Few things excited Sanjay Gupta as much as the prospect of helming a riveting crime thriller. And the filmmaker had zeroed in on one such subject before his sudden death on October 30. mid-day has learnt that he was developing the screen adaptation of the true crime thriller, CIU: Criminals In Uniform, written by investigative journalists Dr Sanjay Singh and Rakesh Trivedi. Gupta, who would have made his web series debut with it, was planning it as an eight-part series.

Speaking to mid-day, Singh revealed that the filmmaker had approached Naseeruddin Shah, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, and Dia Mirza for the series.

“Sanjay Gupta held several meetings with us and had prepared an elaborate pitch deck. He was in discussions with Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Akshaye Khanna, Emraan Hashmi, Atul Kulkarni, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Ronit Bose Roy. His ambition was to create one of India’s most star-studded web series.”

Inspired by the 2021 Antilia bomb scare, CIU: Criminals In Uniform is a fictionalized telling of how the controversial head of Mumbai Police’s Crime Investigation Unit leads the probe after explosives are found in a vehicle parked outside the house of a wealthy business tycoon.

Singh added, “Sanjay believed the book had potential for a gripping web series. He understood the sensitivity of the subject.”

Gupta’s 32-year career was built on stylized crime thrillers and action dramas like Kaante (2002), Zinda (2006), Shootout At Wadala (2013), and Kaabil (2017). What distinguished him from other filmmakers, according to Singh, was that his stories were never only about the crime. “It was about the people, circumstances, hidden truths, and the larger story that the public had never been told.”

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Anil Kapoor as Commissioner, Mumbai Police; Naseeruddin Shah as a bureaucrat; Akshaye Khanna as Assistant Commissioner of Police; Emraan Hashmi as a senior inspector

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Sanjay Singh revealed that Sanjay Gupta was keen on revisiting the 1978 Ranga-Billa case, despite Prime Video’s ‘Raakh’ having recently explored the story.

He shared, “I’ve written a book on Ranga and Billa, and Sanjay was interested in bringing their story to the screen. When ‘Raakh’ came out, Sanjay felt that the makers had missed an opportunity to explore a much more complex crime story. He believed there was still tremendous potential to make a powerful and factually accurate web series on them”

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.”

Jhakaas! That’s exactly the feeling when Anil Kapoor announced his return to reality television with India Ke Top 1%. After bringing his trademark energy to Bigg Boss OTT 3 in 2024, the veteran actor takes on a new challenge with the JioHotstar game show, which tests how people think rather than what they know. While Kapoor enjoys being the host, he admits that if the positions were reversed, he would “probably convince myself that the simple answer can’t possibly be correct”. In conversation with mid-day, the veteran actor discusses what drew him to the show, the Bollywood personalities he would love to see compete, and why actors must constantly evolve.

My first reaction was, 'This is different.' Most quiz shows test what you know, but this one tests how you think. I loved the idea that ordinary people could surprise everyone with their perspective and problem-solving skills. It’s entertaining, but it also makes you think, which is a rare combination.

Absolutely! That’s the beauty of the show. Some questions look simple at first, but they completely challenge your assumptions. I think many of my friends in Bollywood, including me, would find ourselves second-guessing our answers. Intelligence on this show isn’t about expertise, it’s about looking at things differently.

For me, being in the Top 1% isn’t just about intelligence. It’s about curiosity, discipline, consistency, and the willingness to keep learning. In life, the people who keep asking questions are often the ones who keep moving forward. That’s why I love the show’s thought process, baat khatki toh jeet pakki! Sometimes it’s that one small thought, that one different perspective, that makes all the difference. Whether it’s your profession, your relationships, or personal growth, it’s the effort to keep improving every day that truly sets people apart.

Probably anything that requires me to sit quietly and overthink! I’ve always trusted my instincts. Sometimes when you analyze a question too much, the obvious answer is right in front of you and you still miss it. Knowing me, I’d probably convince myself that the simple answer can’t possibly be correct.

I would love to call Amitabh Bachchan, Javed Akhtar, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar and Karan Johar for this show. They all would be fascinating because they have a unique and way of looking at the world. Even Anupam Kher would be entertaining because he always has an answer for everything, whether it’s the correct answer or not, we’ll find out on the show! And Farah Khan would be a strong contender. She’s extremely observant, very sharp, and has a wicked sense of humour. I’d just be worried she’d spend more time roasting me than answering the questions.

Without a doubt! Audiences today have access to content from all over the world. They can watch a film, a series, a documentary, or a reality show at the click of a button. That means actors need to constantly evolve, experiment, and push themselves. Versatility is no longer a bonus, it’s essential.

I’ve always believed that the medium doesn’t matter, the content does. Whether it’s cinema, streaming, television, or reality shows, if something excites me and gives me an opportunity to connect with audiences in a meaningful way, I’m open to it. Right now, I’m enjoying this experience and taking it one project at a time.

