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.”

If you were old enough to watch television in the 1980s, you know Renu Verma. During the pandemic, you met her again. She was the witty, level-headed neighbour from Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, the 1984 Doordarshan sitcom that found a new audience on OTT. The character became one of Indian television’s most enduring icons, thanks to former Miss India Swaroop Sampat.

Now, after a 25-year break from theatre, Sampat is back on stage opposite Anupam Kher in the musical Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane. We meet at a rehearsal studio where she talks about the lessons she learnt from Shafi Inamdar and Rakesh Bedi, and why she believes no other actress could have achieved what she has outside cinema.

Director Gajendra Ahire first thought of casting Sampat after visiting her home to meet her younger son, Aditya Rawal.

“I was amazed that someone so accomplished was serving us tea so casually,” he recalls. When Anupam Kher decided to adapt Ahire’s Marathi play Shvegyachya Shenga into Hindi, Ahire suggested Sampat for the lead.

The offer left her conflicted. Husband Paresh Rawal warned that theatre demanded too much after such a long gap. Her sons were divided. “Anirudh said, ‘I don’t know if you should do it, but it will be nice if you do.’ Aditya said, ‘Come what may, you have to do it.’ They weren’t much help!” she laughs.

Then Kher sent her a brief voice note: “Aap toh aise na the, Swaroop ji.” She gave in.

The play marks her first stage appearance since Shaadi@Barbaadi.com, in which she starred with Paresh Rawal 25 years ago. Yet theatre was her first home. Her father, Bachu Sampat, was Chief Producer of the Indian National Theatre, and she practically grew up backstage.

“By nine, I had learnt make-up by watching theatre doyenne Sarita Joshi. I also learnt how to change saris in seconds. In this play, I have nine costume changes, and I think of her every night.”

After winning Miss India in 1979, Bollywood came calling. But she turned away from most offers. “The films being made in the 1980s did not match my sensibilities.”

She appeared in Naram Garam and Nakhuda, but it was Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi that made her a household name. Behind the scenes, she says, the cast became family. “Shafi Inamdar and Rakesh Bedi taught this South Bombay girl the choicest Hindi gaalis,” she laughs.

Although she stepped away from the spotlight to focus on family, she never entirely left acting. She later appeared in All The Best, and more recently in Ki & Ka and Uri: The Surgical Strike.

“Now, Aditya Dhar is the kind of director I’d love to work with. I’m also open to OTT if the role and the project excite me,” she says.

Interestingly, some of her most significant work happened far from film sets.

A conversation with Paresh Rawal inspired her to complete her education after dropping out years earlier. She eventually earned a PhD in Education from the University of Worcester on a full scholarship. Her doctoral research, The Role of Drama in Enhancing Life Skills in Children with Disabilities, became the foundation for years of work in education policy and classroom training across India. She taught life skills to children in some of the country’s most remote regions, including Bindevpada, a village whose name translates as “A Place Without God”.

“I am ambitious, and I chose to do what truly made me happy,” she says. “No actress could have done what I’ve done in education.”

The remark is neither boastful nor defensive. It is simply how she measures success.

Moments later, rehearsal calls. Despite nursing an injured foot, Sampat heads upstairs for another run-through. The tour will soon take Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane across the US and Canada. After decades away, the stage once again feels like home.

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.”

During the 2020 lockdown, actor and director Boman Irani began Spiral Bound, an initiative that trained aspiring screenwriters. Six years on, it has grown into a nurturing hub for writers. The actor, who had announced a writing competition after conducting 870 sessions, is set to felicitate the winners at a special gala in Bandra on April 30.

Irani told mid-day that the idea of the competition was to instill confidence in the writers. He explained, “Many of them are afraid to share their work. They are unsure whether the writing is good or bad. So, I told them to just write, send it ahead, and come for the gala.”

Noted writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar will felicitate the winners. Other attendees include Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar, Sooraj Barjatya, and Anupam Kher.

Irani added, “I told the students that so many people are turning up to support writers. If we don’t support writers, we can’t complain that we are not getting [good] stories.” We got to support the writers, pay them well and give them a place on that stage. They set the ball rolling, and if you don't respect and encourage that, we have no right to complain,” he said

Top 10 among the applicants will be announced at the event, while the best three will be rewarded with a trip to Moscow.

