which are meaningful or are integral to the story. You know, I don’t want to do a bad project just for the money, for acting is for creative expression and not financial gratifictaion for me.”
There was nothing like what was shown in Fashion-Sana Thampi
3:03 PM
Nishad Neelambaran (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 15, 2026)
Sana Thampi, who made her debut in Kiran Rao’s directorial within the Lust Stories 3 anthology, is glad that she hasn’t received any bad reviews about her role in the film. In Sana’s segment, she portrayed the character of Lisa, a nail artist who moved from Kerala to Mumbai. Part of this is also true in real life. Sana is from Kerala and has now shifted her base to Mumbai. Talking about being guided by Kiran Rao in her debut project, she says that the director “handheld” her through the project.
“I felt very guided through the process. When the team cast me, they were well aware that this was my first project ever. She had a very clear and precise understanding of who this character is. It was very much seen in the script, too, when I read it. There was no ambiguity that I felt in terms of who I was portraying,” she says.
The segment involved a lot of choreographed intimate scenes, and Thampi is appreciative to have intimacy coordinators on the set to guide her through it. “Their role was very significant to me... I felt a lot more confident and at ease with shooting these kinds of scenes. It is also a very necessary where the ask the actors what we are comfortable with. If at all you say, ‘I don’t have any boundaries’, they will be like, ‘it doesn’t work that way. Find your boundaries’. They very much work within the framework of what you are comfortable with.”
Sana was born and raised in Kochi, Kerala, in a very traditional household. An architecture graduate in life, she fought her battles at home to pursue her career in modelling and then slowly transitioned to acting.
“My parents were a little apprehensive about me pursuing modelling. It was a completely unknown world. Besides, there was this film Fashion (2008) that painted the worst picture of the industry. I don’t know if it was true or not for that generation, but by the time I came into modelling, social media was a very prominent player. I am glad to report that it wasn’t resembling much of that film,” she shares.
She adds that her parents’ idea of what the fashion industry was, was based on what the media and the films portrayed. “I fought those battles with my parents very early on in my career. By the time I had to make a transition into acting, I had no battles to be fought,” she admits.
Sana also mentions that with a name like Kiran Rao associated with the project gave her parents additional confidence. “I am sure that in their head, it helped that there were names like Kiran Rao attached to the project. They also felt like it is going to go well,” says Sana, who is also proud of the fact that her parents can see her dreams come true.
Ask her about what her parents’ reaction was after they saw their daughter become an actor, she says, “They are happy for me. To them, it’s just that I have been in front of the camera for so long; I don’t think it makes that much of a difference.”
Mismatched may come back as a movie-Prajakta Koli
3:00 PM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 15, 2026)
Prajakta Koli’s foray into acting happened with the web series Mismatched, and after seven years, the show is coming to an end with season 4, expected to release by year-end. The team wrapped up the final season’s shoot last month and Prajakta insists it has been an emotional ride.
“It’s been seven years I have been Dimple. Every season, I would go on set on the last day and cry, but I would wipe my tears saying I will come back for the next season. This time, through the shoot, me and Rohit (Suresh Saraf, co-actor) would look at each other from across the room and dread the day it would be our last. But I remain hopeful because it’s a beautiful romance and romantic story to chalti rehni chahiye. I hope the audience watches it so much that the makers are forced to make more,” she says.
In the West, shows like Heartstopper and The Summer I Turned Pretty have returned as movies after their series wrap. Does she hope for a similar fate for Mismatched too? “Yes, you never know, we may come back as a movie. Every time on shoot, me and Rohit would discuss that it doesn’t deserve to end,” she responds.
With her book and web series Operation Safed Sagar becoming a success, and shooting for the final season of Mismatched, Prajakta insists while it’s been a crazy year for her, this feels like living her dream. “The first half of the year, there was so much writing and development that I was working on, but I could see a storm coming. Once June started, I knew till the end of the year it will be madness. I had seen it coming, but nothing prepares you for it. But what a life! This is what I had dreamt for so long and I get to do it. So, I am very overwhelmed,” she ends.
