Showing posts with label Emraan Hashmi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emraan Hashmi. Show all posts
Sanjay Gupta was developing crime thriller CIU as his web series debut
4:33 PM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 4, 2026)
Few things excited Sanjay Gupta as much as the prospect of helming a riveting crime thriller. And the filmmaker had zeroed in on one such subject before his sudden death on October 30. mid-day has learnt that he was developing the screen adaptation of the true crime thriller, CIU: Criminals In Uniform, written by investigative journalists Dr Sanjay Singh and Rakesh Trivedi. Gupta, who would have made his web series debut with it, was planning it as an eight-part series.
Speaking to mid-day, Singh revealed that the filmmaker had approached Naseeruddin Shah, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, and Dia Mirza for the series.
“Sanjay Gupta held several meetings with us and had prepared an elaborate pitch deck. He was in discussions with Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Akshaye Khanna, Emraan Hashmi, Atul Kulkarni, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Ronit Bose Roy. His ambition was to create one of India’s most star-studded web series.”
Inspired by the 2021 Antilia bomb scare, CIU: Criminals In Uniform is a fictionalized telling of how the controversial head of Mumbai Police’s Crime Investigation Unit leads the probe after explosives are found in a vehicle parked outside the house of a wealthy business tycoon.
Singh added, “Sanjay believed the book had potential for a gripping web series. He understood the sensitivity of the subject.”
Gupta’s 32-year career was built on stylized crime thrillers and action dramas like Kaante (2002), Zinda (2006), Shootout At Wadala (2013), and Kaabil (2017). What distinguished him from other filmmakers, according to Singh, was that his stories were never only about the crime. “It was about the people, circumstances, hidden truths, and the larger story that the public had never been told.”
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The roles they were envisioned in
Anil Kapoor as Commissioner, Mumbai Police; Naseeruddin Shah as a bureaucrat; Akshaye Khanna as Assistant Commissioner of Police; Emraan Hashmi as a senior inspector
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Sanjay Singh revealed that Sanjay Gupta was keen on revisiting the 1978 Ranga-Billa case, despite Prime Video’s ‘Raakh’ having recently explored the story.
He shared, “I’ve written a book on Ranga and Billa, and Sanjay was interested in bringing their story to the screen. When ‘Raakh’ came out, Sanjay felt that the makers had missed an opportunity to explore a much more complex crime story. He believed there was still tremendous potential to make a powerful and factually accurate web series on them”
Safety checks increased on Gunmaaster G9 sets after Emraan Hashmi's accident
10:16 AM
After an SUV nearly crashes into a van during Emraan Hashmi’s Gunmaaster G9 shoot, stricter safety checks are reinforced before each stunt; producer Deepak Mukut says team’s safety is top priority
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 19, 2026)
Gunmaaster G9’s recent climax shoot turned into a wake-up call for its makers as well as other productions, as far as risks involved in action sequences are concerned. On October 13, as leading man Emraan Hashmi was filming the climax — which included an SUV and a fleet of cars — in Bengaluru, the SUV came loose from its rigging and nearly crashed on the van that was passing by. Fortunately, Hashmi and others in the frame escaped without any injury.
For Deepak Mukut, who is producing the Aditya Datt-directed venture, the episode has highlighted the responsibility that comes with mounting an action-heavy film and the importance of safety protocols.
He told mid-day, “Action cinema demands a certain physicality and scale, and we want to bring that experience to the big screen. But our responsibility towards the people working on the film is equally important. The safety of our actors, technicians, and crew must always remain paramount. Every action sequence requires careful planning and coordination, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
The video leaked from the set showed crew members gathered around the set-up as a countdown was called for the shot, before the SUV came inches away from landing on the van. After the episode, we’re told Datt, Mukut, and the action team reviewed every arrangement on set.
A source said, “Following the incident, we are reinforcing the checks required before any such stunt is attempted. It includes checking all securing points and ensuring that the action team and crew are aligned on movement, positioning, and clearance zones. We want to get a sense of what additional precautions may be required before proceeding with similar shots.”
Mukut added, “We double check every arrangement on set — from loose wires to all moving parts of a stunt. An action film [entails] bringing realism, energy, and intensity to the screen so that audiences feel immersed in the story. But realism on screen should never mean taking safety lightly.”
Emraan Hashmi's smoking style in Gunmaaster G9 inspired by Anand Bakshi’s quirky habit
10:05 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 29, 2026)
Direction may not have happened to Aditya Datt, had it not been for his maternal grandfather, celebrated lyricist Anand Bakshi. It was Bakshi who recognised and encouraged Datt’s interest in cinema. In a sweet gesture of remembrance, the director has included one of his grandfather’s quirks in his upcoming film, Gunmaaster G9. Recalling that the lyricist had a distinctive way of smoking, he suggested that leading man Emraan Hashmi incorporate it in his character.
“My grandfather used to smoke in a particular way. I told Emraan that he should smoke like that,” shared Datt.
The director remembered that as soon as Bakshi understood his grandson’s interest in filmmaking, he tested his storytelling instinct. It was the lyricist, in fact, who guided him to learn the craft from filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.
