For Bollywood actresses, motherhood often comes with an unwelcome spotlight on their bodies. While becoming a mother is a personal milestone, actresses often find themselves facing public scrutiny over everything, from weight gain and post-pregnancy changes to how quickly they “bounce back”.

Katrina Kaif is the latest example to face trolling and commentary around her appearance after embracing motherhood. In a candid chat with Bombay Times, Parineeti Chopra, who welcomed son Neer last October, questions why a woman should be expected to “get back in shape” soon after childbirth.

The Amar Singh Chamkila actress says, “I have done an incredible thing of creating this human being, which not every woman in this world gets to do. So why do I have to get back in shape right after childbirth?”

She draws a parallel with the way people treat other changes to their appearance, pointing out that nobody expects someone to immediately undo the physical effects of a holiday. “I will get back in shape because I want to do it, not because I produced a baby and I need to get back into shape. There is this understanding that human beings need to have. If I could go on a holiday, eat a lot of food, put on weight, get tanned, get a haircut, maybe get a tattoo and come back – will you say, ‘Now your holiday is over, you need to remove your tattoo, you need to grow your hair again and remove that tan immediately?’ No, right? So when I’ve had a baby, why does the evidence of the beautiful experience need to go immediately?”

For Parineeti, the issue goes beyond body positivity and into the larger question of why women are constantly expected to explain or justify changes to their bodies. “And secondly, who are you to ask me? You cannot keep asking women this question; it is insane. Did you ask the woman who birthed you this question? No, right? Let’s not even waste time on these discussions. It is ridiculous to me.”

The actress says that motherhood has not altered the way she approaches her career. If anything, it has reinforced a philosophy she has followed for years — balancing work and personal life, with family taking precedence.

“I’ve always lived this half-and-half life. I don’t watch content. I don’t live a very filmi life, and I don’t spend too much time at work. I do a pure 50-50. I work for like three or four months a year. The rest of the year, I’m doing other things. So that doesn’t change. In fact, it reinforces my belief – that my family comes first and work comes second to it. That will never change," says the actress who's seen in Netflix's mystery thriller Shaque: Trust No One.

Actor Salman Khan did not mince words in the latest Weekend Ka Vaar episode of Bigg Boss 20, telecast on Saturday, to condemn online trolling and intrusive celebrity coverage. He called out body shaming and ageist comments targeting celebrities, while also questioning the paparazzi’s habit of photographing female actors from behind. Salman came down heavily on issues around social media etiquettes and celebrity coverage.

“Why do you troll somebody who gets pregnant? Pregnant hone ke baad everyone puts on weight. Jab woh picture mein wapas aa jayengi, woh fit ho jayengi. She wanted to spend time with her family,” he said.

Many fans believed Salman was referring to actor Katrina Kaif, who was body shamed on social media after a recent public appearance in Mumbai.

The actor addressed trolling over his age and appearance after photos from a Mumbai event went viral in July, with social media users commenting on his lean frame.

In a surprise move, the actor went bare-bodied in a segment during the episode, and thundered: “Budha ho gaya, of course 60 saal ka ho gaya hoon. You cannot be Maine Pyaar Kiya all the bloody time.”

He also touched upon the constant online commentary about his shaved head, revealing, “People say, ‘I have gone bald. This is the look for the film. And the real reason is that a friend of mine passed away.”

“Paparazzi hip shots lete hain, taangon ke shots lete hain, aur agar peeche se shot mil jaaye toh woh bhi lete hain. None of these heroines like it. Meri apni niece chal rahi hoti hai, toh peeche se uska shot le rahe hain aur caption daalte hain, ‘Pehchaano ye kaun hai?’ I am saying all this to girls, agar aisa ho toh ghoom ke ek chamat maaro aur bolo, ‘Apni maa-behen ka shot le lo.’ Disgusting people! What is this mentality?,” he ranted.

Katrina faced online trolling after she was photographed with her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal, at the Ambani family’s Ganpati celebrations in Mumbai recently.

The appearance came months after the couple’s son, Vihaan, was born in November last year. Many social media handles inappropriately turned their attention to changes in Katrina’s physical appearance and postpartum weight.