Nana Patekar’s son Malhar dismisses speculation about family ties
2:58 PM
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 15, 2026)
A trained filmmaker and social worker, Malhar Patekar, son of the late actor Nana Patekar, says he has drawn strength from his parents’ “resilient nature” during the tough time of losing his father recently.
Speaking to us, Malhar shares, “When growing up as a kid, I imbibed a lot of strength and resilience from my parents. Also, whatever it looks like from the outside to people doesn’t matter to me; in reality, we as a family were strongly and emotionally connected even my uncle and cousins, for that matter. Mujhe sab ka pyar mila hamesha and that matters.”
“Itna sab kuch viral ho raha, woh kitna ghalat hai. Just because we don’t share family pics on Insta, that doesn’t mean we don’t bond. Even after parting ways, my parents were on a good note; 38-39 saal ka bond tha, and things are never what they might look like… The things I read usska jawab yeh hain ke woh akele nahi thhe, kabhi nahin thhe, nor was he unwell because we all never left his side; one of us was always with him. He was very active and doing two and a half hours of working out in a gym; youngsters nahin kar pate, that was his level of fitness.”
Recalling the day he lost his father, Malhar says, “Nana ji was in Goa, and my cousin Prasad, who used to look into all his entertainment-related meetings, was sent off by him to Mumbai as he had to shoot for KBC Marathi with Madhuri ji (Dixit) in a day; also, my other brother, Amay, only left after settling him upstairs in the house. Nana ji was someone jo kabhi kisi ko pareshan nahi karte. So, when he felt uneasy, he only texted him, and it was only after some time that he called him. He reached immediately, but it was late. I got a call from my mum around 5 am while I was in Pune. Uske baad kya hua kuch yaad hi nahi, I felt the world around me stopped.”
On Nana raking less work of late, Malhar shares, “He didn’t want to do films as repetitive ho gaya tha, so he wanted to make his own stories. He believed in evolving as an actor, and that he had in mind. I remember him telling me that ‘kaam ek jaisa nahin hona chahiye.’ He did Khamoshi because he wanted to show that Nana can deliver his best without those heavy dialogues associated with his numerous characters. More recently, it was social work that kept him at peace and happy; working on bringing schools to Kashmir and also working towards farmers was all that had been going on. And that is now my prerogative, too.”
Malhar also shares his thoughts on the reactions: “Without naming anyone, I want to say that the case people are bringing up unnecessarily is already over. Judiciary se clear hua hain, case khatam ho chuka; phir bhi bol rahe. Aise logo ko main unko kuch nahi boluga; joh sach hai wahi rahega, bhagwan unka bhala kare, this is what I have to say to them.”
Imran Khan's comeback film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum takes a hit following his deportation notice
11:11 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 16, 2026)
On October 15, Imran Khan was issued a notice by the Mumbai Police and Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), asking him to leave India by October 28, days after he joined the Mumbai protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The development has affected the actor’s comeback film, Adhure Hum Adhure Tum, which was scheduled to release on December 18. Sources have now suggested that the Netflix movie is likely to be deferred and its promotional campaign put on hold until there is clarity on the matter.
Khan was detained on October 10 when he participated in the August Kranti Maidan protest, which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. While he was released the same evening, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that the actor — who holds US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card — should face charges for “violating OCI provisions and visa conditions”. The notice to leave the country was issued under the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Sources from the team of Adhure Hum Adhure Tum told mid-day that the uncertainty surrounding Khan’s situation has prompted the makers to consider pausing the film’s promotional plans. A source said, “The plan was to begin promotions after Diwali and build towards the release. Now, however, a deferment is being discussed. Since Netflix hasn’t officially announced a release date, postponing it is being considered. The team does not want to begin a campaign without knowing how the situation around Imran will play out.” The actor’s legal team is reportedly filing a petition against the FRRO notice.
Directed by Danish Aslam, Adhure Hum Adhure Tum also stars Bhumi Pednekkar.
mid-day texted Aslam, who didn’t respond till press time.
