If July 2025 saw Ahaan Panday break out in Bollywood with the blockbuster Saiyaara, this July saw the young actor almost completing his second film. mid-day has learnt that last week, director Ali Abbas Zafar called it a wrap on the 60-day United Kingdom schedule of the yet-untitled action drama. In the last leg, the unit filmed a romantic song and some dramatic scenes with Panday and leading lady Sharvari in Birmingham.

Also starring Bobby Deol, Jimmy Shergill, and Aaishvary Thackeray, the film sees Panday portray a gangster.

A source said, “In the past few weeks, they shot three songs. One was a solo track of Ahaan shot at Town Hall in Birmingham. It’s a festive number that sees the lead actor dancing alongside young girls doing the hula hoop. Two romantic songs with Ahaan and Sharvari were also filmed at different locations, including Birmingham, Coventry University, Penrith, and Carlisle. Vijay Ganguly choreographed all three songs.”

The romantic action drama will trace how Panday’s character goes from a young boy to a dreaded gangster. The source added, “Aaishvary plays the antagonist, while Bobby is Ahaan’s mentor who takes him under his wing when he is young.”

Last week, Priyadarshan unveiled the first look of Haiwaan, showcasing Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in gritty avatars. After four back-to-back comedies, Kumar portrays a menacing antagonist in the movie. But what if we told you that the superstar wasn’t originally meant to be a part of Haiwaan? Priyadarshan revealed to mid-day that his original choice for the villain was Bobby Deol.

The filmmaker recalled, “When I narrated the film to Saif first, he asked me who would play the antagonist. I approached Bobby Deol, who wasn’t happy about his role, but I cannot blame him for that. I thought of Akshaye Khanna and told him that I wanted to narrate a story to him. He invited me over to meet him. I thought that if he refused, I would go to Suniel Shetty. [Before I met Akshaye], I mentioned the film to Akshay casually while shooting for Bhooth Bangla. After I narrated the story to him, he told me, ‘Why can’t I do the movie?’”

Priyadarshan hadn’t initially considered Kumar as he felt the role would go completely against the superstar’s current image of a humorous, happy-go-lucky guy. But the actor was certain that he wanted to bet on the role. The filmmaker added, “Akshay loved the character. While we were shooting, Saif told me, ‘By doing this role against me, Akshay has given me the best gift’.”

Comedy may be the filmmaker’s forte, but with Haiwaan, he is glad to shift gears. He said, “Some people have assumed Haiwaan is a comedy; it’s not. It’s about a cat-and-mouse game between the hunter and the hunted. I am returning to an action thriller after 16 years, and it’s one of the slickest movies I have ever made.”

Musician Ayaan Agnihotri, who is the nephew of actor Salman Khan and goes with the stage name Agni, made his Bollywood playback debut this year with C’mon Baby in the Bobby Deol-starrer Bandar. But before the release, he had to keep the project a secret from his uncle.

“I was not allowed to tell Salman Mamu that I was doing this song for Bobby uncle’s film. Nikhil (Dwivedi, co-producer), swore me to secrecy. He said, ‘When this song goes through, then I will play it to your Mamu and tell him I’ve discovered a new voice. What do you think of this guy?’,” Ayaan recalls.

Salman’s response, he says, was encouraging. “He liked it, and when he met me the next time, he told me I did a good job and should stay at it,” the 33-year-old shares.

The son of Salman’s sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri and filmmaker Atul Agnihotri, Ayaan had once planned to become an actor but life had other plans. He shares, “I went to university to do acting and world theatre. As I went on, I realized that it’s just performing in general that I enjoy. Around the same time, I started writing and found a special connection with music. I felt I could express things that I wanted to through my writing. Music helped me relate to things I was going through and get through them. That really made an impact on me.”

While music is taking up all his time currently, acting is still on his radar. “Maybe sometime in the future. It’s definitely not off the agenda because I do love acting. But right now, the focus is on the music,” he ends.

If you’ve seen Bandar’s teaser, it’s almost impossible to miss the track, Come On Baby, playing throughout as viewers are taken into the dark world of Anurag Kashyap’s next featuring Bobby Deol. What many don’t know is that the number has been sung by musician and Salman Khan’s nephew Ayaan Agnihotri. Going behind the mic is not new for Agnihotri, aka Agni, who has belted out several English tracks. Playback singing for a Hindi film, however, is.

It turns out that producer Nikhil Dwivedi, a family friend of the Khans, convinced Agnihotri to lend his voice to the song after hearing him sing at a private function.

A source told mid-day, “Ayaan usually does not sing in Hindi. He was persuaded to give this a shot by Nikhil, who felt that Ayaan had a unique voice. Nikhil assured him that if he didn’t enjoy singing the track, they wouldn’t use it. After hearing himself, Ayaan too was convinced. In fact, Bobby also encouraged him after he heard the scratch version.”