Irani shared. “The Russian Film Confederation is sponsoring them a trip to Moscow. The trip will take place in June. And it’s not just about the trip, what matters is that they can turn around and say that their writing got them there, something that everyone say has no money and gratification. But there is a prize, a victory and gratification. And that’s what I'm proud of, because what it's doing is waking up people. Finally you get messages from people, saying, ‘I'm so glad you did this. Finally I'm not afraid to put pen on paper’,” he said, adding that Spiral Bound precisely aims to make writers more confident about their skills. 

“No one is ever scolded or reprimanded in the class, even if they ask stupid questions. Ask the questions. Clarify your doubts. There's so much of learning. It's not just a community. It's not a support group. It's where serious, hardcore, high-level learning happens. I've been trained by Oscar-winning writer Alexander Dinelaris Jr, whose next is with Tom Cruise. He teaches me, I share. It’s as simple as that,” Irani said.

Apart from teaching, Irani also makes sure he helps students earn opportunities by recommending them to the right people in the industry.

“It has to be done, right? Otherwise what’s the point of all of this? We had a girl in our class in 2020. I have her a prompt to write a scene. She wrote the scene and it had four-five lines in it. But I told her to apply what we teach. Today, she is writing multiple web series. I'm not trying to be ‘Mr Nice Guy’. I have a great love for cinema and I'm looking forward to good movies. So, this is out of a very selfish reason.”

On World Theatre Day today, Anupam Kher says the stage still unsettles him, in the best way. “Nervousness is still there… I don’t eat on the day of a show, I’m petrified,” admits the 71-year-old, adding that the fear is what keeps him “alive” as an actor.

Calling theatre a necessity, he says, “It takes away the dust that can accumulate… the fear of no retake. Theatre is pure magic.” The direct connection with the audience remains unmatched. “There is nothing in between. You feel palpitation… that means you are alive.”

Now returning to stage with Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane, he emphasises relatability. “I like to do plays where the audience identifies with the story… they should take away something from it.”

With an international tour across the US and Canada planned, Kher believes theatre’s appeal is timeless. “Cultures may differ, but emotions remain the same… it’s an experience that never gets old.”

A long-held aspiration is taking shape for Saiee M Manjrekar as she steps into period cinema with The India House. Set in 1905 against the backdrop of love and revolution, the pan-India film features her as Sati. Produced by Ram Charan and Abhishek Agarwal, the Ram Vamsi Krishna directorial also stars Nikhil Siddharth and Anupam Kher.

Saiee shares, “Acting in a period drama has always been one of my dreams. As soon as I knew I wanted to be an actor, I knew I wanted to be in a period drama, so it feels like a dream come true. Being part of The India House feels special and surreal. When I first heard the narration, I knew this was not just another film, but a story that carries emotion, history and purpose.”

Her character brings together contrasting traits. She says, “My role is Sati, and it’s a beautiful part. She is strong-willed, yet soft and kind-hearted. Finding that balance within myself has been a very exciting process.”

Adapting to the demands of a period setting came with its own learning curve. She says, “I remember in the middle of a scene, I would end up saying ‘please’ or ‘thank you’, phrases we use casually in other genres. I would then apologise and do the scene again. It has been an interesting process, learning about that time and understanding how people lived, dressed and spoke. Shooting in Hampi, surrounded by such a rich past, has added another layer of emotion to my performance.”

The experience of working with the film’s team has also been significant. “Working on Ram Charan sir’s maiden production is something I truly value. He is one of the biggest stars in the South industry, yet his vision as a producer is rooted in storytelling and authenticity. The respect he has for cinema and everyone involved reflects in every detail of this film. Sharing screen space with Nikhil Siddharth and Anupam Kher sir has been a huge learning experience. Being on set with actors of such calibre pushes you to give your best every day. I feel fortunate to be part of a film that celebrates love, revolution and the spirit of India,” she concludes.

