Filmmaking rarely goes entirely to plan, but the makers of the sci-fi actioner Raaka are powering ahead despite a possible month-long delay following Rashmika Mandanna’s hip injury during dance rehearsals for the Atlee-directed film. The team is now gearing up for a major schedule next month, with high-octane action sequences featuring Mandanna and Allu Arjun, alongside Malayalam actor Aishwarya Lekshmi.

A source close to the production reveals, “Allu Arjun will be playing a triple role in Raaka — one as a divine warrior, another with negative traits, [while the third is still under wraps] — the character will span three different timelines in different avatars. Deepika Padukone, who has wrapped up her part, plays a pregnant woman in the Puranic Vedic era. Rashmika will play Deepika’s protector who is crucial in her fight for survival, while Janhvi Kapoor is said to play a tribal girl.”

The source adds that Lekshmi’s character will have grey shades. The sci-fi film will move across three timelines, featuring “wild beasts, exotic new creatures and species”, informs the source.

“A massive set is also being built at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad for a September schedule, where the makers will shoot the interval block, featuring Arjun in elaborate action sequences.”

Ever since actor Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit was revealed last year, speculation has continued over the reason behind her departure and the subsequent fallout between the actor and the makers. Reports that she had sought a fixed eight-hour shift had also added fuel to the speculation. Now, Pranay Reddy Vanga, co-producer of the film and Sandeep’s brother, has claimed that Deepika demanded a 10% share of the film’s profits, which led to Sandeep discontinuing the casting.

Elaborating on the reasons behind her departure, Pranay told NTV Telugu, “First was remuneration, second was timings. There were other reasons as well... It was Sandeep’s call.” He added, “She demanded 10% from the film’s profit. Soon after, everything went overboard. See, she can ask for anything... But the economics (budget) should also work out.”

On the fallout that followed, Pranay said, “Once we started looking for other options, they started leaking everything… We discussed the story and character with her. Things discussed internally should not be revealed, but she leaked all of them. That is why we are disturbed.”

Months after Deepika’s exit, Sandeep posted a cryptic message on X (inset above) which many assumed was aimed at the actor. A day later, he announced actor Triptii Dimri as the new female lead opposite Prabhas.

We reached out to Deepika’s team, but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.

Mumbai: Box office success is no longer the defining factor in film stars' endorsement deals, with advertisers increasingly prioritizing celebrities' meaningful, controversy-free social media presence as a key metric, according to a latest study.

For example, actor Shah Rukh Khan, who did not have a film release in the past three years, is still the country's biggest celebrity by brand valuation, shows the latest brand valuation study of India's top 25 celebrities by financial and risk advisory firm Kroll.

The actor endorsed 30-35 brands in 2025, compared with 25-30 the year before.

He has maintained his endorsement fee at Rs 10 crore per brand between 2024 and 2025, indicating the strength of his brand equity and digital presence.

“Today, box office success is not a key criterion in endorsement deals. Brands focus on the digital presence of stars. This has made social media engagement an important factor in selecting celebrities for endorsement deals," said Umakanta Panigrahi, managing director of Valuation Advisory Services at Kroll.

The rising share of digital endorsement deals has contributed to this trend.

According to Kroll, the share of digital endorsement deals in total endorsement deals has increased to 60-75% from 40-60% over the past two to three years.

Against this backdrop, advertisers are evaluating specific digital parameters of film stars, according to independent brand valuation experts. One of the most important metrics is the net positive sentiment surrounding a celebrity.

“Advertisers look beyond box office success, with digital influence becoming a key consideration. They closely track the net positive sentiment around a film star," said Ajimon Francis, managing director of brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance.

“Today, negative sentiment spreads rapidly online. As a result, stars with a positive or neutral public image continue to attract advertisers regardless of how many films they have released.”

A star's ability to create original content is another factor advertisers consider.

"Advertisers prefer celebrities who create original content, post regularly, and stand for meaningful causes instead of simply reposting others' content. These qualities build trust and strengthen engagement," Francis said.

Advertisers also place equal importance on a star's legacy, with endorsements extending beyond short-term or episodic popularity, according to brand merchandising experts.

"Long-term legacy matters a great deal. Advertisers prefer stars who stay away from controversy and have a strong future film pipeline. Ultimately, endorsements are driven by reputation, relevance and brand fit, not just box office numbers,” said Navin Shah, joint managing director of EMC Solutions Worldwide, a branded entertainment company.

Advertisers also consider the emotions a star evokes, according to influencer marketing companies.

