Director Milap Zaveri’s next, an intense romantic drama with Aditya Roy Kapur, has been born from a personal realization. “I want to do angrier films; movies that have more passion, rage, violence, love, and heartbreak. That is the genre I have excelled in,” reflected Zaveri, who enjoyed a hit in Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat (2025) that belonged to a similar space.

Armed with that belief, Zaveri has begun pre-production on his yet-untitled next and leading man Kapur’s prep is underway. The makers are planning to take the film on floors by the year-end. While passionate romances often spark conversations around possessiveness and gender politics, the director refuses to let online discourse dictate his storytelling.

“I block out social media chatter. Every kind of love exists in the world. If there’s a story of a toxic person, it [will reflect his toxicity]. If it’s about a saint, it is about a saint. Otherwise we should make only documentaries and social service movies,” he remarked.

According to the director, showcasing relationships with their joys and flaws is what resonates with the audience. “Which love story doesn’t have its share of anger, obsession, and heartbreak? Every human being, however perfect their relationship may be, goes through these moments. A filmmaker’s job is to tell a story. It’s up to the audience whether they like it or not. Films have to feel real; they can’t be wrapped in political correctness.”

Actor Aditya Roy Kapur will headline filmmaker Milap Zaveri’s next feature, described by its makers as an “intense, violent and deeply emotional musical love story”.

The film, backed by producer Bhushan Kumar, is expected to go on floors later this year, with a theatrical release planned for 2027. Explaining the casting, Zaveri says, “Aditya has always had an amazing ability to portray love with power and emotional depth. Ever since Aashiqui 2 (2013), audiences have connected with him in stories driven by passion and heartbreak.”

He adds, “This character is heroic, intense, aggressive, and many notches above the madness of my film Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat (2025). I couldn’t think of anyone better than Adi to bring this character to life.”

Kumar adds, “Our association with Aditya goes back many years and I’m happy we’re coming together once again for a story that’s intense, emotional and mounted on a grand scale.”

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After delivering action entertainers such as Satyameva Jayate and Marjaavaan, filmmaker Milap Zaveri is teaming up with Aditya Roy Kapur for his next, a violent musical romantic drama. Speaking to Bombay Times, the director says the film draws from the emotional space of Aashiqui 2 and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, while promising a distinct identity of its own.

"The film is its own beast. It is in the genre of Deewaniyat, Aashiqui 2, but has its own uniqueness. This time I want to cater to masses and classes. Single screens and multiplexes," says Milap.

Explaining why Aditya was his first choice, the filmmaker adds, "Adi was my choice because he has a strong connect with masses and female audiences as proven in Aashiqui 2 and Malang. He is a terrific actor and looker and also has a great physique for action. He resonates superbly with musicals."

Milap, who recently collaborated with Harshvardhan Rane on Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, also dismissed any speculation that the two would not work together again.

"I will surely reunite with Harshvardhan Rane soon. I love him and he is my friend. Touchwood Harsh has his slate full with many exciting projects like Force 3, Silaa and soon we will surely do a film together," he ends.

The yet to be titled movie will go on the floors soon and is slated to release next year.

Aditya Roy Kapur was last seen in Metro... In Dino (2025), Anurag Basu's ensemble romantic drama. Before that, he headlined the action thriller Gumraah (2023).

As his directorial Aashiqui 2 clocked in 13 years on (April 26), Mohit Suri revisited the journey of the film that lives in the heart of the audiences.

Getting emotional about this milestone, Mohit told Mumbai Mirror, “I think the reason this film has resonated for so many years is because all of us who worked on this film — Aditya Roy Kapur, Shraddha Kapoor, the music directors and me — we all were at that stage of our careers where we were not chasing success but we had something to say emotionally. We had seen failure. Mithoon (singer-composer) and I had success with Murder 2, but Aditya and Shraddha wanted to prove themselves as they had not seen success despite being part of big films. Ankit Tiwari, who was new, sang the song Sun Raha Hai Na Tu. Jeet Ganguly (singer) was trying to do something outside his comfort zone.”

Reflecting on the phase they were all in at that time, Mohit said, “All of us went out with the intention of doing something we had never done. The pressure of the success of Aashiqui 1 was upon us, but we all went out to make a good film. Success was the cherry on the cake. I believe that when you say something with your heart, the world listens.”

