Dacoit is born out of Adivi Sesh’s long-standing desire to explore romance within an action framework. While Sesh and Mrunal Thakur play former lovers in this “angry love story”, Anurag Kashyap portrays a fearless cop. How did Sesh, the film’s actor and co-writer, convince Kashyap to come on board?

Well, he did it in the most unexpected place — at Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya’s December 2024 wedding in Hyderabad. “I pitched the film to him at the wedding itself,” laughed Sesh.

According to him, the filmmaker-turned-actor was also the go-to person when it came to fine-tuning the Hindi filmy dialogues. “We’d go to him to check how something should be said. It was like having a master craftsman on set,” he added.

Initially eyeing an Ugadi release, Dacoit — which is shot in Hindi and Telugu — is now slated to hit theatres on April 10. The actor explained that the decision stemmed from limited showcasing in Hindi due to the dominance of Dhurandhar The Revenge at the box office.

“If we had got the right screens, we would have come on that date. But this way, both versions of the film get their due,” he stated.

Actor Naga Chaitanya is riding a professional high. He recently won the Best Actor award at the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards 2025 for his film Thandel (2025), and his next project, the adventure drama Vrushakarma, has him playing a treasure hunter, a role he calls a “dream come true”. The film’s first look has been well received, and Chaitanya says, “I’ve always wanted to be part of a large-scale spectacle film with a mythical layer. That dream has finally come true.”

Speaking on the appeal of rooted Indian stories, he adds, “People are curious about Indian mythology. Today, with VFX and technology, these stories can be shown in a unique way, not just in India but globally.”

For Vrushakarma, Chaitanya sports a ripped physique: “I’m playing a treasure hunter, so there’s room to explore styling and character design. Fitness is something I enjoy off-screen too, and it fit perfectly into this role.”

On his transition from “cute” to “hot,” he quips, “I’m happy both words are being used to describe me, and I’d like to stay relevant to both.”

Chaitanya calls his award for Thandel especially meaningful, as the film tells the true story of fishermen from an Andhra village. “I spent time with them, and their energy and stories transferred into the film. Having the government recognize it is amazing. I’m thankful for both the critical acclaim and box office success.”

It was also his first release post his 2024 wedding to actor Sobhita Dhulipala and became his highest-grossing film. Asked if she has been his lucky charm, he says, “The foundation at home translates to professional life, so yes, of course she has.”

In an industry increasingly driven by aggressive PR visibility, Sobhita Dhulipala says the constant amplification is not for her. Even as many celebrities lean into round-the-clock buzz, the actor maintains she prefers a more measured presence.

“Over the past few years, in brief pockets here and there, I’ve worked with a PR firm, but for the kind of life I want to lead, I’ve decided that I’m not going to require this sort of amplification. I don’t want to be visible 24x7 or be spoken about all the time. That’s not my interest, I don’t find it useful for me,” she says. Clarifying that her PR stance is purely personal, the actor notes there is no one-size-fits-all formula. “You can only have your preferences, and I think I have clarity about my own.”

On whether excessive PR can become counterproductive, she remains measured: “Most of my projects were already counterculture in their own way and I am someone who does not come from the film world or even Mumbai. I came from Vizag and learned everything on the go. I have arrived at an understanding of what I would like and what I wouldn’t like. What works or doesn’t work for others, I don’t know. I only know for myself.”

The actor recently marked her return to Telugu cinema with Cheekatilo. While she featured in the bilingual Major in 2022, her last full-fledged Telugu release was Goodachari in 2018.

Reflecting on returning to rooted Telugu storytelling, Sobhita, who is married to Telugu star Naga Chaitanya, says, “I am deeply connected to Telugu cinema as an audience and as a consumer. A lot of crisp vocabulary was used and I felt very relieved that I speak this language. It’s my mother tongue, and delivering those lines is not easy if you don’t know the language, so I enjoyed it a lot.”

Actor Sobhita Dhulipala, who married actor Naga Chaitanya in December 2024, says that her professional path remains firmly independent of her marital ties to one of Telugu cinema’s most influential film families. After stepping away from work for over a year, Sobhita returned with the recent Telugu film Cheekatilo, saying that the break helped her recalibrate amid heightened public attention.

“It’s only been a year since I’ve been married and my whole career, all of my work has come from my independent journey,” she says, adding that while she is now part of a legacy film family, she does not view them through an industry lens. “I see them as family, not as the industry. My work has been very separate,” she shares.

Reflecting on her early career, the 33-year-old notes that her choices have largely existed outside the mainstream. The actor says, “My journey started with auditions and projects that were counterculture. I’ve always sought belief in my own self rather than support systems.”