Prashant Bhagia, Anupam Kher, and Savita Raj Hiremath

The Khosla household is back in a familiar territory as cameras roll once again, on the sequel to Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006). The film, which recently went on floors in Gurgaon, reunites key members of the original cast while expanding the story with new characters and conflicts.

Tara Sharma Saluja, Anupam Kher, Ranvir Shorey, Ravi Kishan, Kiran Juneja, and Parvinn Dabbass are presently filming the sequel in Gurgaon, with Boman Irani and Divya Khosla expected to join soon. The new film continues from where the original ended, with the characters older, settled and facing fresh challenges.

Producer Savita Raj Hiremath tells mid-day that the long gap was inevitable. “Good things take time and it wasn’t easy to make the sequel as expectations are more. There are so many actors in the movie, finding the right story was important.” She adds, “Director Dibakar Banerjee and writer Jaideep Sahni aren’t involved this time. My team and I have written the story this time.”

Though Banerjee was approached, the sequel eventually found a new director in ad filmmaker Prashant Bhagia. “If they say that KKG is not their zone anymore, obviously I had to find another director, and I found that simplicity in Prashant.”

Despite the shift, the emotional core remains. “When we say KKG we mean there is something more about the ghosla that matters a lot to the Khoslas,” says Hiremath.

In 2020, actor Naseeruddin Shah had called Anupam Kher a “clown” and a sycophant while criticizing his pro-government stance on social media. Anupam had responded sharply at the time with a video on X. Now, in a recent conversation with Samdish on YouTube, Kher has revealed that Naseeruddin later apologized to him in person.

Speaking about their equation, Kher said, “I still have great respect for him. However, he sometimes speaks loosely about me. We met recently at H D Pathak’s death, where he apologized and said, ‘Sorry, yaar.’ He hugged me, because I always hug him. I genuinely like him a lot, and he is one of the actors who inspired me to take up acting. But I think sometimes he just says these things.”

Kher added that despite Shah’s brilliance, he often senses “bitterness” in his comments. “He is a brilliant and intelligent man and God has given him so much. Nobody is a bigger star than him in parallel cinema. Yet sometimes his bitterness targets me, sometimes Dilip Kumar, and sometimes Rajesh Khanna.”

From picking up an audience member’s call in the middle of his session to going around the auditorium and asking people what they would call their biopic, actor Anupam Kher’s masterclass on ‘Giving Up Is Not A Choice’ at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) had something in store for each person present.

The actor shared some personal anecdotes, all in sync with the topic. For example, in his debut film Saaransh (1984), he was replaced even before the shoot started! “I had prepped for months, and asked Mahesh Bhatt,‘Why did you cast me?’ He replied, ‘Bald hai na!’ because the character required an old man. Later, I was told I have been replaced by Sanjeev Kumar. I got so angry… maine Mahesh Bhatt ko jaakar bola ‘aap duniya ke number one fraud ho. Main brahmin hoon, main aapko shraap deta hoon!’ I packed my luggage, and stormed off downstairs. Upar se Mahesh ji ne awaaz maari ‘vaapis aaja’! I did this because giving up was just not a choice for me.”

Further, recalling when Hollywood actor Robert De Niro, ‘God of acting’ for him, threw Anupam out during a heated scene in Silver Linings Playbook (2012). After waiting outside in the cold for 45 minutes, he confronted director David O Russell over his character’s treatment. Later, the scene was revised with De Niro supporting his view.

“Today I feel proud that I can call Mr Robert De Niro one of my friends. I did all that on the shoot day because giving up was not a choice,” he concluded.

Dilliwale Mr Khosla is back! In October 2024, producer Savita Raj Hiremath had announced that the sequel to director Dibakar Banerjee’s much loved Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006) was in the works, a piece of news that cheered not only its fans but also its cast members. Now, mid-day has exclusively learnt that the film is set to go on floors in December.

Confirming the news, leading man Anupam Kher tells mid-day, “We are starting Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 next month.”

The National Award-winning film — also starring Boman Irani, Parvin Dabas, and Ranvir Shorey — told the story of Kher’s Kamal Kishore Khosla, whose plan of building a house for his family comes crashing when an unethical real estate builder dupes him. Through the satire, Banerjee, who made his directorial debut, examined the corruption that often eats up the hard-earned savings of the common man in India.