He further added, “Every year no matter what happens and where she is, Shraddha always messages me on this day. We might miss our birthdays by a day or two, but we never miss this day and we thank each other for where we are today.”

At 38, Arijit Singh recently stunned fans and the Hindi film industry by announcing his retirement from playback singing. While several have expressed what they feel about Arijit’s choice, we spoke to Mohit Suri, whose films have consistently featured quintessential Arijit Singh songs, dating back to Aashiqui 2 and the iconic Tum Hi Ho. Composed by Mithoon, the song launched Arijit into stardom 13 years ago and defined his voice as synonymous with love and heartbreak. Suri last worked with him on Dhun from Saiyaara.

​On Arijit’s retirement from playback singing, Mohit said the decision didn’t surprise him. “I sensed it. He had reached a stage where he wanted to do more and not box himself into just one identity. You can’t limit his creativity. He doesn’t want to be remembered only as Arijit, the singer,” he said.

On a personal note, Mohit admits he is deeply disappointed, saying that a part of him feels like it has ended with the announcement.

He explains, “I don’t think Indian music can exist without Arijit. People see this as a full stop, but he’s not done yet. I’ve known him since he was Pritam da’s assistant. People think he was just fortunate, but that’s not true. He didn’t let himself break, and success was actually delayed for him. He’s an artiste who will never stop creating. Even if Arijit the singer slows down, he’ll be far more valuable to music and cinema. Once he sets his mind to something, he achieves it.”

​As Arijit dominated Bollywood music for over a decade, speculation grew about sidelined singers, alleged monopolies and his association with “sad songs.” Mohit, however, says Arijit’s biggest strength became a limitation imposed by others.

“Your best work often becomes the monkey on your back. Arijit sang all kinds of songs — we chose to highlight his heartbreak numbers,” he says, pointing to upbeat tracks like Ullu Ka Pattha and Galti Se Mistake from Jagga Jasoos as proof of his range. “We boxed him into Tum Hi Ho or Channa Mereya kind of songs.”

Dismissing favouritism and lobbying claims, Mohit is categorical. “Arijit never insisted on singing a song. In fact, he often pushed for the scratch singer to be retained, saying the song didn’t need him. That’s how secure he is — and many singers got breaks because of that.”

​On a parting note, we ask if Arijit’s voice could ever be replaced. “Everyone is special. I was deeply attached to KK sir, but while making Aashiqui 2, I realized I couldn’t use the same voice I associated with Emraan Hashmi for Aditya Roy Kapur. We found a new voice and that was Arijit.”

He adds that with Saiyaara, he introduced Faheem Abdullah for Ahaan Panday, showing that every generation finds its own voice. “That’s the way life works. New singers must find their space, just as Arijit once did. There cannot be another Arijit Singh. We depend on him emotionally, knowing he will nail it — but if he doesn’t make way, new talent won’t emerge. He is truly one of a kind. And yes, I’ll speak to him once he reads this.”

Following the success of Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, anticipation has been high around director Mohit Suri’s next project. Over the past month, speculation has been rife that the filmmaker would reunite with his Aashiqui 2 (2013) star Aditya Roy Kapur. However, there was buzz doing the rounds suggesting that the actor opted out of the film after multiple discussions and script readings, prompting the makers to search for a new male lead.

Putting an end to the rumours, Mohit addressed the casting speculation exclusively with Bombay Times. Clarifying the situation surrounding his upcoming YRF-backed project, the director said, “I meet Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shaad Randhawa to play cricket. We hang out together.”

Mohit said, “Aditya is a close friend of mine, but we haven’t met for work at all. The script that I am working on is not even ready, and no discussions have happened on the same. The script that I am writing isn’t for Aditya Roy Kapur. I will reveal everything once my script and cast is in place.”

When we reached out to Aditya, he laughed and said, “The only place Mohit and I have been meeting is on the cricket field where I’ve been getting him clean bowled! So, no role is going to be coming my way from there. The news of me opting out of his film is totally false.”

Aditya Roy Kapur has had successful projects such as Aashiqui 2 (2013), Malang (2020), The Night Manager and Metro…In Dino to his credit. But oftentimes, more than his acting skills, his good looks get the limelight.

