Last September, Karan Johar had announced that his talk show, Koffee With Karan, had been renewed for another season. It looks like we’ll be getting our weekly dose of celebrity banter and gossip soon. We hear that the eighth edition of the filmmaker-host’s popular chat show is scheduled to begin streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from June-end.

So, who will grace the couch in the upcoming season? Sources say that the chat show regulars — from Kareena Kapoor Khan to Ranveer Singh, from Akshay Kumar to Johar’s ‘students’ Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra — are on the guest list. But it is heard that Johar is keen to open the season with actor-couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor.

A source reveals, “Karan wants to feature new combinations in this instalment. Ranbir and Alia top his list. While Alia opened the last three editions, Karan knows that the audience is keen to know more about the couple’s married life and parenthood. So, he is hoping to bring them on the couch. He would also love to have Shah Rukh Khan, who was conspicuous by his absence in the last edition, feature in the opening episode or the season finale.”

The director’s next, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, is slated to release on July 28. So, there is a possibility that a special episode will be shot with the principal cast of Singh, Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi.

A key priority for PVR-Inox currently is improving margins through better capital and operating expenses, says managing director Ajay Bijli. In an interview with ET’s Vinod Mahanta and Javed Farooqui, Bijli talks about the contours of the deal to merge the two companies that has created the world’s fifth largest multiplex chain and what lies ahead for the combined entity. Edited excerpts:

This (multiplex) business has always been about scale. Only when you reach a certain scale, do economies kick in. Achieving a certain scale allows for operating and cost efficiencies, as seen in large companies worldwide with 4,000-5,000 screens or more. The pandemic completely devastated our balance sheets and business. And, the best way to make our balance sheet stronger and address the challenges we faced was through the merger. The merger allowed us to take on the challenges that lay ahead in the the exhibition industry. But it also means we have more responsibility now with more screens, seats to fill, people to manage, and expectations to meet.

Fortunately, the integration process is going well. We started with the day-one structure and prioritized bringing people together. We hired Kornferry about three–four weeks ago to assist with this process. We developed the day-one structure to give clarity on everyone's roles and responsibilities, which was essential for our 23,000–24,000 employees. Now we are looking at synergies in every revenue line, and we have launched a new 100-day initiative called Parikrama. We're currently exploring ways to improve various aspects of our business, such as ticket prices, advertising revenue, and cost items, whether its capex or opex. There are about 13-14 initiatives that are going on simultaneously, which BCG is monitoring. We've informed the markets that it will take at least 12-24 months before we start seeing the benefits of our efforts. We have given it a value of Rs. 225 crore in synergy.

I have been appointed as the MD of the company by the board and shareholders, along with the Jain family as executive directors with equal representation on the board. The chairman is Pavan Jain. As MD, I am responsible for running the company for the next five years. At the operating level, we have two co-CEOs due to the large scale of our operations. We have roughly 1,700 screens, including 180 that are currently being fitted out. So, the span of control of Gautam Dutta, who is CEO of North and South, is equivalent to the span of control of Alok Tandon, who is looking after West, East and Central. Our focus is on economies of scale and adopting best practices from both companies.

Occupancy rates vary by region, with the South having reached pre-Covid levels while West, North and East have not. We do think the ticket prices will hold. They haven't gone up by that much; it’s less than inflation in a three-year period. By the way, minimum wages have gone up, electricity has gone up, and so have all input costs. We have stayed below inflation.

Everything is dependent on footfall — all our revenues are binary. The FY23-24 line-up is looking good. We have Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa releasing now, and John Wick: Chapter 4 has been released and has gotten a lot of traction. Then we have Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Ajay Devgn’s Maidaan is coming.

Sheeba is returning to films in a full-fledged role after nearly two decades. The artiste, who once shared screen with actors Rajinikanth, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, has two films lined up — Fateh and filmmaker Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

Sheeba, who has films such as Suryavanshi (1992), Miss 420 (1998) and Dum (2003) to her credit, tells us, “At one point, filmmakers either wanted an 18-year-old heroine or an 80-year-old mother. I wasn’t sitting in either spectrum. Secondly, nobody offered me roles [that were] tempting enough to do.”