Salman’s brother, actor Sohail Khan, was recently trolled over his physical transformation, while actor Varun Dhawan was also trolled over his signature smile around the release of Border 2.

Defending the actors, Salman said, “Ek samajh mein aata hai ke you lost weight or put on weight, but mazak udana Sohail ke upar, Varun ke upar, har ek ke upar. Pehle aap apna shakal dekh lo, apna jism dekh lo, uske baad karna yeh. Apne ma baap ko dekh lo pehle, unki sehat dekh lo, phir baat karna.”

Will Katrina Kaif return to the big screen with Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’? Well, the industry chatter is that the actor has been approached for a cameo in the Prabhas and Triptii Dimri-starrer. However, contrary to reports suggesting that the deal is finalized, mid-day has learnt that Kaif is keen on setting a few ground rules before saying yes.

A source indicated that the conversation between Kaif and Vanga is at an early stage. “The cameo comes at an important point in the film. She was offered the role a week ago and has not given her final answer yet,” said the source.

The role will require approximately five days of shooting. Yet, the sticking point appears to be the filmmaker’s demanding work schedule.

The source added, “As a new mother, one of her concerns is the long shifts Vanga is known for. Since it’s only a five-day commitment, there have been discussions around making the schedule more flexible, including comfortable work hours. However, nothing has been finalized.”

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

Travel cult classic Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) turned 15 yesterday, and Natasha Arora, the fiancée audiences loved to argue about, continues to spark conversations. Kalki Koechlin doesn’t defend the character’s flaws. Instead, she believes those very imperfections made Natasha memorable.

She shares, “I don’t think she is a perfect character. I do think she is a problematic character,” adding, “Natasha absolutely stands up for herself. If she’s not okay with something, she says so and decides not to be with her fiancé. So, absolutely, she takes control of her life. That’s what makes the character lovable. Even though she’s quite insane, you understand where she’s coming from.”

Beyond the character’s personality, Kalki admits Natasha also left an imprint on her personal style. She says, “What I took from Natasha is my sense of style. She was always outfitted so well. I felt good in those clothes. There’s a certain personality... your spine straightens up when you wear certain clothes.”

On the topic of why Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has endured, Kalki reaches for a broader thesis about friendship on screen. She says, “I think a lot of films about friendship really stand the test of time. There’s something about friendship that really sticks because it’s what carries us through all the ups and downs. You marry, divorce, have a child, lose a parent... and when all these things happen, only a few friends see you through all those stages. Your friends are almost like a mirror to the person you become.”

Asked what a present-day version of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara might explore, she says, “Maybe if it were made today, it would be about three girlfriends going on a trip, and the boys are having trouble with control.”

Apart from Natasha, what has stayed with Kalki are memories of shooting in Spain and the anonymity it offered even actors of the scale of Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif.

She recalls, “We had these huge film stars like Hrithik and Katrina in a completely foreign country. When we do promotions here, or when we shoot or go for a screening, there is security, crowds shouting their names and people asking for selfies. But in Spain, it was different. We walked on the cobbled streets and nobody bothered us. Everybody sat around the water fountain in the middle of the city. It was wonderful that we could simply be ourselves and not worry about the personas around us.”

Describing Spain as a leveller for the entire team, she adds, “It made everybody more accessible to each other. We weren’t hiding in our vanity vans, which tends to be the case when we’re shooting in Mumbai or elsewhere in India.”

One of the things Kalki admires most about Zoya Akhtar’s filmmaking is her ability to find humour in life’s awkward moments, even amid emotional turmoil.

She says, “Zoya is particularly good at comic timing and at writing it into the script itself. She has a knack for finding those awkward moments and building them into the story. So, even in a serious scene, there’s always a touch of awkward comedy, and I really love that. The characters may be dealing with serious problems, but sometimes humour wins. Life is also like that. It’s never just one emotion. You’re not only sad; you’re also happy, angry and frustrated.”

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.

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.

Actors Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif have revealed the name of their baby boy, introducing him as Vihaan Kaushal through a joint post on Instagram on Wednesday.

The announcement quickly caught fans’ attention for an unexpected reason. The name mirrors Vicky’s character, Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, from the 2019 blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike, which won four National Film Awards. The coincidence amused the film’s director Aditya Dhar, who reacted warmly in the comments section: “Huge congratulations! Mere Vikkuuu, from bringing Major Vihaan Shergill to life on screen to now holding little Vihaan in your arms, life has truly come full circle.”

