July has been a busy month for actor Arshad Warsi, with the web series Pritam And Pedro releasing earlier this month and the multi-starrer Welcome To The Jungle next in line.

Amid the packed schedule, Warsi finds himself reflecting on how the industry’s work culture has changed since he made his debut in 1996. Recalling a conversation with filmmaker Rohit Shetty from the sets of the Golmaal franchise, the actor says, “There were two sequences where (actor) Ajay Devgn and I had to do some heavy stuff, like hanging, falling and running at a fast pace. We’d finish our take and wait for the next shot.”

He adds, “Rohit told me, ‘It’s so shocking that younger actors do one shot and then go for a massage, and we have to wait till they come back.’ And here were two actors nearing our sixties and simply waiting for the next setup.”

The 51-year-old agrees with Shetty and says that patience is a quality he believes the younger generation lacks: “The younger lot, unfortunately, are very delicate. They’re in a hurry and they’re not very accommodating. The good part is they’re professional, serious, and focused on what they want,” he concludes.

Disha Patani may be basking in the success of Welcome To The Jungle, but the actor says the film gave her a newfound appreciation for comedy — a genre she now believes is among the toughest to master. “Making people laugh is much harder than it looks. The challenge is to make it look effortless and natural,” says Disha, adding, “I’ve also learned a lot just by watching actors on set — Akshay (Kumar) sir, Johnny (Lever) sir and Arshad (Warsi). Observing them really helped me understand comedy as a genre better.”

“It’s not every day that you get to be part of a film with such a huge ensemble cast and so many talented people coming together. I love comedy, and the scale of this film was something that really excited me,” says Disha, adding, “As an actor, I don’t think you focus on competing or proving yourself. You focus on your character, do your best, and trust that if you’re sincere, your work will connect with the audience.”

The success comes at a time when the actor, who made her Bollywood debut with M S Dhoni - The Untold Story (2016) and has since featured in films such as Malang (2020), Ek Villain Returns (2022), Yodha (2024) and Kalki 2898 AD (2024), continues to balance commercial entertainers with action-driven roles.

Despite her strong social media presence and glamorous public image, Disha says she remains deeply introverted. “It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been a lot of challenges along the way, but every experience has taught me something valuable. Being an introvert, it’s not always easy to put yourself out there, but I think that’s part of the process. Looking back, I think the journey has made me stronger, more resilient and more appreciative of every opportunity.”

Asked about the kinds of roles she feels closest to, Disha says she naturally gravitates towards understated characters rather than larger-than-life personas.

“The more quiet, simple and emotionally grounded characters are probably closest to who I am in real life. I’m actually quite reserved and prefer letting my work speak for itself,” she says.

Three decades in, Arshad Warsi has learnt to navigate the industry without depending on constant attention. His career has unfolded steadily, shaped by patience, conviction, and a refusal to step away during quieter phases. “There will always be a place for me in the film industry,” he says, a belief that has quietly sustained his journey.

30 years in the film industry is not just a number. It is a reckoning. For Arshad, it is also a testament to something far quieter than ambition: patience.

He says, “Yes, the industry will test you. Hard work is something that everyone does, but if you believe in yourself and your potential, logically and strongly, and are patient, rest assured someday others will believe in you too. I think that’s what kept me going.”

He never gave up, not when the work slowed down, not when recognition was uneven, and not when the system seemed tilted against him. “I never gave up. I do believe that I’m a fairly decent actor and there is a place for me in this industry. In fact, there will always be a place for me in this industry.” 

Three decades later, he has not only claimed his space in Hindi cinema but continues to occupy it with ease and purpose.

Despite being known for his effortless comic timing, Arshad reflects on how comedy is often perceived in relation to leading men, and why that perception needs to change.

He says, “For the benefit of most comedians, actors or upcoming actors who are good at comedy, we unfortunately look down upon it, and that’s really sad. I don’t think one would ever ask an actor whether being good at action comes in the way of being a leading man. Or whether being good at romance and drama becomes a limitation. Why is it, then, that being good at comedy is seen as coming in the way of being a leading man?”

