With several of her films this year not making the desired impact at the box office, Mrunal Thakur believes a film’s success cannot be measured by its theatrical run alone. The actor, whose latest outing Pooja Meri Jaan is receiving appreciation on OTT, says, “I feel medium doesn’t matter today. What matters is the story, subject, characters, and the director’s point of view to reach out to the audience.”

Citing Laapataa Ladies as an example, Mrunal points to how a film can find renewed appreciation after its digital release.

“When it came out in theatres, people didn’t appreciate. But the moment it was out on OTT, everyone was like, oh my god, wow. Why did we miss this movie?” she says. “There are certain films which don’t make the box office collection. But it does make a lot of noise on social networking sites when it is on platform,” she adds.

She has witnessed a similar response to Dacoit, with fans telling her they regretted not watching it in theatres. “A lot of audience have apologized. Fans of mine have apologized for not watching it on big screen,” she shares.

Acknowledging the role of marketing and changing audience choices, she says, “It is also the choices of the audience now. Because it is also how you market a movie. Everything has become a little different. I am kind of learning and I am in a learning phase.”

Asked if negative feedback bothers her, the actor says, “I have always been that person who takes feedback, but I also don’t want to take the negative feedback from people who do not have a display picture of their own. As simple as that.”

Meanwhile, Pooja Meri Jaan has brought her a different kind of validation. Mrunal reveals that viewers have sent handwritten letters to her home about how the film’s portrayal of one-sided relationships resonated with them.

“They wrote pages and pages of letters, expressing how it resonated with them in more than one way,” she says. She is particularly struck by how the film has connected with men as well as women. “It’s just crazy that how a film like this can reach so many not just girls but men,” she adds.

Mrunal also finds her work reaching audiences beyond India. During a visit to Paris, she met someone who had watched Love Sonia She recalls a viewer from the Philippines watching Made In Heaven and an American friend discovering Sita Ramam through Indian friends. “I am just happy to be entering into the industry in a time where my work is appreciated not just in India,” she says.

Actor Vikram Singh Chauhan is on cloud nine following the response to his much-delayed OTT release, Pooja Meri Jaan. “All’s well that ends well; surely it took time to release as we had to wait for couple of years, but it’s okay, I feel,” he says.

Reflecting on the audience's response to his role as a stalker, Chauhan adds, “I am really, really happy that it's been taken so positively. When you play a character who is partly positive, partly negative, you wonder how it will land. I was mostly just excited to see how people would react.”

He notes that the ambiguity of his character was a hit with viewers: “So many people came up to me saying they were genuinely confused at first about whether to sympathize with Aniket. In the middle, they were thinking, ‘Yeh banda kitna creep hai.’ There were moments where they sympathized with him, hated him, and even loved him at some points.”

When asked if he had any initial hesitations about playing a character who dies early in the script, he admits, “The first thought that crossed my mind when I got the role was 'Why am I dying?' Especially as a young actor, you hesitate. But when I met the team and got the complete brief, I realized Aniket wasn't just a regular, one-note stalker. I was scared even until the time of the premiere wondering how much of my role would be left I told my friends not to expect much (laughs), but sab scenes thhe.”

The film delves into the uncomfortable nuances of stalking and male conditioning. Vikram explains, “The topic is so relevant today. Cinema has often ended up celebrating toxicity, but there are rare films that actually expose it. It starts a much-needed conversation. By the end, viewers realized how deeply ingrained his poor conditioning was.”

The response has also brought some eye-opening interactions according to the actor, "Surprisingly, I’ve had guys message me saying the character was justified in his actions, which shows how normalized this mindset still is. On the flip side, several close female friends opened up to me after watching the film, sharing their own horrifying experiences of being stalked for years by a few educated, influential men."

Recalling his experience with the ensemble cast, Vikram praises his co-stars. “Everyone was good. Vijay Raaz sir operates with such ease, he seamlessly switches into character. It’s incredible to watch.”

On his bond with Mrunal Thakur, he shares, “Mrunal was the one who broke the ice. Since we were staying at the same hotel, she’d invite me over to rehearse lines. We worked out together, played squash, and did script readings. That comfort level naturally translated into our on-screen chemistry.”