Interestingly, Come On Baby is recreated from the album of Videsh, a 1977 film featuring Mahendra Sandhu, Shoma Anand, and Prem Krishen. It stayed with Dwivedi over the years.

The source elaborated, “While producing Bandar, Nikhil was keen to use it on Bobby’s character, an ageing television actor whose career is on the decline. While the lyrics have been retained, the number has been recreated by Aditya Dev and Payal Dev.”

Rakesh Bedi has built a career on consistency and craft, quietly shaping performances that linger long after the scene ends. With Dhurandhar, his portrayal of Jameel Jamali has once again drawn attention to a range that has always existed, even if not always fully tapped. Over the years, he has been part of films like Coolie No. 1, Gadar 2 and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, as well as popular television shows including Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Zabaan Sambhalke, Shrimaan Shrimati, Yes Boss, Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

He shares, “When the first installment was released, I had said this film will not just raise the bar but break the bar because people will see it baar baar (laughs!). That was my gut feeling after seeing kis shiddat aur mehnat se yeh film banaayi jaa rahi thi. After watching my work in it, the feeling was like having a good feast. I felt full and satisfied.”

For Bedi, the size of a role has never defined its value. He says, “It’s not important whether you are playing a big role or a small one. Bobby Deol scored in a role that may not have been the lead in Animal. It’s about leaving an impact. Aapne kuchh kiya ki aadmi bole ki ek scene mein kamaal kar diya. I had the opportunity to do one scene in Uri, and Dhurandhar has been a result of that.”

He also points to the importance of filmmakers who are willing to see beyond familiar labels. He says, “Rarely does a filmmaker say he wants only one actor and is willing to wait. When a director shows that kind of confidence and says, ‘I only want Rakesh Bedi,’ then the actor feels, ‘Ab toh main bhi jaan laga doonga’. You have to repay that faith.”

Three decades in, and Rani Mukerji isn’t looking back, she’s looking ahead. With 71 films, a fiercely individual journey, and a National Award arriving right on cue, she stands as both a rarity and a reinvention in motion. In an industry quick to sideline women post marriage and motherhood, she’s quietly rewritten the rules, choosing honesty over hype, and substance over noise. At 30 years, this doesn’t feel like a culmination. If anything, it feels like a reset. On the new episode of the Bombay Times Lounge, which dropped this week on the Bombay Times YouTube channel, Rani reflects on the road behind and the road still unfolding.

It feels like I am starting a new journey, because obviously, when I see my earlier films, I don’t look the same. Also, now with my daughter turning 10, I think I’ll have more time to devote to films. I constantly want to reinvent and bring across a Rani to my audience that they haven’t seen before. I’ve been so fortunate that directors, writers and producers have thought of me for these amazing characters that I’ve got to play for the last decade, and that’s the decade where I got married and had a child. Fortunately, that didn’t come in the way of a director choosing me for a role. So, in a way, the audiences and the industry have helped me shatter the glass ceiling. They always say that once you go the family way, it’s the end of the road for an actress. But that’s not always true.

Having said that, while I love being an actress, I enjoy the whole part of being a housewife. I enjoy the fact that I’m a mother to my daughter. I enjoy that I get to look after my husband (Aditya Chopra). It gives me immense joy to see my husband and my daughter support me in my journey in films, as this kind of support is so important for every woman. I know there are so many women who probably want to go out there and work, but don’t have the kind of support they wish they had. So, I’m very grateful for what I have, and I always tell myself to not ever take these things for granted.

I always give importance to the story that needs to be told, without thinking about the box office and other things that come with it. The audience always connects with honesty, irrespective of the genre. The problem happens when stories are adulterated just for the benefit of the box office. Audiences are sensitive enough and instinctive, they can sense a good story and a good film. They are looking for genuine stories, so it is important to be honest about what you are doing.

It felt surreal. I think it was saved for this moment, probably because my daughter was old enough to understand what this means. The only regret I feel is that my dad, who was always my cheerleader, was not there to see it. My National Award has made my fans and well-wishers happier than me, as they have rooted for me all these years.

The change happened instantly. Seeing that little baby, that little piece of your heart and soul, changes everything in a moment. When you talk about the concept of love at first sight and falling in love with someone instantly, I feel the whole concept started when a mother had a baby. Seeing your baby for the first time changes that concept of love at first sight for mothers. That love for your child is unconditional, and it’s something you can’t describe. It could also be a one-way love because you don’t know how much the baby will love you back and for how long (laughs). But really, for me, love at first sight happened with Adira.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black. I think Black taught me to be grateful for the little things that we take for granted – like how we are able to see, talk, hear and walk. The film taught me to be grateful for the gift of being alive.

It was such a happy moment, as it was something that we both were so excited about. I started my journey in the movies with Shah Rukh Khan, and to receive my first National Award standing next to him – that in itself was an honour for me.