The answer, he believes, lies in a deep-seated cultural bias. He says, “People with a sense of humour are often seen as shallow, not serious, and unintelligent. When in reality, you have to be extremely bright, informed, sharp, and deep to be funny. It is a known fact that comedy is the most difficult form of acting. There are very few actors who can actually do comedy. Please give them the respect they deserve.”

The OTT wave has not unsettled Arshad Warsi. If anything, it feels like a validation of the kind of stories he has always believed in. He says, “The kind of cinema I liked is the kind being made on OTT. I have always been that actor who liked commercial cinema, but with a touch of reality. Illogical storytelling bothered me. Therefore, for me, it is a wonderful time because the kind of cinema I liked is now being made on OTT.”

Having witnessed the evolution of Hindi cinema over the years, Arshad embraces the changes rather than resisting them. He shares, “I honestly love and embrace all the changes in cinema, from what it used to be to what it is today. I enjoy this phase of the Hindi film industry and appreciate both the commercial and realistic aspects of filmmaking. Finally, our films are looking international. Films in the 1990s got away with a lot of illogical elements in the name of cinematic liberty. Today, you can’t. You have to be thorough with your script’s research. Actors have to look the part and stay true to the characters they portray.”

He sees this shift as necessary, with technology further expanding creative possibilities. He adds, “A film today is incomplete without special effects. The sky is the limit. You can achieve almost anything you imagine. Technology has changed the way films are experienced.”

The ripple effects of the West Asia conflict can be felt the world over, including in the Hindi film industry. On March 30, mid-day reported that the Dubai schedule of Shah Rukh Khan’s King had to scrapped (When war affects the King’s strategy, Mar 30). Now, the latest film to call off its Dubai shoot is the Akshay Kumar-starrer Welcome To The Jungle. Director Ahmed Khan was to take his ensemble comedy to the emirate for a song shoot, but is now reimagining it in Mumbai.

Postponing the track’s filming was out of the question as it includes the entire primary cast — Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutta Bhupathi, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, and many others — and getting their combination dates a second time over would have been difficult. So, the director did the next best thing. 

A source revealed, “Elaborate sets will be put up in Madh Island, Golden Tobacco Studio, and Film City in Goregaon. Created by production designer Sailesh Mahadik, the sets will depict night clubs, casinos, and private jets. Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah essentially imagined it as a glamorous song that shows how the rich live the good life. That’s why Dubai would have been the perfect location. The unit waited for a month for things to settle down there, but when they didn’t, they shifted the location.”

Khan will begin the song shoot on April 15. Confirming the location shift, the director told mid-day, “We will now shoot the song in Mumbai. It’s a glamorous song with the entire cast.”

Joining the list of newcomers making their acting debut in 2026 is Vir Hirani, son of filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. If things go as planned, the new kid on the block may appear on screen as early as this summer. mid-day has learnt that Vir’s maiden series, ‘Pritam Pedro’, which also marks the filmmaker’s first web offering, is being lined up for a May release on JioHotstar.

A source revealed, “The cyber crime thriller was originally mentioned in the streamer’s 2025-26 slate. But as work on the series went on for long, it is finally arriving this May.”

‘Pritam Pedro’ sees Arshad Warsi portray an old-school cop, compelled to team up with Vir’s young officer, who is a computer geek and uses technology to solve cases.

Rajkumar, who serves as the co-producer and showrunner, had originally cast Vikrant Massey in the role of the young cop. The actor, however, had to exit the project. “Vir wasn’t supposed to be launched with ‘Pritam Pedro’. But during casting changes, Hirani felt Vir could fit in as a young tech geek,” said another insider.

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Vir Hirani will also be seen in director Shakun Batra’s next, an OTT film that is expected to roll soon

Reports have been rife that producer Firoz Nadiadwala is set to kickstart the fourth installment of the popular comedy franchise Welcome, even before it's threequel Welcome To The Jungle releases in the theatres.