Datt recalled, “When I told my grandfather that I wanted to make films, he didn’t simply dismiss it as a passing phase. He actually tested me. He asked me to narrate a story, heard me out, and then told me to go meet Mahesh Bhatt. That was his way of figuring out whether I was serious about cinema.”
If Bakshi had a knack for telling stories through his simple and emotional lyrics rooted in truth, Datt’s language is more heightened and emphatic. With Gunmaaster G9 that also stars Genelia Deshmukh, the director has told the story of Hashmi’s protagonist who sheds his peaceful life and turns into an assassin after a mafia syndicate threatens his wife.
The director reflected, “My way of narrating cinema is that I do larger-than-life things. It’s not reality because I’m not making a documentary or trying to be realistic, but it has to have screen logic when you see it. I need to give the answers on the screen.”
It would have been very simple to put another Aashiq Banaya Aapne-Aditya Datt
3:49 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 4, 2026)
With Emraan Hashmi-starrer Gunmaaster G9 locking its release date for late November, director Aditya Datt is set to reunite with the actor nearly two decades after their collaboration on Aashiq Banaya Aapne. While the two have been trying to collaborate again for several years, Datt reveals that two separate projects they had planned together failed to materialize, despite both getting close to going on floors. “We’ve been trying to put movies on the floor from a decade now. Every time our movie was supposed to go on floors, there was an issue,” Datt says.
The director recalls that their first attempt at reuniting came in 2009, with a script to be produced by a leading studio. “We were supposed to do a film together back in 2009 once, which was written by Mr Anees Bazmee for us. The studio pulled the plug a couple of months before the shoot. We were actually into prep for that film,” he recalls.
The duo tried again around 2014-16, this time with a film being produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production house. But that project too eventually fell through. “We finished the scripting, Mr Bhansali was producing the film and I was supposed to do it and take it on floors. There was a mishap and again that script didn’t happen. Sadly, every time we were so close to shooting, we were literally supposed to go on floors and something would just not work out.”
Gunmaaster G9 finally gave the collaborators the opportunity they had been waiting for. “I would get busy with another film and he would get busy with something. Things were just not falling into place. And then, like they say, everything has a time, and this just happened.”
Despite the success and nostalgia associated with Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Datt says making a sequel was never the intention. He believes both he and Hashmi have evolved as storytellers and performers since their earlier collaboration.
“Back then we were kids. It was a different energy. It would have been very simple to put another Aashiq Banaya Aapne and flow, but I think as cinema, we just grew into liking new things. All the stories that we want to tell and him as an actor, he’s grown so much. I’m hoping that I’m growing as a director too.”
With Gunmaaster G9, Datt was particularly keen to take Hashmi into an action space he felt the actor had not explored in this manner before.
“I just wanted to do something new with him, something which he’s also not done. I don’t think Emraan’s done a nice, great action film ever. I wanted to do something which stands out and breaks whatever he’s done and I have done also in the past. I don’t want to do obvious, expected things.”
The title Gunmaaster G9 may immediately remind audiences of Mithun Chakraborty’s iconic Gunmaster G9 character, but Datt says the connection is coincidental rather than intentional.
“I know people are thinking, is he an agent or is it from the Mithunda thing? Actually, it’s not. It’s got nothing to do with Mithun da’s character, but a hat tip perhaps. The film is about the underworld and gangsters. My main character is great with guns and he’s a master of it, and G9 is the Glock 9 that he loves carrying with him. That’s why Gunmaaster G9.”
For Datt, the film is ultimately an attempt to bring back the emotional ingredients of mainstream Hindi cinema while presenting them through a contemporary lens.
“The basic emotion is always the same. Even when I’m trying to narrate something in today’s day and age, I wanted to keep that basic core emotion of an Indian audience alive the music, the romance, the action and at the same time have a language of a 2026 narrator.”
After Awarapan 2 success, Emraan Hashmi returns to stage after 19 years; charges Rs. 2 cr
10:57 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 28, 2026)
You’ve seen Emraan Hashmi plenty on screen, but when was the last time you saw him performing on stage? Some may recall the actor’s rare dance performance at IIFA Awards in 2007. Well, 19 years later, he is going back on stage.
Hashmi, the man of the moment after Awarapan 2’s runaway success, is headlining two gigs — on August 29, he will host a Bollywood-themed event, titled The Emraan Era, at Sunburn Union in Bengaluru. A week later, on September 5, he will share the stage with DJ Ganesh at Quake Arena in Hyderabad.
According to sources, the actor, who is riding high on the Awarapan 2 wave, has charged a cool Rs 2 crore for the appearances. But then, with Hashmi comes his massive fan following and an enviable playlist of one chartbuster after another. The events promise Bollywood beats and nostalgia, taking the fans back to the aughts.
A source told mid-day, “The first event at Sunburn Union will have the star burning up the stage, reliving his bangers from Murder [2004], Aashiq Banaya Aapne [2005], and Jannat [2008] — all the films that made Emraan a household name. Joining him that evening would be DJ Aerreo. At the Hyderabad gig, he will make a brief appearance. DJ Ganesh will present remixes and mash-ups of Emraan’s party starters. While he has always been popular with millennials, after The Ba***ds Of Bollywood [2025] and Awarapan 2, he has found a new fan base in Gen Z as well.”