"Advertisers select personalities with unmatched mass appeal who can connect with audiences across generations," said Anirudh Sridharan, cofounder of influencer marketing company HashFame. “Stars fulfil these criteria. They represent memories, emotions and nostalgia, reminding people of different phases of their lives. These qualities help them continue to attract endorsements even after their peak years.”

According to the study, Ranveer Singh was the second most valuable celebrity by brand valuation in 2025, followed by Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone. Among sportspersons, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar were the top two most valuable celebrities.

There are four clear trends emerged from the study.

“The first trend is legacy icons such as Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar and M S Dhoni continue to command a premium because they enjoy trust, familiarity and recognition across generations. Their appeal goes well beyond their current professional achievements. They are valuable brands even years after their peak. The second trend is female celebrities are growing much faster than their male counterparts in brand valuation. Nearly half of the top 25 most valuable celebrities are now women. Women stars are increasing both their endorsement portfolios and brand value,” said Umakanta Panigrahi, Managing Director, Valuation Advisory Services, Kroll.

“The third trend is about Southern stars becoming national brands. Celebrities such as Rashmika Mandanna and Samantha Ruth Prabhu have significantly improved their rankings because of their growing pan-India appeal. Finally, younger Bollywood stars are also rapidly building their endorsement businesses through strong engagement with Gen Z audiences. Ananya Panday and Janhvi Kapoor have recorded notable growth in brand value,” he added.

These trends reinforce the point that box office success alone does not determine a celebrity’s brand value. Long-term relevance, cross-generational appeal and meaningful engagement with fans particularly on digital platforms are becoming equally important drivers of commercial success.

It’s a race against time for Deepika Padukone, who is on her final schedule for the first part of ‘Raaka’. mid-day has learnt that the actor, currently filming in Mumbai, intends to complete her portions of the Allu Arjun-starrer by early September before she begins her maternity leave.

A source close to the development told us that filmmaker Atlee planned the schedules such that Padukone could be among the first ones to honour her commitment to the film.

“The idea was always to finish Deepika’s work before she took her maternity break. The mom-to-be will be off the film until her birthday in January 2027. Then she will return to the set to shoot any pending promotional material and the second part of ‘Raaka’,” said the source.

After Padukone bows out in September, Arjun and the remaining cast — including Rashmika Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur — will continue filming the sci-fi action epic. Atlee is expected to call it a wrap on the first part by November.

The source added, “A call on the second instalment’s schedule will be taken after the first is complete. Both parts will release in 2027.”

mid-day reached out to the film’s production team, which didn’t respond till press time.

It began in 2024 and has continued well into 2026 — Kriti Sanon’s successful run at the movies shows no signs of slowing down. It started with Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, followed by the heist comedy Crew and a darker turn in Do Patti. 2025 brought the intense love story Tere Ishk Mein, and now, the breezy Cocktail 2.

When we point out that she seems content staying out of the rat race and away from social media rivalries, she says she is “actually very competitive”. She says, “When I see someone doing well, I feel like I also want to do well. Competition motivates me to do better. I feel like it also comes at a certain point in your career that you have a sense of security with yourself.” Things changed for the better, especially in 2021, she adds: “The validation that Mimi (2021) gave me, whether from the audience or through the National Award, made me feel like I had finally proved my talent and could now explore more... I am very critical of myself. So, I am always wanting to do better than what I have done before. It’s boring to be in a race with someone else and it just doesn’t give you peace.”

It’s a mix of both. I think any actor craves for that moment and day. Fortunately, this is a role that is very glamorous but also has its layers. I got lucky.

I knew that there would be comparisons, and thankfully, this was not a sequel but a franchise. It’s just the vibe of Cocktail (2012) that was being taken forward in Cocktail 2… and the fact that it was one boy and two girls. Apart from that, there was absolutely no similarity; the story and the conflicts are completely different. I feel like Ally, my character, was not Veronica (Deepika Padukone’s character in Cocktail), and that’s what excited me. If I were doing a remake, then I think the pressure would have been way more.

At the end of it, we all want to be loved, so I feel that’s a similarity. But I also feel even though she is really bindaas and free-spirited, in her heart, she really cares. The empathy part of it was interesting for me, and I connected with it.

There have been so many coming from everywhere. Whether it’s Sajid (Nadiadwala, producer) sir or Sabbir (Khan, director) sir, who have seen me in my debut film Heropanti (2014), and now after this journey of about 12 years, playing a role like this; both sent me long, lovely messages. That was very emotional because when I did Heropanti, I was a baby who knew nothing and just learned everything on the job. The only thing that hasn’t changed is that I used to ask a lot of questions back then. And I am curious even now.