Speaking to us, Nadiadwala confirmed that Welcome 4 is indeed in the works. "We are in the advanced stages of scripting and we will let you know earliest," he confirms to Bombay Times, and adds, "However, I can say that the music and action that we are planning is going to be massive. We have thought of multi-cultural music with heads coming together from across continents like the Middle East, Africa, USA, and China. The coming together of Uday bhai, Majnu Bhai, Dr. Ghungroo and more than one dons (there will be more than one antagonist) is probably going to be like 10 on the Richter scale. We are working towards locking them. Keeping the actors in mind, we are scripting and writing the scenes accordingly."

The original Welcome, directed by Anees Bazmee, starred Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar. Its sequel Welcome Back, also directed by Bazmee, saw Rawal, Kapoor and Patekar reprise their roles. For the third installment, Welcome To The Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan, Kumar has rejoined the franchise alongside the returning cast. It remains unclear whether he will headline the fourth film.

The upcoming third film boasts a massive ensemble cast. Over the past few months, multiple reports have arrived about the movie getting delayed. Addressing these rumours for the first time, Nadiadwala says, "They were rumours for a reason. That's the difference between a fact and a rumor."

He adds, "I would like to say the movie is complete and the entire credit goes to the team which is headed by Mr. Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi and Suniel Shetty and Mr. Ahmed Khan. They are the one along with the entire cast and crew who made it happen. It's not a small thing both in terms of planning it on a creative aspect, budgetary, expect logistical aspect and then finally to carry it all out. It is not an easy task to shoot with several army helicopters and hundreds of horses. For one of the songs we shot in Dubai, we used multi high end cars which cost at around 400 crores. But the movie is finished now, and is releasing on June 26th."

Director Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut film Boong has made history as the first Indian movie to win a BAFTA Award. Actor Vikram Kochhar, the only Bollywood name in the Manipuri-language film, calls the moment “extremely elating” yet bittersweet.

“It’s a proud moment for all of us, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating the team. I’m happy my choice to back indie cinema paid off. But it’s also sad that we’re celebrating the film only after the West recognised it,” he says.

Released last year, the film struggled for screens in India. “My parents in Hyderabad and friends in Bengaluru couldn’t watch it due to no-shows. It did well at festivals and in the UK, but back home, it’s a brutal reality. We watch global content like K-dramas, yet we failed to support our own,” Vikram adds.

The 42-year-old reveals he signed the film while shooting Dunki (2023) where Lakshmipriya was assisting director Rajkumar Hirani.

He shares, “Raju sir even offered me an ad with actors Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, but I turned it down as I had committed to Boong. I believed in the film, just never imagined it would win a BAFTA.”

Director Ahmed Khan has brought Welcome To The Jungle to the finish line. Well, almost. All that’s left is the shoot of an elaborate song featuring the ensemble cast, including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Jackie Shroff, and Arshad Warsi. We’ve heard that Khan called action on the song earlier this week, and intends to conclude the shoot in 10 days.

Sources close to the unit describe it as a high-energy celebratory number. An expansive set depicting a jungle has been built at Bahubali Studios in Borivali for the track, choreographed by Adil Shaikh.

“Shooting a song with so many stars isn’t easy. Every actor has their moment in the song. Before beginning filming on February 17, extensive rehearsals were conducted so that principal actors and background dancers move seamlessly through the frame without disrupting camera continuity. It will be used as a post-credit track,” revealed a source.

After this leg, Welcome To The Jungle will move to post-production.

Remember the scene where Arshad Warsi’s character hangs from a tree after sneaking into Kareena Kapoor Khan’s house with Akshaye Khanna, only to fall into boiling homemade glue and then into a pile of dried leaves? It left audiences in splits. That was Warsi in Priyadarshan’s comedy Hulchul (2004) — a character the audience loved.

However, in a recent interview with Lallantop, the actor described his time on the film as a “bad experience”, largely because the role promised to him was allegedly much bigger than the one he eventually played.

While Warsi did not directly blame the filmmaker, his remarks have hurt Priyadarshan, who is currently busy with post-production work on Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. 