Ask the actor if he feels that his work gets overshadowed because of his appearance, and he agrees: “I do get that, but I don’t lose too much sleep over it. Eventually, water finds its level and the more work you do, you know that’ll come to the fore. If you start thinking about things like, ‘I’m not getting this’ and start looking for validation, you can easily become cynical and start having a negative attitude towards things.”

Instead, the 39-year-old takes it positively when people talk more about his appearance. “I know that my looks get talked about more than my work at times, but I don’t fixate on it or allow myself to get cynical about it. I believe your work speaks for itself. And if you’ve done enough work over time, people realize your worth eventually,” the actor says.

Meanwhile, he goes on to talk about the importance of social media in showbiz, adding that he tries to keep himself away from the virtual world. “Things have changed in the last 10-15 years. I don’t read about myself regularly. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. You can choose how much you want to clutter or declutter your head. And today, an important skill is how to learn to switch off and to choose what information you want to consume and in what measure,” Aditya ends.

There are many roads to Bollywood, some take the theatre route, others slog through auditions, and then there were the lucky few in the early 2000s who rode in on a wave of pop culture and VJ stardom. A prominent face among them was actor Aditya Roy Kapur. At 18, long before his chiselled abs and disarming smile made him a ladies’ favourite, he was a bright-eyed VJ at Channel V, standing out for his distinctive Afro hairstyle.

That hairstyle is what landed him the gig in 2003, the actor said candidly. He explained, “My brother [Siddharth Roy Kapur] had a friend, who used to work in Channel V. When she came home one day and saw that I have this Afro, she found it an interesting look and suggested that I audition for the channel. I was never interested in arts. So, I told her a hard no. But my mom kicked my a** and told me to do it. So, on a rainy evening, I grudgingly caught the train from Churchgate to Andheri,” he chuckled.

Channel V, one of the two leading music channels of India then, operated out of Split Labs in Saki Naka, Andheri East. Its popular music shows, from Very V to Basement were shot at Chandivali Studios, a stone’s throw away from the office. That is where Kapur landed. “Sarah Jane Dias, the star VJ at that time, was shooting one of those countdown shows. I reached half an hour late because of the rains, and grudgingly did that audition. They felt I had an interesting vibe, but wasn’t ready to be on screen yet. So, they made me a trainee VJ,” he recalled.

For the next month, Kapur would take the train from Churchgate to Andheri, sit in the studio, and observe what goes into the making of a show and a VJ. A month later, when Basement’s host, Juhi Pande, was travelling, he landed up on camera. And that too, with the best company — Anuradha Menon aka Lola Kutty. The two then regrouped for another show, Lola TV. “Lola Kutty is a legend. She’d train me, and then one evening, she said, ‘Let’s get on camera.’ So, the [producers] gave me a white T-shirt with ‘Trainee VJ’ written on it and cast me as an assistant to her. I would just sit in front of the camera,” he laughed.

Pakao, his first solo show as a VJ, came in 2004. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t where he interviewed Katrina Kaif, who would go on to become his co-star in Fitoor, in 2016. Before the Channel V interview, he had shot a Lakme ad with Kaif as well. “[The script was] that she walks by, all these boys look at her, and everyone gives a big reaction. Eleven of us boys were waiting in one room the whole day. At midnight finally, I was asked to shoot my close-up. Obviously, I didn’t meet Katrina — she had filmed her portions earlier. I told this to her later.”

Kapur has come a long way since then. Today, with hits like Aashiqui 2 (2013), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), and Metro... In Dino under his belt, he is among the leading actors of Bollywood. Understandably then, his first screen fame — the four-and-a-half years’ stint at Channel V — remains special to him. “We used to host in English. When Roadies and other reality TV shows became a rage, the channel pivoted to Hindi. After hosting in English for three years, suddenly they wanted us to host in Hindi. The whole syntax changed. That was tough for me as my Hindi was poor. If you ask anyone on the Channel V crew, they could never foresee me becoming a Hindi movie actor. They would’ve laughed at the thought.”