Director Suresh Triveni and Nana collaborated on the 2026 action-drama film Subedaar. Patekar made a striking retro special cameo appearance in the film as Lance Naik Nana Waghmare.

Suresh tells us, “I was fortunate to work with him and he readily agreed. His bond with Anil Kapoor was incredible and he told me clearly, ‘Main yeh karunga toh Anil ke liye karunga.’ It was honourary, he did it as a favour to us. We shot his scenes in Mumbai rather than Chambal. We shot at J W Marriott, while he was also shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo. He had got his dabba and was eating it in between speaking to me. He loved talking about food. He wrapped his portions in two-and half hours. He had to stand on a tall surface because we were to add VFX. He played a soldier and knew how to uncock the gun. He said ‘yeh mujhe mat sikha main jaanta hoon’ and just did it quickly. "

On an emotional note he says, “There was a certain warmth and for me it was a bucket list tick to see him and Anil sir together. Anil sir gave him cues for the shot though he was not needed there. That scene echoed in the climax and a lot of people reached out to me that they were surprised. The idea was to have multiple cameos in that scene but once he came on board he is equivalent to many.”

A clear shift is visible in the streaming and television segments of India’s entertainment industry. To deal with the challenges emanating from short audience attention span and availability of copious amounts of content, leading streaming platforms and channels are designing non-fiction shows around the public image of Bollywood celebrities instead of merely presenting them as show hosts.

Shows such as Crime Patrol (SonyLiv) (Ajay Devgn, serious, Singham-cop and Drishyam-family-man image), India Ke Top 1% (Star Plus) (Anil Kapoor, energetic and larger-than-life image), Lock Upp (Netflix) (Farah Khan, bold, irreverent, Riteish Deshmukh, funny, approachable image), and The Traitors (Amazon Prime) (Karan Johar, Bollywood insider, gossip, theatrical image) are synergistic collaboration between Bollywood celebrities and show-creators and not merely filling the space of a celebrity host.

These collaborations are helping streamers and channels build strong intellectual properties (IPs) of non-fiction shows around celebrities, channel heads, brand experts and industry veterans told ET.

These non-fiction programmes around a celebrity show a different side of their personality which is in sync with the shows’ content, said channel heads.

“Beyond immediate recognition and strong start, the idea behind these non-fiction shows is to use celebrities as a doorway to an experience that audiences never had with them,” said Harsh Sheth, business head, Sony Entertainment Television. “These shows give audiences a chance to know the person, her views and journeys behind a personality. It makes them more relatable.”

A JioStar spokesperson said a personality must serve a show’s format and the format must deliver to the audience. “When a show’s format and concept is in sync with a personality’s public image, it makes the proposition even stronger,” added the spokesperson. The spokesperson cited non-fiction shows such as Bigg Boss and Koffee With Karan.

Such collaborations are also favourable for advertisers. “For advertisers, a celebrity-led show can be a relatively cost-effective way to get a celebrity association,” said Shailesh Kapoor, founder and chief executive of Ormax Media. “A brand may not be able to afford a direct endorsement deal with someone like Amitabh Bachchan. But by sponsoring Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), it can still have him talk about the brand on the show. That makes the show easier to sell, especially when television faces uncertainty over ratings and viewing habits.”

Harsh Sheth of Sony cited Google Gemini’s recent association with the current season of KBC as an effective advertiser-show collaboration. “The mentions of Google Gemini on the KBC show resulted in spikes in search interest and app downloads,” he said.

According to brand experts, a show will sustain audience interest only when the public image of the celebrity matches the show’s content expectations.

“In television, where there is no clear TRP-based currency, bargaining power becomes important. A channel or platform with a strong property in the form of a big celebrity can demand a better deal,” said Sandeep Goyal, managing director at advertising company Rediffusion.

“But this advantage is short-lived. Today, word-of-mouth communication is very strong. By the second or third week, people know whether a celebrity-based show is working,” he added.

In the past, when celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Kapoor hosted the non-fiction show Khatron Ke Khiladi, the show’s ratings were not strong enough because audiences did not see them as a natural fit for the format. But when director Rohit Shetty began hosting the show, it grew bigger because his image matched its core idea of stunts and adventure, said Kapoor of Ormax Media.

They have made audiences laugh across three franchises and now the cult quartet is ready to take on the undead. mid-day had earlier reported that producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah was planning to reunite Paresh Rawal, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, and Suniel Shetty, potentially for the fourth instalment of the Welcome franchise (More mischief in the making, March 8). Now, a source reveals that the foursome will reunite in director Ahmed Khan’s yet-untitled zombie comedy, headlined by Tiger Shroff.

The film will see the veteran actors reprise their iconic characters — Yeda Anna (Shetty), Uday Shetty (Patekar), Majnu Bhai (Kapoor), and Dr Ghunghroo (Rawal) — crowd favourites since Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Welcome (2007) and Welcome Back (2015).