Several other celebrities also congratulated the couple, including Alia Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra and Hrithik Roshan.

Vicky and Katrina welcomed their son on November 7, 2025, nearly two months before publicly revealing his name.

On Sunday, actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s security were forced to create a human chain around her, after fans broke barricades to click a selfie with her at a store inauguration in Hyderabad. Last Wednesday, Hyderabad Police booked a mall and the event’s organizers after actor Nidhhi Agerwal was mobbed and manhandled by fans while trying to leave the venue. On November 30, actor Dhanush had to step in to save his co-star Kriti Sanon from being mobbed by an overenthusiastic crowd at a screening of their film in Mumbai.

The list of celebrities being mobbed seems to keep growing, with negligence being highlighted.

So, why do such lapses happen, despite the organizers having prior knowledge about the presence of public figures and anticipation of a large crowd? Security experts and industry insiders weigh in on the concerning issue.

At events like in colleges, we employ 20 bouncers, but the numbers don’t matter as much as smartness. Once the celeb is on stage, we never disclose their exit venue, or else people start crowding the gates. That seems to be what happened in recent cases.

I visit the event location to figure out security and do recce myself. There’s always plan A and a secret plan B for situations like mobbing. With female celebs especially, zyaada dhyaan rakhna padta hai.

The only issue here is that people try to save a little money. And security is about brains more than brawn. With female celebs, it is trickier, not just in India but worldwide. The negative intentions of some people towards a female star is more.

In 2013 in Gurugram, I had to literally run away with hundreds chasing me. Such incidents are traumatising. It comes as a part of the profession, but it is scary and affects you for years. I am not saying organisers don’t do their bit, but then things go out of hand.

It’s celebration time for actors Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, who welcomed their baby boy on Friday. VicKat shared the news on Instagram (inset above), simply captioning the post, ‘Blessed’.

The couple, who tied the knot in December 2021, had announced their pregnancy back in September with a black-and-white polaroid on Instagram, showing Katrina flaunting her baby bump while Vicky caressed it. Prior to this, rumours about the pregnancy had been circulating for quite some time, with fans spotting what appeared to be a baby bump at some of Katrina’s public appearances.

Post the announcement, Bollywood celebrities were quick to send their congratulations, flooding social media with blessings for the couple and their newborn.

There are many roads to Bollywood, some take the theatre route, others slog through auditions, and then there were the lucky few in the early 2000s who rode in on a wave of pop culture and VJ stardom. A prominent face among them was actor Aditya Roy Kapur. At 18, long before his chiselled abs and disarming smile made him a ladies’ favourite, he was a bright-eyed VJ at Channel V, standing out for his distinctive Afro hairstyle.

That hairstyle is what landed him the gig in 2003, the actor said candidly. He explained, “My brother [Siddharth Roy Kapur] had a friend, who used to work in Channel V. When she came home one day and saw that I have this Afro, she found it an interesting look and suggested that I audition for the channel. I was never interested in arts. So, I told her a hard no. But my mom kicked my a** and told me to do it. So, on a rainy evening, I grudgingly caught the train from Churchgate to Andheri,” he chuckled.

Channel V, one of the two leading music channels of India then, operated out of Split Labs in Saki Naka, Andheri East. Its popular music shows, from Very V to Basement were shot at Chandivali Studios, a stone’s throw away from the office. That is where Kapur landed. “Sarah Jane Dias, the star VJ at that time, was shooting one of those countdown shows. I reached half an hour late because of the rains, and grudgingly did that audition. They felt I had an interesting vibe, but wasn’t ready to be on screen yet. So, they made me a trainee VJ,” he recalled.

For the next month, Kapur would take the train from Churchgate to Andheri, sit in the studio, and observe what goes into the making of a show and a VJ. A month later, when Basement’s host, Juhi Pande, was travelling, he landed up on camera. And that too, with the best company — Anuradha Menon aka Lola Kutty. The two then regrouped for another show, Lola TV. “Lola Kutty is a legend. She’d train me, and then one evening, she said, ‘Let’s get on camera.’ So, the [producers] gave me a white T-shirt with ‘Trainee VJ’ written on it and cast me as an assistant to her. I would just sit in front of the camera,” he laughed.

