Showing posts with label Naomika Saran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Naomika Saran. Show all posts
"Didn’t know they were big stars": Cafe manager on serving Matt Damon, Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland
9:20 AM
After Matt Damon, Christopher Nolan and Tom Holland’s chai and bun maska stop went viral, the manager of the Mumbai café they visited shares what it was like hosting the trio
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 13, 2026)
It’s not every day that you spot three Hollywood heavyweights — American actor-producer Matt Damon, British-American filmmaker Christopher Nolan and English actor Tom Holland — sipping chai and tucking into bun maska at a local eatery in India. But that’s exactly what happened on Saturday, when the trio visited the 108-year-old Olympia Coffee House in Mumbai amid promotions for their upcoming film, The Odyssey.
As photos and videos of their visit went viral, Olympia Coffee House manager Inayat Maredia shares what it was like to host the stars, and reveals that they didn’t even recognise them at first!
“Unn teenon ke guests jo the (their team), woh pehle 2:30 baje naashte ke liye aaye, uske baad se voh khade the cafe ke baahar hi. Humko toh pata bhi nahi tha ki jinki woh wait kar rahe hain, woh itne bade hain. Baad mein jab Google kiya toh maloom padha ki Tom Spider-Man wale actor hain,” he says.
It was only when Damon, Nolan and Holland walked into the cafe at 6 pm, suited up, and the crowd began to swell, that the staff realized they had some pretty famous people amidst them. “The three of them came. Chai peeya, bun maska khaaya, very light snacks. Zyaada der nahi ruke kyunki bheed bahot aa gayi thi. Bodyguards aaye the, police thi. 10-15 minutes se zyaada nahi ruke,” Inayat shares.
Bollywood turns up for The Odyssey's India premiere
Mumbai saw a star-studded premiere for The Odyssey on Saturday, with Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland and Matt Damon receiving a warm welcome from fans and members of the film fraternity. The event drew several Indian celebrities in attendance, including veteran actor Dimple Kapadia, who starred in Nolan’s 2020 espionage thriller Tenet, and her granddaughter Naomika Saran, actors Shruti Haasan, Boman Irani and Dino Morea, as well as digital creator Ashish Chanchlani. The premiere was preceded by a fan screening on Friday.
After Matt Damon, Christopher Nolan and Tom Holland’s chai and bun maska stop went viral, the manager of the Mumbai café they visited shares what it was like hosting the trio
A Matt Damon-Shekhar Kapur collab up next?
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 13, 2026)
At The Odyssey press conference on Saturday, Matt Damon revealed he still regrets missing the chance to work with filmmaker Shekhar Kapur after having to turn down his 2002 directorial The Four Feathers because he had already signed another film. “He’s has always been on my list and I would like to have another go,” Damon said.
Reacting to the actor’s remarks, Kapur tells us, “I hope the collaboration happens. It’s Time Matt, and I finally collaborate.”
Pragati Srivastava bags Naomika Saran’s debut film
9:50 AM
Sources reveal Pragati Srivastava bagged the parallel lead in Dimple Kapadia’s granddaughter Naomika Saran’s debut film, thanks to her work in Prakash Jha’s ‘Janaadesh’
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 9, 2026)
The industry is keenly watching every move as the launch vehicle of Naomika Saran, granddaughter of Dimple Kapadia and late Rajesh Khanna, is being readied. Maddock Films’ yet-untitled romantic drama stars Rinke Khanna’s daughter opposite Vedang Raina of Jigra (2024) fame, with Pragati Srivastava playing the parallel lead. Now, word is that Srivastava landed the project while preparing for Prakash Jha’s Janaadesh.
A source shared that she plays the female lead opposite Ishwak Singh and Rahul Bose in Jha’s political drama. “Pragati was deep into Janaadesh when conversations for this film began. The work she had put in for the political drama worked in her favour during the casting process,” said the source.
Saran’s maiden film, directed by Jagdeep Sidhu, is said to be a love triangle. An insider revealed, “Not many know that Pragati is also romantically paired opposite Vedang. The film revolves around these three central characters.”
Dimple Kapadia’s granddaughter Naomika Saran to debut with Vedang Raina; film to go on floors by mid-2026
9:53 AM
Dimple Kapadia with Naomika Saran; (right) late Rajesh Khanna
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 17, 2025)
In the past few months, Naomika Saran, granddaughter of Dimple Kapadia and late Rajesh Khanna, has been spotted out and about in the city, most frequently outside Maddock Films’ office. Those in the business know what that means — a Bollywood debut is around the corner for the star kid.
Sure enough, a bit of digging revealed that Saran, the daughter of ‘Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi’ (1998) actor Rinke Khanna, is set to foray into Hindi cinema with a Dinesh Vijan production.
Sources told mid-day that a breezy romantic comedy has been zeroed in on for her debut. The project is expected to go on floors by mid-2026. A source shared, “Naomika has been training over the past year, undergoing acting and dance workshops. Dinesh and his team were clear that they didn’t want to announce her debut until she was completely ready.”
Interestingly, the film’s male lead has undergone a change. We’ve heard that the role was originally written with Agastya Nanda in mind. However, after discussions and scheduling issues, the makers are now in advanced talks with Vedang Raina, who was seen in ‘Jigra’ (2024).
“Vedang and Naomika have great chemistry. When the team saw them together, it just clicked. Vedang is currently shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s film and will then move to this movie,” added the source.
The film will be helmed by a new director from the Maddock stable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)