Keep up with Akshay Kumar if you can. Only two days after returning from the UK where he was shooting a month-long schedule of Samuk, the superstar headed to another film set in Dehradun. Over the next five days, the actor will film a special song for director Anees Bazmee’s yet-untitled family comedy, which also stars Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna.

According to sources, the song will be one of the major highlights of the movie, with the makers apparently allocating a budget of around Rs 1 crore to it. So, think grand sets, larger-than-life treatment, and of course, Kumar’s smooth moves.

A source close to the development told mid-day, “Akshay returned from the UK on October 12, and within two days, left for Dehradun. There is no break between the two schedules. The makers wanted to wrap the song before the third week of October, and Akshay was more than happy to return to the comedy’s world.”

Choreographer Vijay Ganguly has been brought on board to design the track. He is said to be envisioning it as a grand affair, in keeping with the world that Bazmee has created for the entertainer. “It’s a special post-credit song. Vidya is also likely to feature in it, but her parts will be stitched later,” added the source.

The comedy marks Kumar’s reunion with Bazmee 15 years after their last collaboration Thank You (2011). It’s also the actor’s fourth outing with Balan after Heyy Babyy (2007), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), and Mission Mangal (2019).

The finish line is getting closer for Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan, who began the final schedule of their yet-untitled family comedy in Mumbai earlier this week. Sources have revealed that director Anees Bazmee will film portions of the climax and a song over the 15-day stint at SRPF Grounds in Goregaon.

The unit has begun shooting the song featuring the two leads. “Last week, a big song sequence was filmed with a crowd. This week’s song will be focused only on Akshay and Vidya,” said a source from the production.

The schedule’s thrust will be on the climax. Known for his laugh-out-loud entertainers, Bazmee has designed the climax as a large-scale comic set-piece. The source added, “It involves several members of the cast, including Raashii Khanna who plays the parallel lead.” The director will call it a wrap by August-end.

After much speculation around the casting, HT City has learnt that Raashii Khanna has come on board Akshay Kumar’s next film, which will be directed by Anees Bazmee.

The film, which also stars Vidya Balan (as exclusively reported by HT City earlier) had been on the lookout for another leading female actor. After considering several names, the makers have finalized Raashii for the part.

A source tells us, “The team was deliberating on the right fit for the role, and the search ended with Raashii. Her recent choices, including impactful roles in 120 Bahadur (2025) and The Sabarmati Report (2024), impressed the makers. She has now signed on the dotted line.”

The reunion of Akshay and Anees has already generated excitement among fans, given their 2007 cult hit Welcome, which continues to enjoy popularity nearly two decades after its release.

Meanwhile, Akshay is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, which has now been pushed to May 15. He also has Welcome To The Jungle slated for release later this year. 

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar’s war drama 120 Bahadur is set for a November release. And, we have exclusively learnt that besides Farhan, the film also stars Raashii Khanna.

A source says, “Raashii proved herself with The Sabarmati Report and Yodha (both 2024) by playing two starkly different characters. The makers of 120 Bahadur felt that she’d be able to hold her ground in a story that is so patriotic and hard-hitting, and bring added depth.”

The movie, which revolves around the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, will see Farhan step into the shoes of Major Shaitan Singh, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his sacrifice for the country. Farhan, also the film’s co-producer, shot in Ladakh, which marked his return to the place for a full-fledged film 20 years after filming the Hrithik Roshan-starrer Lakshya (2004).

In January, mid-day had reported that Vikrant Massey was headlining The Sabarmati Report that is centred on the real-life episode of the burning of the Sabarmati Express in 2002 (That burning question, Jan 17). While director Ranjan Chandel’s political thriller rolled in December 2023 in Ahmedabad, the leading man had taken a paternity leave in the first week of February to be by wife Sheetal Thakur’s side. We now hear that the new daddy has resumed the shoot that is underway at Madh Island.

On February 27, 2002, 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya were killed in a blaze in the four coaches of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station in Gujarat. It had led to one of the worst communal riots in Gujarat. The Ektaa R Kapoor production sees Massey and Raashii Khanna play journalists who investigate the cause of the fire.

“Since January, Ranjan sir has been continuously shooting on a huge set in Madh Island, where art director Rajat Poddarr and his production design team have built replicas of trains and the Godhra railway station. Vikrant had informed the director beforehand that he would take a few days off in February as Sheetal and he were expecting. So, the schedule was planned such that Ranjan sir and DoP Amlendu Choudhury shot portions featuring Raashii, Ridhi Dogra and the supporting cast in that window. Vikrant was back on set a few days after welcoming his baby boy on February 7,” reveals a source.