Reacting to Warsi’s claims of being tricked into playing a smaller role in Hulchul, the director says, “I was very upset [when I read what he said]. I could be wrong and maybe it has been misinterpreted, but if he has [complained], I am shocked.”

Stating that Warsi’s character, Lucky Bhalla, was loved by both audiences and critics, Priyadarshan says he is surprised the actor never voiced these concerns earlier.

Recalling a phone call with Warsi after the film’s release, he says, “After the release, he called and told me, ‘Priyan sir, I never thought that I would get this kind of appreciation.’ Hulchul was a big hit, but Arshad said it was a flop film. That has pained me; why would he say that when it was one of my hit films?”

Noting that viewers continue to rewatch the Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arbaaz Khan, and Shakti Kapoor-starrer, Priyadarshan adds that while Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) marked a turning point in Warsi’s career, Hulchul strengthened his comic timing. “People loved and appreciated his performance in Hulchul. I am very upset and deeply hurt by these accusations from Arshad. He had no reason to complain.”

Mumbai is hardly the place one associates with jungles. But trust director Ahmed Khan to turn parts of the city into dense forests for Welcome To The Jungle. mid-day has learnt that on December 5, the director began shooting the climax that will play out across five venues — Film City, Royal Palms, Borivali, and two locations in Aarey Colony. The production team, led by Shailesh Mahadik, has built sets depicting wilderness.

The original plan was to film the climax of the ensemble comedy — starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Paresh Rawal, Tusshar Kapoor, and others — in the forests of Uttar Pradesh.

A source revealed, “But the biting cold was a deterrent. Plus, the production team realised it’d be logistically impractical to shoot in the forests with a 34-member cast and 500-strong unit. Given the kind of stunts involved, Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwala decided to relocate the shoot to Mumbai.”

After this leg is complete, the director will travel to North India to capture wide shots in the jungles. Khan told mid-day, “It’s wonderful that we’re shooting the climax now. Getting so many actors together was the only challenge, but once on sets, it’s a party.”

Actor Arshad Warsi, during his recent visit to the city, expressed his deep affection for the people of Lucknow and its culture, recalling warm exchanges with locals on set and praising the city’s renowned hospitality and courteous etiquette. In an exclusive interview with us, the Dedh Ishqiya actor spoke about his three decades in the industry and what keeps him relevant, his kids’ desire to be actors, and the secret behind his ever‑cheerful vibe. Excerpts…

I love Lucknow. Every time I come here, I feel the city is getting better. The people are warm, polite and full of tehzeeb. I have been coming here for the past 30-years and there is a huge difference in Lucknow then and now! The city is cleaner, more organized, and the spirit is still the same.

Also, I love both Lucknow’s chicken and chikan (kurtas). I remember, we were shooting Dedh Ishqiya in the courtyard of a house in old Lucknow and I casually mentioned to Naseer saab (Naseeruddin Shah) that ‘hamein ek hafta ho gaya Lucknow mein aur humne yahan kebabs nahi khaye hain abhi tak’. People around us heard that and in no time a few of them got kebabs from their homes for us! We had so many kebabs that the entire unit could feast on them that day. That’s the kind of affection you get here in Lucknow — instant, sweet and real. Here, even the smallest conversation has respect in it. Mumbaikars are casual in their tone, but Lucknowites’ speech has grace and sweetness.

Honestly, you can’t manufacture these things. You can put up an act and fake for fifteen minutes, but the truth ultimately shows. I think I’m just lucky and have a cheerful nature — maybe school and upbringing shaped that. I stay happy, and that reflects. I believe what you give is what you get. I’ve been nice to people, and they’ve been the same back to me. That’s the real secret. Everybody in the industry has been nice to me and so have I been to them. You get what you give. I teach and tell my kids the same thing.

Yes, both my son and daughter want to act. My son is currently assisting Siddharth Anand and has assisted Rajkumari Hirani. Of course, I’m scared — it is a tough job today. Acting is not an easy profession anymore as the success rate is so low. Out of 150 crore, a handful become actors.