The actor is glad that unlike in the ’90s, when the industry was highly dominated by heroes and the heroines, things have changed now. “Earlier, there was no importance given to other characters. But now, each and every role is equally essential to the project. Now, if the hero does not want me as his heroine, there is another important part,” she says, adding that people have realized one man can no longer shoulder a project.

Another distinct change that has come about in the industry, Sheeba says, is the fact that people on sets are well prepared, with their homework done. “That’s what I saw on Karan Johar’s set as well as the Sonu Sood movie (Fateh). They have done so much background work. In terms of technicalities, they are so much more aware. The craft of acting has also changed. They (makers) want you to be subtle, natural and softer. The way they present the characters has also changed. The movies are larger than life, but the characters are more relatable [now],” she wraps up.

During our interactions with Ranveer Singh, he has always expressed how lucky he feels to be an actor, to work with industry stalwarts and live his dream. During a recent chat while talking about the kind of gratitude he feels for being a part of the industry for over a decade, the actor spoke about some instances that left him feeling surreal and emotional.

Ranveer shared, “There was this one time when I was shooting on Rohit Shetty’s set for Cirkus. I walked past the vanity vans to reach the set. While passing, I came across a van that had Johny Lever’s name on it. It struck me in that flash of a moment that I’m working with a legend. Johny Lever is an industry stalwart when it comes to comedy. I was about to perform a scene with Johny sir, whose comedy shows we’ve seen for years before he became an actor. It was among the first live comedy shows my father took me to watch when I was a kid at an auditorium in Juhu. Johny sir would bring out his trademark white handkerchief and wipe his sweat. It’d be hot on the stage and he’d still be dishing out one great humour piece after another. ”

The other extraordinary moment for Ranveer was when he shared screen space with veteran actor Dharmendra in Karan Johar’s upcoming directorial Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Ranveer said, “On the set, Karan was briefing us. Dharam ji was in the room and he was intently listening. And when I began to perform the scene with him in the frame, it was just him and me, and I realised what a moment it was! Who gets to do this? How did I even get here? Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to believe that it’s all happening to me. Working with these stalwarts is like living a dream.”

That familiar rush of thrill, joy, and chaos. That’s what Karan Johar felt when he began filming 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani' (RARKPK) late last year, wielding the directorial baton almost six years after 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' (2016). Tell him it’s a long time to be away from a movie set, and he agrees wholeheartedly, stating, “It made me realize that I love being on set the most. At 50, [I have decided] that I will not take such long gaps.”

The break was unintentional. Johar had initially planned to helm the magnum opus, Takht. When the project hit a roadblock due to the pandemic and several other factors, the filmmaker went back to the writing table and developed RARKPK, featuring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi. He believes the family drama is perfectly in sync with the audience’s taste that has changed dramatically in the past two years.

“As filmmakers, we all have to go back to the basics, if we want commercial [success]. If you want to make an artistic film, go ahead, but know that your audience will get limited. Now, the cinema-going audiences want the tadka of Hindi cinema that got diluted over the decades. The [success of] KGF - Chapter 2, RRR, and Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01, [2021] [proves the theory]. We need to go back to [the elements] we grew up on — drama, songs, dance, and emotions. The phase of small-town, high-concept movies is great, but this is the reality of our times.”

His upcoming film is a quintessential “happy Indian family drama”, he says. “There is unabashed naach-gaana. Dharam ji is a ball of love, and at 86, he is so passionate. Shabana ji is an acting institution. With Jaya ji, whom I call aunty J, I feel like I have a mom on the set.”

Even as he is confident about RARKPK, Johar knows that any film will have its share of criticism. The director views it as an important step to improve his craft. “I read the criticism before the praise. The praise does nothing for you, but what’s bad or what’s mediocre needs to be told. I even read what the trolls [write]. I feel the more grounded I am, the more I will be able to fly.”

Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh were back in Delhi for the shoot of Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani over the weekend. On late Sunday, we spotted Alia shooting – in a turtleneck, despite Dilli ki garmi – for a scene at the arrival gate of the Delhi airport. Also seen on set was the film’s assistant director Ibrahim Ali Khan.

A source from the film’s crew says, “This six-day shoot took place in Gurgaon, Aerocity and at Delhi airport.”