If things go as planned, the director will call it a wrap on The Sabarmati Report next week. The source adds, “The editing has begun so that the movie can make its May 3 release.” Playing out over a decade, the narrative begins in 2002 and touches on events in 2007 and 2012.

What would be a fitting film to continue Vikrant Massey’s golden run after 12th Fail (2023)? Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s directorial venture, one of the finest Indian movies of 2023 and a sleeper hit, is a tough act to follow. But it looks like Massey has found another powerful story, this time with producer Ektaa R Kapoor. The duo have teamed up for a political thriller titled The Sabarmati Report.

Beginning with the real-life episode of the burning of the Sabarmati Express in 2002, the movie then focuses on two journalists who investigate the incident and the cause of the fire. While Massey and Raashii Khanna play the reporters, we hear Ridhi Dogra—recently seen in Jawan (2023)—portrays a negative role.

On February 27, 2002, 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya were killed in a fire in the four coaches of the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat. The incident led to one of the worst communal riots in Gujarat.

A source from the creative team reveals, “While The Sabarmati Report is based on the burning of the Sabarmati Express, the makers have completely stayed away from the Gujarat riots. Ektaa and director Ranjan Chandel, who previously helmed the acclaimed Grahan [2021], want to treat the subject with utmost sensitivity. When co-producer Amul Mohan and writer Aseem Arora first narrated the story to Ektaa, she was moved and told them that it was the best political thriller she had come across in years. Aseem’s story is loosely based on real-life incidents. It plays out over a decade, from 2002 to 2012.”

We hear Chandel took the film on floors in Ahmedabad on December 17 last year. The director has charted out a start-to-finish schedule.

“It was always planned as a 36-day schedule. Currently, the film is being shot near Madh Island, where life-size trains and the Godhra railway station have been recreated by art director Rajat Poddarr and his production design team. Chandel has chosen Amlendu Choudhury to serve as the director of photography.”

It was Raashii Khanna’s 33rd birthday on November 30, and she got to fulfil a long-pending wish of hers — to pay a visit to Sri Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Now back in Mumbai after the two-day trip, the actor gets candid on the “serene” experience.

“I have been wanting to visit the Golden temple for a very long time now. I went there when I was younger, but I always wanted to do it properly — take a snaan (dip) in the sarovar (holy water) and do the Amrit Vela (early morning meditation), which is usually [done from] 2 am to 4 am,” she tells us, adding, “On my birthday eve (November 29), I reached Amritsar with my family and friends. We went to the Golden Temple and took a dip. On my birthday morning, we did the Amrit Vela.”

The Farzi actor goes on to add that everything felt complete in that moment. “My birthday was so peaceful this year. When I got out of the temple, I thought to myself, ‘This is what I wanted’. I wanted to do this with my family and I was very happy to be able to do it this year. The feeling is out of the world.”

When in Amritsar, Khanna didn’t miss a chance to explore the city’s markets as well as the culinary delicacies available there. “We bought some beautiful dupattas and suits. Also, I had heard so much about the food. I had the Amritsari kulcha, which was amazing. People who were with us kept saying to me, ‘No dieting in Amritsar’. I ate a lot. I was okay with all the butter and ghee they put because I work out a lot,” she quips.

Though she rang in her special day in Amritsar, Khanna did not miss out on her tradition of planting saplings on her birthday. She reveals that she had never intended on going public about her initiative, but it was her team that persuaded her. “I am a private person,” she continues, “My team noticed that I am an environmentalist at heart. They said that I should post about it. I plant saplings every now and then, but it has become a tradition on my birthday.” She goes on to talk about the impact of her posting about planting trees, saying: “A fan club recently told me that they also started planting because I do it. At that time, I felt I do have an impact. I am happy that I made this a tradition.”

In terms of work, the actor is awaiting the release of her film Yodha, co-starring Sidharth Malhotra and Disha Patani. “I think the film has been postponed again because the makers want to avoid clashes as there are so many big films releasing in December. I think we will come out with it in March next year. I am really excited for it,” she signs off.

Raashii Khanna calls herself a “patriot by heart”, who has always felt a strong inclination towards serving her nation in various capacities. On Independence Day, the actor says that the sense of patriotism has always been high for her, so much that she wanted be a civil servant. “I wanted to be an IAS officer to serve my country,” she reveals.