Pakao, his first solo show as a VJ, came in 2004. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t where he interviewed Katrina Kaif, who would go on to become his co-star in Fitoor, in 2016. Before the Channel V interview, he had shot a Lakme ad with Kaif as well. “[The script was] that she walks by, all these boys look at her, and everyone gives a big reaction. Eleven of us boys were waiting in one room the whole day. At midnight finally, I was asked to shoot my close-up. Obviously, I didn’t meet Katrina — she had filmed her portions earlier. I told this to her later.”

Kapur has come a long way since then. Today, with hits like Aashiqui 2 (2013), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), and Metro... In Dino under his belt, he is among the leading actors of Bollywood. Understandably then, his first screen fame — the four-and-a-half years’ stint at Channel V — remains special to him. “We used to host in English. When Roadies and other reality TV shows became a rage, the channel pivoted to Hindi. After hosting in English for three years, suddenly they wanted us to host in Hindi. The whole syntax changed. That was tough for me as my Hindi was poor. If you ask anyone on the Channel V crew, they could never foresee me becoming a Hindi movie actor. They would’ve laughed at the thought.”

Since this is about firsts, when asked about his first splurge from his VJ job, he said, “It’s not as if I was making crazy money at the time, but at that age, I was happy with what I was getting.  I remember my most expensive purchase was a Royal Enfield bike. I ride it to this day,” the actor ended. Well, dil bole vroom, vroom. 

Aditya Roy Kapur with Anuradha Menon aka Lola Kutty. Pics/Channel V, Instagram

Few know that Kabir Khan, director of films like Kabul Express, Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Chandu Champion, is also a skilled dancer. He has now found a dance partner in his daughter Sairah, who has been training in several dance forms since the age of three. We spoke to the filmmaker about the dancer in him, while Sairah shared her career plans.

Talking about his love for dancing, Kabir shares, “I dabbled in dance a lot when I was in college, we had a good choreography team at Delhi University, where I graduated from. It’s safe to say we were good because we won awards at the university and in Lady Shri Ram College where my wife Mini (Mathur) studied. I spent six months on the production of the musical West Side Story with choreographer Ashley Lobo. It also featured Parvin Dabas, Gauri Khan and others, so that was a phase when I was dancing a lot. Mini showed her dancing chops on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, and now Sairah dances better than both of us put together. So yes, dance does run in the family.”

Talking about how she fell in love with dancing, Sairah says, “My parents enrolled me in a ballet class when I was three years old, and I started enjoying it. I was very dramatic as a child and would put on performances for them. I was dancing to Sheila Ki Jawani when I was two. I trained with Ashley Lobo, did professional certificate courses in different styles, and now I dance simply because I enjoy it.”

To this, Kabir adds, “We enrolled her in the class because she had already started dancing. She would dance to Katrina’s (Kaif) songs, which we would record and send to her.”

Reminiscing about his journey from dancer to documentary filmmaker to finally directing large-scale commercial movies, Kabir shares, “Dancing is about team building, and was something I really enjoyed. I’m still in touch with many people from the West Side Story production. Gauri and I became friends during that project. Documentary filmmaking is what I studied – I did my master’s in filmmaking. At some point, I felt those films lacked a wide audience, and I felt frustrated. That’s when I wrote Kabul Express, based on my journey with a friend in Afghanistan. I landed a three-film contract with YRF, and the rest is history.”

Does the tag of a documentary filmmaker paint him as a serious person? “Documentary filmmakers are considered serious people, but they are the most interesting people I’ve met in my life,” says Kabir, adding, “They have varied experiences because of their travels. Just last year, I caught up with many documentary filmmakers at a festival in Kathmandu, and the interactions, as always, were quite interesting.”

Sairah is often asked if she would take up after her parents. But she has other plans. “I’m hoping to study at New York University first,” she says, and continues, “Both my parents’ movie sets have always been a playground for my brother and me. My brother Vivaan has taken to filmmaking. While I love being in front of the camera with the spotlight on me, maybe not as an actor. But let’s see.”