Nobody can help anybody here — you have to make your own way. I can’t make a call to a director and ask them to invest hundreds of crores on my kids. Koi mere bete pe satta kyun lagayega? Even a casual call to a filmmaker to meet my kids means to expect them take them in their project, which I will not do. Why would anybody do that? Why would filmmakers bet on my kids if I ask them to do so? Why should I recommend my kids to anyone?

Oh yes, definitely! I am going to direct someday, I don’t know when but I know it will happen for sure. If you ask me what’s delaying my direction dream, it’s the continuous flow of acting offers. I do not make much noise about myself but I am pretty busy. I really need to get off my acting work to direct.

Not really. Aryan (Khan), the director of the series, is a very special kid. He is one of those directors who has a movie playing in his head. I did a small part in the series because I like him and Shah Rukh (Khan). But the outcome was huge. And working with him I realized that he is one of those directors whom you listen to when he speaks and act on it. While doing the series, I was 100 per cent sure the youngsters will love it. But I wasn’t sure about the grownups. And nothing what you saw in my character was impromptu, it was all scripted and envisioned by Aryan. The success of the song and my character Ghafoor is due to Aryan.

It’s natural for an actor to feel apprehensive about alienating their audience when breaking away from their screen image. But Jitendra Kumar had no such worries when he said yes to Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas. “Of course, there are things that connect with the audience. But no matter how strong an actor’s image is, the audience wants to be surprised,” starts Kumar, who has built a fan base with his dependable characters in TVF’s Panchayat and Kota Factory.

The Zee5 film felt like a necessary step. To him, it’s thrilling that even though he is best known as Jeetu bhaiyya of Kota Factory, the makers envisioned him in a dark role. “Harman [Baweja, producer] and the team’s excitement about having me in this complex, grey part excited me a lot. But it also raised expectations,” he smiles.

In fact, he believes that most filmmakers have never typecast him. “Those who are interested in collaborating with me, bring me different characters. I’ve never had a maker bring something like Panchayat. I’ve been offered a different world every time.”

There was another reason to star in Bhagwat — his co-star Arshad Warsi. Kumar says he has been Warsi’s fan since he watched his cop drama Sehar (2005). “He brings human emotions [to any part]. If you observe Circuit closely, Arshad sir humanized the comedy; it didn’t feel like a written stand-up comedy set,” he explains.

Next, Kumar will be seen in the theatrical venture, Mirzapur The Film. While he plans to be medium-agnostic, many actors, who have risen to fame with their OTT work, have complained about the industry’s resistance to bet on them for big-screen stories. The actor has a different opinion.

“Today, big-screen actors are coming to OTT because they want to try long-form storytelling. [Conversely], everyone who works in the OTT space is excited to be on the big screen. Right now, everyone is excited to do good work. If everyone does everything, the theatrical-OTT [divide] will reduce. If some actors refuse [work], saying, ‘I don’t want to do a film in a different medium’, the bracketing will start because then producers will know that certain actors think this way. So, the bracketing depends on actors rather than producers.”

The trick behind a powerful film is to give the audience something unexpected — by way of the story or the casting. Believing that the script of Bhagwat Chapter 1: Raakshas took care of the first criterion, producer Harman Baweja wanted to fulfill the second. So, in came Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar in a case of “anti-casting” with the former playing inspector Vishwas Bhagwat, who is pulled into an investigation of missing girls in small-town India, and the latter, a suspect.

Excited about roping in Kumar — best known for his goody-two-shoes roles in Panchayat and Kota Factory — as the antagonist of the Zee5 thriller, Baweja shares, “Jitu has built such a strong connection with the audience that the moment you say Jitu, you think of him as the good guy navigating the mess someone else made. Turning the good guy into a bad guy was our surprise for the audience. He is such a brilliant actor that you believe whatever he plays.”

While Warsi has been typecast as the funnyman, Baweja wanted to showcase his versatility. The co-producer says, “Arshad is one of the finest actors out there. The success of Asur [where he portrayed a serious role] spoke volumes about his nuanced performance. Having these two actors do unexpected things makes the experience compelling.”