However, Khanna feels “God’s plans were better” than hers! “As an actor I can be an IAS or a politician on screen. What’s better than that?” quips the actor who would love to play a role like actor Kangana Ranaut’s in Emergency.

When asked about films made on India’s freedom struggle and whether they are accurate, the 32-year-old whose favourite patriotic film is The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (2002), says, “I know filmmakers go an extra mile while making such movies, but I don’t think facts are manipulated.”

The actor, who will be seen in Yodha next, also reminisces her fondest childhood memory of Independence Day. “I was part of the school choir and we used to sing patriotic songs for I-Day functions. My favourite was Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon and it was always such a challenge to get it right because it was sung by the late Lata Mangeshkar. It was so difficult to get the notes correct,” she recounts.

For the Madras Cafe (2013) actor “Freedom is when your mind does not control you”. She continues, “I’d like to be free from my fears, which are mostly about losing my family and loved ones.”

Khanna urges everyone to celebrate Independence Day beyond just a national holiday. “Your love towards the country should reflect in your actions. This emotion of patriotism should flow from your heart every day of the year. However, there is no harm in having a day to celebrate it. It let’s you collectively celebrate the efforts of our freedom fighters and pay them respect,” she ends.

In the past few years, Raashii Khanna has witnessed several changes in the industry, some significant, others not so much. To her, the most noteworthy change is in the depiction of women on screen.

“Now, there are writers who write [powerful] female characters. I have been in the industry for [over] seven years. It’s only now that [female actors] are being given the respect they deserve,” she reflects.

Farzi is one such example, says Khanna, who will be seen as an investigating officer in the crime thriller that revolves around a con artist. The Amazon Prime Video series might have big names like Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi attached to it, but creators Raj-DK ensured that she shone just as brightly on screen.

“Raj-DK are feminist directors. The way they have written my character, and shown empathy to a woman in a professional space [is remarkable]. They’ve shown the problems that today’s women face, through my character.”

Raj-DK are anomalies in an industry that is infamously kinder to men. Some of the recent blockbusters have been testosterone-driven — from KGF - Chapter 2, to Pushpa: The Rise. Isn’t that cause for concern?

“Shefali Shah ma’am and Alia [Bhatt] are creating a parallel space for women, with their films. If a certain kind of film is working, that’s great. But a film like Gangubai Kathiawadi or Darlings balances it out.”

'Yodha' marks a big win for the child in Raashii Khanna. After making her Bollywood debut with Madras Cafe (2013), the actor veered towards the south film industry. A decade on, she has returned to Hindi cinema to fulfill her childhood dream — of featuring in a Karan Johar production.

“With Yodha, I had to pinch myself to believe that I could call myself a Dharma heroine. I got to fulfill my childhood fantasies, where [I] wanted to look pretty and be part of a glossy film,” begins the actor.

To Khanna, a Johar movie always felt out of reach. However, starring alongside Sidharth Malhotra in Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha’s directorial venture made her rethink her preconceived notions. 

“[Initially] I thought only certain people got to be a Dharma heroine. I didn’t think it was easy for people who come from outside to bag such films. So, the fact that I am in this film, opens doors for others. You don’t necessarily have to be a part of a certain [background] to be a part of a Dharma film. Work so hard on your skill set that your talent cannot be dismissed,” she states.

At its core, 'Yodha' is a mainstream actioner. Khanna, however, notes that the movie doesn’t sideline its female characters. “Usually, in such glossy films, there is not much for a female actor to do. But in Yodha, there is a lot of responsibility on my character.”

Raashii Khanna’s villainous turn in the web series Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness has not just startled viewers, but her too. The actor admits she had her share of apprehensions about how audiences may react to her avatar, considering how she’s mostly done goody-goody roles.

“My character was very grey. Even though you want to play other roles, the Indian milieu will judge you and they can really hate you. So somewhere inside me, I was like if they hate me, I will have to overcome it by probably making them love me in some [other] way,” she says.

The 31-year-old adds that taking up the role was definitely a risk, but something she was game to face. “It was very risky to play a girl like her, and enter the Hindi space with that character. I am quite a risk taker that way. I was waiting for a role like this. You get bored of playing the same pretty girl being loved, and not really making a mark, apart from love stories. It’s very rare that you get to play a character like mine...We, actors, are nothing without risks.” she asserts.

Set to be seen next alongside actor Shahid Kapoor in the upcoming web show directed by Raj and DK, as well as Yodha opposite actor Sidharth Malhotra, Khanna says the response to her performance in Rudra has not really sunk in.