“While the movie is a horror-supernatural-drama, it is also a comedy as it will cater to all kinds of audiences, including children,” shares a source from the creative team. Nadiadwallah wants the film to be “a part of the family universe”.

While Kapoor and Patekar did not feature in Welcome To The Jungle, Rawal appeared as Das rather than Dr Ghunghroo. “The idea was to bring back their characters in some way as people love and miss them.”

Shroff’s action hero persona is certain to draw children to theatres, the source assures. “Tiger will play the main protagonist who fights the zombies. Children love and connect to him and that was a major reason for getting him on board.” The veteran actors are also “excited to play the 2.0, new-age versions” of their iconic characters.

“Firoz wants a grand, stylish, and larger-than-life look and feel of the film with ample VFX and comic doses. The film will be shot in UAE, Europe, and across India, and is expected to roll by end of the year. Once the scripting is complete, the heroines will be finalized,” adds the insider.

Set against India’s freedom struggle, Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1942: A Love Story returns to the big screen on August 21, 32 years after its release. The film’s tender romance, timeless storytelling and R.D. Burman and Javed Akhtar’s iconic soundtrack have transcended generations. Ahead of the re-release, director Vidhu Vinod Chopra and lead actors Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Jackie Shroff spoke exclusively to Bombay Times about the film’s enduring appeal. Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist at PVR INOX, said, “We are delighted to re-release 1942: A Love Story, a film that remains one of the defining musical and cinematic landmarks in Indian cinema.” Excerpts:

Vidhu: To me, the idea of a period romance, with the softness and simplicity of that time was appealing. There is a dialogue in the film, ‘Saare desh mein aag lagi hai, aur tumko pyaar ki suji hai!’ The response is, “Agar saari duniya pyaar kare toh duniya jale hi kyon?’. I deeply believe in the philosophy of love and the choice of choosing love over hatred. Freedom is a theme that our films have returned to time and again. What I do miss is some of the earliest interpretations, how Haqeeqat (1964), captured the imagination of our country. How some of Dilip Kumar’s films like Naya Daur, Ganga Jumna explored not just freedom, but caste divide. Of course, the concept of freedom is different for this generation of Indians, as it should be for someone who hasn’t witnessed our struggle for it. We have explored this in so many of our titles like 3 idiots, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh and even 12th Fail. Each of these films depict what freedom meant to the young generation of that time.

Vidhu: I auditioned countless actors for Naren (Anil) and Rajjo (Manisha), but none of them convinced me. Eventually, I met Anil and shared my dilemma with him. He was hesitant at first and said, “If you give me six months to prepare for the character, I’ll do it.” I told him to take as much time as he needed. Manisha’s audition, too, stayed with me. Her transformation from the first half of the film to the second was incredible. Ultimately, it was the sincerity of Anil and Manisha that made them the perfect choice.

Manisha: Anil had already done so much wonderful work, and as a young actor, I learnt a lot simply by observing him. He came to the set with immense energy every single day. He is spontaneous, generous and always completely present in a scene. We rehearsed, chatted and laughed between takes, and gradually developed an ease that translated beautifully on screen. Looking back, I feel very fortunate that people still remember our pairing with so much affection. That is perhaps the greatest compliment an actor can receive.

Anil: I wasn’t keen to do the film initially because I had never played such a young romantic lead before. At that stage in my life, I was already a father of three, so mentally, it took some convincing. I kept asking myself, “Can I really pull this off?” In the mid-’90s, Shah Rukh was coming into his own, Aamir was already established, and Bobby Deol was entering the scene. I even asked Vidhu, “Why don’t you cast Aamir or Bobby?” But Vinod’s late elder brother, Veer ji, was convinced that I should do the film. I think he was the one who pushed me to say yes. And, of course, R D Burman’s music drew me in. I remember thinking, yaar, yeh music jo hai, yeh gaane aur koi nahi gaa sakta, main hi gaaunga (smiles). Once I said yes, though, there was no looking back. I committed to the film completely. I lost a lot of weight, cut my hair and transformed myself physically, but the real work was internal. I wanted to be as truthful as possible. That’s something Vinod demanded from all of us—absolute honesty. As an actor, that process was demanding, but also incredibly rewarding.

Manisha: When I look back at this film, I see a younger version of myself with a lot of affection. At that age, beauty was largely about the external, you worried about your hair, costumes and whether the camera loved you. (Laughs.) Life has been a great teacher. Today, I feel beauty has more to do with how you carry your experiences, compassion, courage and even your scars. Time has softened my idea of beauty. I also think cinema has slowly become kinder; there is more space now for people to be themselves rather than fit into a mould.

Vidhu: Even before I cast her, Manisha had stopped shaping her eyebrows, keeping them natural, as was the norm in the 1940s. It was a small detail, but it showed how sincerely she approached the role. All her auditions were also without makeup, which spoke volumes about her commitment as an actor. Almost 80 per cent of her screen time in the film is makeup-free.