Even I want to romance on screen-Suvinder Vicky
3:59 PM
Starring in ‘Awarapan 2’ after several middle-of-the-road films, Suvinder Vicky hopes it will lead to more opportunities in mainstream Hindi cinema
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 13, 2026)
Sure, it’s unusual, but Suvinder Vicky’s analogy perfectly captures his recent spate of films. “I am that halwai ki dukan where you’ll get a variety of sweets,” chuckled the actor. The diversity in his films is evident — after Dhurandhar The Revenge and Satluj, Vicky is now awaiting the release of Awarapan 2.
Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the Emraan Hashmi-starrer is as mainstream as they come, but to Vicky, it’s an “offbeat” movie. He has his reasons. “I haven’t done a musical before. In every project, they put a garland over my character’s wife’s picture [implying she has passed away]. Even I want to romance on screen. Even though Emraan will be doing all of this here, I am at least part of it,” he laughed. The actor is hopeful that Awarapan 2 will lead to more opportunities in mainstream Hindi cinema.
There’s another reason that drew him to the action thriller. “I realized that in this film, I would be seen as Suvinder Vicky. I have donned different looks for my previous characters; I have spent two hours for hair and make-up on those projects. I don’t have much patience for it because the longer the process goes, the more I start getting out of my character’s zone. This film gave me a chance to be seen as who I am. It didn’t require any mental burden to play the role.”
I learned comedy by watching Akshay Kumar, Johnny Lever, Arshad Warsi-Disha Patani
9:26 AM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 3, 2026)
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.
In Welcome To The Jungle, Disha Patani got to be a part of the recreation of Uncha Lamba Kad. The original song from the 2007 film Welcome featured actors Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. Calling the song “iconic”, Patani insists that she was ready for comparisons with Kaif. “Comparisons are inevitable, but our intention was to celebrate a much-loved iconic song and present it in a fresh avatar,” she says.
Next up, Patani will be seen in Awarapan 2 alongside actors Emraan Hashmi and Shabana Azmi, and she calls it a privilege to be associated with the much-loved franchise. “The music of Awarapan (2007) has stayed with audiences, and to be part of a film that carries so much emotion and nostalgia is a privilege. I’ve always admired Shabana ma’am. Her dedication and command over her craft are inspiring. Even Emraan has such a strong understanding of cinema,” she says.
Ask her what is on her radar for future projects, and the actor says that she is keen to explore darker territory on screen. “I’d love to do a psychological thriller or an intense character-driven drama, or even action dramas,” she ends.
Gunmaaster G9 shoot briefly disrupted when a prop sign board sparked outrage in Haridwar
10:03 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 13, 2026)
Lights, camera, commotion. What began as a routine film shoot in Haridwar turned into a public uproar when locals mistook a movie set for a real bar. On Wednesday (June 10), a crowd disrupted the shoot of a scene for Emraan Hashmi-starrer Gunmaaster G9 after spotting a sign board that read ‘Bar and Café’ in the holy city.
Aparshakti Khurana was filming at Bhatia Bhawan in Shravan Nath Nagar when locals gathered at the location and objected to the apparent opening of a bar. The protest gained momentum after videos from the set circulated online, as meat, eggs, and alcohol are prohibited in Haridwar.
“We go to shoot scenes with necessary props, at places without any intention of hurting anybody’s feelings. We always respect the system and follow all the rules. After speaking to the local people, we sorted it out,” said producer Deepak Mukut, who was taken aback by the accusations. He shared that, as a Hindu, he would never consider opening a bar in Haridwar.
“We are also Hindus and we respect the sentiments of everybody. Then we explained to them that it’s a film shoot,” he added. To calm tensions, the makers removed the word ‘Bar’ from the signboard and kept it only as ‘Café’.
Although the production had secured the necessary permissions, locals were reportedly unaware that a film shoot was underway. After wrapping up in Haridwar, the team heads to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Delhi.
“A little bit of patchwork is left in Mumbai. The film will be completed in the first week of July with only a couple of songs remaining. [Paired opposite Hashmi], Genelia [Deshmukh] will join after the 20th of June,” explained the producer of the spy thriller.
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Locals reportedly objected to a signboard on the film’s set that carried the word ‘bar’, alleging that it hurt religious sentiments in the holy city
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 13, 2026)
A video surfaced on social media on Thursday, showing trouble in Haridwar, Uttarakhand during the filming of actor Emraan Hashmi’s next project. According to reports, the controversy started after locals took offence at a signboard reading “Cafe & Bar”, which was part of the on-location set.
The clip showed residents engaged in a heated debate with the crew, including security personnel and members of the production team, objecting to the word “Bar” on the signboard, and arguing that it was inappropriate for a city like Haridwar. They alleged that it hurt religious sentiments and diminished the city’s spiritual significance. Hashmi was nowhere to be seen in the footage.
According to local reports, the dispute was finally resolved when the crew agreed to remove the word “Bar” from the signboard, satisfying the protestors and allowing the shoot to resume.