That also happens where sometimes it’s like, ‘Oh now I don’t want to spoil it, it’s a good run going on,’ But when you try different things like when I did Mimi (2021), a lot of people told me ‘Why do you want to play a mother right now’ or ‘Surrogacy is such a serious topic’ or ‘It’s too soon to take something on your shoulders’. The fact that I didn’t listen to it and went with my gut feeling gave me what it did (her first National film award).. So, that made me feel that okay, ‘I need to feel it from inside’. I need to really feel hungry towards doing a certain film. I need to feel challenged by the character and not repeat myself. When Tere Ishq Mein (2025) happened, it was such an intense film; it was emotionally and physically draining. As an actor, by the end of that film, I couldn’t do another intense project immediately. Fortunately, I had Cocktail 2 that came to me, and I was like, ‘This is a breath of fresh air and I would love to do this next.’

Yes. Aapko agar ek hi tarah ka khaana baar-baar denge toh aap bhi bore ho jaoge na? So, as an audience also, you want different kinds of cuisines and different genres of films. I think what we started thinking is ‘Oh, action is working. So, let’s make action films.’ But at the end of it, people want something that is engaging and different for them to not wait for the film to stream on OTT. People should have FOMO, ‘we have to go to a theatre and see it’. That experience needs to happen. Earlier, when OTT was not there, it took six months for a film to come on TV. So, there was a little more urgency to watch it. Now, mediocrity is not going to work.

I am excited to find a script. Genuinely, I have not signed anything, and I am not in a hurry. Right now, quality over quantity for me, for sure.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is coming. I’m excited about that. Dune: Part Three, too. Then there’s Eetha. Laxman Utekar sir is directing, the teaser is fab. It’s Laxman sir in his full element and avatar with Shraddha (Kapoor, actor). It looks very powerful.

That will happen when it happens. I am not in a hurry. I think everything has its own time.

Mumbai: Well-established heroines based in South Indian film industries with fan followings are being increasingly cast in mainstream Hindi films as Bollywood grapples with a thinning bench of bankable female stars.

Unlike in the past, when south-based actresses entered the Hindi film industry at a very early phase of their acting careers like Vyjayanthimala, Rekha and Hema Malini, in recent years, well-established south-based actresses such as Rashmika Mandanna (Cocktail 2, Animal), Sai Pallavi (Ek Din, Ramayana), Keerthy Suresh (Raftaar), Nayanthara (Jawan, a new untitled film with Salman Khan) and Pooja Hegde (Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai) are filling the gap in mainstream heroines in Bollywood, producers, casting directors and distributors told ET.

In the past few years, the pool of dependable and well-established heroines has shrunk. This is a key reason why filmmakers are considering established south-based actresses, casting directors said.

“Today, the pool of established Hindi film heroines is relatively small. Also, accessing this pool can often be a lengthy and complicated process. In contrast, many south-based actresses are highly professional, approachable and easy to collaborate with. Even audiences enjoy seeing fresh on-screen pairings,” said Kunal M Shah, a casting director known for works such as Phule and Bhaukaal.

“For instance, the pairing of actor Salman Khan and actress Nayanthara in one of my upcoming films is creating buzz. Also, Bollywood filmmakers have a much wider and more exciting talent pool to choose from with south-based heroines in contention,” he explained.

“On the one hand, well-established Hindi film actresses such as Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt are entering a different phase of their careers. On the other hand, the frequent failure of films featuring the new crop of very young actresses has proven that they lack striking talent. This has shrunk the pool of mainstream heroines in Bollywood,” observed Shaaminder Malik, a film distributor and trade analyst.

Also, economics favour casting well-established south-based actresses, producers said.

“Established south-based heroines have pan-India appeal thanks to their acceptance among non-south audiences through dubbed films. Casting these actresses in mainstream Bollywood films also boosts collections from their home territories,” said producer Vishesh Agrawal.

Producers also cited factors such as rootedness, freshness and the range of south-based heroines as reasons for their increasing presence in mainstream Bollywood films.

“Today, the industry is compelled to rethink the archetype of a mainstream Bollywood heroine. Audiences are demanding fresher, more rooted and more authentic female leads,” explained Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder and director of Karmic Films.

“Established south-based actresses have been successfully filling this gap with their range and suitability for both rural and urban roles,” he added. “For instance, Rashmika Mandanna looks suitable not only as a village woman in the Pushpa franchise films but also as an urban mainstream heroine in Cocktail 2,” he explained.

Though there is a shift towards casting established south-based heroines, casting directors bemoan the larger problem of a lack of interesting roles being written for heroines.