Pics: Prathamesh Bandekar

Filmmaker Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti (2010) earned cult status due to the storyline, a huge star cast and a successful soundtrack. The film, which clocks 15 years today, was believed to be a modern adaptation of the Mahabharata, starring Ranbir Kapoor (Arjun), Ajay Devgn (Karna), Nana Patekar (Krishna), Katrina Kaif (Draupadi), Arjun Rampal (Bhima), Manoj Bajpayee (Duryodhana), Sarah Thompson (Subhadra) and Naseeruddin Shah (God).

Speaking to us as the film achieves the 15-year milestone, Prakash confirms that a sequel to Raajneeti is in the works. “Raajneeti (politics) ki yatra toh anvarat (constant) hai, chalti hi rehti hai! There’s always been a plan for Raajneeti 2. While there is nothing concrete in terms of casting and shooting yet, I am currently working on it,” says the director.

The film’s pre-production went on for a year. “We cast 8,000 actors for an authentic crowd scene, which was quite a task,” says Prakash.

Sharing how he managed to put such a big star cast together, he adds, “The good thing about casting was that whoever we approached, liked the script and came on board. They felt challenged to perform well. People say it was a commercial success. For me, Damul (1984), Mritudand (1997), Gangajal (2003), Apaharan (2005) or Satyagraha (2013) are just films. But, it feels nice when people talk about them.”

The movie had a hit soundtrack, featuring four composers — late Aadesh Shrivastava, Pritam, Shantanu Moitra and Wayne Sharpe, with lyrics penned by Gulzar, Irshad Kamil, Sameer and Swanand Kirkire. Prakash shares that Aadesh came up with the song Mora Piya Mose Bolat Naahin “much earlier” during a creative sitting and it perfectly fit the situation in the film. He adds, “He sang it beautifully, too.” 

Singer Kavita Seth, who also sang the song, says, “I took extra time to prepare the song, as the situation was intense. It is one of my biggest hits till date. It’s a part of my set list at all the concerts.”

The film’s assistant director Ritam Srivastava tells us, “Ranbir Kapoor was very excited when he shared the screen with Manoj Bajpayee. It was also the first time that Ranbir used a pistol in a scene.”

Manoj’s chase sequence was shot over three days at multiple locations in Bhopal. Ritam shares: “While doing the chase, Ajay Devgn jokingly said: ‘Teen din ho gaye seene mein goli lagey, ab to marr jaao’.”

Costume designer Priyanka Mundada used 40,000 metres to dress 8,000 cast members. Tea was used to age the dresses. To accommodate them, hotels, guest houses and lodges were booked in Bhopal. Extra bathrooms were constructed for junior artistes. Caterers were called from Mumbai.

Separate helicopters were needed for different characters. So, to save the cost, one helicopter was painted in two colours on either sides. It was shot from different angles for different scenes.

Cross-country collaboration was done to create “international, yet Indian music”. New York-based musician Wayne Sharpe, who also composed the score of the film, created western melodies and then recorded with Indian sounds. He recorded melodies in his studio in the US, the orchestra was recorded in Prague, Czech Republic, while the Indian instruments were recorded in Mumbai.

For authenticity, Prakash Jha refused “good quality” flags for the shoot just a day before filming. So, 12,000 party flags were printed with cheap material, shabby printing and cheap technology, and were aged.

Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal became friends during the film’s shoot. They would often be seen together playing cricket and savouring delicacies together. They named the trio BhoPALS.

Katrina, who was seen in a saree in most parts of the film, was apparently not sure about her look. Ritam says, “She would ask the Director of Photography Sachin Krishn, ‘Will I look beautiful?’. He would say, ‘You would look real’.”

Bosco Martis has again called for long-overdue recognition of choreographers in the Indian film industry. He was recently in the news when he expressed his disappointment at not being credited for his work on the hit Chuttamalle (Devara: Part 1), starring Jr. NTR and Janhvi Kapoor. “I wish Janhvi would have spoken about it in her promotions,” he’d remarked.

Speaking to Bombay Times about this, Bosco highlighted how choreographers are often sidelined during film promotions, despite playing a pivotal role in the visual and emotional impact of a song.