Meanwhile, several videos of Hashmi meeting fans in Uttarakhand also surfaced on social media. The actor did not issue any statement regarding the reported protest on the set till the time of going to press. There is also still no official confirmation about the title of the film or the team behind the project.
Arijit Singh doesn’t want to be remembered only as a singer-Mohit Suri
10:32 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 16, 2026)
At 38, Arijit Singh recently stunned fans and the Hindi film industry by announcing his retirement from playback singing. While several have expressed what they feel about Arijit’s choice, we spoke to Mohit Suri, whose films have consistently featured quintessential Arijit Singh songs, dating back to Aashiqui 2 and the iconic Tum Hi Ho. Composed by Mithoon, the song launched Arijit into stardom 13 years ago and defined his voice as synonymous with love and heartbreak. Suri last worked with him on Dhun from Saiyaara.
‘SUCCESS WAS ACTUALLY DELAYED FOR ARIJIT’
On Arijit’s retirement from playback singing, Mohit said the decision didn’t surprise him. “I sensed it. He had reached a stage where he wanted to do more and not box himself into just one identity. You can’t limit his creativity. He doesn’t want to be remembered only as Arijit, the singer,” he said.
On a personal note, Mohit admits he is deeply disappointed, saying that a part of him feels like it has ended with the announcement.
He explains, “I don’t think Indian music can exist without Arijit. People see this as a full stop, but he’s not done yet. I’ve known him since he was Pritam da’s assistant. People think he was just fortunate, but that’s not true. He didn’t let himself break, and success was actually delayed for him. He’s an artiste who will never stop creating. Even if Arijit the singer slows down, he’ll be far more valuable to music and cinema. Once he sets his mind to something, he achieves it.”
‘HE SANG ALL KINDS OF SONGS, WE CHOSE TO HIGHLIGHT ONLY HIS HEARTBREAK NUMBERS’
As Arijit dominated Bollywood music for over a decade, speculation grew about sidelined singers, alleged monopolies and his association with “sad songs.” Mohit, however, says Arijit’s biggest strength became a limitation imposed by others.
“Your best work often becomes the monkey on your back. Arijit sang all kinds of songs — we chose to highlight his heartbreak numbers,” he says, pointing to upbeat tracks like Ullu Ka Pattha and Galti Se Mistake from Jagga Jasoos as proof of his range. “We boxed him into Tum Hi Ho or Channa Mereya kind of songs.”
Dismissing favouritism and lobbying claims, Mohit is categorical. “Arijit never insisted on singing a song. In fact, he often pushed for the scratch singer to be retained, saying the song didn’t need him. That’s how secure he is — and many singers got breaks because of that.”
‘NO ONE CAN REPLACE ARIJIT SINGH, YET NEW VOICES WILL FIND THEIR WAY’
On a parting note, we ask if Arijit’s voice could ever be replaced. “Everyone is special. I was deeply attached to KK sir, but while making Aashiqui 2, I realized I couldn’t use the same voice I associated with Emraan Hashmi for Aditya Roy Kapur. We found a new voice and that was Arijit.”
He adds that with Saiyaara, he introduced Faheem Abdullah for Ahaan Panday, showing that every generation finds its own voice. “That’s the way life works. New singers must find their space, just as Arijit once did. There cannot be another Arijit Singh. We depend on him emotionally, knowing he will nail it — but if he doesn’t make way, new talent won’t emerge. He is truly one of a kind. And yes, I’ll speak to him once he reads this.”
It is important to say no to more films than say yes-Emraan Hashmi
9:33 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 21, 2026)
Emraan Hashmi has steadily evolved from romantic leads and anti-heroes to playing layered officials and intelligence officers in projects like Shanghai, Bard of Blood and Tiger 3. His latest web show, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, features him as a customs officer.
On preparing for diverse roles, Emraan says, “It’s a very chaotic thing. There is no particular streamline where I play different characters. There is a journey you see on paper... the arc of the character through the episodes. What is great is that in a show you get seven episodes to play it out, so you get more meat.”
Research and observation, he adds, are key. “My memory bank of constantly travelling and seeing people in different countries… the decorum they follow when on duty, the body language, it is there in my memory bank. Jamming with the director, the team, other actors, writers is what helped.”
Discussing roles he hopes to explore, Emraan says, “I have never played an Air Force pilot — that is something I want to portray on screen. A man in uniform is always interesting to play. We are just about scratching the surface… theatrically or on OTT. I hope more writers tap into that.”
Reflecting on his career, he notes, “There are some actors who probably want to play the same variation of roles. I have done that earlier in my career. But what I found merit in was getting into the skin of different characters through the journey.”
He said, “My first taste of it was in Shanghai (2012). Even in my first film, Footpath (2003), this thrill was there. You come back home and you know you pushed yourself… you are emotionally spent because you play another personality.”
That pursuit of novelty continues to guide his choices. “That has been my goal — always surprise the audience with something they have not seen you do. After so many years, it becomes very difficult sometimes. That is why you have to say no to more films than say yes.”
With nearly 50 films behind him, Emraan says, “When something like a customs officer’s role in a Neeraj Pandey project comes to you, then you grab it with both hands.”