Jackie Shroff: Manisha, I would describe as ethereal beauty. I’ve worked with her in several films, and she has always possessed a rare, almost otherworldly quality.

Vidhu: There was never any other choice for me but Pancham da. I didn’t care about his track record in the decade before the film. I had worked with him on Parinda and had always loved his music. But when we began work on 1942, he wasn’t the same person I had known. The industry and time had not been kind to him. I remember the first tune he composed for Kuch Na Kaho sounded like any other Bollywood dance number. I told him, “If this is the kind of music you want to make for me, then we should part ways.” He asked me for a week. When I went back a week later, he played the revised song on his harmonium and hummed the melody. My eyes were closed, and my hands just automatically went up in a ‘waah’. From there on, it was a dream. He was a true artist and I am so grateful that we got to work on this soundtrack together. This album remains a personal favourite of mine.

Anil Kapoor: R D Burman, Javed Saab... what they created was extraordinary. Music is the soul of 1942: A Love Story. Those songs have become timeless, and they continue to introduce the film to every new generation.

Vidhu: Cinema should inspire, provoke and make you feel seen. With 1942, we wanted to tell a simple love story against the backdrop of one of the most historically significant moments in India’s freedom struggle — the Quit India Movement. I wanted to explore how ordinary people participated in such a monumental movement. There must have been countless untold stories like this, and I wanted to bring some of them to light. Stories like these hadn’t been told in this way before. But I think the film’s greatest legacy will always be its music. We never imagined, while making the film, that 32 years later, its songs would still be such a vital part of popular culture.

Anil: I don’t believe nostalgia alone keeps a film alive. Emotional truth does. Vidhu Vinod Chopra created a world where love felt pure, dignified and deeply emotional, and I was fortunate to be a part of it. What I’ve always admired about him is that he never treats only the lead actor as important. As a director, the final call is always his, but he listens to you. Sanjay Leela Bhansali brought his vision to the songs, Binod Pradhan was behind the camera, Renu Saluja edited the film, and Nitin Desai created that incredible world. Every department was filled with exceptional talent, and that collective brilliance is a big part of what made the film special.

Jackie Shroff: I wasn’t taken seriously as an actor until Vidhu Vinod Chopra cast me in Parinda, which won me acting awards. I had played police roles many times in my career, but he cast me as a patriot-revolutionary in 1942 and then as a terrorist in Mission Kashmir. He never put me in a box. He may seem rigid, but he is actually quite flexible when he believes in something. Anil is like a brother, so it was a treat to work with him and Manisha ji.

Actor and former Lok Sabha MP Paresh Rawal has backed Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, whose statewide food-safety crackdown has targeted several prominent eateries, analogue paneer and hygiene violations across the state. Mundhe, a 2005-batch IAS officer, is also known for his frequent transfers, with his current posting reportedly his 25th in 21 years. On August 9, Rawal took to X to urge Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to ensure Mundhe is not transferred or “shunted out” of the FDA.

Explaining why he spoke up, Rawal tells us, “The kind of hygiene standards we are following, it is very frightful... So, when officers like Tukaram Mundhe come in, you are always happy and you celebrate.”

Calling food adulteration a “huge sin”, Rawal adds, “If there’s adulteration in paneer and milk, what should one eat?” He also urges people to back officers taking strict action: “Why just industry, even common man can come and raise their voice and say that we need this gentleman.”

With Mundhe’s tough-action image drawing comparisons online with Nayak (2001), the parallel is especially apt for Rawal, who played the CM’s secretary in the film and later assists Anil Kapoor’s character when he becomes CM for a day and pushes through sweeping changes.

Rawal quips, “It’s all fictional! But I wish Tukaram Mundhe stays for years to come.”

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.”

Jaaved Jaaferi’s chartbuster Bol Baby Bol Rock-N-Roll from Subhash Ghai’s Meri Jung (1985) is remembered even today. Appearing in an upcoming episode of the fifth season of India’s Best Dancer, the actor recalled how late choreographer Saroj Khan gave Hindi cinema a dancing villain, a rarity at the time, through the song.

Talking about how the choreographer broke Bollywood’s standard cinematic tropes, Jaaved recalled, “The kind of character that Anil Kapoor had in the film, it didn’t have scope for dancing. As a result, the flavour of high-energy dance was introduced through the villain. I think it marked the first entry of a ‘dancing villain’ in Indian cinema.”

Jaaved was joined by Ravi Behl and Naved Jafri on Sony TV’s reality show. As they walked down memory lane, Behl reminded Jaaved that he had borrowed his brother’s red shoes and trousers for the shoot. “Jaaved had actually borrowed Naved’s red shoes and pants, leaving him to spend the entire day hanging around the set in his vest, pants, and spare footwear,” laughed Behl as Jaaved added that the dance number was filmed in four days on the streets of Nariman Point and a set.

