Showing posts with label Alpha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alpha. Show all posts
I think the idea of a film like Alpha was absolutely fantastic-Kajol
3:02 PM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 5, 2026)
As conversations around Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh-starrer Alpha continue to divide opinions, actor Kajol has come out in support of the film. "You have a film like Alpha that's come out, which is an action film. I think the idea of it was absolutely fantastic," she says, adding that the portrayal of women on screen has changed drastically over her three decades in the industry.
Kajol, who turns 52 today, has headlined women-centric projects including the web series The Trial and films Do Patti (2024) and Maa (2025). The actor believes Hindi cinema is finally moving towards giving female characters the space they deserve.
"We're definitely moving in the right direction when it comes to women-led stories. I don't know whether it's a better light or not, but it's definitely more of a spotlight," she says, adding, "They're writing better characters for women. They are giving women more of a chance to be more than just a side plot, which I feel is a good trend that we're going towards."
Kajol, who turns 52 today, says the philosophy behind choosing her films has remained the same, even as she continues to evolve as an actor. "I've always selected projects that appealed to me, characters that made me feel I could do something with them. That hasn't changed. But yes, I want to experiment. I want to try new things and do things that I probably haven't done before."
For the actor, instinct continues to be the deciding factor while signing a project. "If I'm not convinced by a character in the beginning, I don't do the film. If you can't convince me, then I won't be doing it."
Reflecting on how life has changed over the years, both professionally and personally, Kajol says, "I'm a kinder person today than I was. Not because I wasn't kind back then, but maybe I didn't show it as much."
Speaking about her birthday, the actor says the occasion has never been about lavish parties or extravagant gifts. Instead, she prefers keeping it intimate. "There are no specific birthday plans. I usually just have really close friends and family over. Spending time with my family and friends really makes my day, honestly. I don't get to meet everybody throughout the year, so my birthday is when I see all of them," she shares.
Kajol adds that the best part about her birthday is that, wherever her family is, they always make it a point to be with her. "Both of them make it a point to be there for my birthday, come hell or high water. My daughter, Nysa Devgn, is an adult now. She studies abroad, but everybody in my family makes it a point to keep that day free, regardless of whether it's the middle of the week or not. I really appreciate that."
Laughing about how seriously she takes her birthday, she says, "I've always been super excited about it. I make sure everybody remembers my birthday at least a month in advance. Nobody can forget it because I've put it on everybody's calendars."
Anil Kapoor is responsible for convincing me to become a part of films-Dia Mirza
8:46 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 18, 2026)
For Dia Mirza Rekhi, 2026 is a special year. She marks 25 years as an actor, and was seen in Ikka with Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna and opposite Anil Kapoor in Alpha. She also has web series Operation Safed Sagar in the offing.
And it all started thanks to her co-star. “AK (Anil) is responsible for convincing me to become a part of films,” the 44-year-old reveals, adding, “He met me right after my Asia Pacific pageant (in 2000). He and Anupam Kher were very keen that I do the film that they were working on, and they were the ones who helped me get my first film.”
For Dia, starring opposite Anil “felt like a beautiful full circle moment”: “The first time I met him in the lobby of a hotel in Hyderabad, he had told me, “You have so much grace, you would be so beautiful on screen, you must become an actor’.”
Dia is also all praise for Sunny and Akshaye. “I’ve done some films with Akshaye’s father (late veteran Vinod Khanna) and we shared a very special bond, and I’ve known Rahul (Khanna, Akshaye’s brother). I’d actually approached Akshaye to act in a film that I was producing, but that didn’t work out. So, it was cool to finally work with him,” she shares.
Their film also featured a scene of her slapping Akshaye. “I was terrified, and then Sunny sir was quick to jump in and say, ‘Listen, you’re playing my wife, so you shouldn’t be scared’. And I was like, ‘Have you seen Khanna sa’ab’s fan following?’” she laughs, adding, “It’s only in the last eight years that I have been appreciated and my films have done ridiculously well at the box office. The last 25 years have been preparation for what is to come.”
Years of hard work can’t be judged on a weekend-Huma Qureshi
10:28 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 17, 2026)
Before diving into Baby Do Die Do, Huma Qureshi knew one thing for certain: that it won’t be a film whose opening numbers could be tom-tommed about. Instead, she viewed her production as a “film that people should discover”. Now, as director Nachiket Samant’s action thriller that began on a slow note is entering its third week, the actor and producer’s vision has become a reality.
“We live in a culture where people are quick to write you off. Unfortunately, today the first 72 hours determine how big or successful your film is. Years of somebody’s hard work cannot be judged on a weekend. Sometimes we need a little time and word of mouth,” Qureshi told mid-day.
That’s exactly what drove Baby Do Die Do, centred on Qureshi’s hitwoman. Not only has the audience praised the thriller, but also filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Sudhir Mishra have supported it by organising screenings. That’s a big win for Qureshi and her brother Saqib Saleem.