Since this is about firsts, when asked about his first splurge from his VJ job, he said, “It’s not as if I was making crazy money at the time, but at that age, I was happy with what I was getting.  I remember my most expensive purchase was a Royal Enfield bike. I ride it to this day,” the actor ended. Well, dil bole vroom, vroom. 

Aditya Roy Kapur with Anuradha Menon aka Lola Kutty. Pics/Channel V, Instagram

While he started his career 16 years ago with supporting roles, Aditya Roy Kapur gradually moved on to playing the leading man in intense romantic dramas. Whether he’s playing a lovelorn hero in Aashiqui 2 or a brooding guy in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, the actor has often found himself at the centre of stories about complex relationships on screen. In a candid conversation with us, he shares his take on modern-day relationships and more:

Despite the ever-evolving dynamics of dating, Aditya believes relationships aren’t as complicated as they’re made out to be. The actor, who was recently seen in Metro…In Dino, shares, “I don’t think there’s anything really complex about modern-day relationships. If both people are completely committed to a relationship, it should be easy. It doesn’t change with time. It’s all about communicating and spending time with each other.”

Talking about nurturing relationships amid the hectic lives that we lead, he says, “It is challenging to nurture relationships in such a fast-paced environment. It becomes difficult to stay in touch as you get older and everyone gets busy. Many people get married, have children and go on to focus on their careers. When you get older you are unable to meet your friends the way you could earlier. So, your relationship with your friends can very easily take a backseat if you don’t give it attention, nurture it and make it a point to stay in touch. I think it’s important to check on your friends from time to time.”

While social media connects us, he questions whether these connections are truly meaningful. He says, “All of us now are so hyperconnected, sending each other memes, reels and random things all day. So, you think you’re connected, but you actually aren’t. Having actual conversations and spending time with each other keeps your relationship going. So, we can very easily get seduced into thinking that we all are really talking to each other, but that’s not the case. You have to be conscious about keeping up with your friends even when you’re constantly on the run. I make it a point to stay connected with my close friends.”

Aditya Roy Kapur’s recent release Metro…In Dino has done well at the theatres. The actor, who has experienced the big screen as well as the web, enjoys both the mediums.

“A film is a commercial enterprise and when it opens in a theatre, you want it to do well. However, at the end of the day, you have to let go, irrespective of how the film does. There’s an added zing to a theatrical release that is not apparent when something releases on OTT. But on OTT, you’re a little more relaxed, which is fun too,” says Aditya, who has been part of successful OTT outings such as Ludo (2020) and The Night Manager (2023).

He adds that having a film hit the big screen “is an amazing feeling”. Talking about his recent outing, directed by Anurag Basu, the 39-year-old says,

“I was so excited to be back with Dada (Anurag). We had such a great time on Ludo, but it felt like it was not complete. It felt like there was more to explore, so when he called about this film and told me the ideas that he had for this track, and for this character, it was very exciting,” he says.

The actor was seen alongside actor Sara Ali Khan as his love interest in Metro… In Dino. Earlier, his romantic pairings with actor Shraddha Kapoor in Aashiqui 2 (2013) and actor Disha Patani in Malang (2020) were also appreciated for their chemistry.

Ask how he manages to strike that on screen, Aditya says, “I don’t think it’s something two people can sit and plan, saying we will now conjure it up. It’s either there or not there. And that’s for the audience to judge. Good writing helps though and so does a good director, as they put you in situations that bring the best out of the two actors.”

Up until recently, actor Sara Ali Khan was as much a social media darling as she was an on-screen performer. But fans have noticed a shift — the actor has been keeping a low profile online.

Ask her why and the 29-year-old says, “I used to enjoy Instagram maybe a little more than I do now. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy it at all.. But now there are days when I’ll feel like doing something fun and I’ll do it, but I don’t necessarily feel that way as often as maybe I did.”

Sara hints that the relentless scrutiny of everything but acting made her rethink the virtual world. And a powerful reminder came from veteran actor Anupam Kher.

“He was speaking about how actually our existence is just between action and cut,” the actor recalls, adding, “Sometimes, I also forget that. I’d be sitting in traffic thinking, ‘I didn’t make a Reel to trend.’ But that’s not our work. In our jobs today, it’s very easy to confuse what the real work is and what the supplementary work is.”