Actor Akshay Kumar is riding high on the success of Welcome To The Jungle. At a time when every theatrical release feels like a gamble, the film’s strong box-office run has reaffirmed the actor’s enduring connect with audiences. Equally at home in action and comedy, Kumar sits down for a candid chat, making one thing clear at the outset: “Dekh, main dil se bolunga jo bolunga, headline ya TRP ke liye nahi.” Excerpts:

That I have some secret machine at home that produces four films a year! But it’s all about time management and discipline. Another misconception is that because I’ve been around for more than three decades, everything comes easy to me now. It doesn’t. Every Friday still feels like an exam result. Every film still gives me butterflies. The day I stop being nervous or excited about a new project, I think that’s the day I should retire. So no secret formula... just discipline, consistency and still having the hunger of a newcomer.

Being relevant and understanding what audiences want is one of the hardest things to predict. Sometimes you need to give audiences something they didn’t even know they wanted. Following trends doesn’t guarantee success either. The trick is not to be scared. If you believe in something, go for it wholeheartedly. There is no formula, just a lot of guts and prayers.

The most important person I wish to thank for not only today but also the past 20 years is (filmmaker) Anees Bazmee ji. This man is the creator of Welcome, without his genius filmmaking none of the 30+ cast members of Welcome To The Jungle, would be standing here enjoying this weekend, especially me.

The first rule of martial arts is to never forget where you come from… I will cherish Anees ji for what he has given us all and the road he paved for so many of us.

Welcome To The Jungle is quite literally standing on the shoulders of giants. From Anees ji, Ferozji (A Nadiadwala, filmmaker), Anil ji (Kapoor, actor) and Nana ji (Patekar, actor) and now my friend Ahmed (Khan, director of Welcome To The Jungle).

Just two words: Jai Mahakal!

That you can’t always trust your instincts. Sometimes you can love, admire and be excited about a project, yet it simply doesn’t connect with the audience. But I’m not the kind of actor who is only looking for blockbusters. There are so many stories to tell and so many talented artistes and technicians to work with. Some of my films over the last five years have been my favourites, and others I’m not sure even my family went to see. But I never stopped trying. Better to be relentless than too scared to make your next hit or flop.

The number of hungry artistes, writers and debut directors getting opportunities excites me. Personally, having come from the background that I have, I still love good old-fashioned action, memorable dialogues and songs you can listen to on repeat. Today everything moves so fast. One minute something is viral, the next minute it’s forgotten. All you can do is try to be the best version of yourself and hope people connect with it.

I do get nervous, but not to the point where I can’t eat or sleep. Give me home-cooked food and a pillow any day of the week and I’m happy. These days, I’m more nervous for everyone else involved in the film. I’ve experienced success, failure, heartache and triumph enough times. I just want the best for everyone around me.

Be authentic. Be original. Don’t try to look, dance or act like someone else. Be a producer’s actor and remember that you’re only as big as your last hit film. Stay humble on your way up, otherwise the fall will be much more painful.

Always have, always will. You never know where the next great idea will come from.

No matter how much you do later, there is no substitute for being present in a child’s life. Luckily, my wife (former actor and author Twinkle Khanna) understands better than anyone, but it’s hard for a child to understand why Daddy has to leave home to entertain others when all he wants is to make them laugh the most.

The earlier Welcome films were madness in a living room. This one is madness in a jungle! We’ve taken the chaos, multiplied it by ten and dropped everyone into the middle of nowhere.

There are helicopters, action sequences, mistaken identities and so many characters that even we sometimes needed a headcount on set. What makes it fresh is that it’s not just a comedy of dialogues anymore. It’s comedy on a much bigger canvas — an adventure-comedy where something goes wrong every five minutes.

Charming and full of energy, Varun Dhawan brings his infectious sense of humour to the latest episode of the Bombay Times Lounge driven by Jeep. But beyond the laughs, the actor — whose latest release, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by David Dhawan, hit theatres on Friday — reveals a more reflective side as he opens up about the dangers of chasing perceptions, the pressures of fame, and why staying true to yourself matters more than ever. A conversation that’s equal parts entertaining and insightful — much like Varun himself. Watch the full episode on the Bombay Times YouTube channel.

My dad always told us, ‘I never went in to make comedy films. Main entertainer bana raha tha. Main logon ko entertain karna chahta tha. Usme romance tha, emotion tha, drama bhi tha, thoda sa action bhi tha. Aur uss mein logon ko hasaa bhi raha tha. But unn emotions ke bagair, those films would not be what they were. People and maybe critics back then, labelled them as comedy, but actually they were wholesome entertainers’.

Recently, at the David Dhawan Film Festival, where they showcased Aankhen, so many of us sat together and watched the film on the big screen — it was still so entertaining and magical. The comedy is not forced, it’s not gaggy... ki yaar, yeh trend mein hai, bolenge toh yeh chalega. It’s very close to real things that happen around us. I believe comedy is basically about capturing the nuances of real life and maybe magnifying them a little bit.