Another elaborate baraat scene was set up at Aerocity during the weekend, where the whole stretch was blocked for shoot for two days. Virender Chawla, who provided the band for the baraat scene, spoke about how the crew shot in the searing heat, saying, “The shoot lasted for around 48 hours, and maximum temperature in the city at the time was about 44 degrees celsius. We provided 60 band members for the grand wedding scene, where vintage cars were also used.”

Karan, too, took to social media to share a behind-the-scenes pic of Ranveer from the shoot, where he can be seen driving a green car.

Virender added, “There were over 100 persons deployed on set only to ensure that no one used their phone. If someone’s phone rang, it was immediately seized for the shoot duration.”

A crew member told us that the team is likely to be back in Delhi in July for the next leg of the shoot.

In an interview with us years ago, Ranveer Singh had expressed that he aspires to be an actor who is brilliant in any genre, and he wants the audience to think, ‘yeh banda kuch bhi kar sakta hain.’ Today, here we are, having watched his remarkable innings in cinema for the past 12 years, this is exactly what we are thinking. The banda, who believes in no half measures, has arrived at his goal post. And he is already on to his next set of goals and is chasing it with all the fire in him. In a conversation, he talks about how he gives his entire being to movies, and what he craves for and seeks. Ranveer is on a roll. Read on…

Pressure, I think, has a negative connotation. I don’t really subscribe to this idea of feeling pressure. I feel pressure can be limiting and debilitating at times. I understand there is a certain responsibility that comes with stardom to deliver certain box office numbers. But things that are beyond my control are not my prerogative, after a point. I accept the responsibility that comes with stardom, but my only focus is to choose films, stories and characters that can fit as many of my criteria as possible. It should excite and challenge me as an artiste. I am going through a phase where I want to make films which bring people together. Films that entire families, people of all ages and from all walks of life can sit and enjoy together; and films that don’t alienate a component of our broad spectrum of audience. I am an actor first and foremost, and for me, stardom is just a by-product. I focus on the core of what I do, which is creating characters, pushing boundaries and pushing the envelope in terms of performance — and that is my concern. Beyond a point, box office and delivering big box-office numbers is not my primary area of concern.

I am extremely happy with the way my filmography has shaped up. This is what I had always envisioned — a diverse range of characters. I had always worked towards being effective in a range of diverse characters, one after the other, and encompassing a broad spectrum of genres.

And that’s how it has happened in the past few years. Yes, my filmography is shaping up even better than what I had imagined. Part oft his has to do with what characters were offered to me and at what time. In that sense, I have been very lucky that I could work with such different filmmakers with vastly different styles. Another thing, it gives directors confidence across genres. It gives them faith that I will be effective in their respective worlds even though their genres and styles are so different from one another. I have always wished to be recognized as a versatile actor. The manner in which things have played out and the versatility that I have been able to showcase are now being widely recognized. I hope it continues this way. Like Jayeshbhai Jordaar is a character you haven’t seen me play before and it’s been a fresh challenge for me.

Yes, you are right. The thing is, I wish to create characters that are starkly different from one another. I lean towards making high-risk choices. I change my expression, body language and modulate my voice. I get into every detail, like the way the person sits, stands, looks and reacts. This process is what excites me. '83 was a challenge for me because this is a known person. Earlier, the canvas was mine to create, but here there were certain parameters that I needed to keep in mind whilst creating the person. A key in this process would have been video footage, but there was not much of that available. So, Kabir Khan (director) and I realised that the only way we could fill this gap was by involving Kapil himself and interacting with him in person. It was a very enriching learning experience for me, and it helped me grow not just as an actor but also as a person.

Yes, I fully subscribe to that. My entire approach towards acting and towards life is that I am all in, I am always all in; no half measures, no middle ground. I always say that if you are doing something, do it with all your heart, give it your everything and be completely present and immersed in it. If you’ve got a certain goal, then chase it with all the fire, intensity and passion that you have. If you are playing a character, go for it full tilt and see how much you can push yourself and achieve in the effort to become somebody else. This philosophy holds not just true to my craft, but also to my life.