The actor was last seen starring as the antagonist opposite Ajay Devgn in Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness.

In every actor’s filmography, there are certain stories that feel worth the wait, even if it’s years-long. For Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Meri Jaan is one such film. It may have taken four years for the social thriller to see the light of day, but now, it’s bringing her love.

“I usually don’t check my DMs, but the messages and love that I am receiving is beyond everything. They say when the time is right, things [fall in place],” she told mid-day.

Navjot Gulati’s directorial venture sees Thakur play the titular character, who is accused of driving her friend to suicide as she rejected his romantic advances. The actor’s decision to front the Hindi Zee 5 movie, which also stars Huma Qureshi and Vikram Singh Chauhan, was led by a simple motivation — shed light on the male entitlement and toxic behaviour that sometimes come with unrequited love.

“It’s [all] around us. Films show male friends telling the hero, ‘Tu aur try kar, woh maan jayegi’, or that a woman’s no means yes. Haven’t we heard ‘Uski naa mein bhi haan hai’? You can’t get anyone’s love without their consent. That’s why it was important for me to do the film,” she shared, adding that rejection is a bitter pill to swallow for some men.

“When their love isn’t reciprocated, some men assassinate the woman’s character. Many lie about being intimate with the woman, [seeing it] as a flex.”

Pooja Meri Jaan also hits close to home for Thakur, whose best friends had developed feelings for her. “When I said no to both, they started calling me names. When I confronted them years later, they said, ‘We had no idea we bullied you’,” she recalled.

Few actors wear their heart on their sleeve quite like Varun Dhawan. As he gears up for the release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by his father David Dhawan, the actor joined us at the Bombay Times Lounge, driven by Jeep, and was at his most unfiltered — cracking jokes, sharing memories and reflecting on the highs and lows of life in the spotlight. From comedy and criticism, to family, fatherhood and fame — the conversation moved effortlessly between laughter and emotion, offering a glimpse into the man behind the star. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store. The promo is out now; catch the full conversation soon on the Bombay Times YouTube channel.

I love comedy and I appreciate anyone who can make me laugh. Let comedy flourish and let people laugh. I feel we all need comedy. Yes, serious cinema should be made, in fact, after Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, I’ll be doing a film which is very different. But it is important to have laughter in our lives

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When Main Tera Hero (2014) first released, there were so many things said, like: He’s a very loud actor, he’s this, he’s that. I was being labelled left, right and centre. When it was re-released last month, I was shocked to see the way people are loving it and responding to it. I am out there to promote Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, but Main Tera Hero is being spoken about so much (laughs)

— On Main Tera Hero’s second innings and finding a new generation of fans

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People say Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a two-heroine film, but if I am a hero in the film, it’s because of Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. I can’t even call myself a hero here, I am a red flag in the film. I feel if my character shines, it will be because of their support. When you do a David Dhawan film, it’s like a family. My father’s health was up and down through it all and there was a time when he was in the ICU. Everyone from the cast, from the girls to Maniesh Paul and Jimmy Shergill, gave so much love to him and made this film happen together

— On the cast of Hai Jawani… & the family spirit behind a David Dhawan film

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It has become very difficult to keep the illusion, keep the mystery alive. Today, look at how many cameras we have around us. You’re being covered from every angle, everything of your nature is being broken down to a content piece. And even your psychology is being discussed, your body language and your speech is being discussed. I think over-coverage has broken the illusion (of stardom)

— On how stardom has become fragile with excessive exposure

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What I have realized is — whether you love me, whether you don’t like me as much, the point is, I matter. I get discussed. People either cheer for me or criticize me, but I get a reaction from them. The scariest thing for me would be to do something which people don’t react to. Nowadays, we often don’t even know that a film is releasing. So, whether it is through love, through discussions or trolling, at least I’m being discussed and my films are being discussed. I feel that is important

— On why indifference is far scarier than criticism

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Talking about the trolling that he faced prior to the release of Border 2 and how the narrative changed post release, Varun said, “I learnt a lot about God’s screenplay. When you do a film like Border 2, there’s so much responsibility on you. When you work so hard on a film that is so genuine – about the army and your country – you feel, abhi yeh sab accha hi hoga. Why will anything negative happen? So, when that negativity emerged around me, I was like…yeh kaise ho gaya? Yeh, toh mere entertainer films mein hota hai. Why is this happening with this film? I feel that sometimes God takes you down just to lift you up again. That’s exactly what happened to me. I let my work speak for itself. In fact, post the success of Border 2, I didn’t give any interviews around it, I am talking about this with you now.”