Unfortunately, Banerjee won’t helm the sequel. While details about the director and script are under wraps, Kher shares that the original cast will return. “It’s a brilliant script. That was my major concern — the script has to be great. I am excited to reunite with the cast on the set next month,” he says.

Sooraj Barjatya has plunged straight into his next directorial venture with Ayushmann Khurrana — and he is wasting no time. The film, originally titled Prem Ki Shaadi, is now called Yeh Prem Mol Liya. It went on floors on November 1, and the team has already wrapped a week-long song shoot in Kandivli. The cast and crew will now begin a 60-day start-to-finish schedule.

The next leg, beginning this week at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai, is designed to film most of the drama and family sequences, according to sources from the production house. Intricately detailed indoor sets have been constructed across three floors of the studio.

“The team plans to wrap up the shoot by January 2026. Almost 80 per cent of the film will be completed in Mehboob, with a few outdoor patch portions. The idea is to maintain the creative continuity and shoot the emotional graph of the story in one flow,” reveals a crew member.

The first song, filmed over seven days, featured the lead cast, a large ensemble, and 200 background dancers. “The song was choreographed in true Barjatya fashion. It sets the tone for the film’s world and introduces the leads in a big, joyous way,” says an insider from the unit.

Led by Khurrana, Yeh Prem Mol Liya features Sharvari as the leading lady, with Anupam Kher, Seema Pahwa, and Supriya Pathak in pivotal roles. Unlike his previous films, Barjatya is said to be exploring a more contemporary take on love and relationships with this romantic family drama.

Veteran actor Satish Shah, beloved for his roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983), Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984), Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Main Hoon Na (2004), passed away at his Mumbai residence on Saturday. He was 74. An FTII graduate, Shah began with small yet striking roles in Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978), Gaman (1979) and Umrao Jaan (1981), before becoming a cult favourite as the corrupt D’Mello in Kundan Shah’s Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro . From Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994) to Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Shah’s warmth and comic timing defined an era of Hindi cinema. Tributes have been pouring in from actors and contemporaries who worked with him, celebrating a performer who made laughter timeless.

Anupam Kher paid tribute to the late actor with an emotional video on Instagram. “What is happening? In the past 3-4 days so many good people have left, that too the ones that have worked with me. Behind this empty smile of mine is a lot of sadness. Satish Shah... I used to say Satish mere Shah (Satish, my king),” he said in the video.

“He was a great friend of mine, it is just shocking. I am revisiting Switzerland where we shot Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and I saw the news that Satish Shah is no more. He was in Dilwale and Hum Aapke Hain Koun and in so many more. He used to laugh and make us laugh,” he added.

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The heavens will be a merrier and a happier place now. Satish ji will make the Gods laugh out loud as they admire their own creation. Thank you for being such a solid wind beneath my wings early on in my career… for constantly believing in me and egging me on – R Madhavan, Shah’s co-star, in 1997 TV show Jamai Raja

We’ve lost a great artiste & my dearest friend of over 40 years. It’s hard to believe – I had spoken to him just two days ago. Satish Bhai, you will truly be missed. Your immense contribution to film and television will never be forgotten – Johny Lever

“Loving, full of life and playful just like his popular onscreen character of Indravadan Sarabhai” – that’s how the team of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai remembers Satish Shah, who played the witty patriarch of the South Mumbai family in the show that premiered in 2004.

Sumeet Raghvan said, “It is such a rude shock. He was in and out of hospital, he had kidney issues. He was a fabulous human being and an actor. We all have seen his great body of work. I’ve known him for the last 20 years, he was the real-life Indravadan Sarabhai, a prankster. I would be his partner in crime. Whenever we would chat, he would tell me, ‘Don’t let the child in you die or grow, keep the child alive’. He made sure the child in him was always alive.”

