Despite earning recognition with projects such as Sacred Games, actor Elnaaz Norouzi continues to be associated with a bold image, something she admits has been limiting. “It might be hard to break my bold image in the movie industry. There are so many projects that I can’t audition for, it is tough,” she says.

The Iranian-German actor reveals this was partly why she was hesitant to take on her role in the upcoming Masti 4. While tight-lipped about details of Milap Zaveri’s adult comedy, she recalls, “I actually had inhibitions initially; I was thinking I would not do the film until I met Milap sir. He narrated the script to me and convinced me that the script is different from the previous instalments of the franchise.”

The 29-year-old was recently seen in John Abraham-starrer Tehran. Speaking about her part, she explains, “I have a special appearance as well as a dance number in the film. This time, it was actually the cameo that led to the dance number instead of the other way around. The dance number was something that came in much later.”

On her upcoming release, Elnaaz sounds upbeat. “It is a cool script. I totally enjoyed listening to it when Milap sir narrated it to me, and I am sure that people will enjoy watching it,” she signs off.

Actor Riteish Deshmukh returned to the Housefull 5 franchise earlier this year, which turned out to be a success with its two endings. The actor — who also has the sequels of other hit franchises Masti 4 and Dhamaal 4 coming up for release — calls it his privilege to be called back again to headline franchises.

“I think every actor should feel fortunate if they are part of any franchise or have gone into a second part. Here I am currently doing four films probably! I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of movies that people probably have so much appreciation for, that we are able to make a part four and a part five,” he tells us.

But the 46-year-old does not believe that the credit lies solely with the actors, extending gratitude to those who come out to support the films upon release. “That’s all thanks to the audience,” he says.

Riteish, who is currently directing his second Marathi film Raja Shivaji, also weighs in on the ‘sequel fatigue’ or ‘franchise fatigue’ and the shelf life of such productions, which has become a topic of discussion lately.

“That fatigue will lie with the audience. The audience’s reaction factors into it along with the fact that these instalments are coming in long gaps. They are coming after five years and even 10 years for that matter. So, it’s not like they are coming back every month,” the actor opines.

Earlier this month, Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani kicked off the shoot of Masti 4 in the UK. Now, there is an addition to the cast of the sex comedy’s latest instalment — Tusshar Kapoor. “It honestly feels like a college reunion, only wilder,” laughs Kapoor, who joined the unit two weeks ago.

The actor is no stranger to bold comedies, having featured in the Kyaa Kool Hain Hum franchise, in which he shared screen space with Deshmukh and Shivdasani. That’s probably why Kapoor is confident about their on-screen chemistry in the Milap Zaveri-directed venture.

“I have worked with all three actors separately before. So, there was no reason to be concerned about the chemistry between us. They welcomed me with open arms when I reached the outdoor venue. I’m sure the camaraderie and fun off screen will reflect on screen. Masti is a successful brand in the comedy genre, and I readily accepted Masti 4 after hearing a brief narration of the story and my role.”

But as a man approaching 50 and a parent today, how does Kapoor strike a balance between bold comedies and boundaries? It’s all in the writing, he says.

He elaborates, “Masti 4 is an adult but family comedy, and has been written keeping the sensibilities of the wider audience in mind. My job as an actor is to [play the role] with sincerity. Regarding the boldness of it, my director is more concerned than me about the limits of the Masti universe.”

The Masti franchise is undergoing an evolution, moving away from its original label as a sex comedy. The success of Masti led to Grand Masti and then Great Grand Masti. However, director and writer Milap Zaveri, who is taking the reins of the next instalment, Masti 4, says that this one will be a naughty, fun comedy. Not an adult comedy.

Milap explained the shift by saying, “We have so much content on OTT platforms already. Earlier when Masti released, it was more like a shock value. Over the years, people thrived on the shock value of the franchise. But I don’t think anything shocks anyone anymore. So, the intent is not to shock, the intent is to entertain. That’s why I am saying it’s a naughty fun comedy film.”

This marks Milap’s first time directing the franchise, which features Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani, Vivek Oberoi, Elnaaz Norouzi and Ruhii Singh. Indra Kumar directed the first three parts. “I wrote the first two parts, so it’s a huge responsibility for me to write and direct this one,” he concluded.

Milap, who began the UK schedule of Masti 4 recently, revealed, “I would not like to call Masti 4 a sex comedy. I would like to call it a naughty, fun comedy. One of the compliments Indu ji (producer, Indra Kumar) gave me when he heard the script was that you’ve written Masti like Dhamaal. It’s got the fun element and it’s naughty. We are clear that we don’t want it to be vulgar or cringe. We want it to be fun and mad. It’s going to be men seeking fun post marriage, almost like the first part.”