“We choreographers deserve recognition. A song is a story, a world that the choreographer helps create, from steps to set design, costume inputs to colour palettes. Today, a choreographer is no less than a song director.”

Without singling out any actor for deliberate oversight, Bosco stressed the importance of crediting behind-the-scenes creatives. “I know nobody avoids naming choreographers on purpose, it’s like forgetting a friend’s birthday. Jahnvi didn’t do it on purpose, but when actors acknowledge the technicians who make them shine, it’s a deeply fulfilling moment for us.”

Bosco cited the example of radio platforms that now mandatorily mention singers, lyricists, and music composers, and advocated for a similar norm for choreographers, especially for dance-centric tracks. “For years, I’ve been saying this: mention the choreographer’s name. On iconic songs like Ek Do Teen, Tauba Tauba or Dola Re Dola, the choreographer’s identity is vital to the song’s legacy. It's high time this became an industry norm,” says Bosco, the creative force behind dance hits like Jhoome Jo Pathaan and Kala Chashma.

Despite the lack of consistent credit, he did acknowledge that several actors have celebrated choreographers publicly over the years. “Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Shah Rukh Khan and even Janhvi Kapoor have praised us on various occasions. When that happens, suddenly everyone knows your name. That’s when you feel seen.”

Talking about Chuttamalle, the choreographer shared behind-the-scenes insights on the track’s filming. “It was a challenging three to four-day shoot. The water was icy cold. Janhvi danced and emoted through it all without complaining. NTR, of course, is a dream, he barely rehearses and still executes every step with grace.”

Bosco credited the song’s success to a collaborative effort and support from the director and producers. “The song wasn’t rushed. We had the freedom to craft something beautiful. And it paid off, the audience has showered it with love.”

Katrina Kaif being recorded while she takes a dip at the Triveni Sangam. Pic/youtube@showsha

It was a dream opportunity for some fans of actors Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and filmmaker Laxman Utekar! They got to meet the celebs, who visited the HT City office in Delhi for a Stars in the City (SITC) session to promote their latest film, Chhaava.

In a chat with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor, Entertainment and Lifestyle, Hindustan Times, Rashmika opened up about promoting the film while nursing an injured leg. She quipped, “I think the doctors are very angry right now.”

Vicky responded, “They should be.” He added, “She worked out this morning and then came here. You (looking at Rashmika) shouldn’t be working out. We force her to use a wheelchair. Warna har jagah yeh... (mimics Rashmika limping).”

Their banter caused a wave of laughter among the fans. Rashmika also shared her deep love for cinema, to which Vicky jokingly remarked that he was intimidated by his co-star. “I’m scared of her,” he quipped, adding, “She’s being completely honest about her fascination for cinema. At the same time, she’s like an enlightened soul who is beyond promotions and films. Moksh mil gaya hai isko! Main isse materialistic duniya mein leke aata hoon waapas. She’s the wise soul in our team.”

Chhaava, a period drama based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, also stars Akshaye Khanna, who portrays the role of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb — a surprise casting choice for many moviegoers. Laxman expressed his confidence in Akshaye, saying, “Nobody could have played Aurangzeb besides him. His looks, his performance, everything was great. He created his own Aurangzeb.” more on 03

On the maiden episode of the talk show, Bombay Times Lounge, which dropped now, Vicky Kaushal was at his charming best as he captured the attention of the audience present with a heartfelt conversation – no filters, nothing unreal. Just like what this show promises to be. Many more such riveting conversations are coming up soon, but now, watch this dynamo of an actor on the Bombay Times Lounge.

I feel that in today’s time, we often get confused, and equal stardom to what’s trending. Every week, there’s a new star because every week, a new actor is trending. I feel that stardom should be linked to legacy, it should not be linked to just a hashtag. The day a really bad trailer or poster of a film drops, and yet, a lot of people go in to watch that actor on screen – that’s stardom. I think stardom has to be cultivated over a series of films and with a body of work. This year is my tenth year here (film industry), and I still have a lot to do and a lot to learn. Ten years ago, I couldn’t have thought my journey would be as beautiful as this.