Rajesh Kumar, who portrayed the fan-favourite Rosesh, Indravadan’s younger son, said, “This is the worst hour for me. I still cannot process that Satish ji is no more. All I can say is that I feel I have lost my father. He was a man full of life and humour. He made his name and left a mark as an actor. This is a big, big loss to the industry and us, Sarabhai family.” ​

Shah’s co-star from Nehle Pe Dehla, Rajesh Puri, who shared a long friendship with Shah and also worked with him in multiple projects, said, “We worked together even before I did Hum Log , collaborating on several TV shows and films. I wonder what happened to him. Earlier, we used to meet a lot when we worked together. It is very unbearable at the moment.”

The veteran actor fondly recalled working with Shah on the show Nehle Pe Dehla (1999–2000), remembering how the late actor would often tease him, and make everyone laugh. “I will really miss him. It was just last week that I was thinking about catching up with him,” he added.

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The last rites of late actor Satish Shah were conducted in Mumbai on Sunday, a day after he died of renal failure at 74. Earlier, his mortal remains were kept at his residence in Bandra for antim darshan.

Several industry A-listers, friends, and colleagues got together to bid a final farewell to Shah, including Kunal Kohli, Jackie Shroff, Johnny Lever, Aanjjan Srivastav, Poonam Dhillon, Ali Asgar, Tiku Talsania, and Suresh Oberoi.

The cast and crew of his iconic sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai were also present, including Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajesh Kumar, Rupali Ganguly, Sumeet Raghvan, Deven Bhojani, and JD Majethia were also present. Clips of them singing the show’s theme song at the cremation also surfaced on social media.

Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a still of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, writing, “Rest in glory Satish Shah.”

R Madhavan shared an old photo featuring himself, Satish and Mandira Bedi from their get-together. The three had worked together in the sitcom Ghar Jamai.

Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “Another day another work another quiet... Another one of us passes away... Satish Shah, a young talent, and has left us at a very young age. And these times of the grim... it bodes not well to express in normalcy... but the show must go on... and so it does, as does life.” They starred together in the 2008 film Bhootnath.

Anupam Kher shared an emotional video for Satish after the actor’s “shocking” death. Writing in the caption “Satish mere Shah”, he said in the video, “Kya ho raha hai yeh? Teen-chaar din mein itne acche acche log chale gaye. Kya ho raha hai yeh?”

Sumeet Raghvan wrote, “As the show continues to grow, so does our bond. Whenever we met, we didn’t talk as Sumeet, Rupali or Rajesh. Then, were Sahil, Monisha, Rosesh, Dad, and Mom. That’s how we talk with each other. Today, the head of the Sarabhai family, our most senior member, has left us. Kaafi dinon se woh joojh rahe thhe. Finally, life can be very cruel.”

Farah Khan wrote on Instagram, “Rest in peace dearest, Satish. You were a joy to know and work with. Will miss you sending me memes and jokes every day.”

Johnny Lever said, “Feeling extremely sad to share that we’ve lost a great artist and my dearest friend of over 40 years. It’s hard to believe — I had spoken to him just two days ago.”

Rajesh Kumar reflects, “All I can say is that it feels like I have lost my father.. A man full of life and humour. Challenging everything. His name left his mark as an actor. This is a big, big loss to the industry and the (Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai’s family). Let’s pray for his departed soul and keep him in your prayers.”

Rakesh Bedi remembers Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi co-star: “I’ve known him since 1974, when we joined FTII. We’ve been classmates, flatmates, and have been friends for all these years. I never saw him sulking. He would always talk about things with so much passion and joy, especially his work. Even when he was unwell, the doctor would come, and he’d crack jokes with him. This was the beauty of that man.”

This October 20 marked three decades since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge first came to our screens, yet the love for the film continues to grow with every generation. Looking back at the phenomenon, actor Anupam Kher, who played the role of actor Shah Rukh Khan’s father, says he always knew the film would be extraordinary. “It’s not about how many years it ran, but the fact that it changed the grammar and rhythm of Indian cinema. That’s what makes it a cult film,” the 70-year-old says.

Reminiscing about the film’s premiere, Anupam shares an unforgettable moment: “When the screening ended, there was complete silence for almost a minute as everyone was just absorbing what they had witnessed. And then, the whole theatre erupted in applause. It was a standing ovation that just didn’t end. That’s when we knew this film had touched something deeper.”