Recently, Adira wrote a letter to me where she declared me “the best mom in the world”. For me, that’s the best compliment, and nothing beats that.

Bobby Deol.

Shah Rukh Khan.

The 78th BAFTAs on Sunday marked a rare moment of global recognition of Indian cinema when late veteran Dharmendra was honoured in the In Memoriam section. Emotional about the tribute, his wife actor-MP Hema Malini (77) tells us, “It was a beautiful moment and he deserves it. It’s a huge honour not just for us, but for the entire country. There will never be another like him.”

There has been much speculation that Hema and her daughters, Esha and Ahana, don’t get along with Dharmendra’s other family: wife, Prakash Kaur, sons Sunny and Bobby, and daughters Vijeta and Ajeita. However, Esha and Ahana’s appearance with Sunny at the screening of his film Border 2 on January 25 helped quieten some of the chatter.

Setting the record straight, Hema shares, “I was invited, too. But I couldn’t make it... Dharam ji Papa hain na, unke liye sab kuch bhi karenge. Be it these bachchas (Esha and Ahana) or those bachchas (Sunny, Bobby). They are very fond of each other. There is no negativity at all between the family (members). When Dharam ji is there, where is the negativity? He was a source of love, strength and values that he has passed on to them. People should understand instead of talking this and that.”

Tuesday (February 24) marked three months since the veteran’s demise. “I think of it and get teary-eyed, but I am being strong,” she says, adding, “I’m keeping myself busy with my dance shows. Dharam ji loved watching me dance; he would say I should never stop because it’s important to be mentally and physically fit. He loved watching the girls dance, too. He appreciated that we are maintaining Indian tradition.”

Ask if she will be seen on screen anytime soon, and she shares, “If any good film role comes my way, I will do it. But kuch achha aata hi nahin; and I’m not sure about OTT.”

Rumours had abounded for weeks that Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 5 is inspired by Do Aur Do Paanch (1980). Earlier this month, the filmmaker dismissed these reports. Now, it looks like we may get a movie bearing a connection to the Amitabh Bachchan and late Shashi Kapoor-starrer, not from Shetty’s stable, but from producer Deepak Mukut. The producer revealed to mid-day that the project is at the scripting stage.

Mukut, who has the rights to the 1980 original, shared, “A decade ago, I was planning a remake with Kunal Kohli as the director, and Abhishek [Bachchan] and Bobby Deol playing Bachchan ji and Shashi Kapoor’s roles [respectively]. At that time, it could not materialize.”

The producer is now giving a second shot to the project. “I haven’t [decided] whether the movie will be inspired by, a remake, or a sequel to Do Aur Do Paanch. Ideally, I’d like to cast Abhishek and Bobby again as they look great together on screen,” he said.

The rumours surrounding Golmaal 5 had reached Mukut too, who immediately took action. He recalled, “I put the notice in a trade magazine, so that no one else can remake or be inspired by it. I own Do Aur Do Paanch’s rights.”

In early February, Rohit Shetty shut down rumours of ‘Golmaal 5’ being inspired by ‘Do Aur Do Paanch’. The filmmaker stated that the reports “are factually incorrect, misleading, and completely untrue”.

Imagining the world of Apne (2007) without Dharmendra is hard not only for the legend’s fans, but also for producer Deepak Mukut and director Anil Sharma. In fact, after the veteran actor’s demise on November 24, Sharma, in a media interaction, said that Apne 2 would be shelved. However, the latest update is that the sequel — starring Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Karan Deol — is being rewritten since the script originally had Dharmendra in a pivotal role.

Talking to mid-day, Mukut reveals that he had narrated the script to Dharmendra only a few months ago. The veteran actor was gung-ho about reuniting with his sons on the silver screen, and more importantly, about sharing screen space with his grandson Karan.

He shares, “Dharam ji was very excited about the sequel. It was one of his wishes to make Apne 2 with his children. We are reworking the script now, which will be told from the point of view of Sunny and Bobby’s characters. There will be some changes as Dharam ji is no more, and we’ll miss him dearly. We are working on incorporating Dharam ji’s character in some way.”

The second instalment will be the producer’s “shraddhanjali” to the late actor. “If I cannot make a movie with Dharam ji, I can pay my respects to him through it. Apne 2 will be made and it will be a tribute to Dharam ji,” emphasizes Mukut.

A family drama, Apne told the story of Dharmendra’s Baldev Singh Choudhary, who hoped to regain his lost glory as a boxer through his sons. The next edition will take the original story forward. “It is a continuation of the original, and Karan will be introduced as Angad’s [Sunny’s character] son,” reveals the producer. One wonders why Sharma announced shelving the sequel when work on it is ongoing.

Ask Mukut, and he says, “I don’t know why Anil said it. When I asked him, he flatly denied having said that the sequel is shelved.”