I never believe in a Plan B, and it’s not a calculative decision. It makes me give more and whatever I have to Plan A. Today, giving everything to whatever you want to do is the bare minimum. Usse kum kar rahe ho toh bahut kum kar rahe ho. Knowing that there is a Plan B to fall back on only makes me weaker. Also, for me, the leading man part came in much later. Back in 2009 when I finished college and enrolled in an acting school, tab hero launch hote thay. Right now, such a beautiful phase is going on that any new actor who has done a great job, even if it’s two scenes, they will get noticed and that will get them better opportunities.

I think that credit has to go to my parents, because what I am and how I am, that’s something that has been instilled in me for years through my parents, it is part of my upbringing. They truly deserve credit for it.

Of course, it’s stemmed from there as well. When you were born in a chawl, which was a 10x10 room, and your dad was a stuntman who was setting himself on fire, jumping from the 10th floor of a building to get that per day income, you see things differently. My parents never shied away from sharing their struggles to make us realize what is important and how it’s not easy. So, I think somewhere subconsciously, wahi se sab kuch ki shuruwat hoti hai. Also, in this profession, everything is so fragile – your stardom, the love, recognition, it’s all so fragile that you can’t ever take them for granted. It’s just one film at a time and then you keep moving forward.

Yes, she is, and sometimes she’s just too honest, and I tell her thoda sa sugar-coat kar de, yaar.

Action. I think action is in my blood.

She’s had a far longer journey than I have and what a fabulous journey… and mega stardom in that sense. So, of course, I learn a lot from her journey because she’s really hustled through her way and worked very, very hard. When she has her blinkers on, nobody can take that focus off her and that’s why she is where she is. Also, whenever I’m discussing something with her, in terms of scripts or my creative matters, she really has a perspective which is very objective, and that’s not easy when you are a couple. She always has a great perspective, which really helps.

Urmila Matondkar loves indulging into Mumbai’s popular snack wada pav. In a special shoot with Bombay Times celebrating World Wada Pav Day (August 23), the actress went hopping from one stall to another gorging on the snack.

In a fun chat we asked the actress which of the following ingredients of wada pav reminded her of Bollywood actors and she set the rapid fire round on fire! She told us, “I will say that the spicy batata bhaji reminds me of Kareena Kapoor Khan and the crispy besan coating of the wada reminds me of Sara Ali Khan.”

About the chutneys that go with wada pav, the actress added, “The sukha red hot chutney I believe reminds me of not one person but a couple - Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, together as a jodi! And the teekha hari mirch you take a bite of with every wada pav bite is Deepika Padukone.”

Ask her who does she think of looking at the soft-soft pav and she is quick to add, “Salman Khan, because he might come across hard from outside but he is way too soft from inside.”

Of late a lot of reels have been going viral where the Mumbai snack is gaining popularity in Delhi.

Urmila who’s followed such reels says, “Wada Pav is way healthier for Delhiites than a lot of unhealthy food that they eat there. I have seen some horrible reels of fake paneer being made there. Well, my advice to them will be to indulge in our snack instead and my most important food tip to them will be to ask the vendor to add dry red chutney, green chutney and have every bite with a bite of a deep-fried green chili.”

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Recently, in a conversation at Nikhil Kamath’s show People by WTF, Ranbir Kapoor opened up about his past love life and how it affected his character. The Animal actor admitted that he dated two very successful actresses.

“Of course, I dated two very successful actresses that just became my identity… that ‘he is a casanova.’ I was labelled (a) cheater for a very large part of my life and still, I am.”

The actor also talked about his relationship with his father Rishi Kapoor. He said, “My father was a short-tempered man, but a very good man. I never saw the colour of his eyes. I was always like this (bows his head). I never said ‘no’.”

Ranbir admitted that he doesn’t express himself, nor does he cry easily. “I’ve tried therapy,” he said, adding, “It’s not that I’m against therapy, it’s just that I have to open myself up. And I’m very scared of opening myself up.”

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Heartthrob, chocolate boy — actor Ranbir Kapoor is often described with many affectionate labels by his fans. However, some tags have stuck with him over the years. In the trailer of a podcast with businessman Nikhil Kamath, Kapoor shared, “I have dated two very successful actresses in the past, which became my identity... I got the tag of being a casanova and a cheater. I have lived with the label of being a cheater for a very large part of my life. I am still living with it.”