How Emraan Hashmi handles the ‘serial kisser’ tag: "When I was doing bold scenes…"
3:08 PM
Oshin Fernandes (MID-DAY; January 18, 2026)
“Akkha Bollywood ek taraf, aur Emraan Hashmi ek taraf,” is an epic one-liner by Raghav Juyal (The Ba***ds Of Bollywood) that’s going to be etched into cinematic history. The versatile star who closed 2025 with Haq has kick-started the New Year with Netflix’s Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web, which portrays him as a customs officer.
In an exclusive interaction with mid-day, Emraan shares what’s on his checklist when it comes to signing on the dotted line, his take on the “serial kisser” tag despite a career trajectory of over two decades, and more.
Emraan Hashmi on serial kisser tag
Emraan, who can’t seem to shake off his “serial kisser” tag, had to encounter something similar during the show’s trailer launch in Mumbai. The actor, who has been in showbiz for over two decades, states that it’s been ages since he’s been christened with the same.
“Some journos want clickbait, and things get a little unethical. You just have to tackle it with a certain amount of humour and not let it affect you. You're living in a country that gets stirred up with these things. I guess they're also catering to an audience that reacts strongly to these things, and they get their views.”
Emraan observes that while journalists have their own narratives to craft, in a relatively conservative culture, provocative statements quickly become sensationalized.
“When I was doing these 'bold scenes', the first talking point, the headline, was about the kiss. And apparently, it's still there. Not as much, but it's still there. It's very pervasive in our culture. But you’ve got to take it in your stride,” he adds.
Emraan Hashmi on choosing projects
Over the years, Emraan has dabbled in projects that have a layer of quirk. He doesn’t rack his brain to dissect what the audience may or may not like. Once the script connects to him at a deeper level, he’s in for the ride. However, a big no for him would be a lack of conviction.
Emraan, who dons the customs uniform in the show, is a treat to watch. When questioned hypothetically about what he would stop from being smuggled into India, he answers, “Drugs. That's a no-brainer. Huge credit to, of course, the customs officers, because the consequences and the price you pay are huge.”
I punched a stuntman, his jaw got hurt and my hand swelled up like a balloon-Amruta Khanvilkar
10:46 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 11, 2026)
Amruta Khanvilkar was originally signed on for a six-day cameo in Neeraj Pandey’s upcoming Netflix series, Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web. But clearly, she walked in and changed the plan. During auditions, the director asked her to perform a new scene on the spot — and minutes later, she bagged a meatier role.
“When I performed the scene, Neeraj sir said, ‘Amruta, we want to cast you for a bigger role we have.’ That’s how I landed Mitali’s character,” she recalls.
Pandey also asked her if she could pull off action. Khanvilkar admitted she didn’t know stunts — but she is a dancer and understood rhythm. She said, “‘Sir, if you teach me choreography, I can do it in half an hour.’ They gave me an action sequence, which I did with the action master. People were surprised.”
Within days, she grew confident — perhaps a bit too confident. She reveals that she injured both a stuntman and herself while filming.
“In the beginning, you are alert and conscious because you are new to [action]. Slowly, I got a little overconfident, and I punched a stuntman, his jaw got hurt and my hand swelled up like a balloon. I cried for 15 minutes, then I put on boxing gloves and performed a kickboxing scene with the swollen hand.”
Bruises aside, she says she had a blast on set. The actor adds that Emraan Hashmi’s humility, despite his massive fan following, made it easier for everyone to bond.
“It is great to have an actor who is so grounded. He is unbothered about the baggage that comes with his fame, success, and fan following. [That’s why] you can joke and have a conversation with him. That chemistry always shows,” she smiles.
Tighter security on sets of Awarapan 2 amid leak scare and Pakistani composer rumours
9:49 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 30, 2025)
What was meant to be a controlled build-up to the sequel to the cult classic, Awarapan (2007), has turned into damage control. After unauthorized images and videos from a Rajasthan shoot surfaced online, the makers have swiftly moved to restrict access and prevent further leaks.
According to sources close to the production, security has been significantly increased at filming locations in and around Sambhar, Rajasthan, after visuals revealing the lead actor’s altered look surfaced online without approval. The movie features Emraan Hashmi returning as Shivam Pandit, alongside Disha Patani, with Shabana Azmi expected to play the villain. The images, which went viral within hours, caused concern within the unit.
“The look reveal was never meant to come out this early,” an insider tells mid-day. “After the photos were leaked, access had to be tightened. Phones are now restricted on set, and movement around the location is being closely monitored and certain areas have been cordoned off. Multiple terrace-sequence videos were leaked by locals.”
The clampdown comes at a sensitive time for the film, which is already facing online scrutiny over rumours that a Pakistani music composer is associated with the soundtrack. “The team wants the content to speak, not controversies. Music is integral to the film and Pritam had done the original score. The producers are mindful of the law of the land and are baffled by the rumours.” the source adds.
“The shoot has been fast-tracked, and the team will wrap this schedule within a week, with local police deployed for protection,” the source concludes.
mid-day contacted Kakkar for further details but he remained unavailable.