“I am in Zen mode. I am constantly shooting, so I don’t think I have had the time to look at it. My family and friends are shocked. They have already seen me in South films, where I was always the girl-next-door, but suddenly they went, ‘Oh my God’ after seeing me as a vamp. It was great coming from them. Even while watching the show, I myself couldn’t believe I did that. That’s not who I am,” she says, adding, “The only way you can grow as an actor is by pushing boundaries. I am on the correct path. Even my directors in Yodha said that I look completely different.”

When we get on a call with Raashii Khanna, who is promoting her upcoming show Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness, our conversation begins on an unusual subject — luck versus hard work. In 2022, the actor has three marquee projects. She kicks off the year with the crime thriller that marks Ajay Devgn’s OTT debut, before moving on to Raj-DK (Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK)’s series headlined by Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi. She will round off the year with Sidharth Malhotra and Disha Patani’s Yodha.

So what’s the secret that is propelling her in the right direction — luck or hard work? “It is luck,” she says, without skipping a beat. “Now, I often hear people say, ‘Arre, yeh kahan se kahan pahuch gayi.’ I am working hard but that’s not just it. I have so many actor friends who are trying to get roles, but opportunities aren’t coming their way. Personally, I am hard on myself. I want to utilise every day to the fullest so that when I look back, I have the assurance that I gave it my best.”

The actor began her chapter in showbiz with Madras Cafe in 2013. In the nine years since, Khanna has not featured in another Hindi film, instead making her presence felt in the south movie industry. “I didn’t get the kind of roles I wanted to do in Bollywood. In the south also, it wasn’t a smooth sail initially. There was an entire year when I did nothing. I didn’t want to sign up for films that wouldn’t do anything for me. I have always been a secure actor, and I didn’t view Bollywood as a destination. I decided that I will do Bollywood only when the role is that good.”

The Disney+ Hotstar series, which is an official adaptation of the British crime drama Luther, delivered on that count. Khanna reprises the role essayed by Ruth Wilson in the original, a sociopath helping Devgn’s cop character to understand the crimes. “I didn’t want to watch Luther. I wanted to create the character of Aaliyah all by myself, without taking any inspiration from the original. I play a sociopath, and most crime films we watch are based on psychopaths. There’s a world of difference between the two. Sociopaths have emotions. I watched Hannibal [2001] and read psychology books to create the character. I auditioned alongside over 200 people. This is a role that doesn’t need a pretty face to fill a space, doesn’t need a star. After so many years, someone said, ‘Chalo act karke dikhao.’”

What does she hope to achieve with this show? She takes a pause before saying, “I don’t want to be known for my face and my body. I want to be a solid actor whose versatility should be remembered. An actor is defined by what their audience thinks of them. I want to be known for holding people’s attention in good parts.”

She credits leading man Devgn for being a pillar of strength. “Before I started the show, I was told he doesn’t talk much. We needed to vibe, given the chemistry between our characters on paper. There is a war of belief systems between Aaliyah and Rudra. I remember when I walked in on day one, he was so warm and kind. We spoke about our lines and how they should be done. We all relied on Ajay sir a lot.”

Ajay Devgn’s digital debut is built on a solid foundation — Rudra: The Edge of Darkness is an official adaptation of the popular British television series, Luther. For a crime thriller that focuses as much on the antagonists as it does on the quick-thinking protagonist, casting director Kavish Sinha (below) says roping in the right actors was crucial. “Casting for the villains was a big challenge,” says Sinha of the series that stars Esha Deol-Takhtani, Atul Kulkarni and Raashii Khanna, among others.

While Devgn and Deol were part of the project from the beginning, the casting director was given the responsibility of building the supporting cast. “When you have powerful actors on board, you have to cast an equally strong ensemble cast. Raashii auditioned with the director [Rajesh Mapuskar], along with the other cast members, including Atul, Ashwini [Kalsekar] and Ashish [Vidyarthi]. Rudra [focuses on] the villains as each episode [studies] a different crime and criminal. The [actors who played] criminals had to be as powerful performers as Ajay. Sameer Nair [of Applause Entertainment] and BBC were supportive about getting new actors,” says Sinha, who also worked on the casting of Rocket Boys.

The brief given by Mapuskar was simple: Even though the series was inspired by a British offering, Rudra had to be desi in its essence. Sinha says, “Rajesh wanted to capture the essence of Mumbai through the series. When I read Rudra episodes, I realised it isn’t similar to [Luther], [save for] his relationships with those around him. We have Indianised it for the audience here. So, I never asked any of the actors I auditioned to watch Luther.”