Currently enjoying the high of Metro...In Dino performing well, Sara credits director Anurag Basu and co-actor Aditya Roy Kapur. “Basu da really knows how to bring out the best in everyone... And I’ve said this before, Adi is a very easy going person. He allows the other person to feel relaxed. He’s not judgy, so that makes it very easy to work with him,” she signs off.

Aditya Roy Kapur isn’t a fan of promotions. But he is having a ball promoting Metro... In Dino. The actor is enjoying getting to know his co-stars as they join forces for Anurag Basu’s romantic drama.

Tell him that the movie is a much-needed antidote to action films that are dominating the box office, and Kapur says, “A lot of people have said that a film like this is releasing after long. When it comes to choosing projects, we tend to focus on what’s in front of us. You ask yourself: does this story connect with me? Once a certain kind of film does well, it triggers a chain reaction. That’s how the business works. Hopefully, people will connect with this film, and maybe we’ll see more of these stories being made again.”

Metro… In Dino marks the actor’s second collaboration with Basu after Ludo (2020). Starring Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal, the movie explores various shades of love. How easy is it to play the quintessential romantic hero? “People often underestimate how tricky it can be,” says Kapur.

“You need to lean into your own charm, make it feel current, and still keep it honest. It comes down to the writing. I don’t think Anurag sir would ever do something that feels uninspired. By now, Dada and I have developed a shorthand. There’s an instinctual understanding of what he wants. He wants his actors to be experimental; he doesn’t judge you if something doesn’t land. Also, he thrives on improvisation. He can rewrite a dialogue, change a scene, or shift the energy. Being on his set has taught me that sometimes, the takes where you feel unsure are the best ones.”

Usually stars are wary of ensemble movies. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty has often said that today’s actors are too egoistic to share screen space. But Kapur has no such qualms.

“It’s about not denying myself a good opportunity. When Dada spoke about this new story, it sounded exciting. I wasn’t going to pass it up for some arbitrary reason like screen space or strategy. I started my career doing supporting roles. In my first film [London Dreams, 2009], I played a small part. I’m happy with my path.”

In February, mid-day had reported that Rakt Bramhand’s shoot had hit a roadblock, with creators Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK hitting pause on one of its schedules (Hold the bugle call, Feb 15). Since then, there has been ambiguity about the Netflix series’ status, with rumours suggesting it has been delayed, and shelved even. As we recently caught up with Ali Fazal, who plays one of the leads alongside Aditya Roy Kapur and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, we asked him what’s happening on the series.

“I honestly don’t know what’s happening on that one. I wish I knew,” he said.

All eyes have been on Rakt Bramhand since it rolled in August 2024 as it is among the most ambitious Indian originals from the streaming giant. Directed by Rahi Anil Barve, the fantasy drama reportedly revolves around warring kingdoms.

Fazal added, “I know the show was on hold. Adi [Aditya] and I were doing it together. We met now again during Metro...In Dino’s promotions. It has been a couple of months since I last shot for it. Then I had to cut my hair because I had to shoot for something else.”

Fazal is currently filming his next series, titled Ranga Billa, co-starring Sonali Bendre.

There is a reason everyone awaits an Anurag Basu film. The world he builds is a lot like the one we live in — it has lost souls seeking answers, flawed people trying to be better, and almost everyone wishing to find love amid their hustle in the city. All this, with a dollop of hope. And honesty, points out Aditya Roy Kapur.

“There is honesty in how Dada [Basu] writes his relationships,” says the actor, who stars in the filmmaker’s upcoming release, Metro…In Dino.

Yesterday, the makers released the trailer of Metro…In Dino, a sequel of sorts to the much loved Life in a… Metro (2007). With the film, Kapur — who featured in Basu’s Ludo (2020) — is happy to dive back into the director’s world of tangled love stories and messy human connections. This time, he is joined by co-stars Sara Ali Khan, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sensharma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal.

“You have to strip yourself bare to feel all the love, loss, and longing he has poured into the story. With this project, there is also a musical element, where we had to figure out how to go from talking to singing, and then back to talking. Navigating that was challenging, but also rewarding,” he smiles.