“Though there is no denying that the new crop of heroines in Bollywood either look very young or lack acting chops. Also, their exposure on social media is relatively higher than that of south-based heroines. But where are the interesting roles for heroines in today’s films?” said a casting director, requesting anonymity.

Actor Radhikka Madan says she still “begs for auditions” despite earning praise for her performances, admitting that every project feels like a “do or die” situation. The actor, recently appreciated for her work in Subedaar by filmmaker Hansal Mehta, will next be seen in Lust Stories 3 in a segment directed by Shakun Batra alongside Ali Fazal.

“I have been a huge fan of Shakun’s work and when I got to know about the film, I begged for an audition for Lust Stories 3 and by God’s grace, I got it,” says Radhikka, who made her acting debut with TV show Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi before transitioning to films with Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pataakha in 2018.

Despite building a credible body of work, the actor says she cannot afford complacency. “I can’t afford to give an average performance. There are a lot of people in line for every role. Every work is a do or die situation for me. If I need to survive, I need to kill it,” she says.

Radhikka adds that she has no hesitation in chasing opportunities. “Even now, if there is a project people are not thinking of me for, I beg for an audition and I’m very comfortable with it. I don’t have that ego. I have a problem when I don’t even get the opportunity to audition and am crossed off because of my last name,” she says.

Radhikka also credits “actors like Kangana Ranaut, Vidya Balan, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and Tabu ma’am” for paving the way for stronger female-led roles in Bollywood.

What do established filmmakers and production houses fear the most? Financial losses? Bad publicity? Ballooning budgets? Not quite. A footage leak, perhaps. But what the makers of Shah Rukh Khan’s King certainly didn’t see coming was an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated mini version of their film going viral online, stitched together from leaked visuals, paparazzi clips, and stills, just days after footage from the climax shoot surfaced on the internet. Now that’s the kind of nightmare no one in the industry was prepared for.

The 15-minute fan-made video used AI tools to recreate transitions and claimed to offer audiences a “mini version” of director Siddharth Anand’s film before its release. According to insiders, both fans and the production team rapidly mass-reported the footage, leading to its removal from several platforms.

A source close to the production told mid-day, “The team was already upset after stills from the climax leaked. Before that, sequences from the Cape Town schedule went viral where Deepika and SRK shot a song. The line production team was extremely careful but when someone like SRK shoots in public, it’s impossible to trace the source of the leak. But the AI edit crossed a line because it attempted to recreate the narrative of the film.”

The insider added that security around the current schedule near Ghodbunder Road, on the outskirts of Mumbai, has now tightened significantly. “This set in Mumbai is a busy area, so removing phone access won’t help much. But movement in the action portions and crucial scenes has become extremely restricted.”

King is now nearing completion, with “nearly two months of shoot pending”. “King is in its final leg. A lot of patchwork, action inserts, and another schedule remains to be done, with VFX work going on simultaneously. The film is looking to wrap by July-end,” the source revealed. 

“Please do not post or circulate any leaked multimedia from the sets of ‘King’. The team is working around the clock to ensure the best cinematic experience for everyone. Let us wait for the surprise on the big screen.”

Soon after announcing her second pregnancy on April 19, it has been work as usual for Deepika Padukone. 

mid-day has learnt that the actor returned to the set of King on April 21, kicking off a two-day shoot of an action set-piece alongside leading man Shah Rukh Khan.

Sources revealed that true to his style, filmmaker Siddharth Anand envisioned a hyper-stylised fight sequence that sees the two superstars in combat with eight fighters.

An insider shared, “Shah Rukh and Deepika filmed the scene on April 21 and 22, with the latter dressed in an all-white outfit. A special set was constructed at Golden Tobacco Studio in Vile Parle. The combat choreography is in line with the film’s larger-than-life treatment.”

More adrenaline rush seems to be in store for Padukone, as far as King’s shoot is concerned. The source added, “Siddharth has planned another elaborate set-piece against a sandy backdrop. It will be shot in a Mira Road studio.”

Padukone, who welcomed her first child Dua with actor and her husband Ranveer Singh in September 2024, also has Allu Arjun-starrer Raaka on her plate.

Actor-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are set to embrace parenthood once again. They shared the news on Sunday with an Instagram post featuring their daughter Dua, marking their second pregnancy announcement.

In the picture, Dua is seen holding a pregnancy test with two pink lines, signalling that she is set to become a big sister. Keeping the reveal minimal, the post was jointly shared by both actors with evil eye emojis in the caption. The couple had welcomed Dua, in September 2024.