Awarapan 2 is my first time collaborating with Emraan Hashmi, whom I’ve seen as a child-Shabana Azmi
9:48 AM
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, set to play the antagonist in ‘Awarapan 2’, says she is now “ready to do any part that suits my fancy”
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 21, 2025)
Working for over five decades in cinema, what role has veteran actor Shabana Azmi not done? Yet she never loses her childlike enthusiasm when she gets to explore a new role — be it comedy, drama, or the villain. This year, in particular, she has dabbled in everything — from Dabba Cartel to the Hollywood series Halo, from resuming her inter-city theatrical tour for the play Broken Images to shooting for an Indo-American production.
Now, Azmi has joined director and writer Nitin Kakkar’s Awarapan 2, headlined by Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani. The shooting of the Vishesh Bhatt film, co-written by Bilal Siddiqui, began in September in Singapore. The team shot for a month before the makers called for a break.
The sequel to the 2007 film Awarapan, will see the return of gangster Shivam Malik (Hashmi) after his ‘almost’ death at the end of the first instalment. Azmi will play Hashmi’s adversary, heightening the conflict and emotional narrative between the characters in the sequel. “[My character] comes at a pivotal turning point in the story,” shares Azmi, marking this as her first film with Vishesh Films.
While she has worked with Mahesh Bhatt in Arth (1982), it feels nostalgic for the senior actor to shoot with Hashmi. Azmi recollects working with his grandmother Purnima Devi in Fakira (1976).
“It’s my first time collaborating with Emraan, whom I’ve seen as a child. I shot for a day in Mumbai with him. I will shoot for the remaining scenes, which will be done abroad, as soon as I wrap up the film I’m presently shooting in London. I am yet to film with Disha Patani,” she smiles.
After playing grey characters in Dabba Cartel and Nikkhil Advani’s series The Empire, does Azmi prefer negative roles to more layered characters?
She says, “I’m at a stage where I’m ready to do any part that suits my fancy. My roles are not about screen time today, but more about creating an impact.”
Haq is not singling out people from a certain community or maligning it-Emraan Hashmi
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Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi meet the winners of HT City Stars in the City as they talk about their upcoming film and its hopeful impact
Compiled by Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 5, 2025)
Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam Dhar were in Delhi recently to meet the winners of the latest edition of HT City Stars In The City. The actors, who will soon be seen together in Haq, were game for any questions that came their way.
The conversation with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor-Entertainment & Lifestyle, began with a light-hearted chat about Delhi and its food, but soon ventured into serious territory. The duo’s upcoming film, revolving around the landmark Shah Bano case, deals with a sensitive theme: a divorced Muslim woman fighting for maintenance from her husband.
Sharing how he approached the role and the nuances it demanded, Emraan said, “I had to see it from the lens of a Muslim for the first time. The script wanted to humanize the man a bit, although in retrospect, it might seem like a patriarchal angle. Hero vs villain would have been typical; that’s what we generally do in Bollywood to sell our films. But this film takes a very unbiased look at the case.”
As for Yami, who has often been labelled the ‘poster girl of nationalism’ and is now taking what could be seen as a ‘risk’ with Haq, she said, “I have been in the industry since 2012. I made my debut with a film unconventional for its time, Vicky Donor (2012). I’m trying to stick to being that person I always was. The only reason I should exist here, or mean something to someone, is through my work. For that, my role, my script, and my team are very important.”
On a scale of 1-10, when you heard that Haq is inspired by the Shah Bano case, how jittery were you thinking this is controversial?
Yami: Controversy, debate, discussion — that is not the first thought as an artiste. It’s always how I feel after reading the script. Of course, it’s the powerful story of a very courageous woman back in the 1980s. Today, there are multiple conversations to express what we want, what can be done to make things better. Back in the day, there was nothing of that sort. That woman did it without the intent of making it controversial, but just to literally do what every mother does for their child. How can she provide the best for her children? I thought Haq was a wonderfully written script.
Emraan: There were questions when I signed this film. I have done films of a certain nature. But it’s very important as an actor to do a gamut of characters. That, for me, is growth as an artiste. If you don’t risk things, that’s not art, that’s empty marketing. You do those popcorn flicks that release and are forgotten after the first week of theatrical release, which is fine, that’s part of business. But films (like Haq) are important, too. You want to do films that leave behind a message and will stay in people’s conversations... Haq is not singling out people from a certain community or maligning it. It’s about people from a community; it could be any community.
Yami, you have the image now of being the poster girl for nationalism. People think you are sticking to tradition when other women in Bollywood are more westernized. Were you told that Shah Bano’s case supports a nationalistic cause of common laws in the country, and was that a reason to do this film?
If there is any other motivation for me to choose the kind of roles that I do other than creative, the whole purpose of being an artiste fails.
Emraan, your recent role in The Ba***ds Of Bollywood went viral. How’s it been?
First of all, that line ‘Akkha Bollywood ek taraf, Emraan Hashmi ek taraf’ was a masterstroke by writers Bilal Siddiqui and Aryan Khan (also director of the series). That was not the original scene written for me! At first, (my character) was supposed to be at a film premiere, and (actor) Raghav Juyal’s character starts crying as he sees me. But one month before the show’s shoot, (the role) became an intimacy coordinator. Aryan called Bilal, and then I was asked if I was okay doing it. I was like, ‘If I can’t play an intimacy coordinator, nobody else can!’ Shah Rukh (Khan, actor) sir loved the idea, and we shot the scene. There was a lot of improv… Raghav’s crying had us in splits. We didn’t expect that he would go to that level of OTT (over the top)! You don’t know what goes viral and sticks with the audience.