Have you ever heard a song that made you laugh? Arshad Warsi hadn’t, until he heard Ghafoor, his entry song in The Ba***ds Of Bollywood. Among the many things in the Netflix series that the internet can’t get enough of is the actor’s extended cameo as Ghafoor, a dreaded gangster. Warsi attributes it to the song.

“Wherever I enter now, they start playing the song. It’s because of the song that my character has become so popular. For the first time, I heard a song that made me laugh,” chuckles Warsi.

Being part of Aryan Khan’s directorial debut — led by Bobby Deol, Mona Singh, Lakshya, and Raghav Juyal — was a no-brainer for Warsi, given his adoration for the first-time director and his superstar-father Shah Rukh Khan.

“When Aryan said he needed me for two days, I simply asked, ‘When do you want me to come?’ Then he was trying to sell the role to me, but I said, ‘Aryan, I am doing it regardless because I love you and SRK.’ I did it without hearing the script or my role. I love Shah Rukh and his family. The amount Shah Rukh has done for the film industry, I think it owes him! He has brought us international fame and respect,” says the actor.

When Warsi signed up for the series, he didn’t know the bizarre world that he was entering. He just knew one thing — that he trusted Aryan’s quirky ideas. “When he told me about my entry, I asked him which country the boat is coming from. Aryan said, ‘Pata nahin sir, maybe Somalia.’ That’s [when I figured] the boat is not relevant. I realised that a lot of quirky stuff was in store. Some directors have a bizarre vision; don’t try to understand it, you should just put yourself in their hands.”

As they shot together, Warsi saw shades of Shah Rukh in Aryan. Both have tremendous clarity, he observes. “Aryan is also hard-working like his father. Also, they both don’t sleep. The abundant energy they have is unbelievable,” he laughs, before adding, “Shah Rukh came on the sets as he knew I was shooting. He also gave me ideas [about my role]. The day SRK directs, he will be a very good director.”

Arshad Warsi reveals Ghafoor’s look, comprising a black silk Pathani and kohl-lined eyes, was designed by Aryan. In fact, the actor notes, “My look was like Shah Rukh’s in ‘Raees’.” Up next, the actor will be seen as a cop in ‘Bhagwat Chapter One: Rakshas’, directed by Akshay Shere. “After ‘Seher’, this is the first time I’m playing a serious cop.”

Mumbai: SEBI on Friday banned 59 entities, including actor Arshad Warsi, his wife Maria Goretti, from the market for up to 5 years. The move is related to misleading videos on YouTube channels - like Moneywise, The Advisor and Profit Yatra - luring investors to buy TV channel Sadhna Broadcast's shares. The markets regulator fined the couple Rs 10 lakh, and they will have to disgorge illegal gains worth Rs 92 lakh from the stock price manipulation.

Warsi and his wife Goretti played a role in promoting the stock of Sadhna (now Crystal Business System) through videos on YouTube, which were uploaded by one of the masterminds of the scheme.

In its 109-page order, SEBI whole-time member Ashwani Bhatia stated that the way the whole incident played out painted "a disturbing picture regarding the increasing use of social media platforms, which have immense reach and influence in the digital age, as tools for market manipulation". SEBI ordered disgorgement of illegal gains totalling about Rs 58 crore and imposed fines of up to Rs 5 crore on the entities. The overall conduct of the people involved in the scheme revealed a classic pump-and-dump scheme, the report said.

"The price was systematically pushed upward through collusive trading, followed by aggressive promotional activity to draw in retail investors, and finally, a coordinated sell-off by the promoters. Retail investors, misled by this staged market activity, were left holding the shares at distorted valuations once the manipulators, including the promoters, exited," the report said.

SEBI found that three individuals, Gaurav Gupta, Rakesh Kumar Gupta, and Manish Mishra, were the masterminds. Subhash Aggarwal, a director with Skyline Financial Services, the registrar & transfer agent of Sadhna Broadcast, was the middleman. These individuals "were the central characters who planned and executed the manipulative scheme", SEBI said.