The announcement drew reactions from colleagues and fans, with actors Parineeti Chopra and Samantha sending congratulations and hearts in the comments section.

On the work front, Deepika is currently shooting for filmmaker Siddharth Anand’s King, headlined by Shah Rukh Khan, and also has Atlee’s Raaka, co-starring Allu Arjun, in the pipeline.

According to an industry source, “Amidst her pregnancy, Deepika is shooting intense action sequences for Raaka and will continue to shoot for the film throughout her pregnancy.”

Meanwhile Ranveer was last seen in Dhurandhar The Revenge, which grossed over ₹2,000 crore at the worldwide box office.

Mumbai: A social media post by actor Deepika Padukone flagging Mumbai's deteriorating air quality sparked a public discussion and prompted mayor Ritu Tawde to respond.

Posting a screenshot of the city's air quality index (AQI) on her Instagram story on Thursday and tagging BMC, Padukone wrote: "The city (& its children) are choking. How is this okay?"

As the post quickly gained traction, Tawde said the civic body is aware of citizens' concerns over worsening air quality. "It is not just Padukone. We are taking cognizance of concerns raised by all Mumbaikars," she said. She acknowledged that AQI levels in the city have risen, adding that BMC is continuously reviewing the situation.

According to Tawde, the civic body has already issued standard operating procedures to builders and contractors, mandating measures to curb dust and pollution at construction sites. "We have also asked developers to install digital display boards showing air quality readings. If the prescribed norms are not followed, BMC is issuing stop-work notices, not just to private developers but also to govt projects," she said.

On Central Pollution Control Board's app, Sameer, Mumbai's AQI on Friday was at 95—falling within the ‘satisfactory' band—while private air quality monitoring platform aqi.in recorded 150 (moderately polluted).

Experts said the low visibility Mumbai had been facing for the past few days was owing to smog. "Low visibility during the morning hours is likely due to rising moisture levels, which lead to mist formation. If pollutants get trapped within this mist, it can result in such conditions," said a weather official.

He put India on the global map with his beautiful creations. But beyond the genius, he’s only human. He carries a heart that misses his near and dear ones, especially the actor who had the biggest influence on him. Designer Manish Malhotra reflects on his bond with late actor Sridevi, which continues through her daughter, actor Janhvi Kapoor. Excerpts from The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra:

Late photographer Rakesh Shrestha liked my sketches and introduced me to actors for styling them. I went to meet Sridevi for the first time at Mehboob Studio in 1991 and I was a big fan even before I met her. She was in a red outfit and was just going to the set. She was quiet. Then she called me to do a sweater, which was a continuity sweater for Khuda Gawaah (1992). I went to meet her, and somehow we connected.

Then, in 1996, we were in Las Vegas and she told me she was leaving films. She said she worked from the age of four and she wanted her life to carry on. I remember getting a little lump in my throat. I was so attached to her. And in the 15 years when she didn’t work and gave birth to Janhvi and Khushi, I was the one person who was always in touch with her. And I still called her ma’am. I continued my respect and friendship because I think she really contributed to my career. Her death was a big loss to the film industry.

I’m very fond of South Indian food and ma’am would get it to my house. That’s something that Janhvi sweetly does now, which is so nice of her. Every month, she makes it a point to come over, spend time, and get food from her house.

I was there at Rani Mukerji’s first shot for Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997), Kareena Kapoor Khan for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000; she was the original heroine), Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om (2007), Alia Bhatt for Student Of The Year (2012), and Ananya Panday for Student Of The Year 2 (2019). So, I would say I’m the lucky mascot here. I’ve seen them grow and evolve.

In fact, with Kriti Sanon, Bipasha Basu and Lara Dutta, I worked with them before they became actresses, as models. I’ve seen their journeys from being newcomers to being established actors, with some even getting married and becoming mothers! Now we are working with the newer generation.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s because the entire wedding was done by us. There were discussions about the décor, the surprises entry dance by Kiara, or the Reel that Sidharth did. And I forced them to put it up, saying, ‘Please put up this Reel!’ I am grateful to them for their love and respect. So happy! So I think that is one of my most cherished weddings.

As one of the global ambassadors for Louis Vuitton, Deepika Padukone was scheduled to attend the French luxury house’s Fall/Winter show on March 10 in Paris. However, the superstar was a no-show. Sources indicated that the actor had to pull out of the event due to the limited flight operations amid the US and Israel’s war on Iran.

A source told us that the actor was to head to the French capital on March 9, and her team had been in discussion with the fashion house for the past few days about the possibility of her having to cancel the trip.