Qureshi recalled, “It was a massive risk that we took with our eyes wide open. A lot of people tried to dissuade us. Beyond a point, I stopped discussing with people because the only difference between genius and stupidity is our success.”
The actor was convinced about putting her might behind this story for a bigger reason. “We are on the path to give a fighting chance to ourselves and people like us who don’t have a lot of opportunities. Now, people are making safe films and those without backing don’t fit into those films because there is no proof of concept. But how will you have proof of concept if we don’t get an opportunity?”
‘Baby Do Die Do’ was inevitably compared to ‘Alpha’ that released on the same day. How does Huma Qureshi react to the comparisons? “I can make my film shine without bringing down another human. I know how difficult it is for a woman to have projects mounted around them. So, it’s amazing that two distinct films, headlined by women, came on the same date,” she said.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 942
11:38 PM
DHAMAAL 4 OPENS WELL; ALPHA HAS 30 CR+ WEEKEND DESPITE NEGATIVITY
Dhamaal 4 has released today and managed a fine opening. The advance booking of the film began, well, way in advance, in the sense that nearly all single screens got a chance to play the film with no competition from holdover releases. The spot bookings came into play; earlier, it seemed doubtful that the film would open at more than Rs. 10 crores.
However, Dhamaal 4 is set for an opening of Rs. 13 crores, which is way beyond expectations. Welcome To The Jungle had opened at Rs. 15 crores and ended up earning Rs. 60 crores in the weekend, excluding the paid preview. Hence, Dhamaal 4 should now aim to collect Rs. 48-50 crores in three days. The franchise factor and the comic nature of the film have proved beneficial.
Total Dhamaal had opened at Rs. 15.91 crores and then went on to collect Rs. 150.07 crores in its lifetime. It had a clean run and a great word of mouth, which led to such huge collections.
In the case of Dhamaal 4, the response at present seems mixed. However, this film also enjoys a clean run. There’s no competition for the next three weeks, until the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. So, if it has a strong weekend and holds well during the weekdays, it’ll have a healthy run. Even a Rs. 100 crore + lifetime will be good enough.
Meanwhile, last week’s Alpha also fared better than expected. It opened at Rs. 9 crores and then went on to collect Rs. 11.50 crores on Saturday and Rs. 13 crores on Sunday. Hence, it collected Rs. 33.50 crores in its first three days despite bad word of mouth and immense negativity on social media. It yet again proved that trolls have zero impact on the box office.
However, due to negative reports, the film did crash on Monday. Its first week collections amount to Rs. 46.25 crores. The best scenario for the film would be to earn Rs. 60 crores in its lifetime.
(Crisp) Movie Review: ALPHA by FENIL SETA
3:28 PM
Alpha begins on an interesting note, as it gives a déjà vu of Salim-Javed and Manmohan Desai films. The action sequences are spectacular and the film is mounted on a grand scale. However, the film suffers on two fronts – firstly, it gives a been-there-done-that-feeling. Secondly, the film is filled with nonsense and illogical scenes. The music is also a weak point. Every film in the YRF Spy Universe has had great songs but Alpha doesn't have a single memorable track. Alia Bhatt could have done a better job but overall, it's a decent, watchable performance. Her character's actions make it difficult to imagine her as a hero. This factor also affects her performance. Sharvari is much better and has an arresting screen presence. Anil Kapoor is dependable, as always. Bobby Deol is fine as the villain. Dia Mirza is superb while Hrithik Roshan's cameo is okay. Dibyendu Bhattacharya leaves a mark. All in all, Alpha is yet another disappointing film from the YRF Spy Universe after War 2.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 941
4:57 PM
WILL ALPHA BE A SUCCESS LIKE THE REST OF THE YRF SPY UNIVERSE FILMS?
Tomorrow will see the release of Alpha and it's one of the most significant films of the year. This is because it belongs to the YRF Spy Universe and in the past, it has delivered huge grossers like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan and Tiger 3. Alpha stands out because it focuses on two female protagonists.
Alpha stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in the lead and it also features Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol. It is directed by Shiv Rawal, who helmed the much-loved YRF web series, The Railway Men. The teaser and trailer are quite slick, and it's clear that the film promises lots of grandeur and big-sized entertainment.
However, Alpha faces several challenges. There’s negativity surrounding the film, most of which was planted by vested interests. The trolls are of the opinion that after watching a realistic and gritty spy film like Dhurandhar, a film like Alpha won’t impress the audience. This narrative was spread around the release of the first part of Dhurandhar. The audience also got carried away and this became a strong notion.
In no time, Alpha began to be trolled. Its assets have also been massively criticized. In fact, there’s a section of netizens whose only job, it seems, is to troll Alia Bhatt and her various promotional appearances.