Kapur’s 16-year career has enabled him to explore romantic dramas, action films, and thrillers. It’s the slice-of-life films that he has a soft spot for, he admits. “It’s a gift to play someone larger than life, but those small moments and awkward silences are equally important. That helps an actor grow,” he says, adding that the idea is to balance intense roles with light-hearted ones.

“My character here is idiosyncratic. That gave me the opportunity to have fun with it. My last outing was The Night Manager [2023]. It’s nice to go from that intense role to something lighter. I enjoyed the first Metro. So, while doing this, I’d look forward to going to work every day. My journey as an actor is about trying things that I haven’t done before. It’s exciting to have that slight fear when you’re going into the unknown. You are the most alive and can possibly do your best work when you’re at the edge of fear. It’s nice to be in a space where you’re not sure because that means you’re pushing yourself into a place you haven’t been in.”

What are his hopes from the film? “I hope people see themselves in it,” he promptly replies.

Mumbai: A 47-year-old Dubai resident, Gajala Siddiqui, has been arrested for trespassing into actor Aditya Roy Kapur’s Bandra flat on Monday. Siddiqui, who claimed to be acquainted with Kapur, arrived at his Rizvi Heights home directly from the airport with gifts and clothes, and refused to leave without meeting him. The drama lasted 90 minutes before the actor’s manager and Khar police were alerted.

The incident comes just a week after two similar trespass incidents at actor Salman Khan’s Bandra residence.

“Siddiqui claimed she has known Kapur for long, but his staff said he denied any knowledge of her. A probe is on to find the purpose of her visit,” a police officer said. Siddiqui is said to have entered Kapur’s flat after persuading his house help, Sangita Pawar (49).

In her complaint, Pawar said: “I was alone when a woman arrived at 6 pm asking if it was Aditya Roy Kapur’s home. When I confirmed it, she claimed she was an acquaintance and had brought clothes and gifts for him. Believing her, I let her in and informed her that he was out for a shoot.”

Upon Kapur’s return, he was informed about the visitor, but the actor said he did not know her. “The woman tried to approach Kapur, prompting him to leave the house and contact society manager Jayashree Dunkdu, who then informed his manager Shruti Rao, who reached the flat and contacted Khar police. When I asked the woman to leave, she refused,” the FIR quotes Pawar as saying.

By then Khar police arrived and took Siddiqui into custody. She avoided answering questions about the purpose of her visit to the actor’s residence nor did she provide any information about her contacts/relatives in the city, police said.

“Siddiqui took a cab to Bandra (W) immediately after exiting the airport. We confirmed that she is from Dubai through her passport and the documents she had with her. She did not have a mobile phone which could have helped get in touch with her family members or relatives, if any, in Mumbai.”

Siddiqui was served a notice for house-trespass or house-breaking under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 331 (2), which attracts up to two years’ imprisonment. On Tuesday, she was produced before the Bandra court.

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Just days after a woman attempted to enter Salman Khan’s home at Galaxy Apartments and another fan tried to meet him, a similar dramatic incident has come to light involving Bollywood actor Aditya Roy Kapur. The Khar police recently arrested a woman who entered Kapur’s Bandra residence, claiming she had an appointment with him.

The woman, identified as Gajala Kariya Siddhiqui, 39, a resident of Karma By Vision, Liwan, Dubai, arrived at Kapur’s home carrying gift bags. She told the house staff that she had been personally invited by the actor. Believing her, the house staff allowed her to enter and sit inside the apartment.

However, when Kapur returned home, he informed the staff that he did not know the woman. When asked to leave, the woman refused and told Kapur she intended to stay there forever. The actor then contacted Khar police, who promptly arrived at the scene, removed the woman from the premises, and detained her. An FIR has been registered against her for allegedly trespassing and unlawfully attempting to enter the actor’s residence.

In her statement to the police, Siddhiqui said, “I am a huge fan of Aditya Roy Kapur. I follow his daily activities on social media and easily found his home, gym, and other addresses online. I decided to travel to Mumbai by flight just to meet him. When I saw him arrive home, I immediately got up from the sofa and tried to hug him. I had no other intentions.”

She added, “I’ve watched all his movies, especially Aashiqui 2, which I love. I gathered information about his shoots and whereabouts and came to Mumbai.”