Yes, I was told by a very popular director back then that, ‘I wanted to cast you in a film, but I feel the kind of cinema you’re doing, you can only do that. But you should not do such cinema.’

Yes!

At one point, we thought that he wouldn’t direct a film again because his health was down. So, Rohit (brother), my mom and I, felt he should not direct a film. He was going through a very low phase, and I remember Anil Kapoor, telling me, ‘You have to let your father get back on the sets. He has spent more time on the set than he has spent at home. His home is the set and behind the camera. We are built differently, Varun. Humne bahut kaam kiya hai, so unko khushi agar usme mil rahi hai, let him do it and as a son support him.’ Anil uncle has a similar work ethic, so I understood what he said and that made me think about it a lot. Rohit was a little bit more hesitant to let him direct again, but we knew we had to support him.

I think no one comes prepared to deal with the ups and downs in their life. I’ve had my share of ups and downs and my moments of weakness. But what I have learnt is — you have to move on and take the next step. You can dwell over it and feel bad for yourself. You can play victim, but how long will you play victim? This is something that my dad always tells me — move on, take the next step, you have to take the next step. There’s no point sitting and blaming people for your sorrows and think…ki I’m here because usne mere saath yeh kiya, ya yeh hua mere saath. Arre bhai, tumhari bhi thodi galti toh hogi na? So, introspect, take the learnings and move on. Blaming anyone is not going to get you anywhere.

What is number one? It means you’re better than someone. There’s always going to be someone better than you. Someone will come along and something will change. My idea is to just do my work in the best way possible and enjoy the journey. There was a time when we were all being brought up in that very individualistic mindset. I myself have moved away from it a little bit. I was running too fast and sometimes when you do that, you forget which direction you are running in.

It’s addictive.

The lonely moments that you spend with yourself. When you’re all alone in your van, when you’re all alone in your house — those are the lonely moments. Actors’ lives are very lonely, and this is something which I always discuss. I would say most actors are lonely.

Luckily, from the beginning, I kind of dropped the façade. I am what you see. I can’t keep pretending, because I feel my mental health will go for a toss and I will burst somewhere. I mean, if you see my earlier interviews, I was even more moohfat. Abhi thoda sa conscious ho rahe hain log because of social media and all that. But kya hi hone wala hai? Kya hi kar denge? Cancel kar denge? After a point, you’ve just got to be yourself, whether it’s good or bad — at least you’re yourself. Otherwise after some time, you won’t even know who you are.

I feel that bringing people to come and buy the ticket is tough today. You can make a good film, and many good films are being made, but not all of them make money. It’s not like we are not making good films. I saw Superboys Of Malegaon aur mujhe bahut acchi lagi. I loved Laapataa Ladies and 12th Fail; the movie was also a hit, but it could have made even more money given that it was such a good film. Then there is a film like Dhurandhar, which is an entertaining film, it has stars and everything comes together and it does well. So, it’s possible, but not easy. It was never easy.

Driven by: Jeep

Location courtesy: Luuma House

After performing his new play Jaane Pehchaane Anjane in Mumbai last weekend, Anupam Kher is bringing it to Delhi. The veteran actor is also fresh off a proud international moment. He won the Best Supporting Actor award at the UK Asian Film Festival earlier this month for the 2025 Indo-Canadian film Calorie.

Even after over four decades in cinema, the 71-year-old says that an award still gives him a high, especially on a global stage. He tells us, “It may sound dramatic, but actors don’t get to officially represent their country globally like how sportspersons do... Whenever I work abroad, I say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ before every project; I’m representing 1.4 billion people.”

But celebrating such wins, he feels, has become difficult now. “I was just talking to (actor) Anil Kapoor that people have stopped celebrating life and their wins because they think usko bhi log kuch na kuch bol denge,” the actor opines, adding, “We used to have such amazing Bollywood parties earlier by (filmmakers) Yash Chopra or Subhash Ghai; we don’t have them today anymore kyunki logon ko celebrate karne mein darr lagta hai, ki kahin na kahin koi kuch galat nikaal lega.”

As an example, Anupam points to the trolling faced by actor Alia Bhatt after her recent appearance at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival: “Losers who have nothing to do in life just want to get noticed by criticising something iconic. Criticism has become the favourite national pastime. I don’t get angry with them anymore, I feel pity.”

The actor is currently busy with his new theatre play Jaane Pehchaane Anjane, which comes to Delhi this week after being staged in Mumbai last weekend. “I have been performing my one-man show Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai for the last 21 years. But this is a new play, and this is the first time we have so many actors in one play,” he shares.

Based on a Marathi play, it has been turned into a musical by composer Anu Malik, with Anupam singing the title track himself. “Theatre shows me that I can still push my boundaries and it keeps me alive as a person, not only as an actor,” he adds.