The negativity surrounding Alpha is huge and it's shocking because, to think of it, it makes no sense. Hollywood makes gritty spy flicks, but on the other hand, they also present viewers with a Mission: Impossible or a James Bond flick. Audiences out there are wise enough to understand that the latter category of films is meant to entertain and may have lots of cinematic liberties. And yet, it's fine. On the other hand, Bollywood audiences are made to feel that it's criminal to accept a spy film like Alpha in the post-Dhurandhar era.
The plus side is that a huge section of the moviegoing audience is interested in watching Alpha despite being bombarded with anti-YRF Spy Universe content on their phones throughout the day. But due to the negativity, most of them have adopted a wait-and-watch approach. It means that they’ll wait for the reports and only then will they book the tickets.
As a result, a double-digit opening of Alpha is ruled out. The film is expected to open at around Rs. 7 crores and it may cross the Rs. 8 crore mark. The film will see a huge jump if the word of mouth is positive. The aim should be to have a weekend of Rs. 30 crores and then trend well until Independence Day so that the film comes out with a respectable total, preferably Rs. 100 crore plus.
However, if reports are not encouraging, Alpha will have a very tough time.
The other release of the week is also about a female assassin – Baby Do Die Do. It stars Huma Qureshi in the lead and she’s also the film’s producer. The trailer is promising, but the buzz is very low. A positive word of mouth is crucial for the film to have a jump on Saturday and hold strongly in the weekdays.
Tomorrow will see the release of Alpha and it's one of the most significant films of the year. This is because it belongs to the YRF Spy Universe and in the past, it has delivered huge grossers like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan and Tiger 3. Alpha stands out because it focuses on two female protagonists.
Alpha stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in the lead and it also features Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol. It is directed by Shiv Rawal, who helmed the much-loved YRF web series, The Railway Men. The teaser and trailer are quite slick, and it's clear that the film promises lots of grandeur and big-sized entertainment.
However, Alpha faces several challenges. There’s negativity surrounding the film, most of which was planted by vested interests. The trolls are of the opinion that after watching a realistic and gritty spy film like Dhurandhar, a film like Alpha won’t impress the audience. This narrative was spread around the release of the first part of Dhurandhar. The audience also got carried away and this became a strong notion.
In no time, Alpha began to be trolled. Its assets have also been massively criticized. In fact, there’s a section of netizens whose only job, it seems, is to troll Alia Bhatt and her various promotional appearances.
The negativity surrounding Alpha is huge and it's shocking because, to think of it, it makes no sense. Hollywood makes gritty spy flicks, but on the other hand, they also present viewers with a Mission: Impossible or a James Bond flick. Audiences out there are wise enough to understand that the latter category of films is meant to entertain and may have lots of cinematic liberties. And yet, it's fine. On the other hand, Bollywood audiences are made to feel that it's criminal to accept a spy film like Alpha in the post-Dhurandhar era.
The plus side is that a huge section of the moviegoing audience is interested in watching Alpha despite being bombarded with anti-YRF Spy Universe content on their phones throughout the day. But due to the negativity, most of them have adopted a wait-and-watch approach. It means that they’ll wait for the reports and only then will they book the tickets.
As a result, a double-digit opening of Alpha is ruled out. The film is expected to open at around Rs. 7 crores and it may cross the Rs. 8 crore mark. The film will see a huge jump if the word of mouth is positive. The aim should be to have a weekend of Rs. 30 crores and then trend well until Independence Day so that the film comes out with a respectable total, preferably Rs. 100 crore plus.
However, if reports are not encouraging, Alpha will have a very tough time.
The other release of the week is also about a female assassin – Baby Do Die Do. It stars Huma Qureshi in the lead and she’s also the film’s producer. The trailer is promising, but the buzz is very low. A positive word of mouth is crucial for the film to have a jump on Saturday and hold strongly in the weekdays.
Many people will go for banners and co-stars, but Alia Bhatt is different-Soni Razdan
9:24 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 23, 2026)
Alia Bhatt’s Alpha is set to hit the screens in less than a fortnight. The conversations at home then, we assumed, would be all about the movie.
Laughing at the thought, Soni Razdan, actor and Bhatt’s mother, revealed, “We talk about films less than people think we do. We talk about smaller domestic things, like babysitting Raha [Bhatt’s daughter] and what she’ll have for lunch. We talk a lot about food.”
Films surely can’t be far behind. In her 14-year career, Bhatt has become among the leading stars of Hindi cinema, building a filmography on stories that revolve around her characters — an exception for female stars. Razdan takes it all in with gratitude.
“She has been smartly intuitive in her choices. She probably gets offered many more [projects], but she chooses the ones her gut tells her to do. It’s remarkable because many people will go for banners and co-stars, but Alia is different and it’s paid off. You have to thank the universe for the good things that come your way.”
But with success also comes the trolling. For instance, last month, the actor was subjected to incessant negativity during her Cannes red carpet appearance, where online users alleged she wasn’t being clicked by photographers. Having been an actor for over three decades, Razdan understands that stardom comes at a price.