Nitya Mehra, Mitakshara Kumar step in after Jasmeet K Reen's exit from The Royals 2
11:10 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 16, 2026)
Royal drama has surrounded The Royals ever since its second season went on floors. In May, we reported that Bhumi Pednekkar wouldn’t reprise her role in the Netflix series (Love lost in palace, May 10), while director Jasmeet K Reen exited the project last month.
So, what’s happening on the Ishaan Khatter-led romantic comedy? mid-day’s got the latest development — turns out, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar co-director Mitakshara Kumar has begun helming the series in Jaipur, and Hunkkaar: The Roar co-director Nitya Mehra will join soon.
Apparently, Reen had filmed for five days, but the portions will now be reshot under Kumar’s guidance. The production is said to have also revisited the written material. This indicates an extensive production reset rather than a straightforward change of director.
A source revealed, “The shoot has now resumed in Jaipur with Mitakshara and the team is working on the revised version. The unit’s focus now is to complete its daily schedule. The team is effectively starting afresh and has to make up for the time lost while keeping the budgets in check.”
From what we’ve heard, under the leadership of Reen, who previously helmed Darlings (2022), The Royals 2 unit struggled to complete each day’s planned scenes. The growing backlog prompted producers Rangita Nandy and Ishita Nandy to reassess the footage shot.
The source added, “Jasmeet could not align with the show’s scale. Everyone on set was confused on the first few days because she wasn’t giving any direction on how to navigate. We never finished the shoot on any of those days. Every day scenes would pile up to be filmed the next day. The new directors will reshoot her five days’ scenes because nothing was looking good as per what was expected of the pilot.”
Farah Khan gave Sania Mirza's son Izhaan a signing amount of Rs 100 after birth
10:59 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 16, 2026)
Farah Khan gave Bollywood one of its brightest stars in Deepika Padukone, whom she launched with Om Shanti Om (2007). Whom will the filmmaker launch next? If she has her way, Sania Mirza’s son Izhaan Mirza Malik.
On Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s chat show Double Date, the tennis star revealed that Khan — one of her closest friends — gave her son a signing amount after his birth, promising to make a film with him when he grew up.
Nearly eight years later, the sports icon still has the money as a keepsake of their 20-year friendship. Mirza recalled, “Farah gave me a signing amount of Rs 100, saying, ‘Yeh jab bada hokar actor banega, I will do a movie with him’. I still have that Rs 100 note.”
While Khan may have staked her claim on the youngster’s Bollywood debut, his mother has other ambitions for him. Mirza also revealed on the chat show that she has been trying to nurture his interest in tennis, but his passion lies in football currently, while Khan added that Izhaan is equally interested in dancing and movies.
Akshay Kumar's song from Anees Bazmee's comedy mounted on a Rs 1 crore budget
10:58 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 15, 2026)
Keep up with Akshay Kumar if you can. Only two days after returning from the UK where he was shooting a month-long schedule of Samuk, the superstar headed to another film set in Dehradun. Over the next five days, the actor will film a special song for director Anees Bazmee’s yet-untitled family comedy, which also stars Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna.
According to sources, the song will be one of the major highlights of the movie, with the makers apparently allocating a budget of around Rs 1 crore to it. So, think grand sets, larger-than-life treatment, and of course, Kumar’s smooth moves.
A source close to the development told mid-day, “Akshay returned from the UK on October 12, and within two days, left for Dehradun. There is no break between the two schedules. The makers wanted to wrap the song before the third week of October, and Akshay was more than happy to return to the comedy’s world.”
Choreographer Vijay Ganguly has been brought on board to design the track. He is said to be envisioning it as a grand affair, in keeping with the world that Bazmee has created for the entertainer. “It’s a special post-credit song. Vidya is also likely to feature in it, but her parts will be stitched later,” added the source.
The comedy marks Kumar’s reunion with Bazmee 15 years after their last collaboration Thank You (2011). It’s also the actor’s fourth outing with Balan after Heyy Babyy (2007), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), and Mission Mangal (2019).
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