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Dharmendra and Sunny Deol appeared together in ‘Sultanat’ (1986) and ‘Kshatriya’ (1993). The veteran actor had a cameo in ‘Sunny’ (1984), but didn’t share screen space with his son.

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‘Apne’ was the first film that saw Dharmendra share screen space with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol. The trio then appeared in the ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’ franchise, which had three instalments.

Dharam ji is the only person who filled the void of me not having met my grandfather [Mukesh] ever. This is something I mentioned to him on day one of the Johnny Gaddaar (2007) shoot. He told me an anecdote that I was not aware of it all up until then. He told me, ‘Neil, your grandfather (Mukesh) sang the first song for my first film, Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960).’ When I informed him that I had not met my grandfather, he told me, ‘Don’t ever say that again. You met your grandfather. I’m right here.’ He was the grandfather I never had.

There’s another moment I can’t forget. Dharam ji’s character Sheshadri finds out that Vikram has double crossed him. There was a moment where he was supposed to slap me on screen. Unfortunately, his hand landed on my cheek. He got so upset.

Now because of the slap, I naturally teared up. But when I looked at him, he had a tear in his eye. The moment the shot was done, he hugged me and said, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know how that happened.’ I told him, ‘No! This is your aashirvaad on me’.

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Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh fondly remembers late legendary actor Dharmendra, with whom he worked in his Bollywood debut almost two decades ago.

“For me, it’s a loss like losing a family member. I unfortunately didn’t have the opportunity of meeting my grandfather (legendary playback singer Mukesh) ever, as he passed away before I was born. But when I met Dharam ji, he bridged that gap for me completely,” shares Neil.

For Neil, it was life coming to a full circle. “Dharam ji’s debut song was sung by my grandfather, and look how destiny planned my debut with him in the film Johnny Gaddaar (2007). History repeats itself, and how. When he met me, he said, ‘Your grandfather did playback for me, and when I heard you are doing this film, I wanted to work with you.’ I was so emotional back then and still am.”

The actor adds, “Even after the film was out, he met me, pulled my cheeks, and in his charismatic style, said to me, ‘Well done, boy. Well done!’ Seeing him on screen with me was such a pleasure; that moment still gives me goosebumps. When I recently happened to see him in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, it brought tears to my eyes.”

As a fan and having had the chance to work with other members of the Deol family, Neil says, “My heart goes out to them all because they are such a closely-knit family. All his children looked up to him and loved him a lot. I feel their pain because I’ve luckily gotten an opportunity to work with Bobby (Deol) in Players (2012) with Hema ji, and with one of his grandsons behind the screen. For me, they are like my own people.”

‘Aap Ka Dharam’, as he fondly called himself on social media, built a unique identity — the rustic farmer actor from Punjab. A hatta katta Jat more at home on a tractor than in a Mercedes. That was him. The real deal. Authentic and adorable. A man proud of his roots in an industry full of insecure actors, craving for attention by creating a fake aura around themselves. Dharmendra towered over his contemporaries and was Bollywood’s handsomest star. Simply by being himself, he won over everyone he met.

The term ‘Garam Dharam’ was coined by me. There was a natural hotness about him. He projected unbridled virility. Women would throw themselves unabashedly at him, and he would always oblige them with his undivided attention. His good looks and amazing physique made him a babe-magnet, but it was his chivalry that made women feel safe and comfortable in his presence. Dharmendra did not give a lecherous vibe, unlike his more predatory rivals — he didn’t need to! Women fell in droves for his natural charm, and soon a legend grew around his impressive prowess. He was not a cheap, sly, filmi flirt, like the rest. Macho, oh yes! But he was also gallant and protective.

Behind the exaggerated He-Man tag hid the quintessential Dharmendra — gentle, kind, generous, and a hopeless romantic. But one heard stories about the ‘other’ Dharmendra — the volatile star, who, (after a few Patiala pegs), once notoriously chased a female gossip writer from a film magazine, threatening to beat her up for something she had written in her popular column.

He was an old-fashioned hero, a matinee idol like Clark Gable. Devastatingly good-looking, hugely successful, and terrific with the ladies. There was nothing even remotely toxic about his persona. This is what made him special. He was like a tall tumbler of frothy Punjabi lassi, best enjoyed in the fields of Punjab — a kisaan who had strayed into the glamorous world of Bollywood.

As the editor, I frequently assigned senior feature writers like the late Ingrid Albuquerque to meet the stars and interview them. We had featured Dharmendra several times for cover stories — he was at his peak, and always obliged. Ingrid and other reporters would come back and regale us with hilarious stories of his disarming behaviour in the dressing room of the set, since there were no vanity vans back then.

I wouldn’t call him media shy, but he was definitely shy! Always a little embarrassed and socially awkward, preferring the company of his buddies, unsure of what he was meant to say during interviews, but happy to pose for publicity pictures and indulge in light-hearted banter. He was unapologetically himself — switching to Punjabi, given half the chance.