Although the 41-year-old did not name the actors, fans quickly speculated that he was referring to Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. He is now married to actor Alia Bhatt, and has a daughter, Raha.

Kapoor was in a relationship with Padukone (who is now married to actor Ranveer Singh) from 2007 to 2009. He then dated Kaif. Sparks flew on the set of their film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) and they reportedly parted ways in 2016. Kaif married actor Vicky Kaushal in 2021.

Meanwhile, he also spoke about his close bond with Raha, who is always in his arms when the couple steps out: “It is like someone has taken your heart out and put it in your hand. Raha considers Alia a part of her and she looks at me for masti and fun.”

There is always a second time. Nine months ago, Tarun Dudeja’s debut directorial venture, Dhak Dhak, had a muted release. Today, in stark contrast stands his next, Bad Newz—starring Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk—which has generated much buzz before its theatrical release.

“Dhak Dhak didn’t have a trailer launch event. At Bad Newz’s trailer launch, I sat in the first row. Karan Johar [producer] and Vicky took my name. The experience was the opposite of Dhak Dhak,” says Dudeja, who serves as the screenplay and dialogue writer.

That’s not where the differences end. The two movies are also poles apart in genre and tonality. While Dhak Dhak told the story of four women coming into their own over a road trip, Anand Tiwari’s directorial venture is a comedy centred on the rare medical condition, heteropaternal superfecundation, where a woman gets pregnant with twins from different men. 

Dudeja remembers being introduced to the story, penned by Ishita Moitra, three years ago. “There was a newspaper article about this case in China. She, along with Somen Mishra, who is a creative producer at Dharma Productions, built a world around it. Anand and I took that and kept experimenting with it. The idea was to bring a flavour of the ’90s comedies, while keeping it realistic and [rooted in] emotions so that it feels logical. We all love ’90s comedies, but today’s audience is evolved. So, we had to maintain a balance [between comedy and emotions]. Writing a comedy is always tough, especially cracking dialogues. But Anand put in a lot of work with me to get the punches out. We were also aware that emotional scenes and conflicts needed to be written sensitively.”

Translating humour from paper to screen is a tough job. Not if you have Kaushal, Dimri and Virk as the lead actors, says the writer. “All three have terrific comic timing, and elevated our lines.” Which brings us to the most hilarious sequence in the trailer—in a meta joke, Kaushal tells a character he will have to pass over his dead body to rip apart a poster of Katrina Kaif, his actor-wife.

Dudeja laughingly says, “It was there in the script. We wanted some Vicky jokes. More than us, he laughed at this joke. He also performed the scene with utmost conviction. His dialogue delivery makes it funnier than it is.”

Through his movies, Ali Abbas Zafar has given us memorable action heroes—be it a wrestler finding lost glory in Sultan (2016) or an unstoppable NCB officer in Bloody Daddy (2023). That makes us wonder what happened of the action heroine we were promised. In 2019, the director had announced a superhero film with Katrina Kaif. With Bade Miyan Chote Miyan having hit the marquee, will his next be Super Soldier with Kaif?

“Super Soldier is not happening right now. I’m in talks with Katrina for an action film. I think she is an actor who aces action. There is a script we both like, and it will get made soon,” says the director.

The genre often requires a big canvas and a lavish budget. Zafar points out that the film’s math has to work out in an industry that is skeptical of going all out for women-led movies. Fortunately, the box-office success of Crew has dispelled some notions about all-women film’s prospects.

“Right now, the stakes for every action film are high. I know I will make that film. But I can’t deny it is harder to make a female-led action movie. That said, a success like Crew makes it easier. The film doing big numbers is an encouraging sign for the makers. Every movie’s mounting is directly proportional to the box-office numbers it is expected to generate. I don’t agree with it entirely, but it is a business ultimately.”

In the past few years, action has become Zafar’s beat, making one forget that he had forayed into movies with the rom-com, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011). Why did he never explore the genre again? 

“I would love to make a rom-com, but I’m yet to get a script that will take me back to the genre. It seems I don’t have a story like that within me anymore. Today romance is dying, or adapting in this social media era. One needs to feel romance to write it, and a lot of romantic films have worked because the writing was good. Mere Brother Ki Dulhan was made when we were naïve; it was an honest film about kids who were confused about matters of the heart.”