Each character has left me with something that has helped me grow and evolve. Going through any creative process usually teaches you something; and, in the best of cases, leaves you enriched. In some instances, you grow and evolve more than others and it’s those growth spurts that I crave and seek. Every director you work with, the co-actors you interact with, the on-the-set experiences, discoveries during characterization and performance — I am in a state of constantly learning and improving my craft through all this. When the work is challenging and when your back is against the wall, is usually when you learn the most. I always look back experiences that teach me something.

As I said, my approach to acting is all in when I decide to collaborate with a director. I give my entire being to them. Everything that I have to offer, I bring that to the table, pump that into the process, into the film and the character. That kind of energy and commitment is recognized by them, which is why they like to collaborate with me project after project. At the beginning of my career, my mentor, Aditya Chopra, had said that anybody you work with, you must give them so much value that they should not be able to think beyond you when they are planning their next film, and that has stuck with me. Being an all-in kind of performer, these directors are able to recognize my sincerity towards my work. These directors enrich me as a performer and they’ve given me some of my best films and characters, and I hope and wish to continue to do more with them and learn from them.

I am honoured to be Karan Johar’s leading man. He’s made cult films that we have grown up on. It’s a Karan Johar romantic family dramedy, a genre that he has full ownership of. In spite of being on familiar territory, we are still, between ourselves, trying to push the envelope in terms of characterization. He has put together a stellar cast. Every character is bringing so much value, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all these fine actors. Alia (Bhatt) and I have such a great working relationship. I think she brings out the best in me as a performer; she elevates her co-actor’s performance. Also, significantly, it’s the kind of film I am very keen to present to the audience in my current phase; colourful and a feel-good family entertainer. I think the world has gone through a tough time and a film that carries an essential lightness of being, we are hoping will be looked forward to, by the audience.

Will they get married next week? Will they not? While Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s fans were busy playing the guessing game, it was all work on Bhatt’s mind yesterday. The actor finished a song sequence for Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, thus marking the end of the schedule for her. Now, with Bhatt having kept her date diary free for the next fortnight, the stage is set for the lovebirds — who have been together since late 2017 — to walk down the aisle next week.

A source from the set of Johar’s film reveals that Bhatt was juggling the shoot with wedding preparations. “On Tuesday and Wednesday, Alia had taken a few hours off for her trousseau trials. Karan planned the dates such that she could finish her portions yesterday, while co-star Ranveer Singh will be filming till late next week.”

The couple zeroed in on the dates for the five-day wedding ceremony, keeping their work commitments in mind. Sources say the two will take the pheras in the wee hours of April 16 in an intimate ceremony to be held at the Kapoor bungalow in Chembur. “For their big day, the bridal couple have turned to Bollywood’s go-to couturier Sabyasachi. True to his introverted nature, Ranbir wants an intimate wedding. 

The wedding planners have hired a robust security team that will man the Chembur bungalow, ensuring that photographs from their D-day aren’t leaked. From the caterers to the security department, every team has been requested to sign NDAs. A lavish reception is lined up on April 19 at Grand Hyatt in Santacruz for their industry friends. Alia has chosen a Manish Malhotra ensemble for the evening,” says a source.

The wedding of the year will not be followed by a honeymoon at this point, as Kapoor is expected to head to Himachal Pradesh by the month-end to kick off work on Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal.

The source adds, “Ranbir and Alia are looking at a packed few months. For the pre-wedding bachelor party, Aditya Roy Kapur and Arjun Kapoor will whisk Ranbir off to Alibaug over the weekend. Meanwhile, the bride’s sister Shaheen Bhatt and bestie Akansha Ranjan Kapoor are putting together the bachelorette party.”

Actor Dharmendra took to social media on Wednesday to share a video of himself receiving a Coronavirus booster shot. “The Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire,” he says, noting the need for everyone over the age of 60 to be jabbed. The actor adds, “I’m trying to take care of myself. But even after taking the shot, we should be very careful. So far, I’m doing well.”

The 86-year-old actor is currently nestled in his farmhouse in Lonavala to keep himself safe and away from Mumbai, where Coronavirus cases are on the rise. Dharmendra shares that he keeps himself busy with writing poetry and taking regular walks. He adds, “I also keep testing myself at regular intervals. It keeps the fear of contracting the virus at bay. I was supposed to go for a shoot in Daman but I cancelled it.”