“Deepika was initially confirmed to attend. She had zeroed in on her outfits and begun fittings for the appearance. But her flight was among the many that were cancelled in the last few days. Also, given that the war has been escalating and affecting several countries across West Asia, she reconsidered whether it was the right time to be travelling,” said the source.

Louis Vuitton, which appointed her as one of its house ambassadors in 2022, was naturally understanding of the situation and respected the actor’s decision.

mid-day contacted Padukone’s team, who didn’t respond till press time.

Actor Deepika Padukone sparked debate last year over eight-hour work shifts after reportedly exiting films like Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD (2024). Now, actors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ananya Panday have defended her stance, saying such conversations with producers are necessary.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Kareena said clear communication and planning are key, especially for working mothers. Recalling her time shooting The Buckingham Murders (2024), she shared that she informed producers in advance about returning to her children while her husband, Saif Ali Khan, looked after them. She further spoke about Deepika’s eight-hour shift demand and added that if actors are married, they need a partner who understands, as they cannot both work and leave the children alone.

“I feel like if you are married and have children… You should be able to say this is what I want. I can work this number of hours. I think it’s completely fine to say that way before a film starts,” Kareena said.

Ananya, on the other hand, said, “I have worked with Deepika (in the 2022 film Gehraiyaan), and before she became a mother, there was no such thing like that. She was working, coming to workshops, no complaints and no asking for anything. Now she’s a mother… she needs to be present with her child in the first two years. I think it’s okay to have a conversation with your producer to find a balance.”

If Chhaava (2025) was any indication, Vicky Kaushal slips effortlessly into larger-than-life characters. Now, another ambitious role is waiting for him. We’ve heard that Mahavatar — which will see the actor play Chiranjeevi Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu — will go on floors in October. That’s eight months away, and for good reason. The actor needs to build a bulky physique for the mythological epic that will be directed by Amar Kaushik of Stree fame.

Considering the epic is mounted on a grand scale, its pre-production has already begun. But it will be a while before Kaushal immerses himself in its world.

A source told mid-day, “The actor cannot begin his physical prep as he is currently shooting Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War, in which he sports an athletic look. For Mahavatar, he will need to build a heavy frame like that of a wrestler, complete with a rugged look and long, matted hair. After Love & War reaches the finish line in April, the actor will adopt a new diet plan and workout regime to attain the required look.”

Given his distinct look for the epic, it’s unlikely that Kaushal will sign any new projects while filming it.

Producer Dinesh Vijan and the director are using this time to build the mythological drama’s world. The source added, “The DoP [Director of Photography], art, production, and costume design teams have begun soft prep. The hunt for the leading lady, who will play Dharini, is underway. The rumour of Deepika Padukone being the female lead was baseless.”

With her song Shararat currently trending at No. 1 in India and No. 2 globally, singer Jasmine Sandlas is riding a career high. “For us, singers, there was a life before and there is life after Dhurandhar (2025),” she says, adding that she finds songwriting therapeutic.

“Nothing is more fulfilling than writing. My songs 36 Mere Vargiyan and Royi Na were written in a phase of my life when I was surrounded by energy vampires and toxic relationships. During heartbreaks also, songs helped me heal,” says the 40-year-old, who been vocal about her struggles with mental health.

“I have suffered from bipolar disorder and depression. I took intense therapy and medication to heal from a very tough phase of my life,” she reveals.

Jasmine adds that several people live their lives without even being diagnosed: “It’s embarrassing to be judged when you’re already so helpless... It’s okay to ask for help and help should be offered urgently. It is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Crediting actor Deepika Padukone for destigmatizing mental health, she says, “It was a big moment when she spoke about it. I stand for mental wellness. Even though it’s a very difficult conversation, I hope to raise awareness and help in all ways that I can in the coming years, and I hope to sing more Bollywood songs now.”

As the debate around fixed work hours in the film industry continues, actor Radhika Apte has lent her voice to the demand, saying it is “not possible” for her to work without clearly capped shifts. The conversation gathered momentum earlier this year after reports suggested actor Deepika Padukone was ousted from filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit after asking for fixed eight-hour shifts as a new mother.

Radhika, who became a mother last December, says that the real problem lies in how workdays quietly stretch far beyond what contracts promise. “I will not be able to work unless the producers now agree to 12-hour shifts. And by 12 hours, I mean including travel, makeup and hair. Otherwise, we are basically working for 16 hours,” the 40-year-old tells us.

Explaining the math, the actor points out that actors are often on set for a minimum of 14 hours, with extended shifts, followed by long commutes. “You can’t be away for 16 hours. Otherwise, you will never get to see your child,” she says, adding how many shoots also lack weekly offs and even proper lunch breaks.