In an era when there were polished, sophisticated, well-read, articulate, English-speaking heroes like Shashi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Vinod Khanna, and Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra created his own space by being unabashedly himself. That he was monumentally successful, giving seven consecutive hits in a single year, was a bonus. What stood out was his genuine modesty and simplicity. As he once stated, all he ever prayed for in those early years was a Fiat car! But God blessed him with abundance..... not that his wealth ever went to his head. He remained unaffected and down to earth, enjoying his life on the sprawling farm, shooting candid reels, and loving life on his own terms.

After his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol forayed into movies, he made the transition from ‘Garam Dharam’, the sex symbol, every woman’s fantasy lover, to a benign ‘Paaji’. And fans clapped at how gracefully he had crossed over. The love for him only grew.

In his second innings in the movies, Bobby Deol is offering us quite a few surprises. If the senior actor shone in The Ba***ds Of Bollywood barely two months ago, he threw a curveball by headlining Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar. Now, it looks like he’s got another ace up his sleeve. mid-day has exclusively learnt that Deol has been roped in for director Ali Abbas Zafar’s next, which will be led by Ahaan Panday of Saiyaara fame and Sharvari. From what we’ve heard, the senior actor will play an adversary to Panday in the yet-untitled action drama.

A trade source, however, points out that Deol isn’t the antagonist in the story. “It will be incorrect to call him the villain. His character is in an authoritative position in the film, but there is more than meets the eye. As the story progresses, Bobby’s character is shown having grey shades, which influences his dynamics with the hero,” shares the source.

A string of negative roles has come Deol’s way in the past few years — from the game-changing Animal (2023) to Aashram and Kanguva (2024). In the upcoming Alpha too, he will be seen as the antagonist to Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s spies. The source tells us that Zafar wanted to avoid showing the senior actor in a similar light in his next.

“Ali and producer Aditya Chopra were certain from the start that it can’t be a menacing and an all-black role as Bobby has done such parts. The director crafted a larger-than-life persona, keeping Bobby in mind, but at the same time, gave the character personal motivations and shades of grey. Bobby came on board only a week ago.”

Soon, Zafar will head to England for the film’s recce (Queen’s city calling showbiz’s new prince, Nov 5). If things go as planned, the project will roll in the first quarter of 2026.

Bobby Deol is as raw, honest and real as it gets. His reinvention as Lord Bobby is what stories are made of, but he carries his renewed stardom with quiet grace. The actor who marks 30 years in the industry this year, has reignited the audience’s interest with bold, dark roles – totally redefining the heartthrob Bobby of Barsaat and Bichhoo days. In the latest episode of Philips LatteGo presents Bombay Times Lounge powered by instax FUJIFILM, Bobby bares his heart and talks about stardom, family bonds, lasting friendships and his remarkable resurgence. Watch the full episode that just dropped on the Bombay Times YouTube channel.

The problem in the world is that people who are bad don’t think they’re bad, because if they knew that, they wouldn’t be bad. So, whenever I play negative characters, I don’t think I’m bad, because if you think that way, then your performance becomes unreal. You have to be the character. You have your own backstory about why you are reacting or feeling this way. If you really look at Animal, my past is sadder than Ranbir’s character. So, I thought about myself as a guy who wanted to protect his family, and for that, he would give his life or take others’ lives.

As an actor, OTT platforms gave me the opportunity to play characters I was seeking, which were outside my comfort zone and away from my image. I am very proud of Class Of '83, which many might not have seen because it released a week after Aashram. For me, the only thing that mattered was to be accepted as an actor, not a star.

I don’t think of myself as a star. I never do. I’m just a normal person who’s trying to do his job, and luckily, it’s a creative job. To be an actor, to be on a set and create different characters - that is what I really enjoy doing.

I got a phone call from their team saying, ‘We’re producing this web series and Aryan Khan is directing it, would you be interested?’ I just said, ‘I’m doing it’. Because I’m a father myself, I have kids (Aryaman and Dharam) who want to be actors, and I know how difficult it is and how much pressure there is. Whatever people say about the industry, we are very close-knit in many ways. We have a great bond, and we care about each other. I sat with Aryan for seven hours for the narration, and the conviction with which he narrated the whole story to me – I was just taken in by it. He was like this child. I call him a child because he’s like a child to me.

The funniest thing is, I never thought about all these things when I was starting out. I really didn’t. In fact, not for a very long time in my career. Later on, when people would say, ‘You were always under the shadow of your dad and your brother,’ and I would think, was I? I never felt it. I never looked at my career like that.