However, he is quick to add that he’s eager to get back to work: “Five to ten days of shooting for Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani are still left. I truly enjoy playing this character. I’m so used to working that I can never sit idle. Work is worship for me.”

A couple of weeks back, Dharmendra was in Manali with his family, including his elder son, actor-politician Sunny Deol. “It was one of life’s best experiences. Sunny is an introvert, but this time he was very friendly with me. Baap bete ke beech mein izzat bahut zaroori hai but thoda sa khul jaana bhi achha hai. We went camping and enjoyed the snow,” ends the actor, who will also be seen in Apne 2.

Filming for Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani has come to a standstill amid soaring cases. Makers of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt’s movie had erected a mammoth set at Goregaon’s Film City. It now remains untouched.

A source reveals, “A Durga pandal had been created to shoot a crucial scene of the film. However, the makers have decided to cancel the shoot, keeping everybody’s safety in mind.”

The cast and crew were supposed to commence shooting on Monday, adds the source. 

Given that the entire cast was meant to be part of the scene, this decision, opines the source, has been appropriately taken.

Apart from Singh and Bhatt, the film features an ensemble cast, including Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi.

- Double XL

- Sunny Deol’s film

- Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani

- Luv Ranjan’s untitled film

- Made In Heaven 2

- Delhi Crime 2

- Shehzada

- Rakshabandhan

- Uunchai

- Action Hero

- Tiger 3

- Pataal Lok 2

Jaya Bachchan recently shot for Rocky Aur Rani.... The film has also been shot at Sunder Nursery, Cyber City, Lodhi Garden, Vasant Kunj, Lajpat Nagar and at a house in Barakhamba

Actor Dharmendra, who turns 86 today, likes to spend his birthday with family. “I have just returned after finishing my shoot in Delhi. I don’t have any birthday plans as such, aur na hi kabhi birthday plan banaya hai maine. I stopped celebrating my birthday after my mother’s (Satwant Kaur) death,” he tells us.

Opening up about the plan this year, the veteran star shares, “Sometimes, people come to meet me. But I have stopped that also because of the Coronavirus pandemic. So, family ke saath hi rahunga, at my farm.”

Ever since he entered showbiz in 1960, the actor’s journey from Punjab to Mumbai has been an iconic one. Dharmendra has entertained audiences with films of all genres — from the intense Bandini (1963) to entertainers like Sholay (1975) and Chupke Chupke (1975). “I know I have turned 86, but I don’t think about my age. I just work with honesty, aur khush hota hoon jab log abhi bhi pyaar karte hain. For them, I am still the same Dharmendra. I feel I was born to love and get loved,” says the actor, who shot for Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani in Delhi recently.

The veteran has been working continuously and he refuses to stop. He says, “I have no plans to retire. Aage bhagwan ki marzi, woh kab tak allow karte hain mujhe kaam karne ke liye.”

On Saturday, Ranbir Kapoor was spotted shooting for Luv Ranjan’s new untitled film at Yamuna Ghat, near ITO in Delhi. The funeral scene – featuring a sombre Ranbir mourning a deceased on-screen relative– is one of many that will be shot in the city over this month, as per a source. The film also stars Shraddha Kapoor and Boney Kapoor as Shraddha’s father, and the latter was spotted shooting in Noida last week.

Another source adds, “Most of the scenes in this film are shot at a location in Noida, and great efforts were taken to ensure that no photos from the set get leaked.”

While shooting for the film kicked off in Noida in January, it had to be rescheduled due to Coronavirus restrictions.

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On Sunday, Alia Bhatt and Jaya Bachchan shot for their upcoming film Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani in the capital. The duo were seen shooting at Bengali Market in Mandi House. One of the most popular sweet shops there was turned into ‘Dhan Lakshmi sweets’ – a shop owned by Jaya Bachchan’s character in the film.

A source tells us, “The scene involved Alia’s character visiting Jaya’s sweet shop.” Following locations like Qutub Minar and Lajpat Nagar, shooting for the film is next expected to take place at a hotel in Delhi.

The long-in-the-making Brahmastra seems to have reached its last leg. As is customary with superhero projects mounted on a grand scale, the Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt-starrer went through its share of excruciating times since it went on floors in 2018. Now, as the movie is nearing the finish line, it is heard that director Ayan Mukerji has included a song at the last minute. Sources say that a large set has been erected at Film City, Goregaon, where the leads will give shape to the track over the next two weeks.