He grabbed attention online when he took the Vande Bharat from Jaipur to Delhi, in support of PM Narendra Modi’s save fuel campaign and austerity measures. In a Reel on Monday, he urged people to use public transport where possible: “Where possible, we should use public transport, do carpooling. We should avoid taking out our car for short distances... In our daily lives, we should make small changes.”

Sequels, and then some more. That’s what Subhash Ghai is thinking of these days. Almost 27 years after Taal (1999) became a smash hit at the box office, the filmmaker revealed to mid-day that he is crafting its sequel.

Starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshaye Khanna, and Anil Kapoor, the popular musical told the story of a talented village singer who rises to stardom after being heartbroken. So, will the sequel take the story forward? “We cannot have the same actors of Taal today as they are older. So, an extension of the original story is out. But it will be a musical love story. I want fresh faces to play the lead roles,” he said.

Those hoping to see Rai in a cameo, at least, are in for disappointment. The filmmaker said, “Mukta Arts has never had these gimmicks of having stars as cameos in their movies. So, Akshaye, Aishwarya, and Anil will not be there in Taal 2. If we require star power, we can request anyone, but the character needs to be justified.”

Ghai has been writing the love story over the past few years. Even as he has developed its world, he is certain of not directing it. He stated, “I’d like to have a well-known director to helm it. We plan to announce Taal 2 by October.”

That isn’t the only sequel Ghai is considering. He is also developing the second part to his all-star action drama, Karma (1986). “The time has come when people want to see a story’s sequel. Like in Karma, what happened to Dr Dang or Baiju [Anupam Kher and Jackie Shroff’s characters respectively]? Karma 2 is next in the pipeline.”

There appears to be a last-minute location shift for King, starring Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana. The unit was scheduled to shoot a large-scale desert action sequence, featuring Anil Kapoor and Suhana, in Dubai. However, the ongoing conflict in West Asia has prompted filmmaker Siddharth Anand to call off the international leg and reimagine it in Mumbai.

According to a source close to the production, the Dubai schedule was locked months in advance. “The team had procured the necessary permissions to shoot in the emirate. It was supposed to be a week-long schedule from April 9. But given the dynamic situation in the region, the makers decided not to take any risk with the cast and crew’s safety.”

Instead, the sequence will now be filmed in a Vile Parle studio, where the production design team has recreated a desert landscape.

“They’ve gone all out to match the scale that Siddharth envisioned for the set-piece. In fact, this gives them more control over action beats and lighting. The sequence begins with a chase, resulting in an intense combat.”

It’s not every day in the industry that a one line idea gets a star to commit to a film. But filmmaker Suresh Triveni tells us that rarity happened when he narrated the idea of Subedaar to Anil Kapoor. “Our man said yes and then asked, ‘Kab banana hai?’” the director recounts the phone call he had with Kapoor.

The Prime Video film, also starring Radhika Madan, tells the story of a former army man (Kapoor) coming to terms with the civilian life. For his protagonist, Triveni drew inspiration from Kapoor’s iconic characters of the ‘80s.

“He is one actor, who has over the period of time, adapted himself beautifully in different roles. But we can never forget Munna from Tezaab (1988) or Mr India (1987). He has a presence, which is cinematic. So that inspired me. And I wanted to write a story of a man of the soil. That’s where it started,” he shares.

And it’s only been a joy ride for him to direct the star, not only for his dedication towards his craft but his hunger as a performer, despite his four-decade long experience in the industry.

“Anil sir does not like to be reminded about his past work. He says, ‘Tell me about today and tomorrow. Don’t tell me about yesterday. And I’m not kidding’,” the director says, adding that he has his lead star’s professionalism to thank for being able to wrap up the film in just over 40 days.

“He is so particular about the details [of the character]. Like, he’s got a book of records where he has actually noted down that what’s his hair growth and moustache growth like. He maintains a diary. His team knows that. That’s the amount of professionalism he brings to a film. Otherwise, I won’t be able to shoot a film in 44 days. It’s impossible. He is not complacent at all.”

Until mid-January, director Milap Zaveri and producer Bhushan Kumar were going full throttle on their next, an intense action drama with Tiger Shroff and Vidyut Jammwal. But things have a way of changing overnight in the film industry. Now, it is heard that Zaveri and the T-Series head honcho will start another project, which will see the director reuniting with his Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat (2025) actor Harshvardhan Rane.

mid-day has learnt that Anil Kapoor is in talks to play a pivotal role in the yet-untitled movie that is expected to roll this month.

A trade source revealed, “The makers are in the final stage of discussion with Anil. Milap will direct the actor for the first time.” What of the Shroff and Jammwal-starrer then? Apparently, the actors had started training for the actioner.

The source indicated that creative differences led to the film being put on the backburner. “Milap chose to do Harshvardhan’s movie over the other as too many creative differences were creeping in. It can happen when you cast two action heroes, but they shouldn’t interfere in the script. That said, it was an amicable parting. There was also a date clash as the makers wanted to begin the Harshvardhan movie in February, and no way would the Vidyut-Tiger film be complete by then.”