The actor, seen in the films Last Days and Saali Mohabbat this year, shares, “A lot of work came to me this year, but I’m not taking up anything till April... I will not be able to work on most projects because a lot of people won’t agree to this.”

In the last week of November, Deepika Padukone was spotted at Maddock Films’ office in Santacruz, Mumbai. Her appearance intensified the industry chatter that the actor is set to join the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. But sources now indicate that she is, instead, in early conversations to star opposite Vicky Kaushal in ‘Mahavatar’.

Centred on the immortal warrior Parashurama, director Amar Kaushik’s ambitious mythological epic was announced in November 2024. Even as the project is in pre-production, casting for the female lead has remained one of its most closely guarded decisions.

A production insider told mid-day, “The team has been looking for someone who can bring gravitas and emotional depth to the role written opposite Parashurama. Deepika fits that space perfectly. Conversations have begun, but they are still at an early stage. She is among the top names the studio has engaged with.”

Even as the mythological drama focuses on the story of Parashurama, it is heard that the female lead will have a strong character graph. “Amar Kaushik has been clear from the beginning that the character must have equal footing in the narrative,” added the source. If the talks result in a deal, this will be Padukone’s first collaboration with leading man Kaushal.

mid-day reached out to Vijan, who didn’t respond till press time.

Dharmendra with his aunt Preetam Kaur in Dangon village

Mumbai: The first confirmation of actor Dharmendra's death Monday came when his daughter Esha Deol followed by wife Hema Malini reached Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu to prepare for the final rites. The family did not issue a formal statement about his demise.

Shortly afterwards, the star's remains were brought to the cremation ground by ambulance. An attendant seated beside the driver held the earthen pot used for the ritual.

A large contingent of fans began gathering outside the crematorium. Among celebrities, Juhu residents Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan were the first to arrive followed by Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Shabana Azmi. Yesteryear stars Saira Banu and Biswajit also showed up to pay respects.

Saira Banu later recalled, “Dilip saab valued and loved him like his own blood and Dharam ji was inspired to get into movies inspired by Dilip saab. He would come over and they’d share each other’s lives and issues till 2 am.”

Sunny Deol as the eldest son performed the Mukhagni ceremony. The Deol clan dissolved in tears, especially younger son Bobby and grandson Karan.

Sadly, Dharam ji's fans and even his colleagues from the film industry did not receive information of his death in time and began arriving at Pawan Hans only to find that the funeral was completed way before. Celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh too came in the afternoon.

Fans expressed a wish to see their favourite ‘He-Man’ up close one last time. An old acquaintance displayed a picture of himself with the star that dated back decades. He sought to know if the gates of the cremation ground would be opened to allow a final darshan.

Another lady escorted by her young daughter said, "We knew the end was near given his deteriorating condition and ventilator support over the past weeks. Still his passing has caused deep sorrow. The younger generation knows Amitabh Bachchan as the only superstar. But Dharmendra preceded him."

The final farewell was marked by simplicity. The ambulance bearing Dharmendra's remains was not bedecked with flowers nor was an opportunity granted to people to see him one last time at a formal wake. The Deols eschewed this ritual.

Onlookers speculated that the family was keen to avoid media frenzy and large crowds given the false alarm over the star's death that erupted a few days ago.

Among those who mourned him were Shatrughan Sinha, who expressed his grief saying, “Heart broken, pained & deeply saddened by the passing away of our dearest family friend, our elder brother, people's hero.”

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Dangon/Sahnewal/Ludhiana: Here, every house has its own story of Dharmendra. Every family feels he is theirs. He is their 'apna Dharam'.

From the time news broke that Bollywood's original strongman was critically ill, Dangon village - Dharmendra's ancestral place, around an hour's drive from Ludhiana - had been praying for his health. Nothing prepares you to take such news, said Dharmendra's nephew, Buta Singh.

Buta, 35, told TOI, "My grandmother (Dharmendra's aunt) was already tense after his condition deteriorated earlier this month and now she is in deep shock. All of us are anguished. But we are proud he made our little village and Punjab proud."

The actor's aunt, Preetam Kaur, 90, said, "I was already in so much pain after my son Shingara Singh died during Covid in 2021. Now Dharam is gone too." She recalled the times she went to Mumbai and he treated her like royalty. "You know, he gave me everything needed for my son Manjit's marriage." She said Dharmendra was fond of Shingara and the two would often chat on video calls.