How did your son Ayaan react to the show’s popularity?
Life hasn’t changed after the show; I realized it’s something fans have been missing, a vintage version of what people had seen. My son, though, is embarrassed about it. In school, they had to facilitate things, either head a certain society or something. All his friends said, ‘Why don’t you become an intimacy coach?’ He’s like, ‘You have ruined things for me at school! (laughs)’
Once the world sees Haq, they will walk out with tears, love, and respect-Suparn S Varma
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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 30, 2025)
In early October, late Shah Bano’s daughter Siddiqua Begum sent a legal notice to the makers of Haq, alleging that the film was based on her mother’s case and made without her consent. When mid-day sat down with director Suparn S Varma, he insisted that the upcoming Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi-starrer isn’t an adaptation of the landmark Supreme Court case, but a fictionalized work inspired by multiple cases.
“Our legal teams are talking directly to theirs. So, I’m not in a position to talk about it.
But I can say this: once the world sees the film, they will walk out with tears, love, and respect,” began the director.
In the November 7 release, Gautam plays a Muslim woman, who takes the legal route when her husband refuses to pay the monthly maintenance. Varma’s journalistic roots brought the story to him. “Being an ex-journalist, I’ve read up a lot, whether it’s hijacking cases or court [cases]. Haq is inspired by a landmark Supreme Court ruling and the first case taught in law schools.”
With Haq, his idea was to spotlight women’s rights. The director counts it among his most special projects alongside his production Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (2023), and The Family Man 2 (2021).
“We never talk about feminism from an intersectional perspective. Haq asks difficult questions about religion, women’s rights, and identity. The story begins in the 1970s, which was a more orthodox time. What was normalized then isn’t normal today. But [even today] women are fighting the same battles against bias, gaslighting, and a system built by men. If men had periods, the amount of money spent on research to make their life simpler would have been enormous. That’s the world we live in.”
To do justice to the story that revolves around a Muslim family in the 1970s, Varma dove deep into a different world. “Reshu [Nath, writer] and I spent over two years researching, talking to Islamic experts and clerics, and going through case files. We didn’t want a single false note. When I’m making something about a world I’m not part of, I want to be as true as possible,” he emphasized.
He found the perfect collaborators in Gautam and Hashmi. “Yami’s character quotes the Quran, so she spent time learning Arabic. You needed two actors at the top of their game, and Emraan and Yami delivered in spades.”
Shah Rukh Khan mujhe adopt karne waale hain bas-Raghav Juyal
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Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 13, 2025)
Actor Raghav Juyal has emerged as a breakout performer from Aryan Khan’s The Ba***ds Of Bollywood. Crediting their collaboration, he says, “Mera aur Aryan ka combination bahut deadly hai. Our thought process is similar in comedy. We created a lot of my scenes on the spot.”
Raghav will be seen in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer King, which also features his daughter Suhana. With Ba***ds and the upcoming film, Raghav has effectively become the first person to work with SRK’s entire family on screen.
“Abhi wo mujhe adopt karne wale hain bas,” he quips, adding, “I have a lot of injuries. So one day, he was asking me about my health. And I told him, ‘Sir, meri saari chotein aapki wali hain, bas aapke jaisa paisa aa jaye aur’, and he started laughing.”
Raghav admits that he is getting recognized as an actor now thanks to Kill (2023). “After Kill, I got 400 scripts. My team got tired going through them, but all I was looking at was the writing and the director. I’ve decided not to take up any work jiska koi kaam na ho,” he says, adding, “I want to be the biggest superstar of the country. I was the side dancer in Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer ABCD 2 (2015). My dream now is to be the lead in ABCD 3.”
‘Hadn’t rehearsed singing scene with Emraan sir’
One of the most viral clips from The Ba***ds Of Bollywood is Raghav serenading actor Emraan Hashmi (playing himself) with Kaho Naa Kaho (Murder, 2004).
“It’s a crazy one. Ab wo gaana mera ban gaya hai,” Raghav shares, adding, “Aryan and I had planned this before, but didn’t rehearse or enact with Emraan sir. He is a serious and committed actor who didn’t break character even when everyone in the crew was laughing. Even Aryan was covering his mouth and laughing throughout the scene.”
Yami Gautam-starrer Haq in legal trouble; Shah Bano’s daughter sends legal notice
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Shah Bano’s daughter has sent a legal notice to the makers of the Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi-starrer
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 12, 2025)
Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi’s upcoming film Haq, a dramatised retelling of the landmark Shah Bano case, has landed in legal trouble just ahead of its release.
Siddiqua Begum, daughter and legal heir of the late Shah Bano, has issued a legal notice (a copy of which is with HT City) to the Central Board of Film Certification, director Suparn S Varma, Junglee Pictures and Baweja Studios, citing multiple violations and demanding certification be withheld or revoked.