“You don’t need to react to everything. You can be objective. It’s a survival skill that you learn. If you can’t develop it, don’t be in this business. We get a lot of love. We don’t want to look at the other side at all.”
It was a fantastic shooting for Alpha; Alia Bhatt is a good actor-Dibyendu Bhattacharya
10:24 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 12, 2026)
Everyone had a funny line and comic timing down to the beat, but Dibyendu Bhattacharya’s character had to keep a straight face. So, while he was excited about joining Maamla Legal Hai Season 2, he was unsure how audiences would perceive his serious turn in Netflix’s madcap comedy. But since the second season dropped on April 2, the compliments haven’t stopped.
“I didn’t understand how people would take this character because everybody is doing comedy except me. But now, I [feel] people have liked my character a lot. They didn’t expect such a twist,” says the actor, who plays a newly-appointed judge in the Patparganj district court.
For Bhattacharya, the role may not have been big, but its layers made it tempting. “It was tough because I had to be precise as there is a certain dignity and sanctity attached to the position of a judge. [My character] also had to balance between how much to tell and not. The character was written in a way that you can’t tell whether he is positive or negative. I couldn’t project a lot in this performance because he shouldn’t be seen. If you see him, you will find out that something is fishy.”
The actor’s calendar is packed this year. In July, he will be seen in Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh, and directed by Shiv Rawail. Bhattacharya, who plays a key role in the upcoming instalment of the YRF Spy Universe, has previously worked with Rawailon The Railway Men (2023).
While the actor refuses to divulge details about Alpha, he says, “It was a fantastic shooting for Alpha. Shiv is a young director. He is dedicated and passionate. He leaves no stone unturned to achieve what he wants. The film boasts of good actors and technicians,” he says, adding that he also enjoyed sharing screen space with Bhatt. “She is a good actor. It was during Poachers [2024] promotions that I met her for the first time.”
Up next:
After ‘Maamla Legal Hai 2’, Dibyendu Bhattacharya will be seen in Prime Video’s ‘Raakh’, directed by Prosit Roy. The series also features Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre. “I love the subject and the director. Prosit is a talented man. I have a long association with him,” he says.
Bollywood turns cold on new directors: Fewer debut filmmakers in theatres
3:40 PM
Hindi cinema had just 32 theatrical releases by first-time directors in 2024, down from 39 in 2022
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; June 16, 2025)
Mumbai: Hindi film producers have grown increasingly risk-averse over the past three-and-a-half years, betting on familiar names and proven formulas while pulling back on support for debut filmmakers, amid a wave of box-office flops even by seasoned directors.
The number of debut filmmakers breaking into Hindi cinema fell to 32 in 2024 from 39 in 2022, according to the data shared by veteran trade analysts. So far in 2025, only 15 first-time Hindi filmmakers have had theatrical releases.
This decline has come despite an increase in the total number of Hindi film releases to 221 in 2024 from 194 in 2022. The share of debut directors dropped to 14.5% from 20.1% during this period.
“Today, producers want to minimize the margin of error,” said Ameya Naik, producer and founder of the event management company Fantasy Films. “Gone are the days when a filmmaker could afford to make his or her ‘best’ film after a few films. Today, a filmmaker’s debut film must be his or her ‘best’ film, as audiences have become more unforgiving than ever,” he said.
Post-pandemic, producers across geographies have been facing the fundamental challenge of increasing unpredictability in box-office outcomes, with the success ratio of films falling. India’s total (all languages) gross box office collection declined by 3.2% to Rs 11,833 crore in 2024 from Rs 12,226 crore in 2023, according to Ormax Media, a media and entertainment research firm. The fall is much steeper in Hindi films. The gross box office collection of Hindi films fell by 13% to Rs4679 crore in 2024 from Rs5380 crore in 2023.
Amid this unpredictability and rising talent costs, Hindi film producers have become averse to backing new stories and directors, industry insiders said. Hence, producers are more interested in exploiting Intellectual Properties (IPs) of already successful films. In this strategy, producers have shown higher confidence in well-established directors than debut filmmakers.
“Globally, conglomerates, private equity players and asset management companies have acquired high or controlling stakes in entertainment companies. These entities, who greenlight films, are driven more by numbers than creativity. So, they invest in successful IPs by making sequels or re-making them as they believe familiarity with IPs brings audiences in theatres,” said a producer requesting anonymity. This strategy has worked in India also. The top three Hindi grossers of 2024 were franchises and sequels: Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Singham Again.
Recently, a Bain & Company Global M&A 2025 report acknowledged this trend and shared that owning quality IPs has been a key factor behind recent mergers and acquisitions in the global media and entertainment industry.
In the backdrop of these realities, veteran producers say it is easier for debut filmmakers in Hindi to find opportunities on streaming platforms than making theatrical debut.