I slowed down after Lara, my daughter was born. I realized that this is so special, I am enjoying this so much and I don’t want to miss out on this. Of course, my love for cinema remains unchanged. I’m totally in the service of cinema, and I want to create better films, better characters and I know that I have a lot more to offer

— On how fatherhood made him change his pace

Reports doing the rounds over the past few days suggested that Deepika Padukone’s role in filmmaker Atlee’s next with Allu Arjun, the working title of which is AA22xA6, has been trimmed. However, contrary to rumours, sources close to Atlee’s sci-fi action movie have told mid-day that her role remains unchanged. According to two unit insiders, the actor will join the project in late October, after completing her ongoing shoot for Shah Rukh Khan’s King.

An insider from the film’s team revealed, “There is no truth to rumours that Deepika’s screen time has been reduced. Her role has not changed from what she was offered when she came onboard in June. She has a fierce part, which is essential to the first and second acts of the narrative.”

From what we’ve heard, Padukone has allotted her dates from late October to December-end to the project. Apparently, the first schedule will focus on portions that establish her character, while November is earmarked for large-scale action set-pieces, which will include a chase sequence that Atlee is designing with his stunt team from South Korea, and a dialogue-heavy confrontation.

The insider added, “In December, the unit will move to the UAE where Allu Arjun and Deepika will film a crucial mid-film twist and emotional scenes.”

The sci-fi action film, which explores themes of time travel, reportedly sees Arjun play multiple roles and has at least four heroines — Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur. The presence of so many leading ladies has led to chatter that Padukone’s role is a cameo.

The source, however, clarified, “It’s not a cameo at all. Her character drives the story in a way. Every actor has a clearly etched out part.”

The aroma of authentic Maharashtrian delicacies filled the air, while steaming hot modaks were lovingly plated before Bappa at the Ganpati celebrations at Mrunal Thakur’s home. The actress wore an elegant paithani sari that she accessorised with a nath and bugadis. “The nath was given to me by my ajoba. This is a South meets Maharashtra look,” said the actress, pointing at her neckpiece. Mrunal made a mark in South cinema with Sita Ramam (2002).

Originally from Dhule, Mrunal has lived in various states across India. Her family has been welcoming Lord Ganesha into their home for over six decades.

“This year marks the 62nd year of that cherished tradition. We have many fond memories of the festival. I remember my sister doing the decoration, and we all making fried modaks together. The tasks were divided – where I made the khirapat (filling), my sister would roll the rice flour dough, and then my mom would fry them. We would enjoy coming up with different themes for the decor. The most difficult part was the visarjan. I would always ask mom, ‘Why does Bappa come home and then leave us?’ And my mom would sweetly reply, ‘He has to go back to his mother like you come back to me after school.’ As we moved from one state to another due to my father’s posting, it was fun to do this. Ganesha is a pan-India God, well, actually, he is universal.”

Speaking of her deep emotional connection with Bappa, Mrunal says, “I just close my eyes and pray to Lord Ganesha, and then the vignaharta and sukhkarta does wonders for me. Ganesh Chaturthi and the following days are the most beautiful time of the year because the entire family comes together. This year, I made a conscious decision to be at home. Some of my school friends came over, whom I met after a long time. I planned everyone’s outfits, including my mother’s. I love photography and I clicked lots of pictures with everyone, so that at the end of it we can make a family album.”

Mrunal, who has previously performed an aarti scene in her film Toofaan, hopes to be part of a full-fledged Ganpati sequence in a movie. She says, “I dream of playing a role where the girl goes to Lalbaugcha Raja and does lejhim. I want to see myself on the big screen doing a massive Ganpati song like Deva Shree Ganesha from Agneepath one day.”