In the notice, Siddiqua alleges that Haq represents an unauthorised use, distortion, and commercialisation of Shah Bano’s private life, infringing on her mother’s rights to dignity and privacy. She has framed her claims under Article 21 (right to privacy and dignity), defamation, personality/publicity rights, and copyright/moral rights under Sections 57 and 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957.
The film, which features Yami in the lead role and Emraan as her husband, was filmed in parts of Lucknow, including Kakori and Sandila, and is said to revisit the 1985 Supreme Court verdict. In 1978, Shah Bano, a Muslim woman, was divorced through triple talaq by her husband and later filed for maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The Supreme Court ruled in her favour in 1985, affirming that Muslim women could claim maintenance beyond the iddat period, a decision that stirred political backlash and led to the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, which diluted the verdict’s reach.
As of now, the film’s makers have not responded publicly to the legal notice.
Raghav Juyal on his viral scene with Emraan Hashmi in The Ba***ds Of Bollywood: "In my first take, I cried"
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Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 3, 2025)
‘We killed it!’ That, Raghav Juyal tells us, is the gist of the countless messages director Aryan Khan and he have been exchanging since The Ba***ds Of Bollywood dropped on Netflix a fortnight ago. “We tell each other, ‘Bhai, yeh toh hona hi tha’. I don’t know about others, but Aryan and I were confident that the show would be well-received,” says Juyal of Khan’s directorial debut.
The Bobby Deol, Mona Singh, Lakshya, and Sahher Bambba-starrer has many things going for it — its tongue-in-cheek humour, sincere performances by the leads, and star-studded cameos. Juyal’s act as Parvaiz, part problem-fixer and part troublemaker, stands out with its hilarity. Yet, he reveals that many advised him against portraying the role after Kill (2023), which saw him as a ruthless antagonist.
“Everyone asked me, ‘Why are you playing the hero’s best friend?’ I told them that I would handle it. It’s the actor’s job to make the character his own. I created a lot of things on the spot, [aspects] that weren’t in the script, and Aryan would say, ‘Keep it coming. It’s good.’ When we sat to make a scene, we’d go in so many directions that producers would have to put a stop to it,” he laughs.
The duo’s creativity was most evident in the viral sequence with Emraan Hashmi. In the scene, Juyal’s Parvaiz, a Hashmi fan, breaks into the Arabic bit of the star’s popular song, Kaho Na Kaho. The actor, Hashmi’s admirer in real life, grins, “Humara toh school, college, sab usne banaya hai. I did that scene with all my heart. In my first take, I cried. Everyone [on the set] started laughing, wondering why I was crying while singing. But I did that moment with a lot of feelings. Yet, I had to make it look funny.”
On screen, Juyal has a meaty part. But at the script level, things were very different. “My role wasn’t sketched out. Other characters had backstories, mine didn’t. So, I was a little sceptical initially. Then Aryan called me and said, ‘I have full faith in you. We’ll shape the character on set.’ I listened to him, and here we are,” he smiles.
From the jester to ‘King’?
Raghav Juyal couldn’t have asked for a better follow-up to ‘The Ba***ds Of Bollywood’. After Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, the actor is starring in Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’. While he doesn’t name the film, Juyal says, “The biggest support has come from Shah Rukh sir; because of this project, he offered me another. That’s a very big thing for me.”
Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani to shoot crucial scenes of Awarapan 2 over a 40-day Bangkok schedule
3:58 PM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 1, 2025)
Year on year, Emraan Hashmi’s fans would express their desire to see a sequel to his action drama, Awarapan (2007). Their wish has been granted — producer Vishesh Bhatt announced Awarapan 2 in March, and has now taken it on floors in Thailand (Bees saal baad, Sep 30). mid-day has now learnt that Hashmi and Disha Patani, led by director Nitin Kakkar, have a 40-day schedule lined up in Bangkok, after which they will shoot extensively in Mumbai to wrap up the sequel by the year-end.
Bangkok, as the starting point of Awarapan 2, is understandable. The 2007 film ended with Hashmi’s character Shivam, an atheist gangster, being shot in the Thailand capital.
A source reveals, “The last moments of Awarapan showed a dream sequence of Shivam reuniting with his love, played by Shriya Saran. The second instalment begins from this point — Shivam comes back to life and meets Disha’s character, who helps him in his next mission. Last week, Nitin and producer Vishesh started the shoot in a bustling Bangkok street. Throughout this week, they will film a high-octane action scene in a local market. All the action set-pieces and songs will be completed in this leg. The producer has roped in robust security as they will film in real locations, and he doesn’t want pictures to make their way online.”
If Hashmi was a wayward gangster with a scruffy look in the original, he will be seen in a new light in Awarapan 2. The source indicates, “Here, his character has matured after the loss. He will be seen sporting a lean frame and a French beard. Disha, too, underwent intense training as she has many action sequences in the film.”
With the Thailand leg expected to be wrapped up by early November, the team will then focus on the emotional scenes. The source adds, “Two Mumbai schedules have been chalked out, the first one to be shot in a suburban studio. The makers will erect a sprawling set depicting the interiors of the characters’ homes.”
Kakkar will dedicate early 2026 to post-production before the film’s April 3 release.
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