“I think for debut filmmakers, the challenges involved in making a theatrical film are higher than those involved in making films for streaming platforms,” said Naveen Chandra, founder and CEO of 91 Film Studios, a studio for regional films.
“Even the cost-return ratio is more favourable for streamer films than theatrical ones. This is a reason why debut filmmakers are likely to find it relatively easier to make films for streaming platforms.”
This is in stark contrast to what is transpiring in regional cinema where several debut directors are making noteworthy content-driven theatrical films.
Increasingly, it has been observed that a well-accepted work on a streamer may provide a door for Hindi debutants to theatrical films.
“There are production houses willing to offer theatrical films to new filmmakers after gauging their work on streamers,” said Suniel Wadhwa, a veteran film distributor. A case in point is director Shiv Rawail, who is directing Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) female-led spy film Alpha, after his successful web series The Railway Men (produced by YRF) for Netflix.
India-Pakistan conflict: Sarzameen, Lahore 1947 to drop Pakistan references
10:41 AM
Amid India-Pakistan ceasefire, sources say Kajol’s Sarzameen being redubbed to drop Pak references; Lahore 1947, which revolves around Partition, being reviewed by the makers
Mohar Basu, Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 14, 2025)
Even though a ceasefire is in place between India and Pakistan, the after-effects of the military conflicts can be felt across the board, including in Bollywood. The buzz in the industry is that several high-profile projects are being reviewed or undergoing significant rewrites to remove any references to Pakistan from their scripts.
Among the first to be impacted is Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s political thriller Sarzameen. The team is now reworking key sequences. “The film never explicitly made a reference to Pakistan, but it’s set in Kashmir, and certain scenes were interpreted as politically sensitive in the current climate. They were to release the film on May 30, but now, they are redubbing some parts,” said a source close to the production.
Another movie that must determine how to navigate the situation is Sunny Deol’s Lahore 1947. Sources shared that Rajkumar Santoshi’s directorial venture, centred on a Muslim family relocating to Lahore after Partition, is being internally reviewed.
An insider said, “The film is in sharp contrast with the sentiment of the nation and is being re-looked at. The team needs to decide how to make it work without compromising the story or being insensitive, given the current situation.”
Pathaan (2023) and Tiger 3 (2023), the last two offerings from Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, had prominent characters hailing from Pakistan. For their future films, we have heard that many writers will take a cue from Pathaan, where John Abraham’s antagonist Jim creates his own terrorist network with no links to any country. “The approach is to shift focus to shadowy terror networks and rogue agencies without geographical identifiers,” said a source.
When mid-day reached out to YRF amid rumours that their upcoming films, War 2 and Alpha, are being reviewed in light of recent events, the spokesperson said, “There is no truth to any of these claims floating. Alpha, War 2, and Pathaan 2 have no Pakistan connection. War 2 and Alpha have already been shot and there are no changes being made because there are no changes to be made. Tiger is an Indian spy, Zoya is married to an Indian spy. So, there is no question of the [Tiger] franchise being in any uncertainty.”
Not all movies with a war backdrop are under the scanner, though. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War — starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal — remains untouched. A trade analyst explains, “Bhansali has positioned his story in a timeless, almost mythical space. The film is set between 1960 and 1965, with the wars serving only as the backdrop. The love story takes centre-stage.”
Don’t see, don’t hear?
A day after Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane was removed from Sanam Teri Kasam’s (2016) cover on music apps, Mahira Khan has met the same fate with Raees (2017). The cover of the film’s album on Spotify now features only Shah Rukh Khan. Meanwhile, the music of Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal has been pulled down from Spotify and Apple Music.
Sharing screen space with Alia Bhatt in Alpha is thrilling-Dibyendu Bhattacharya
9:30 AM
Actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya gears up for an action-packed role in Alpha with Alia Bhatt, and hopes for timely film releases
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 1, 2025)
Actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya is thrilled about his upcoming projects, particularly Alpha, where he shares the screen with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. “They bring such distinct energies to the set; it was an absolute delight working with both. Today’s actors are incredibly dedicated — nailing hardcore action sequences isn’t as easy as it looks. They’re far more professional than I was when I started 25 years ago, and I’ve had to evolve along the way,” says the seasoned actor, who began his journey in theatre in the late ’80s.
Though action isn’t his usual territory, Dibyendu is eager to dive into the genre at this stage of his career: “You get inspired once you see your co-actors acing the game and both my co-actors as well as the all the others had a lot on their sleeves. I knew it will be an actioner from day one and thrill bhi bhar bhar ke hoga, so I was prepared in my head.”
For Dibyendu, the presence of female leads in a project isn’t a defining factor — what matters is the art. “I love cinema, and that’s what drives me. Whether I’m working with one or two female leads, or with a woman producer or director, the goal remains the same — to create something impactful for the audience,” he explains.