A source reveals, “While Ayan has lined up a few sequences, the primary shoot is of the song. An elaborate set has been put up, and over 40 junior artistes will be part of the number. After Alia finishes her portions, she will return to the set of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. The next schedule of Karan Johar’s movie is lined up for December in Delhi.”

If all goes well, Mukerji will call it a wrap on his project — also featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Nagarjuna — by November-end.

Delhi is back to on the top places-to-be list for makers of films and web show. A series of projects have recently been or are being shot or are gearing up for filing at various locations across Delhi-NCR.

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar recently revealed that he is shooting for RakshaBandhan in the Capital as he shared a video of him running barefoot on the busy streets of Chandni Chowk. We have also learnt that the shoot of this Aanand L Rai-directed film will go on till October 15 and it will feature, Faridabad, Laxmi Bai Nagar, and Dilli Haat.

Another biggie, Uunchai featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Anupam Kher and Parineeti Chopra, is ready to set camp in the city. The schedule will begin in November, and locations such as South Ex, Greater Kailash and Aerocity will set the background for the movie.

The digital medium, too, is not behind in locking Delhi as their shooting ground. Web film Khufiya, which will be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, will be filmed in Delhi, too. Line producer Navmeet Singh says the unit will be here till October 20. The makers of Season 2 of Delhi Crime and season 3 of Breathe will also start shoot soon in the Capital.

Even the southern film industry is preferring Delhi now. Tamil actor Vijay shot for his Tamil film Beast here for five days in September. Line producer Ravi Sarin says it has become easier to shoot in the city now. “The situation is better than before, because of Delhi Police and Swati Sharma (Secretary- Tourism, Delhi Government). The restrictions have eased a little, and people can shoot now,” he tells us.

The shoot of the second season of the web show Made In Heaven is currently underway, while another web show Escape wrapped up its shoot. Filmmaker Luv Ranjan’s untitled next, with Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor also completed its shoot in the Capital.

Manoj Bajpayee’s web film Despatch got done with the Delhi schedule in September, and their locations included Paharganj and Bengali Market.

There’s something about the first day of shoot — it can make even the finest actors a ball of nerves. Shabana Azmi draws an interesting analogy, as she explains, “Slipping into a role on the first day is like entering the living room of a person you have never met. Sometimes, you can make friends with the character instantly; at other times, it takes a few meetings to warm up.” 

It probably best sums up the headspace of the senior actor, who kicks off the shoot of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani at Powai today. The film, starring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Jaya Bachchan and Dharmendra, marks her first collaboration with director Karan Johar. “It’s a comedy that deals with some important issues in a breezy way. I find it challenging to play a character in a Karan Johar film. He is both respectful and irreverent, and is open to suggestions. The prep has been invigorating. I have known Karan as a podgy teenager who would come to meet Javed [Akhtar, husband].”

One of the reasons she was drawn to the project was that it gave her the opportunity to share screen space with Bachchan. “I decided to join FTII [Film and Television Institute of India] after I saw a diploma film starring Jaya Bhaduri. I was taken by her life-like performance. Her work in Abhimaan [1973] and Mili [1975] continue to move me deeply.”

Before she slips into haute couture for Johar’s movie, Azmi is basking in the praise coming her way for The Empire. She was magnetic as the shrewd strategist Aisan Daulat Begum in the period drama. “The most important compliment came from Javed. We are stingy with compliments, and offer an honest appraisal of each other’s work. [A performance] can seem effortless only after a lot of effort is put in during the prep. I am happy that Hindi projects have now started the practice of readings and workshops before the actors go on set.”

That isn’t the only change in Indian entertainment. Today, senior women actors — including Dimple Kapadia and Neena Gupta — are bagging powerful roles. Glad that the industry has left behind its ageist ways, Azmi says, “Finally, substantial roles are being written for women. It is a healthier ecosystem to work in.”