Producer Deepak Mukut has reacted for the first time to reports suggesting that he has sold the rights of Nayak to Anil Kapoor for a proposed sequel. Dismissing the speculation, Mukut told Bombay Times that the sequel is being developed jointly and that there has been no standalone transfer of rights.

“I won’t be able to talk much but I can only say that we are doing it together. We are fine with all the rumours, but we are doing it together. It is under process. We will announce it shortly,” Mukut said, addressing the chatter around the project.

Speaking about revisiting the 2001 political drama, the producer stressed the emotional and cultural weight attached to Nayak. “It is a legacy project. It’s been almost 25 years. Every film has its own destiny. When the time comes, it happens. And we realised it is a good time to do it now. We had an understanding and we are doing it together, beyond that I won’t be able to speak,” he added.

When asked about timelines, Mukut made it clear that the makers are proceeding cautiously. “Once the script is locked. Nayak is a big legacy so we will only go on floors when everything is fixed. We are trying for this year,” he said.

Directed by S Shankar, Nayak: The Real Hero starred Anil Kapoor in the role of Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, a television cameraman who is unexpectedly sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a day, only to take on systemic corruption with sweeping reforms. The film also featured Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal and Johnny Lever in pivotal roles. An official remake of Shankar’s Tamil blockbuster Mudhalvan (1999), Nayak went on to gain a cult following over the years.

While talks of a sequel have surfaced multiple times over the years, the issue of who currently holds the rights to Nayak remains ambiguous, with neither side spelling out the exact legal ownership. For now, Mukut maintains that the sequel is a collaborative effort and that an official announcement will be made once the groundwork is complete.

Bollywood legend Dharmendra, 89, passed away at his Mumbai residence on Monday, November 24, following a month-long illness. His eldest son, Sunny Deol, conducted the last rites at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle at 1:30 pm, with members of the Deol family by his side. Joining them were Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Abhishek Bachchan, and Agastya Nanda, among others.

The actor's health had been cause for concern since he was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for breathing difficulties, on October 31. Well-placed sources informed mid-day that it was initially described as a precautionary, routine age-related health check-up, but when his respiratory problems persisted, it indicated serious distress to his lungs. On November 1, he had been placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for closer monitoring.

On November 10, Dharmendra’s condition had deteriorated further, which is when he was put on ventilator support in the ICU. However, speculative news reports on his health led to immediate pushback from his family, who claimed he was “stable and improving.”

In the early hours of November 12, Dharmendra was discharged from the hospital. His treating physician, Dr Pratit Samdani, confirmed to the media that the family had decided to continue his recovery at home. He said, “Dharmendra-ji was discharged around 7:30 am. He will be treated at home, as the family has decided to give him treatment at home.”

On the same day, the family also issued a public appeal, requesting privacy amid swirling media speculation. They said, “Mr Dharmendra has been discharged from the hospital and will continue his recovery at home. We kindly request the media and the public to refrain from any further speculation and to respect his and the family’s privacy during this time. We appreciate everyone’s love, prayers, and good wishes for his continued recovery, good health, and long life. Please respect him because he loves you.”

According to sources close to the family, Dharmendra’s health was still fragile after leaving the hospital, with regular checkups continuing at his Juhu residence, even while prep for his 90th birthday was underway.

On the closing night of the Jagran Film Festival, collaborator and filmmaker Anil Sharma told the press, “He is doing much better than before. Please pray for him. God willing, we will celebrate his birthday on December 8, with much fanfare.” Unfortunately, this was not to be.

Dharmendra is survived by his wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and children: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta Deol, Ajeeta Deol, Ahana Deol, and Esha Deol. Dharmendra’s family said that his final days were spent surrounded by loved ones as he battled his health issues quietly.

Dharmendra became the template of a leading man for a whole generation. He was able to bring warmth and toughness, which rewired how heroes were portrayed in Hindi cinema through the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. He effortlessly transitioned from being an action hero to a romantic lead, showing why versatility is essential to stardom. 

In pop culture, Dharmendra turned into a larger-than-life figure. The “He-Man of Bollywood” label stuck partly because he embodied the classic strong-but-soft archetype. But his movies reflected his range. Sholay is the obvious crown jewel, where his chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan helped define buddy-action films. But it’s the comedies like Chupke Chupke that made him a household name. Films like Phool Aur Patthar, Dharamveer, Dreamgirl, Blackmail, Anupama, Bandini, Satyakam, and Seeta Aur Geeta showed the world how he could switch between genres effortlessly — going from small dramas to blockbuster action fare to grand romance, even supporting parts in strong films, all for a good movie in his repertoire.

His last film is the upcoming war drama Ikkis, based on the life of Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetarpal. Helmed by Sriram Raghavan, it is set to release on December 25.