Reuniting with Alia after Poacher (2024), where she served as executive producer, is an exciting prospect for him. “Alia is a leading woman with a conscience. When she backed Poacher, I became a huge fan of hers — it was a risky subject, but she took the leap. Sharing screen space with her this time is thrilling.”
Dibyendu is also hopeful about the timely release of Chakda Xpress, starring Anushka Sharma, and the remake of Ek Ruka Hua Faisla — two very different films he’s eager to see reach audiences. “A film releasing on time is a blessing for everyone involved, but as actors, that’s beyond our control,” he remarks.
Today, there are so many women-led films such as Alia Bhatt and Sharvari's Alpha-Anjini Dhawan
8:32 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 12, 2025)
Actor Anjini S Dhawan, niece of actor Varun Dhawan, firmly believes that “with the influence of the younger generation, people have become more woke and open-minded.” On National Youth Day today, the 24-year-old opens up about what it’s like to be a young actor in the industry and how Gen Z can change the game.
“The kind of roles being offered to us (younger generation) have changed drastically. Now, we get to do roles that are more inclusive, such as in Mismatched, as well as women-led, which was not the case earlier. I remember watching Chameli (2004) and there wasn’t any other such film for a long time after that,” Dhawan shares, adding, “Films like Sadma (1983) were also just one-offs. But today, there are so many women-led films such as the upcoming Alpha [starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari].”
Talking about Gen Z’s role in making such changes possible, Dhawan adds, “The younger generation is changing many norms, and it’s eventually them that’s going to run the country and the world. People are also open to a lot more things than they were earlier, and I think mindsets are changing — which is a good thing.”
Comeback of the Khans, War 2, Game Changer and more to look forward in 2025
8:42 AM
After a no-show in 2024, Aamir and Salman Khan will return to the cinemas this year. What else is in store? A woman-led spy thriller, big-ticket south entertainers, and not surprisingly, sequels galore
Mohar Basu, Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 1, 2025)
Would it be too simplistic to say that one of the reasons 2024 was a lean year at the box-office was because the Khan troika—Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman—did not have a single release? Perhaps. But ask any Hindi movie fan, and they’ll tell you that the superstars were sorely missed. Which is why all eyes are on this year, when at least two Khans will be back on the big screen.
Salman hasn’t had a release since Tiger 3 (2023). But a lot happened with the superstar throughout 2024, beginning with a round of firing outside his Bandra house in April to receiving death threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. So, his return to celluloid with Sikandar is eagerly awaited.
What makes it better is that in his maiden collaboration with director A R Murugadoss, he will do what he does best—be a larger-than-life hero and avenge the wrong. Expect high-octane action, drama, a fresh on-screen jodi with Rashmika Mandanna, and a script that requires suspension of disbelief. Oh, and presumably a bumper opening. After all, his fans will go in droves for their Eidi.
While the audience’s Eid is dedicated to Salman, Aamir Khan will be their summer date. It has taken the superstar four years since the underwhelming response to his passion project, Laal Singh Chaddha (2021), to face the camera again. This time, he promises another heartfelt story with Sitaare Zameen Par. The actor-producer considers it a spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par (2007). An adaptation of the Spanish sports comedy, Campeones (2018), Aamir said the new film was “way ahead” of its predecessor, flipping the narrative as it shows how far people can go despite their challenges.
Directed by R S Prasanna of Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) fame, it also stars Genelia Deshmukh and Darsheel Safary. Will it create the box-office magic that Laal Singh Chaddha couldn’t? Who can tell? But then, as we start 2025, we can hope this is the year the audience loves movies for their narratives, not box-office numbers.
Game Changer
Director S Shankar may have had a misfire last year with Indian 2. But the director, known for his visual spectacles, blends politics and action again in Game Changer. Ram Charan plays an IAS officer determined to battle corruption and promote fair elections in the Telugu action thriller scheduled for a
January 10 release.
Raid 2
With franchise films becoming a ticket to success in 2024, Ajay Devgn has lined up two sequels this year. Director Raj Kumar Gupta’s Raid 2 is set to release on May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day. The film sees Devgn reprise his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik, who conducts another high-stakes income tax raid. The cast includes Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, and Rajat Kapoor. The superstar also has the rom-com, De De Pyaar De 2, in which he reunites with his Shaitaan (2024) co-star R Madhavan.
Housefull 5
A new year, and there is a new instalment of Housefull. Housefull 5, led by Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh, comes five years after the last instalment. Tarun Mansukhani’s directorial venture promises to have everything you expect from the franchise—read an ensemble cast, a gag a minute and a wafer-thin plot. This one, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Jacqueliene Fernandez, and Nargis Fakhri, is largely set on a
luxury cruise.
Chhaava
After Sardar Udham (2021) and Sam Bahadur (2023), Vicky Kaushal leads his third biopic, this time playing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Based on the novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, Laxman Utekar’s historical drama depicts Sambhaji Maharaj as a fierce warrior who upheld the Maratha legacy during his reign in the 17th century. Rashmika Mandanna portrays Yesubai Bhonsale, Sambhaji’s wife.