Even as Kubbra Sait awaits the release of Son of Sardaar 2, she is thrilled to have already completed her second comedy feature, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Unlike the Ajay Devgn-led film, the David Dhawan directorial features her in a small part. “In all honesty, that was a one-day shoot,” she reveals.

But that didn’t matter, as the opportunity to be part of a film directed by the veteran filmmaker was quite special for the actor. “For me, it’s a legacy project, because I’m working with ‘the’ David Dhawan,” she says, before mentioning that the film "was also giving me a chance to work with Mrunal Thakur, whom I last worked with in Son Of Sardaar 2. So, it would have been an extension of our earlier collaboration. Varun Dhawan has been my classmate in my acting class! Lastly, Maniesh Paul is someone I have shared the stage with for so many years. So, that for me was a project I would never say no to, even if it was an hour’s job,” she shares.

Sait tells us that Varun and she attended Barry John’s acting school before making their screen debuts. “We were in the same batch. I would [often] run away to do my events and other stuff; I think I was the worst student in the class. Varun, on the other hand, was the most hardworking student,” she smiles

Skepticism was Asha Negi’s first response when she was offered the fourth season of Criminal Justice. Reason? Her limited screen time. “But when I read the scenes, I realized there is so much to do. I found the character challenging and intense. People have seen me as the girl-next-door, but this character is far away from that zone,” says the actor, who plays a nurse, whose murder is at the centre of the JioHotstar series.

The opportunity to be on the set with actors Pankaj Tripathi and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub was another draw for Negi.

She shares, “Most of my scenes are with Zeeshan. When you’re opposite somebody so good, you are nervous and have to bring your A-game. I grew as an actor by watching him perform and sharing the screen with him. Even though I didn’t have any scenes with Pankaj sir, seeing him on set, I realized these actors are so talented, but they don’t make a fuss about being good.”

In the past few years, Negi has tried to build a career beyond television, where she rose to fame in the mid-2000s with shows like Bade Achhe Lagte Hain and Pavitra Rishta. She admits it’s not an easy road for actors who’ve had successful careers on the small screen.

“If I were getting such meaningful roles often, you’d see me [on screen] more. TV has been a blessing because these shows made us household names and gave us popularity. But at this point, people judge us and remember us as television actors. It hampers the kind of work we want to do,” she says.

But Negi knows that dwelling on the challenges will yield nothing. “I just want to keep going for auditions, and hopefully, it will help me pave my way. Things are slowly changing with Raghav Juyal, Mrunal Thakur, and Vishal Jethwa making it to films.”

Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s hit track Chunnari Chunnari from the film Biwi No.1 (1999) is a fan favourite even after more than two decades.

A recent decision to remake the song for the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai — starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur — however, has not gone down well with fans of the original. Videos of the trio shooting the revamped version in London have gone viral, leading to criticism and trolling.

Ask Abhijeet, the original voice behind the song, for his reaction, and he tells us, “Mujhe music composer, film ke director, kisi ne nahin bataya ki iss song ko remake kiya ja raha hai. Himmat bhi nahin kar sakte batane ki.”

Surprisingly, though, he admits that the track was never one of his favourites. “For me personally, Chunnari Chunnari was one of those ‘Jaldi gaao aur bhaago studio se’ songs. This was one of those where the makers wanted the lyrics to become a hit anyhow.”

He adds, “For the past 25 years I have heard it being played at functions and thought, ‘What is it about the song?’ But I do realize it has become iconic for fans.”

Having said that, does he mind that the song has been reimagined? “Mujhe farak nahin padta itni chhoti cheez se,” the 66-year-old says. He explains, “I don’t get involved much. In the market, more copies are sold than the original. Only great people know the value of the original. Tuchchi cheez mein main padta hi nahin hoon.”

Dinesh Vijan’s films have had a good run in theatres since last year — if Munjya and Stree 2 were among the few successes that Bollywood enjoyed in 2024, the producer delivered a blockbuster in Chhaava this year. Now, Maddock Films is gearing up for the release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, while Cocktail 2 will go on floors soon, and the scripting of Vicky Kaushal’s Mahavatar is underway. That’s quite a populous slate. But there’s more. Three of the banner’s films — Pooja Meri Jaan, Rumi Ki Sharafat, and Sarvagunn Sampanna — have been shot and ready, but staring at an uncertain future.