Though he is neck-deep in work for his web debut Heeramandi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is eyeing to take Baiju Bawra on floors by October. The set is currently being constructed at Film City in Goregaon. Overjoyed as they must be to reunite with the auteur for the magnum opus, the project is likely to be strenuous for Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The duo, after all, have begun shooting for Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. With their date diaries affected by the second lockdown, the actors may have to juggle the two projects.

“At this point, it appears that some parts of Rocky Aur Rani... may overlap with the Baiju Bawra shoot. The primary roadblock will be the look of the characters, as the two actors sport distinct looks in the films. The actors’ teams are ensuring that the duo finish major chunks of Karan’s film before moving to Bhansali’s project,” reveals a source.

Johar kicked off the love story at a studio last week. After wrapping up the lead pair’s portions, he will focus on the scenes featuring veteran actors Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi. The source adds, “The combination scenes will be canned later in the year.”

mid-day reached out to Singh and Bhatt’s teams who remained unavailable.

At 85, legendary actor Dharmendra seems to be on a roll! Last year, director Anil Sharma announced Apne 2, starring him, along with sons Sunny and Bobby Deol. While his fans are eagerly waiting to see the actor on the big screen in this sequel, a few weeks ago, another film was announced starring the actor who has enjoyed a great run on the big screen for years. The movie, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, which will be directed by Karan Johar, will be headlined by Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.

Dharmendra, who was last seen in a leading role in Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se in 2018, is ecstatic about the new project, in which he also has senior co-stars like Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi for company. “Well, it’s a ‘romantic’ role,” says the actor, as he shies away emphasising on the ‘romantic’ bit, while revealing his excitement about the venture.

Prod him to open up a bit more about the role, and he says, “Well, at this point, I can’t talk about it. I am just excited to work with a director like Karan Johar, who’s directed such lovely movies. When I heard the script, I felt like he’s written the role keeping me in mind. He also told me, ‘Dharam saab aap jaise ho real life mein, mujhe waise hi chahiye aap on screen’. So, I guess mujhe acting bilkul nahi karni padegi isme (laughs!).”

Talking about uniting with actresses who he has shared screen space with in the past, he says, “I still remember Jaya Bachchan as my costar in Guddi. During that film, she would always say, ‘Dharam ji main fan hoon aap ki.’ And I can say that she was a genuine fan.”

Dharmendra shares, “What do I say about Shabana? She is such a fine artiste. I remember we were to work in a film called Bichhoo, but unfortunately the Sai Paranjpye-directorial couldn’t complete. Ab iss film mein poori bhadaas nikaal lenge (laughs!).”

As he is set to work with a new breed of actors including Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra is looking forward to witnessing some young energy on the sets, too. “Ranveer looks so natural in all his films. Bada hi pyaara ladka hai. Whenever we bump into each other at a function, woh aake mere paas baith jaata hai. Likewise, Alia is also brilliant with her work,” he says.

Bring up the topic of the kind of work he is doing at 85, and how he inspires the younger breed of actors, and he says, “One shouldn’t think about age at all. Abhi toh main jawan hoon! I will keep working. I love the camera, and the camera loves me. Aankh micholi khelte rehte hai hum dono, aur jab mauka milta hai toh gale lag jaate hain. It’s a fact that camera jab kisi ko reject kar deta hai, toh kar hi deta hai. But camera ishq karta hai mujhse, chhed ke chaala jaata hai. Hamari kaafi yaari hai. We love each other.”

Karan Johar recently shared on Instagram that he has started scouting for locations for the shoot of his upcoming directorial venture Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. The filmmaker is in Delhi with actor Ranveer Singh for a three-day recce of some probable locations for the shoot. Sources say that the filmmaker is considering some popular locations in Delhi like Humayun’s Tomb and Chandni Chowk and also some locations in Gurgaon and Noida. While in Delhi, he also visited Sunder Nursery. Karan and Ranveer were also spotted at a nightclub in Delhi after the filmmaker spent a day visiting different spots with the crew. Sources add that the shoot for the film might start next month in the capital.

On Ranveer’s birthday, July 6, the makers announced that the actor will play the lead role in the movie alongside Alia Bhatt. As per reports, veteran actors like Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi will also be a part of Karan’s upcoming directorial venture. Reports suggest that Dharmendra and Jaya are a part of Ranveer’s family in the film, while Shabana is a member of Alia Bhatt’s family.