According to Siddhiqui, when she reached the building, the security guard asked her where she was going. She replied truthfully that she was visiting Aditya Roy Kapur’s house. She then rang the doorbell and told the house staff she was there to meet him. The staff let her in. “When I saw him, I couldn’t control myself. I went close and tried to hug him,” she told police.

The complainant, Sangeeta Arjun Pawar, 49, has been working at Kapur’s residence for the past eight years. Speaking to mid-day, Pawar said, “On Monday, May 26, while Aditya sir was away on a shoot, a woman with two to three bags rang the doorbell around 6 pm. She asked if this was his home, and I confirmed it was. I assumed she was a fashion designer and let her in.”

“Later, when sir returned, I informed him that a woman had come to meet him. He spoke to her politely and said he didn’t know her. She claimed to be a fan. When he asked her to leave, she refused and said she would stay forever. I advised him to leave the house. I then called the bodyguard and security staff. Since she was a woman, no one touched her. We immediately contacted the police,” Pawar added.

Khar police arrived shortly after, and with the assistance of women constables, removed Siddhiqui from the premises and arrested her. A police officer said, “We have registered an FIR against Gajala Kariya Siddhiqui, 39, a Dubai resident, for trespassing and entering actor Aditya Roy Kapur’s house without permission. She has been arrested under Section 331(2) of the BNS Act and was produced in court, where she was remanded in police custody for a day.”

Director duo Raj-DK’s ambitious fantasy actioner Rakt Bramhand—The Bloody Kingdom has apparently hit a roadblock, forcing the makers to delay its upcoming schedule. Word is that Raj-DK, along with co-director Rahi Anil Barve, were to kick off the second schedule in Mumbai in February. However, the plan has been pushed by two months as the battle sequences of the Aditya Roy Kapur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi-starrer are being reimagined.

A source close to the production reveals, “Rakt Bramhand has been mounted as a big-budget fantasy series about warring empires. Naturally, the war sequences are crucial to the story. The team wasn’t fully satisfied with how they were shaping up on paper, and is revisiting the portions.”

Rakt Bramhand is among Netflix India’s most ambitious projects. However, given the two-month delay, it was pulled down from the streamer’s 2025 slate that was recently unveiled. Another source says that the show will no longer be a 2025 offering.

“It is being designed as a spectacle, and that takes time. With the latest leg starting in April, followed by extensive VFX work in post-production, the series will release only in 2026,” adds the source.

mid-day reached out to Barve, who didn’t respond till press time.

HT City was the first to report in May last year that actor Aditya Roy Kapur is teaming up with filmmaker duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK for his next OTT outing. Now, we have official confirmation of the collaboration from all three!

Titled Rakt Brahmand - The Bloody Kingdom, the project is an action-fantasy series set in a fantastical kingdom. It is directed by Rahi Anil Barve, known for helming Tumbbad (2018).

Talking about their leading man, Raj and DK say, “At the heart of Rakt Brahmand is a character that demands strength, intensity, and a bit of wackiness. Aditya brings all of that. And he’s been training very hard to meet the demands... Our goal is to create a world that is both original and evokes the fantastical tales we grew up hearing.”

To prep for the role, Aditya underwent three months of rigorous training in various physical art forms including sword fighting, weaponry, horse riding, archery, martial arts, and combat. The 39-year-old shares, “The prep has been intense, but one of the most enjoyable perks of being an actor is to be able to pick up new skills. This show has me doing that in spades. But even more important than the physical work, there is a huge amount of mental preparation which I’ve been relishing.”

The team recently wrapped up the first shoot schedule in Mumbai. The second leg of shoot for the Netflix series will begin soon, and the show will be shot through the year.

Karan Johar surely knows how to play his cards right. The producer-filmmaker, who has managed to present narratives in a way that appeases the young generation, has come up with a way to gain the eyeballs of both Gen Z and millennials.

Johar, whose upcoming venture is the Kartik Aaryan-starrer romantic drama Tu Meri Main Tera Main Teri Tu Mera, is apparently toying with the idea of introducing the cast of his 2013 film, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, to this venture. Cast members, including Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Kalki Koechlin, are expected to revive their characters in Sameer Vidwans’s film in what is being seen as Dharma Productions’ initial efforts to explore cinematic crossovers. Sharvari is expected to feature alongside Aaryan.