The film, directed by Aditya Chopra, broke several cinematic conventions, especially the idea of a rebellious hero defying parents, and Anupam’s portrayal of a cool, supportive father became an instant favourite. “People still tell me, ‘I wish my father were like you in DDLJ.’ Before that, audiences had never seen such a father on screen; someone who was a friend, a motivator, and not just an authority figure. DDLJ gave the ‘90s its coolest father figure,” he laughs.

The actor further adds that his bond with actors Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol has remained unchanged over the years. “Back then, there were no vanity vans, no mobile phones, no managers or security guards. We built relationships with our hearts, not our schedules. We knew each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and emotions. Those connections were real,” he says, adding, “I always say some relationships are like a pause button, you just press play and continue from where you left off.”

Reflecting on how the industry has evolved since then, Anupam notes, “Every era has its beauty. In those days, we had time to build personal relationships because there were no distractions. Today’s generation has other advantages — information, access, technology. We didn’t have Google or ChatGPT... I’ve learned more from technology now than I ever did before,” he ends.

Shubhangi debuted in Hindi films with actor Anupam Kher’s directorial, Tanvi The Great. Being an outsider, the actor feels it was a dream working with an ensemble cast that led her on every step of the way.

Shubhangi refers to the seasoned actors — her co-stars Pallavi Joshi, Boman Irani, Anupam, Arvind Swami and Jackie Shroff — as “lions”. She shares, “We all used to eat together when we were shooting in Lansdowne (Uttarakhand) and I remember feeling like a cub protected by lions. It instinctively felt so because that’s the vibe and energy I got. They protected me.”

Having started her journey in acting with them, she says it has shaped her well as an actor and as a human being. “On screen or offscreen, there’s just something so captivating about all of them. I used to be awestruck and starstruck. I’m just counting my blessings as working with them is more than a dream come true.”

Hailing from Anupam’s acting school, she was chosen by him for the role of an autistic girl, which is inspired by his niece, Tanvi. Shubhangi underwent rigorous physical training and spent time with autistic kids to prepare for her part. Having worked with Anupam in his acting school and now the film, she says, “Anupam sir is a mentor and my guiding light. He was also strict, but everything you see on screen, unki hi wajah se hua hai.”

Very few actors get a dream launch. Shubhangi Dutt admits debuting with Tanvi The Great, directed by Anupam Kher, is something she hadn’t even imagined. She was one of the many at Kher’s acting institute, Actor Prepares, who had auditioned for the role.

“They had shortlisted a few people. I think, sir [Kher] said that I was focused and hard-working. Maybe that also helped me get this role,” she reflects.

Since then, it has been an “overwhelming” ride — from sharing screen space with senior actors like Kher, Boman Irani, and Pallavi Joshi, to being officially introduced as the film’s lead actor by Kajol at a media event.

“Kajol ma’am is so versatile. Imagine sharing the stage with her! She was the first person to say my name out loud in front of the whole world. I was nervous, but at the same time, it was comforting because she is also a woman who started from somewhere and made a big name for herself,” says Dutt, adding that Shah Rukh Khan posting the film’s trailer was another high.

“I was asleep, and at 2.30 am, my brother knocked on my door and said that Shah Rukh sir had posted the trailer. After seeing it, I couldn’t sleep all night. I have been happy before, but this isn’t just happiness. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way.”

Tanvi the Great follows a 21-year-old woman with autism who is determined to join the Indian Army. How does one play a neurodivergent individual without compromising on its authenticity? Dutt says by “observing the soul” of Tanvi, Kher’s autistic niece, who is the movie’s inspiration.

“I spent 15 days with Tanvi. During that time, I asked Sir again and again, ‘Am I supposed to note down her characteristics? The way she responds?’ Sir matter-of-factly said, ‘Observe her soul.’ When I met Tanvi, she was so beautiful and present. Then I understood Sir’s words. What he wanted from me was sincerity and purity. He didn’t want mimicry.”