Yes, I have, and it has really helped me. Everyone is genetically different, and no one realizes how any kind of intoxication can affect you. And some people have those genes where you get addicted to things. I just decided that God has given me a second chance, and I really, really want to do my best. You don’t get these kinds of chances in life. The voice has to come from within. I think I’m a better person after I stopped drinking, and I think my relationship has become a hundred times better with everyone I know.

Talking about being directed by Aryan Khan for The Ba**ads Of Bollywood, he says, “Aryan is so mature in his thinking. He’s a real taskmaster and a perfectionist. It was like my own son telling me, ‘I want this, I want you to do it this way.’ If The Ba**ads Of Bollywood is what it is, it’s because of Aryan. He’s proved it to the world. With the pressure he was under… being a superstar like Shah Rukh Khan’s son, to have the guts to step out and have his own voice as a director – hats off to him. I feel so proud of him!”

"Life can never be easy, no matter how talented you are. There are so many cases of people being talented, but not getting work. And there have been cases of so many people who are not talented, but are getting work. But that shouldn’t make you want to make excuses or give up on yourself."

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Three decades in an ever-changing industry — and Bobby Deol’s journey feels as personal as it is cinematic. From the wide-eyed debutant of Barsaat to the fierce, magnetic Lord Bobby, who has captured a new generation of fans, his story is one of faith and reinvention. As he marks 30 years in films, Bobby joins us on Philips LatteGo presents Bombay Times Lounge powered by instax FUJIFILM for an emotional conversation — about his ultimate idol and biggest inspiration, the lessons that came with failure, and the joy of finding new ground in a new era of cinema. The full episode drops soon on the Bombay Times YouTube Channel. Here’s a glimpse of how Bobby won over the audience present at the show — with wit, wisdom, and that unmistakable Lord Bobby charm.

I never thought I would be sitting here and talking about completing 30 years as an actor. All I think about is…I want to be sitting here when I am 90 and doing this. I look up to my father (Dharmendra), and I hope I can work for as long as he has. He makes me stronger in many ways, and also, there is no scope for excuses – my father is turning 90 and he still wants to work, just seeing him ups my self-belief. I believe I’m here for 30 years as I have his blessings and so much love from the audiences because of him.

Barsaat took many years to be made, we started with the shooting when I was about 22-23, and the mahurat was on my birthday, January 27. The directors changed: Shekhar Kapur was directing it, and he got an offer from Hollywood for Bandit Queen. My dad told him, ‘My son’s career is as important to me as your career is to you’, so that’s how Rajkumar Santoshi came in to direct it. The premiere at Metro Cinema was one of the most exciting nights of my life. I was really nervous. I had to sit in the car with Twinkle Khanna (her debut film, too) and arrive at the theatre. I told her…Tina just hold my hand, I am feeling very nervous. And she was like, “What nervous?” You know how outspoken she is. It had rained that day (true to the title of the film). Back then it wouldn’t rain in October. It was a huge event and everyone from the industry was invited.

I am lucky that I have a huge family, I don’t need to talk to people besides my family and close friends. But if you ask me, I am friendly with Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji. I have known them from the beginning. With Preity, I had an argument during the making of Soldier and then we got close. Even with Rani, we had an argument during Bichoo and then we became friends. Akshaye Khanna is also a sweetheart; he is a recluse but such an awesomely talented actor. I call him every year on his birthday.

That was my biggest fear – what would my fans think? Because they mostly want to see the actors they love as the good guy. But now the audience’s mindset has changed, as they are exposed to so much content from around the world. So, when I got the opportunity to do Aashram, they accepted me in that character. I didn’t tell my dad or my brother (Sunny) that I’m doing the show, because I knew they’re from the old school of films, where they believe that if you have a certain image, you have to play those kinds of characters. From the word go, I always wanted to do different kinds of characters, but I didn’t get those chances earlier. I’m enjoying this phase of my career. I think it’s the best time for me as an actor.

He wants to be an actor and he is working on himself right now. I’m just hoping that I get somebody to work with who would launch him.

I think everybody knows me. I’m what I am. I say what I feel, and I think people see that and respect it. I don’t have a defence mechanism or portray something I am not. Sometimes I get carried away with things and I just have to control that. I guess that’s a very real trait, right?

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After three decades in films — from stardom to obscurity — Bobby Deol has found his stride again as Bobby 2.0. Fresh off the world premiere of his film Bandar at the recently concluded Toronto International Film Festival, he is now gearing up for the release of The Ba***ds Of Bollywood.

The directorial debut of Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan, follows an ambitious outsider navigating Bollywood. Bobby, who plays a pivotal role in the series, is a real-life ‘insider’, the son of superstar Dharmendra, and the debate surrounding these labels is something he feels strongly about: “My dad was an outsider. I know exactly how it is to be an outsider and insider. Everyone has dreams, irrespective of where they are from. I just think people who… It’s easy to make excuses when you can’t achieve things.”