What’s been the hold-up? Sources say Vijan’s attempts to strike a deal for their OTT première haven’t worked out to his liking yet. He is confident of their content — after all, Huma Qureshi and Mrunal Thakur’s Pooja Meri Jaan highlights the issue of stalking, while Radhikka Madan’s Rumi Ki Sharafat is a social comedy

 “All these mid-sized films have varied subjects with strong performances, falling in line with the banner’s vision of bringing diverse content. But after being ready for over a year, they are facing delays as Dinesh hasn’t been able to crack a deal with streamers that befits these projects. He believes the films deserve a certain figure, but the platforms feel they are too expensive,” says a source.

Last year, mid-day had reported that Pooja Meri Jaan’s release was pushed from November 2024 as Vijan wanted it to premiere after Chhaava (Raja trumps Pooja, Oct 14). Rumi Ki Sharafat was shot in 2023, as was Sarvagunn Sampanna.

Another insider notes, “If one looks at it from Dinesh’s point of view, he is right. Maddock Films is in a position to wait it out. After the pandemic, the acquisition budgets have reduced. But Dinesh doesn’t want to sell them at a price that doesn’t do justice to their potential.”

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

Last year, Janhvi Kapoor made her Telugu film debut with Devara: Part 1 opposite NTR Jr, following it up by signing Peddi opposite Ram Charan. Now, it looks like the actor has bagged her third Telugu offering. Sources tell us that Kapoor will play one of the female leads in Allu Arjun’s next, the working title of which is AA22xA6, helmed by Atlee. Having an Atlee film on her résumé is a big boost for Kapoor.

An insider shares, “Allu and Atlee are a dream combination. With his next, the filmmaker is mounting an ambitious sci-fi film. Naturally, Janhvi is excited to be part of something that could potentially set new standards in Indian cinema’s sci-fi genre.”

In April, mid-day had reported that Arjun and Atlee had conducted look tests and a concept shoot in Mumbai (Beginning of another blockbuster, April 21). The team is apparently planning to take the project on floors in October. Another source reveals that casting is underway for two more female characters in the film.

The source shares, “The makers are in talks with Mrunal Thakur for one of the parts. After Sita Ramam [2022] and Hi Nanna [2023], she has a huge fan base in South, and the makers are keen to bring her on board.”

Varun Dhawan barely has time to breathe. After wrapping up an elaborate 45-day schedule for Border 2, he is now preparing for the next schedule in Uttarakhand. He will then head to shoot for his father David Dhawan’s entertainer. This yet-untitled project marks the father-son duo’s fourth collaboration after Main Tera Hero (2014), Judwaa 2 (2017), and Coolie No. 1 (2020). Backed by Ramesh Taurani’s Tips Entertainment, the film also marks Kannada actor Sreeleela’s Bollywood debut, featuring alongside Mrunal Thakur and Maniesh Paul.

After wrapping up the Mumbai and Goa schedule, a 45-day schedule has been planned across London and other parts of the UK during May and June. A source reveals that the veteran filmmaker and his team have locked several iconic locations for the shoot, ensuring a mix of grand cityscapes and scenic countryside backdrops.

The source shares, “Varun and the team will be shooting extensively in London, covering popular spots including Piccadilly Circus among other places. There is an elaborate dance number planned which will be one of the highlights of the film.”

The UK schedule will also include a week-long shoot in the countryside, where the team will film key romantic portions and a chase sequence.

“David Dhawan is keen on bringing a fresh, international aesthetic to the film while maintaining his signature humour and energy,” the source adds.

Varun, who has been juggling multiple projects, will fly to London by mid-May after completing his commitments for Border 2 and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.

Mrunal Thakur has featured in prominent Bollywood films like Super 30, Batla House, Gumraah, Pippa, but her recent experience with Telugu films Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna changed the lens through which she views her career ahead.