Shooting one’s first film can be exhilarating, but some days can be hard too. “I remember a scene where I had to deliver a dialogue, turn, and perform some gestures — all within one shot. I got really nervous; that was my first meltdown on set. I had two or three in total. It’s a lot to process. Usually, Sir is happiest with the first take. But when he is not satisfied, he’ll keep pushing you until it’s right. I was okay doing 50 or even 100 takes, but that’s not feasible. That pressure I put on myself was difficult.”

Actor Anupam Kher’s second directorial in more than two decades, Tanvi The Great, will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this May. Anupam shares that he wanted the film’s journey to start from “the Maha Kumbh of cinema”.

“I directed Om Jai Jagadish in 2002, but that was not my story. After that, I didn’t direct any film. I wanted it to come from within me, an Indian film for international viewing. I’ve been waiting to direct another film for 23 years now,” says the 70-year-old.

Anupam adds that he has made the film with a theatrical release in mind: “The film has an Indian character, but it’s a universal film. That’s why I am spending money, taking actors there (Cannes) — it’s a huge kharcha. But I want to put the film on a pedestal. You will not ask Martin Scorcese if his film will release in theatres or OTT! I am not comparing myself to these greats, but when you are making a film with passion, uska jo marzi hashr ho, you make it for the cinemas.”

Ask Anupam, who has worked in international projects such as Silver Linings Playbook (2012), whether Indian films and talent are seen differently now, and he says, “It certainly has changed, but I have not made this film as a crusader. It has an international appeal which is why I signed on internationally known people such as (composer) MM Keeravani and (sound designer) Resul Pookutty, both Oscar winners. My DoP (Keiko Nakahara) is Japanese.”

Over three decades after it first hit the silver screen, the 1991 film Lamhe re-released in theatres last Friday. A cult favourite, the movie is also special for actor Anupam Kher, who starred alongside Anil Kapoor and Sridevi.

Talking about the film’s initial reception, Anupam tells us, “Now, it is a cult film, but back then it was ahead of its time.” He adds, “Today, a relationship between an older man and a younger woman is not a big deal, but people weren’t prepared for that 35 years ago. I find it ironic because people watch and appreciate films like Pretty Woman (1990). Aisi bahut saari films hain.”

Asserting that the film is one of the late director Yash Chopra’s finest works, the actor adds that its less-than-stellar theatrical run came as a surprise to the cast and crew: “I remember when Yash ji said ‘The film is not doing well’. It was a shock for us because we thought it was very good.”

Now that it is back in theatres, the 70-year-old feels Lamhe might get the reception it deserves. “I think people want to revisit anything to do with nostalgia. This film reminds people of the early ’90s — it’s not just about the story but about emotions.”

The Holi song Ang Se Ang Lagana from Darr, starring Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh Khan and Sunny Deol, remains popular to date. The track from the Yash Chopra directorial offered celebration and thrill in equal measure.

Recalling the shoot of the song, Juhi says, “We had shot the song on the lawns of a house in Lonavala. As for skin and hair care, we were young and clueless, and it was great. There were no fancy lotions, sunscreens and all that drama. The only thing was that we didn’t want to get a sunburn while shooting as there were a lot of outdoor shoots. I had a dupatta wrapped around my face for protection apart from the make-up we wore, and the big umbrellas held up by the spot boys.”

Juhi adds, “Back then, we didn’t have vanity vans, so the rooms on the upper floor of the house were used as make-up rooms, and we would come down to shoot, which was quite convenient. Shah Rukh came in for a day for his shots where he was playing drums, and Sunny ji (Sunny Deol), Anupam ji (Anupam Kher), Tanvi ji (Tanvi Azmi) and I continued with our portions. Sometimes, we would end up applying too much colour on our co-stars’ faces, but then we would realise that we went overboard and would reduce it to look pretty on screen. If you watch the song closely, you will notice jumps in continuity when it comes to the gulaal on our faces.”

Talking about off-screen Holi celebrations, she says, “Holi get-togethers at Yash ji’s (Yash Chopra) home were unforgettable. They were full of fun, food, colour and camaraderie.”

Neena Gupta feels her life, currently, is a long-running dream. The National Award-winning actor has as many as four diverse stories to tell in the coming months. Not just that, she is also enjoying the precious position of being able to say no to what doesn’t feel right.