Yet-untitled film on C Sankaran Nair
You will definitely not miss Akshay Kumar this year, because the superstar has four releases lined up. This Karan Johar production, based on Indian lawyer and statesman C Sankaran Nair, chronicles how the lawyer challenged the British empire to acknowledge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and also starring Ananya Panday, it is an adaptation of the book, The Case that Shook the Empire. Kumar will also be seen in the Republic Day release, Skyforce, and Jolly LLB 3.
Alpha
A female spy is finally headlining a film in the YRF spy universe. Alia Bhatt joins the on-screen espionage world that is populated by Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. Joining Bhatt in Shiv Rawail’s directorial venture is Sharvari, who caught people’s attention with Munjya last year. Alpha is scheduled for a Christmas 2025 release.
War 2
Two of the most popular superstars of the current crop, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR are set to battle it out in the Independence Day release, War 2. Roshan returns as Kabir, the R&AW agent who went rogue in the 2019 blockbuster, War. The sequel to the spy thriller comes with new faces in front of and behind the camera. While RRR (2022) star Jr NTR makes his highly anticipated Bollywood debut, director Ayan Mukerji takes the directorial baton from Siddharth Anand. Added to the mix are Kiara Advani, and a potential crossover with Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Salman Khan’s Tiger.
Thug Life
In June, we’ll witness the reunion of two icons. More than 35 years after they first collaborated on Nayakan (1987), superstar Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam have reunited for Thug Life. The Tamil gangster action drama features a pan-India cast, including Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Pankaj Tripathi, Sanya Malhotra, Ali Fazal and Rohit Saraf. To top it all, Oscar winner AR Rahman, who composed for Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2, has lent the score for the upcoming film.
Deva
Following his romantic turn in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya last year, Shahid Kapoor is in the mood for mayhem. He turns a no-nonsense cop in the January release, Deva. Expect high-octane action sequences and a rising body count in this action thriller that sees Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews foraying into Hindi cinema.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari
It’s the year of Varun Dhawan’s return to the romance genre. In April, the actor will bring Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, also starring Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf. It reunites Varun with his Dulhania franchise director Shashank Khaitan. He will follow it up with Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, marking his fourth collaboration with director-father David Dhawan.
Lahore 1947
Lahore 1947 is a case of something old and something new. While the period drama marks the fourth collaboration between actor Sunny Deol and director Rajkumar Santoshi, it marks the maiden union of the leading man with producer Aamir Khan. Also starring Preity Zinta, the film explores the emotional and physical journey of people caught in the turmoil of the Partition.
After a month of delay, Alia Bhatt, Sharvari return to complete Kashmir shoot for Alpha
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After Alpha’s Kashmir leg was cancelled last month due to rains, sources say Alia and Sharvari have headed back to the Valley to finish 10-day shoot
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 15, 2024)
Two female spies fighting the baddies against Kashmir’s mountainous terrain—that’s how director Shiv Rawail had imagined one of the fight sequences in Alpha. In September, Alia Bhatt and Sharvari went to Pahalgam for the spy thriller’s third schedule. However, the team was unable to conduct the 10-day stint after the rains wreaked havoc in the region. Now, mid-day has learnt that the unit has headed back to the Valley.
During their last trip, Bhatt and Sharvari could barely film three days due to the rains that lashed the region.
A source reveals, “The director had cancelled the schedule due to the terrible weather. After that, Shiv and producer Aditya Chopra considered different possible cities where they could film the portions. However, they soon realised that the Valley’s picturesque locations were perfect for the sequences in question, and slotted the Kashmir leg again for mid-October.”
We’ve heard that Sharvari flew out yesterday, while Alia will join the unit today or tomorrow. Over the next few days, the duo will film an action sequence and a song.
The insider adds, “The action set-piece involves an elaborate chase. Besides Pahalgam, they will shoot in Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Srinagar.” With Alpha, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol also join the spyverse, which includes Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
How Sharvari's attitude, hard work helped her reduce 9% fat in 5 months
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Roped in to help Sharvari get action-ready for the big screen, trainer Robin Behl on the brief given to him to help the actor ace her spy act in Alpha
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; July 31, 2024)
When production house Yash Raj Films approached Robin Behl to help Sharvari prep for their spy film, the brief was simple: She needed to look sexy, and strong. Knowledge around fitness science may be available in abundance, but Behl admits that the notion that strong women inevitably acquire a masculine physique, is still propagated. Sharvari, however, had spent enough time under the barbell to know that the claims had no merit.
“She had to be extremely fit because she was set to pull off many action sequences both with and without weapons. Since she was already undergoing action training for three hours, my job was to cater to the aesthetics. So, of course, strength training became a major component of our routine, but, because she needed to look athletic, I didn’t want her body to appear stiff on screen.”