Bobby delivered plenty of hits after his debut, Barsaat (1995), experienced a career slump, and then made a comeback with Race 3 (2018) and Animal (2023). He insists the successes and setbacks aren’t about being an ‘insider’ but the work an actor puts into their craft.

He tells us, “People make things sound like ‘Oh, it’s because I am an outsider’ or ‘Oh, it’s because I am an insider.’ They have to work hard and be focused. Insider bhi excuse bana sakte hain ki humare upar itna pressure hai, isiliye hum kaamyaab nahin ho rahe. Outsider ka toh hai hi ki woh baahar se aa rahe hain. It makes a difference whether you are working hard or not, regardless of where you are from. Warna kuchh nahin hone wala aapka. Stop making excuses and just work hard.”

People might call him Bobby 2.0, but the actor laughs, “Yeh sab toh aap log bolte hain. For my fans, I am still the same Bobby. They are happy that I am doing this kind of work today. They had belief in me when maybe, I had lost it. Hard work turns into luck; I am lucky.”

We’ve learnt to expect the unexpected from Anurag Kashyap. Even then, the filmmaker surprised us by casting Bobby Deol, a star as mainstream as they come, in Bandar (Monkey in a Cage). When Kashyap sits down with us days after the movie’s première at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), he says that Deol was the perfect choice to lead the story of an ageing television star, whose life changes overnight when he is accused of rape by his ex-girlfriend after he cuts off all ties with her.

“The story is of a has-been. The actor had to be my age as my generation has not transitioned well to the social media age. Bobby understands what failure means. He has seen his career fade away and then he found his way back,” says Kashyap.

Through Bandar, the director has explored the grey areas of #MeToo accusations, the fine line between right and wrong, and questioned the treatment of inmates in Indian prisons. When Kashyap narrated the film to Deol, he immediately wanted to play the complex role. What the actor told him about his struggle has remained with the filmmaker even today.

“Bobby said that if he’d pass by a house where a shoot was happening, he would cry or get angry wondering why nobody was asking him to act in that film. He told me, ‘At 40, somebody told me I needed to do an acting workshop. Then I played the most disgusting person I know in Aashram. That’s when I realized it’s liberating to play characters and not always the hero.’ Bobby was perfect for this role because he understood all that. I could identify with Bobby because I have been written off many times,” shares the director before praising his leading man for being “emotionally bare” in the film.

Owing to its theme, Bandar has created ripples at TIFF. Kashyap isn’t surprised, knowing well that his recent work is “polarizing and hard-hitting”.

He reasons, “It’s a conversation starter. That’s why it has been impactful. Bandar has been the most difficult movie to make emotionally because it’s a film about things in the past when there was no social media. We’re dealing with an emotional subject. We’re asking questions. I didn’t share the script with any actor because I was also in the process of finding my film.”

To Kashyap, Bandar is a film about making mistakes, and more importantly, “being called out for it”. The director elaborates, “We were given a second chance to redeem ourselves. Today, it is [the age of] cancel culture. The world doesn’t give anybody a chance to redeem themselves. Everything will go viral! We are in an age where we need to start having conversations.”

It hasn’t been 10 days into the month, yet Saba Azad knows that September has given her the year’s most cherished memory. On September 6, the actor took in every moment as Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar (Monkey In A Cage) — which features her alongside Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra — premièred at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). “It’s a dream to be here, not only because our film is having its première, but also because everyone here is united by the love of cinema,” she said to mid-day, hours before the premiere.

A festival favourite, Kashyap, this time, tells the story of Deol’s television star who is accused of rape by his ex-girlfriend after he cuts off all ties with her. Through Bandar, the filmmaker not only looks at the grey areas of #MeToo accusations, but also examines India’s prison system.

When we asked Azad how it was to be directed by Kashyap, she answered in a heartbeat. “Working with Anurag feels like freedom,” she said, before adding, “It’s liberating to work with a director who has faith in his casting choices. So, he leaves his actors to their devices — he will set up the scene in a way such that [we] have the room to react and improvise, not just repeat dialogues and mirror spoon-fed emotions. Anurag treats the script like a map, not the ultimate truth.”

Bandar’s world première comes days after the Prime Video release of Songs Of Paradise, a biopic led by Azad. The two back-to-back talked-about projects have brought the actor a sense of validation that had eluded her 17-year career so far.

“It has taken me a while to get here. It feels like I’m starting afresh. To be able to do roles that employ your abilities as an actor has been the dream, and for your work to be noticed is a blessing. I hope to be able to keep doing cinema that stays with you long after you watch it.”

Audacious tone, star-studded cameos, and a cheeky take on the Hindi film industry — Aryan Khan’s maiden directorial venture, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, promises all this. And it turns out, a throwback to the late 1990s. mid-day has learnt that Shah Rukh Khan personally ensured an iconic entry sequence for Bobby Deol in the series by securing the actor’s popular track, Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela, from Gupt (1997).