“When [good] work comes, I take it up. When it goes to someone else, I feel bad. Now, I am able to say no to projects I don’t enjoy listening to. That makes me very happy. Earlier, I couldn’t because I had to survive,” she smiles. Gupta begins the year with the JioHotstar film, Dil Dosti Aur Dogs, in which the actor plays an emotionally withdrawn woman, who finds an unlikely companion in a furry friend. The actor says she relished entering an unfamiliar territory. “I have never played such a character. It was a big challenge and interesting for me to do,” she says.

Dil Dosti Aur Dogs also offered the actor another opportunity in the comedy space. It’s a genre Gupta has often taken up over her four decade career—from the classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) to her hit OTT outing Panchayat. The actor says comedy is the trickiest genre, which needs the hands of an able director.

“Not everyone is gifted with comic timing and you cannot acquire it. The director has a big role to play in this. If you fall on the wrong note, no one can help you. Long ago, I had replaced an actor on a comedy show. I was told that I had to take it two notes higher that what I was performing on. The pitch of the show was loud. I was so unhappy doing it, but I agreed because that was their style. One has to adapt to various directors. That way, Panchayat is amazing because it is so real that we don’t have to do anything,” says Gupta, who has just finished filming the fourth season of the Prime Video series.

The year will also see the senior actor in director Anurag Basu’s romantic drama, Metro… In Dino, which also stars Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal and Anupam Kher.

Gushing about her maiden collaboration with Basu, she says, “I keep asking him, ‘When are you casting me next?’ Mostly, my segment in the film is with Anupam Kher, but we aren’t playing a couple. We shot in Kolkata and Mumbai. There was so much spontaneity and improvisation on the set. It was great fun as well as a learning,” says Gupta.

She recently finished filming the sequel to her 2022 thriller, Vadh. And now, her eyes set on something more athletic.

“I want to do an action film or a spy thriller. I also want to play a glamorous, cool woman. There was a project in the action space that had come my way. I also had a double role in it but it didn’t work out due to financial reasons. It might work out tomorrow, who knows. I had gotten offered a spy film as well, but that also didn’t materialize. But that’s something I am inclined towards.”

It’s been 35 years since Agneepath hit the screens, and while it may not have been a box office success at the time, the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer has cemented its place as a cult classic. Here are some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories you might not know:

When Amitabh had to re-dub the whole film!

One of Amitabh’s most iconic dialogues remains his introduction as Vijay Deenanath Chauhan. But did you know his original deep baritone voice in the film was rejected by audiences?

Recalling the incident on Kaun Banega Crorepati, Amitabh shared, “There was a man who used to visit Kalyanji-Anandji’s home with a deep, husky voice. I thought, why not model Vijay’s voice after him? Later, I found out he came from an underground background, which suited the character perfectly. But when the movie released, the producer called, saying theatres were facing issues—audiences were tearing up seats and complaining, ‘This doesn’t sound like Amitabh, fix the sound system!’ To resolve it, I had to re-dub the entire film in my normal voice. That initial voice, though, was truly impactful.”

Who can forget the chartbuster Jumma Chumma from Hum? But did you know the song was originally meant for Agneepath? Amitabh felt it wouldn’t suit his character as a don, leading the makers to use a different track.

Interestingly, Archana Puran Singh was the first choice for the song instead of Kimi Katkar!

Back then, Devio paid  Rs. 150 for the bed, while Mithun, who was still trying to make it big, paid Rs. 75 and slept on the floor. One day, while Devio was at work, Mithun decided to use the bed — only to be scolded upon his return! This incident stayed with Mithun and later served as a reference for Krishnan Iyer’s character.

Danny Denzongpa’s iconic portrayal of Kancha Cheena in Agneepath almost didn’t happen! The role was first offered to Anupam Kher, who turned it down, feeling he couldn’t do justice to such a ruthless villain

According to Karan Johar, his mother Hiroo Johar suffered a heart attack while the family was already facing financial strain. Upon hearing the news, Amitabh rushed to the hospital and, without hesitation, offered his dates to his father, Yash Johar, for a new film—one inspired by Scarface. That film eventually became Agneepath, marking one of Amitabh’s most iconic performances.