Modus Operandi: First, the entities executed trades among themselves to steadily inflate the price of the scrip and create a false appearance of market interest. Second, misleading promotional videos were disseminated across YouTube channels operated by Manish Mishra.

Any news about King, and fans lap it up with gusto. The film not only launches Suhana Khan on the big screen after her OTT debut with The Archies, but also marks her first on-screen union with her superstar father, Shah Rukh Khan.

Currently in pre-production, the Siddharth Anand directorial begins filming on May 18 at a Mumbai studio, before heading to the UAE and Europe for later schedules. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Abhay Verma, and now, Arshad Warsi in a crucial role.

Interestingly, this marks Warsi’s second outing with Shah Rukh after the latter’s cameo in Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005). A source shares, “His role is small, but pivotal. Arshad could not refuse when Shah Rukh approached him. When he personally calls someone, nobody says no. Arshad is doing the film only because he loves Shah Rukh. His role is a sweet, quirky, funny and cute one with slight grey shades; and only Arshad can play it to perfection.”

Warsi, currently shooting Dhamaal 4 with Ajay Devgn, also has Jolly LLB 3, Welcome To The Jungle, and Raj Kumar Hirani’s Pritam Pedro lined up. “While Shah Rukh and Suhana begin shooting from May 18, Arshad will join them only from June-end after he wraps up Indra Kumar’s Dhamaal 4,” adds the source.

Another laugh riot from the Dhamaal franchise is on its way, with Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh and Jaaved Jaaferi having kicked off work on the fourth instalment. But Dhamaal 4’s shoot is turning out to be no laughing matter. Last week, during the shoot in Malshej Ghat, the actors expressed concern regarding a dangerous sequence set on a cliff. We’ve heard Warsi was particularly apprehensive about executing it, and was finally convinced when co-actor Devgn assured him that he will oversee the shoot and the safety measures involved.

The actors’ nervousness was understandable, considering director Indra Kumar had earlier planned to employ VFX for the scene.

A source from the set says, “It wasn’t supposed to be a live-action sequence because the location can be precarious. However, a few days before the shoot, Indra ji and Ajay decided to film it at the site. The scene was to have the four actors hanging from a cliff; it was the most dangerous for Arshad as he was to hang at the furthest end. Using body doubles was out of the question as it is a crucial comic scene, with them having to mouth dialogues.”

When the cast voiced their concerns, Devgn, one of Bollywood’s biggest action stars, took the lead. Since he has also been a director, he decided to mount the sequence as per his vision, with help from action director RP Yadav.

The source explains, “These actors are in their 40s and 50s, and not as agile or familiar with stunts as they used to be. Some of them even have past injuries. Taking these factors into account, Ajay broke down the sequence and eliminated some movements that could have been risky. He then ran the choreography, step by step, past the actors to see if they felt comfortable with it. To allay their fears, he also explained how safety measures such as harnesses and a safety net would be employed at all times. Plus, an emergency medical unit would be available throughout. It was only when each actor, especially Arshad, felt confident that Ajay went ahead with the scene, and shot it over four days.”

Impressed by Devgn’s execution of the sequence, Warsi took to Instagram to write an appreciation post where he admitted that he has “newfound respect” for the superstar. 

Rajkumar Hirani’s upcoming web series is special for the filmmaker for more reasons than one. Apart from marking Hirani’s debut in the digital space, the crime-drama series will also serve as the launch pad for his son, Vir. A source from the creative team tells mid-day that the Disney+ Hotstar offering revolves around two cops who come to terms with their distinct working styles.

“Initially, Arshad [Warsi] was to play the role of an old-fashioned cop who likes to solve crimes in his style, while Vikrant [Massey] was set to be seen as a young computer geek who uses technology to solve crimes. It chronicles what transpires when two diverse personalities are brought together to solve crimes. Now, some changes have come into effect. While the six-episode series was to be directed by Hirani’s assistant, Amir Satyaveer Singh, now, Pataal Lok director Avinash Arun has taken his place. Also, because Vikrant is busy with his other commitments, the makers have decided to cast Vir instead.” The 12th Fail (2023) actor has not stepped back from the project, but will now slip into the role of the antagonist.