Deol stars alongside Mona Singh, Lakshya, and Saher Bambba in the Netflix offering. Sources tell us that Shah Rukh, who is among the series’ producers, felt that the dance number — which served as Deol’s entry song in Gupt — would serve the perfect balance of nostalgia and impact as he would be introduced in The Ba***ds of Bollywood. With that in mind, the superstar picked up the phone on the popular murder mystery’s maker Rajiv Rai and requested him for the song’s rights.

A source reveals, “Aryan’s debut series is an entertaining mix of love, satire, and insider commentary on Bollywood. Bobby, who has gained second wind in his career in recent years, has one of the show’s most memorable entries. His song is among the many real-life references that have been used in the show.”

When mid-day contacted Rai, he confirmed the development, revealing that the superstar first reached out to him through his manager Pooja Dadlani. He said, “Shah Rukh and I spoke over the phone a few times. He asked me for the music rights of Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela.”

The filmmaker added that he usually doesn’t part with his rights but happily made an exception for Shah Rukh. “Many people have asked me over the years, but usually I don’t give my rights. [That said], I know Shah Rukh very well. He is a gracious person and a thorough gentleman. Also, it was for his son. So how could I refuse? Shah Rukh also asked for my blessings to Aryan in his first venture. Giving the rights was a gesture and I did it for free. There was no financial deal involved.”

Aadar Jain might have the legendary Raj Kapoor as his grandfather and share bloodlines with Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor, but the actor insists his journey has been anything but easy. With two films, a web series, and years of auditions behind him, Aadar speaks to Bombay Times about why he doesn’t buy into the ‘nepo baby’ narrative, how rejection has shaped him, and why Bobby Deol’s career keeps him going.

Born into one of Indian cinema’s most illustrious families, one would assume he would be burdened under the pressures of proving his mettle for the legacy.

He, however, clarifies, “A lot of people ask me this question. But I would have been inspired. I have him (points at a photo frame of Raj Kapoor) over here every day to be inspired because he's my favorite actor, producer, director of all time. He's my biggest idol and my biggest inspiration. There's no pressure. Our family is very bindass and chill, different from what people in the media might think. We all have our own journeys. However big or small, I'm also contributing in my own small little way to Indian civilization. I love acting.”

While the industry often talks about nepotism, however, Aadar sets the record straight that he is not the byproduct of it. “I've had two films that have come out. Unfortunately, the gap has been quite a bit. Everyone has their journey and I'm on that journey. So, I'm just enjoying what I do,” he says.

He adds, “I've not taken those gaps out of choice. It's also been very difficult to get films. Coming from a film family doesn't mean you get work here easily. That's a fact. People talk about nepotism, but I've not got benefits of it. Yes, I am Raj Kapoor's grandson, I am Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor's cousin, but that doesn't allow me to get 50 films a year or like doing five films and signing brand deals and endorsements nonstop. Unfortunately, in that sense I've not been a product of nepotism."

The actor doesn’t shy away from speaking about how difficult it’s been to land roles, the heartbreak of rejection, and the resilience required to keep going. “It’s not been easy,” he admits.

“It has been a struggle. I have auditioned for a lot of places. I've been rejected many times. It's hard to deal with those rejections. I love what I do. So, when you're not getting to do what you love as often, of course, it hurts. The idea is to keep picking yourself up and pushing yourself. Staying motivated is the most important thing in this profession. It's not an easy profession. It’s been a tough journey. Hopefully, my lady luck will give me lots of luck and love (smiles),” he elaborates.

He adds, "I keep looking at Bobby Deol's career. Look at the guy! He spoke on national television about how failure and rejection really bogged him down, but then how he picked himself up. And the idea of life is to keep moving forward."

He also adds, "I look at my own journey. I'm proud of myself. However long it's taken. Good, bad, ugly, flops, doesn't matter. It's all a lesson. The fact that I can even be part of two films and people are watching me and I'm now coming into other things. My first film was very critically acclaimed, but it didn't work at the box office. The second film came out in the time of COVID where it was seen by everyone but was also critically acclaimed. So, there has been also a big struggle for me to get the work that I want to do. I've been auditioning for the last 8 years, done two films. Luckily, I have Dining With The Kapoors coming out so hopefully things will pick up once people see my work. Because work gets you work. Until people see your work, you don't get work."

Aadar who has been part of movies like Qaidi Band (2017) and Hello Charlie (2021), confesses he has no regrets about the rejections he has faced. “All the rejections I had in my life, I realized they're all lessons. I have no regrets. Everything is a lesson. Everything teaches you, and eventually you will get okay. It took me a long time to get my third project. A lot of actors nowadays who I see are getting launched—they've had three films already done and they're waiting for those releases, and they're still signing more films and doing it right. It's taken me a little bit of time," he elaborates.