The actress says, “There are a lot of scripts that I have been hearing lately, but Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna have set some really high expectations and benchmarks for me. It has added on to my responsibility. I am not going to disappoint my Telugu audience. They are literally the ones who have accepted me as a Telugu ammayi and I can’t wait to do a crazy, mind-blowing entertainer, and at the same time, a cult film that will strike a chord with the audience.”

Ask Mrunal if she feels that makers from the Telugu film industry have been able to tap into her talent more than Hindi filmmakers, and she explains, “I think my journey has been like climbing a ladder. I keep climbing one step at a time. I am thankful to director Tabrez Noorani, who saw me, identified me in the crowd of girls and gave me an opportunity to be Sonia, in Love Sonia. Also, to director Vikas Bahl who gave me an opportunity to play Supriya in Super 30. I think if you get success in a blink of an eye, you don’t appreciate it as much.”

The actress has stepped up slowly, but she believes that she’s now at a point where she’s being offered strong parts. “I feel happy when filmmakers meet me and say, ‘We want to make a movie with you, but Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna set the benchmark so high that we are going to wait and make sure we write a character for you and then reach out’. It gives me some kind of satisfaction knowing that finally there are roles which are written for me. So, one step at a time, one film at a time. Khaane ke thaali mein ek ek niwala aaram aaram se, zindagi lambi hai. I have a long way to go, and I hope my career is not restricted to just Hindi, Tamil and Telugu but also different languages including Malayalam, Punjabi or even French and Spanish for that matter.”

We have learned that Pooja Hegde has been roped in to star alongside Varun Dhawan in David Dhawan’s upcoming directorial venture. This is contrary to previous reports suggesting actress Sreeleela, who has predominantly worked in South films such as Guntur Kaaram and Bhagavanth Kesari, among others, will make her Hindi debut with this film. Sources close to the project confirm that Pooja has been chosen to play the leading lady, marking her first collaboration with Varun.

When we reached out to Pooja, she said, “I have a bunch of announcements coming. I just let the production house announce it. Going ahead, you are going to see me in different roles. This year, I decided to take a step back, watch my entire filmography, and decide what I want to do next.”

The yet-to-be-titled project also stars Mrunal Thakur and marks the reunion of the father-son duo (Varun–David) after a decade.

Earlier in an interview, Pooja spoke about reflecting on her journey. "I’ve taken moments to reflect on my journey. With my relentless work ethic, I often find myself moving from one project to the next, keeping busy. However, when I do pause and cast a glance back at my career, it’s a humbling realisation. Not bad for a shy, introverted girl with stage fright and no connections in the film industry. I didn’t have a godfather to pave the way, but it seems the universe had its own plans. There’s still a long road ahead, with a list of esteemed filmmakers I aspire to collaborate with, characters I’m eager to portray and plenty yet to prove," she said in an interview.

One tackles the subject of stalking and the other is a historical drama about a celebrated king. With both bringing important stories to the screen, releasing one on the back of another makes little sense. That seems to be the belief of producer Dinesh Vijan too, who has Pooja Meri Jaan and Chhaava in the pipeline. Which is why he has apparently had a change of plans. Sources tell us that Pooja Meri Jaan, starring Huma Qureshi and Mrunal Thakur, was initially being considered for a November release, but has now been pushed to early 2025.

“It is a special film for Dinesh because it belongs to a genre that his production house hasn’t explored so far. He was looking for the right time to bring the film to cinemas, and has finally slotted it for early 2025,” says a source.

Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which is a biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, isn’t the only reason why Navjot Gulati’s directorial venture was pushed. The insider says that the makers felt the last quarter of 2024 was packed.

“November has two big Diwali releases, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. On the first Friday of December, Vicky will bring Chhaava to the big screen. The team wants to do justice to the ambitious biopic, in terms of promotions and buzz. With Varun Dhawan’s Baby John coming on Christmas, Pooja Meri Jaan’s team felt it deserved breathing space. They didn’t want such an important message to be lost in the flurry of big-ticket, mainstream releases. Pushing it to next year felt right.”

Actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur are teaming up for the first time in filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next production. The film is a musical romance, and we’ve exclusively learnt that it has got a title.