Manjit said his brother Gurjit lived with Dharmendra's family in Mumbai for two years. He recalled that when Dharmendra last visited the village in 2014, he took the village soil and touched it to his forehead. "We were hoping to celebrate his birthday on Dec 8, but now we are preparing for a remembrance meeting," said Amritpal Singh, former sarpanch of Dangon.

The house in Sahnewal where Dharmendra once lived on rent is a landmark in these parts. It has changed hands since but the owner has kept a picture of the way it was when he bought it, and named it "Dharminder House".

Manjeet Kaur said it was in a poor condition when they bought it around three years ago. "Sunny Deol was born in this house. Yes, we do feel proud that we live in the same building that was once Dharmendra ji's," said Manjeet.

"We always wished he would come to the house and meet us. Unfortunately that never was to be," she said, adding that they have pictures of the old house and Sunny's room framed.

TOI met a former neighbour, 86-year-old Girdhari Lal, who said the actor's younger brother Ajit Singh Deol was his classmate in school. "Dharmendra's father Kewal Krishan ji was my teacher as he taught both in govt primary and high school in Sahnewal," said Lal.

He recalled that before becoming a star, Dharmendra would go to a salon in Chaura Bazar in Ludhiana and spend hours there as he was quite fashion savvy. "He was always very friendly. A man with a big heart. Even after he made it big in Bollywood, he hosted me whenever I went to Mumbai for training. He treated me and everyone who knew him in his early days just as friends do," said Lal, who retired as a branch manager with LIC.

In Sahnewal, it seems there's no dearth of people whose life Dharmendra had touched. TOI was leaving 'Dharminder House' when a stranger approached and said, "You want to know about Dharmendra? Take it from me, he was a giant among men." Asked for his name, he said: "I don't matter. We are Dharmendra's people. I asked him once how he made it big, and he smiled and said, 'fate'."

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Ludhiana: As Bollywood star Dharmendra spent many years of his early life in Sahnewal near Ludhiana, the area residents where his family lived are in a state of shock over the death of the Bollywood star. Dharmendra's father Kewal Krishan Deol was a teacher in a govt school at Sahnewal for many years.

Talking to TOI, 86-year-old Girdhari Lal, a retired senior branch manager from LIC who lives in Mohalla Khatriyan yards away from the house where Dharmendra's family lived on rent, said he was shocked beyond words and was unable to express his pain. He added that he was very tense for many days after he came to know about Dharmendra's ill health, and today his worst fears came true as they had lost him.

Girdhari Lal shared that Dharmendra's younger brother Ajit Singh Deol (Jeet) was his class fellow and they studied together till high school. He added that Dharmendra's father was his teacher as he taught both in govt primary and high school in Sahnewal.

Lal recalled that before becoming a star, Dharmendra would go to a saloon in Chaura Bazar in Ludhiana and would sit there for hours as he was quite fashion savvy. He added that after Dharmendra became a star, twice he (Girdhari Lal) went to Mumbai for training where Dharmendra hosted him and treated him very well.

Chipping in, Manju Sharma, wife of Girdhari Lal, said Dharmendra's mother Satwant Kaur was a great lady and the family was nice. She added that they did pray for his recovery, but unfortunately, Dharmendra passed away.

Girdhari Lal said that Master Kewal Krishan worked as a teacher in Lalton as well before he went to Phagwara, where the family lived for around 10 years. He added that Master Kewal Krishan's brother-in-law's son Varinder was also a movie star and Dharmendra's brother Ajit also worked in "Khote Sikke" movie, but couldn't make it big in movies and joined the railways.

Meanwhile, the house where the family lived in Sahnewal is renovated now. Manjeet Kaur, who along with her son and his family owns the house, said the house was damaged so they had to get it renovated after they bought it around three years ago. She added that Sunny Deol was born in one of the room's of the house, and they feel proud of the fact that Dharmendra once lived there.

"He did come here once around 10-12 years ago. He should have lived long and we wished he should have come here and met us," she said. She added that they had got a picture of the damaged house and the room where Bobby Deol was born framed.

Sandeep Kumar, an area resident, said during his last visit to Sahnewal, the actor had visited many parts of the area. He added that people in Sahnewal loved him a lot and were shocked by his demise.

Meanwhile, residents of Nasrali village near Khanna, where Dharmendra was born, are also saddened by the death of the Bollywood star. A resident, Master Jaswant Singh, said Dharmendra's father taught in the village for two years. He added that they did an ‘Ardas' for Dharmendra's well-being at a religious place in the village after he became ill, but are upset with his demise.

Master Jaswant Singh said that the condition of the house where the family lived is in bad shape. The villagers said that they pray for peace to the departed soul and courage to his family and fans to bear such an irreparable loss.