While his comic timing in a string of Hindi films won him popularity, Riteish Deshmukh’s advent into Marathi films brought forth a side of him that the audience had never seen. Recently, the actor, who was seen as the host of the Marathi Bigg Boss, wrapped up the latest instalment of Housefull. In a conversation, Riteish talks about his journey in the Hindi and Marathi industries and how he defines success as an actor, director and producer:

Riteish took over from Mahesh Manjrekar as the host of the recently concluded Bigg Boss Marathi Season 5. Ask him about the popularity of this season, and he replies, “I believe that instead of being weighed down by the success, one should be responsible towards the work that you’ve taken on and do it with utmost sincerity. I realized early in my life that the outcome of your efforts is not in your hands; it can succeed or fail. You have to give it your 100 per cent dedication regardless of the result.”

The actor was also shooting for the fifth installment of Housefull alongside hosting the reality show. Talking about returning to a quintessential comic caper, he shares, “Although Kakuda was a horror comedy, it wasn’t the typical madcap one. So, I am just happy to get back to comedies, which are coming back-to-back with Housefull 5, Dhamaal 4 and Masti 4. In between, I will also be directing the Hindi and Marathi bilingual Raja Shivaji, a film based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”

Reflecting on his early days, he recalls that his primary goal as a debutant in Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003) was simply to win the audience’s acceptance. He says, “When I debuted in 2003, all I wanted was for the audience to accept me. When comedies like Masti (2004) and Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005) worked, people started offering me only comedies.”

Ask him if he had to put in a lot of effort to break away from the genre, and he says, “No, I don’t think it was a deliberate attempt. It was just one of those opportunities that came my way. Ekta Kapoor and Mohit Suri were brave enough to offer me Ek Villain at that point, and I am very happy with the way it worked out.”

He adds, “I tried to do serious films like Naach (2004) and Rann (2010), but those didn’t work. I even did Aladdin, which didn’t click either. So, I was back to the comedy franchises. Breaking away from the comedy genre took time and films like Lai Bhaari (2014), Ek Villain (2014), Ved (2022), Visfot (2024) and Raid 2 (yet to release) helped me explore other aspects of my craft.”

Riteish has seen huge success in the Marathi film industry. Does he ever compare his journey in regional cinema with his work in Hindi films?

He says, “Becoming an actor was never my plan — I’m an accidental actor. In fact, I always thought my first film would also be my last. Everyone defines success differently. For me, success is something personal. When I reflect on my journey, as someone who grew up on movies, I feel immense gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had. I’ve worked with legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Mithun Chakraborty, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, and Salman Khan. These are the icons I admired onscreen. Sharing the screen with them is my definition of success. So, it doesn’t matter whether I’ve achieved great heights in Marathi cinema or performed reasonably well in Hindi. Those aren’t the metrics I measure myself against.”

In 2017, Vivek Anand Oberoi was among the early birds in Indian OTT entertainment as he shot for Inside Edge, which has had three successful seasons since. Naturally, the actor was armed with experience when he stepped into Indian Police Force. We start by asking what brings him back to OTT. 

“When Jeff Bezos was here [for an Amazon Prime Video event in 2020], I remember he asked me how I took the leap of faith at that time. I was sure even then that OTT was here to stay,” he smiles.

The Amazon Prime Video cop series, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Shilpa Shetty Kundra, sees filmmaker Rohit Shetty foray into digital entertainment with what he knows best—action. For Oberoi, Indian Police Force is an extension of his two-decade friendship with the director.

“Rohit and I started our careers together. He was clear—when he can justify the love he has for me in a role, he will call. The character of Vikram Bakshi is special because he wrote this with me in mind. I love Rohit as a filmmaker, but more than that, he is one of the good guys. Every time I’ve supported a social cause for the cops, he has shown up. What’s beautiful about my character is that he is the Rohit Shetty of his world. His team is his family, he is patriotic and will take a bullet for his people. There is maturity, nobility and duty in the character. He is the mentor I didn’t have.”

It’s not easy to make your mark in an ensemble drama. Did he worry about not standing out in the Malhotra and Shilpa-starrer? 

“If that’s where any actor starts, they are insecure. After 21 years of countless trolls and obituaries, I’m still here. I have more work than I can take on. This year, I am shooting Masti 4, a murder mystery with Nithya Menen, an action film with Tiger Shroff and another series. I cut out the noise and nonsense.”

After the 2020 lockdown, the actor shifted base to Dubai and shuttles between Mumbai, London and the UAE. But his heart remains in Mumbai.

Oberoi says, “I am in Mumbai for shoots all the time. But the more I stay away from the city, the more I realize this place will always be home. I sleep the best here. My frustration goes away when I hear the bells at ISKCON.”