“Since this film is a rom-com, and is along the lines of YJHD, this move seems like a natural progression. They are contemplating roping in the original stars for special appearances. Even if all of them aren’t available, they will try to get two of them to be part of it. These cameos will be a delightful nod to the beloved film. Apart from the fact that the actors’ dates must match, their introduction into the film needs to be seamless, not forced. That will be addressed during the writing process,” says a source.

Johar may want to capitalize on the demand for Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, which amassed Rs. 10 crore on its re-release weeks ago.

Ayan Mukerji’s romantic comedy, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD), starring Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapur and Kalki Koechlin re-released last week. Kalki, who played the role of Aditi, is excited that a new generation is enjoying the movie, which originally released in 2013.

She says, “To see people dancing to the film’s songs in theatres is so heart-warming. I guess the film belongs to a new generation of people now. My Instagram blew up quite a bit after I posted the announcement video in true Aditi style, so that was fun.”

While her daughter, Sappho, hasn’t seen the film, Kalki is happy with her musician husband, Guy Hershberg’s reaction after seeing the film. She shares, “My husband has seen YJHD and he says I’m as hot today as I was back then (laughs).”

The film became popular, especially among the youth, for the realistic way it portrayed life and friendships on screen. She says, “The film taught me how some friendships last a lifetime. That’s true; I’m still in touch with some of my boarding school friends, who I grew up with. Somehow, they know you best, they’ve seen you become the person you are before you started your career and became a public figure. They know your real personality.”

Recounting the days when they were shooting for the film, Kalki says, “I think I bonded best with Ranbir. We aren’t much in touch now. We do meet occasionally at parties or events, but yes, we had a great time while shooting YJHD.”

She adds, “We used to gang up against the boys. Deepika and I would put snow in the boys’ T-shirts. And Ranbir and Aditya got their revenge during the haldi ceremony shoot - they were supposed to put a dot of haldi on me, but Ranbir ended up putting a whole bowl of it on my face, which I think remained in the final edit (laughs).”

In June, mid-day had reported that Aditya Roy Kapur and Samantha Ruth Prabhu had been finalised for Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK’s next web series, and had begun their sword-fighting training (Play it again, Sam, June 28). Now, it’s time to put the hard work to the test. mid-day has learnt that the team recently took Rakt Bramhand on floors in a Borivali studio. The fantasy series will be helmed by Rahi Anil Barve of Tumbbad (2018) fame, with Raj-DK serving as creators.

That’s double duty for the creators, who are simultaneously filming the third season of The Family Man.

A source from the set revealed, “Rakt Bramhand is Raj-DK’s first action-fantasy series set in a fictitious kingdom. Even as they are shooting The Family Man, they are constantly supervising Rakt Bramhand’s progress. The sheer scale of the production is something they haven’t attempted before. We started shooting two weeks ago, and are currently canning some elaborate action sequences at Bahubali Studio in Borivali. There will be a short 10-day break soon, after which we will regroup in October. Most of the shoot will take place on this set and in other parts of the city till February 2025.”

Described as an epic tale of blood, betrayal and kingdoms, the Netflix series also stars Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi.

Is it a film? Is it a web series? That was the question Aditya Roy Kapur fans had over the past month, as word spread that the actor is teaming up with director duo Raj-DK. Now, we’ve got more updates on the front. It turns out the trio is joining forces on a web series, tentatively titled Rakhtabeej.

Sources say Samantha, who is fast becoming the director duo’s frequent collaborator after The Family Man 2 and the upcoming Citadel: Honey Bunny, has been roped in as the female lead of the  action drama.

We hear Kapur, who tasted success with his maiden web series The Night Manager last year, was in talks with Raj-DK over the past six months.

“It was only in May that he gave his nod to the project. Soon after, the makers brought Samantha on board. Since the show heavily relies on action, the two actors have begun their individual prep. They will do joint training sessions soon,” reveals a source.

The directors are currently busy with the shoot of the third edition of The Family Man. If things go as planned, they will call action on Rakhtabeej in August.

mid-day reached out to Raj Nidimoru, who did not respond till press time.