A source close to the development tells us, “The film is a love story and the makers have named the film Tum Hi Ho. The title resonates with love as it comes from one of the most iconic romantic tracks in Hindi (from Aashiqui 2, 2013),” adding that the next shoot schedule for the film, which went on floors in May, will take place in the hills.

“The team will be heading to Uttarakhand towards the end of September and will be stationed there till around mid-October for the next leg of the shoot. Siddhant and Mrunal will be joining the shoot there along with the rest of the team,” the source adds.

The film, which is directed by Ravi Udyawar and has both actors playing musicians, is expected to feature some soulful compositions.

When Ajay Devgn announced Son of Sardaar 2 almost 12 years after the original’s release, the questions about the cast were inevitable. Earlier, reports suggested that neither leading lady Sonakshi Sinha nor Sanjay Dutt would feature in the action comedy’s sequel. But now, mid-day has exclusively learnt that Dutt has been signed on for Vijay Kumar Arora’s directorial venture.

So, will the actor reprise his role of Balwinder Singh Sandhu aka Billu to Devgn’s Jassi? Yes and no. It turns out that the sequel is a fresh story, and doesn’t pick up where the original ended.

A source reveals, “That said, since the characters of Billu and Jassi were loved by the audiences, the two actors are expected to stick to their characters’ names. Their dynamics, however, will be different. While the two were at loggerheads with hilarious results in Son of Sardaar, this time, their rivalry will be intense, with Sanjay’s role leaning towards the antagonist. Off screen, the two actors are close friends, and Ajay has made sure that Sanjay has a fantastic role in the second part.”

Arora, who is a successful Punjabi director and served as the director of photography on Devgn’s Action Jackson (2014), plans to take the action comedy on floors around July-end.

“Ajay, Sanjay and Mrunal Thakur, who has been roped in as the female lead, will kick off a 50-day schedule in Scotland. It is famous for its castles, historic towns, lochs, and beaches, with many episodes of Game Of Thrones, and much of the Harry Potter franchise having been shot there. The direction team had done a recce earlier this year, and finalized the scenic towns of Glencoe and Glenfinnan, as well as sites such as the Culross Palace, Doune Castle, Preston Mill and Falkland Palace. The locations form a fitting backdrop for the kind of action and drama that the director has in mind. A few romantic songs featuring Ajay and Mrunal will also be shot in the country’s picturesque locales,” adds the source.

Devgn is expected to wrap up the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again next week, after which he will focus single-mindedly on Son of Sardaar 2. After the Scotland schedule is complete, the actor will start filming De De Pyaar De 2 in London.

Ever since Kalki 2898 AD was announced in February 2020, audience have been looking forward to the film, which was released in theatres this Thursday. While the film opened to mixed reviews, the actors attached to the Nag Ashwin-directorial venture have been nothing but proud of the association. Mrunal Thakur, who plays a cameo in the magnum opus—also starring Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone, among others—shared that she admired the scale of the project and the efforts invested by the entire team.

“Being on the sets of Kalki 2898 AD was surreal,” said Thakur, who didn’t take a second moment to give her nod to the film when she was approached.

“I have never seen anything of this scale in India till date. The visual effects and graphics are truly groundbreaking. I appreciate the dedication and hard work of the technicians and actors involved in bringing this vision to life. It is an honour to be part of such a prestigious project.” 

Kalki 2898 AD, set in a post-apocalyptic world, follows the few selected who are on a mission to save the unborn child, Kalki, of SUM-80, a lab subject.

The culture of the paparazzi is growing more and more prevalent every day. Stars are always popping up on our Insta feeds, wherever they go — from airports to gyms, courtesy popular pap pages. However, when female stars’ “zoomed-in” body parts appear on pap pages, these so-called “spotted images” become the target of criticism from both celebs and fans. Currently, a number of stars are refusing to be photographed, especially from behind, worrying about being “zoomed-in pictures”. We spoke with paps to learn the reality.

No one wants to zoom in on the body parts. Nora continuously gives a back pose, then turns and waves. As for what Mrunal Thakur and Palak Tiwari said, the new trend of ‘Guess who?’ is on the rise. If they are at an event where cameras are placed, they will invariably end up shooting them from both the front and the back.