The decision to cast Vir in the show, tentatively titled Pritam Pedro, did not require several rounds of discussions. He has assisted his father during the shoot of Sanju (2018), and has also studied theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London. He has directed several short films, including The Obituary, and also debuted in a play called Letters From Suresh, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan.

“Vir had delivered a 35-minute monologue in it,” reveals the source, adding that the aspiring actor will be undergoing intense physical preparation for his role. “He is adhering to a rigorous diet and training schedule to play the part of a fit cop. He is also brushing up on his knowledge of computers. Since he has been involved in the scripting process, he knows each scene of the series like the back of his hand.”

Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi, known for his iconic role in Munna Bhai MBBS and timeless performances, was in the city for work. In an exclusive interview, he reflected on his career, his affection for Lucknow, and the changes in the entertainment industry. Having visited Lucknow several times in the past, the Jolly LLB and Golmaal actor shared his thoughts about the city’s charm, saying, “There are many beautiful places around the world, but only a few cities have their own character, and that’s Lucknow for me.”

Having shot two of his films Sehar and Dedh Ishqiya in the city, the actor recalled his connection with Lucknow and shared about the city’s warmth and generosity. “Once, while shooting, Naseer Sahab mentioned we hadn’t had a decent kebab in days. All we had to do was say it out loud and suddenly people started bringing kebabs for us. That’s the kind of generosity I noticed, especially in places like Punjab and Lucknow.”

Noting that today’s platforms, especially OTT, have made it easier for new talent to thrive, Warsi reflecting on the evolution of the film industry, said “It’s always been difficult to be an actor, but I’d say it’s easier now than when I started. Back then, we didn’t have the luxury of multiple platforms, it was just films. Either you succeeded in films or you went back home but with the advent of OTT and other digital spaces, actors today have more spaces to showcase their craft.”

When asked if he would approach his career differently if he was to start his acting career today, he said, “Maybe I wouldn’t have started with comedy. Once people see you in a genre, it sticks with them and you end up doing more of the same. But for me, it worked out because I started with comedy and then took on serious roles. Acting, I enjoy every bit of it, be it comedy or drama. I just played a dacoit in a film recently, I love exploring all these shades.”

In discussing the rise of OTT platforms, Arshad Warsi expressed a genuine appreciation, saying, “These spaces have given jobs, passion and bread and butter to so many talented actors, writers, directors.” He continued, “Because of OTT, we can witness many talented people, whom we never saw on the big screen earlier because they never did that sort of film. And today they have a platform.”

When asked if OTT has affected the magic of traditional cinema, Warsi responded, “The charm can never be reduced because there are certain things you can only enjoy on the big screen. Movies like Pathaan and Avengers cannot be enjoyed on a small screen.”

Reflecting on his long span of career, when Arshad was asked if he thinks the industry has still not utilized his talent fully he said, “I will be selfish to say, but I have an immense amount of talent and as much as you use me, I still feel I’m wasted. Even Shah Rukh would probably feel he’s underutilized, it’s boundless.”

He further added, “No matter how many years later you ask me this question, I’ll still say I wish people had used more of my ability.”

When asked if he felt apprehensive about taking on brief yet memorable roles that aren’t always central, the Dhamaal and Kabul Express actor shared, “It doesn’t make me apprehensive playing characters that are not always centrally located. I’m interested in doing good films and things that I’ll be proud of when I get old. But not otherwise, it doesn’t matter to me.”

When discussing his upcoming projects, Arshad Warsi shared a glimpse, saying, “There’s a film called Ghamasan that’s coming, and another one called Bhagwat. There are a few others I’m going to start soon.”

As for the return of his beloved character Circuit, he said, “I am also hoping that Munna Bhai MBBS could happen again soon.”