In a bid to “introduce fluidity in her movements”, Behl included handstands, body-weight exercises, and mobility drills into her routine. Often, they’d indulge in a bout of boxing.
“All of this ensured that while she stayed active, her range of motion wasn’t compromised. This relates to both physical and mental [agility]. When you introduce something different into your regimen, you force your nervous system to adapt. If you continue to do the same movements, [the mind] stops learning. Of course, we had to repeat movements to help her build strength in certain muscles, but we had to also switch them often to keep her [at the edge]. This was also essential given the role that she was playing,” he says of the actor, who pairs up with Alia Bhatt for the film titled Alpha, and touted as the production house’s first female-led espionage thriller of the spy universe.
Behl has previously been credited for enabling Adarsh Gourav prep for the role of a fitness trainer in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023). And while the trainer had opined that he was getting the actor physically ready for the film, he was amused to see his mannerisms unfold on screen when the movie released.
“I noticed that Adarsh had also picked up [nuances], like the way I walked or spoke, and it was interesting to see that.” Having seen Gourav at work, he wanted to expose Sharvari to a similar situation—one where she could experience, first-hand, how athletes move.
“That’s why I took her to meet my teacher, Carl Varel, who is Asia’s number six Brazilian Jiu Jitsu [expert]. I wanted her to experience the grappling, clinching and take-downs [associated with the sport], and see how they move.”
Sharvari’s training involved a whole lot of everything. “We did a lot of running bouts with her. But, instead of asking her to run at one pace for a long time, we included variations, like [interval training]. To improve her adaptability, we made her run bouts that varied from two to six kilometres. Often, we’d run in the heat at noon, or early in the day at 6 am. Strength training was included. She’s incredible with her pushing movements and could execute push-ups and parallel bar dips. Gradually, we started introducing a lot of balancing work into her routine. Because I have prior experience with forms like Kung Fu, we’d have her train with sticks. The idea was to make her comfortable with how [an athlete] moves, and to build familiarity with the choreography. I am a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so, I added that into her regimen because combat will be involved in her scenes.”
A major chunk of his sessions with Sharvari may have concluded, but Behl still seems to be in awe of her ability to meet his challenges. Ask him if she found it tough to keep up with the day-long training sessions and he says, “I found it tough to keep up with her.”
“She wouldn’t stop. After a one-hour-20-minute routine, when I am wrapping up, she’d ask me what’s next. She’d walk in saying she had two hours to train, and I’d have to tell her that I did not. Usually, I take a while to acquaint myself with an actor’s abilities in the gym, but, with her, we could pick up the pace in as little as two weeks. It was due to that effort that she could shave off nine per cent of body fat [in five months].”
Alia Bhatt shoots a brutal and gory action set-piece with Bobby Deol for Alpha
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Sources say Bhatt shooting a brutal and gory action set-piece with Bobby Deol for Alpha; 100 guards manning location to prevent pictures being leaked
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 26, 2024)
Fight, rest, repeat. That is Alia Bhatt’s mantra as she shoots for Alpha, the newest offering that marks YRF spy universe’s first female-led espionage thriller. Shiv Rawail’s directorial venture went on floors in the first week of July with the leading lady canning an elaborate action sequence at YRF Studios in Andheri. Three weeks down, the unit has moved to Film City in Goregaon, where Bhatt—who plays a super spy—is apparently shooting an action set-piece with Bobby Deol, who portrays the antagonist.
In April, mid-day had reported that Rawail and producer Aditya Chopra were roping in multiple action choreographers so that each fight sequence looked distinct (Wanna kick ass, Alia? Apr 30). The current set-piece has been choreographed by Casey O’ Neill.
A source reveals, “In her 12-year career, Alia has attempted action only once before, in Heart Of Stone [2023]. With this particular sequence in Alpha, she is taking it several notches higher. It is a no-holds-barred set-piece full of blood, gore and brutality, as Alia and Bobby go at each other with weapons as well as hand-to-hand combat. She is dressed in black, with a gun strapped to her thigh, while Bobby sports cropped hair and salt-and-pepper beard. The makers wanted Casey to design the stunts as he is an expert in advanced stunt technology; he has choreographed some crucial action sequences for Jawan [2023], Top Gun: Maverick [2022] and Jack Reacher [2012].”
The scene is being canned in a heavily guarded set, designed by art directors Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty, at the location as Chopra doesn’t want any pictures or details to get leaked.
“This shoot will take over four days. Since it is one of the film’s most important scenes, Adi has ensured that the location is impregnable. They have about 100 guards manning it and covering all vantage points,” adds the source.
Sharvari, who plays Bhatt’s sister as well as an undercover agent, will join the ongoing two-month schedule after this sequence is wrapped up. With Alpha, Anil Kapoor too joins the on-screen spy-verse—which includes Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan—as Bhatt and Sharvari’s mentor.
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