Now based in Hyderabad post-wedding, Sobhita says that she has gained greater clarity about the work she wants to pursue: “I’m interested in characters with agency, women who make decisions that have consequences. Whether they’re likeable or unlikable, they need to matter to the story. That gravitas is what I’m looking for now.”

It’s a milestone-packed season for Akkineni Nagarjuna as he is on the verge of clocking in 40 illustrious years in the film industry, and his family’s cherished legacy, Annapurna Studios, has touched the 50-year landmark. Widely admired for his suave screen presence and range as an actor, Nagarjuna caught the attention of the Hindi speaking audience with films like Shiva (1990) and Criminal (1995). In Telugu cinema he made a mark with hits such as Manam, Santosham, Ninne Pelladata, Annamayya and Soggade Chinni Nayana.

Looking back at the arc of his career, the actor says, “Today, I am just enjoying whatever is coming my way. But back in the day, of course, you were at a certain age, you had to be on the top and get the numbers... all that pressure was there, but then it slowly vanished. I see numbers changing every other month. The number game has become a mess today. So, I’m just living in the moment. I’m happy when I’m doing exactly what I want to do. If I can’t do that at this point, even after 40 years, then what’s the point?”

The actor’s journey has not only mirrored the growth of the Telugu film industry but also the massive evolution in how cinema is consumed and created. Nagarjuna has adapted with ease.

“From cassettes to DVDs, to pen drives and today, watching movies on your phones... I am enjoying this. I am not old school. If I was old school, I would have been irrelevant. I like to move along with technology. I think that’s the way the world moves. If you don’t move with it, you become irrelevant,” he says.

This progressive mindset extends to Annapurna Studios as well — a space once envisioned by his legendary father, actor and producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao, now steered alongside Nagarjuna by his sons Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni.

“The first 30 years of the studio were a big struggle. It’s nice to say we own a studio, but it’s very difficult to keep it going. My father was very passionate about it. He always said that films have given him everything in life, so he wanted to give back to the world of cinema. He then put the responsibility on me and my brother,” Nagarjuna shares.

He adds, “I am happy that the third generation has stepped in and they are looking at newer technologies and I hope they are having fun. If they are not, then it’s going to be a real struggle.”

Ask him what’s his dynamic with his son, especially with Naga Chaitanya, who enjoys a strong fanbase down South, and he says, “My father and I became very good friends, but there was that line of respect. And it’s the same when it comes to my equation with my sons. We are friends, but there’s also that respect where, for example, if I come into the room, they will stand up and greet me. We also work out together, but I don’t compete with them (laughs).”

Despite his decades-long career, Nagarjuna remains super fit, and is admired for his discipline and physique. So, does he get fitness tips from his sons? “I give them tips instead (laughs). On a serious note, I work out to feel energised. I try to keep myself healthy and fit. I dedicate one hour daily for my fitness routine and I follow a balanced diet.”

The actor’s family continues to grow — not just professionally, but personally too. His son Naga Chaitanya tied the knot last year with actress Sobhita Dhulipala. Nagarjuna shares a warm bond with his daughter-in-law.

He says, “She’s just fantastic. We talk about books and music. Right now, she wants to grow a garden in Naga’s house. I have a keen interest in gardening too, so we talk a lot about it. It’s a very nice relationship and it’s like having a daughter at home. We have two daughters now — Zainab (Akhil’s wife) and Sobhita.”

Last year, actor Samantha opened up about being viewed as “second hand” following her divorce from actor Naga Chaitanya in 2021. Now, the latter has also come out to address the scrutiny he received after the split.

“We wanted to go our own ways. For our own reasons, we had taken this decision and we respect each other. What more explanation is needed? I don’t understand. I’m hoping the audience and the media will respect that. We have asked for privacy. But, unfortunately, it has become another headline. It became a topic of gossip. It became entertainment,” said Chaitanya on the Raw Talks With VK podcast.

Talking about moving on, with Chaitanya getting married to actor Sobhita Dhulipala in December 2024, the 38-year-old said, “We both have moved on with grace. I have found love again. [But] It’s not like it’s only happening in my life, so why am I treated like a criminal?”

The actor also added that the divorce was never a trivial matter for him. “It was a conscious decision [taken] after much thought. I’m saying this because it’s a very sensitive topic for me. I’m a child of a broken family, so I know what the experience is like. I will think 1,000 times before breaking a relationship because I know the repercussions.”

Meanwhile, Chay and Sobhita met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament House on Friday. They were accompanied by Chay’s father, actor Nagarjuna and his wife, actor Amala Akkineni. The family presented the PM with the book Akkineni Ka Virat Vyaktitva by Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, a tribute to Nagarjuna’s father Akkineni. Sobhita also presented the PM with kondapalli bommalu (dancing dolls), native to Andhra Pradesh.

Actor Samantha has opened up about how she continues to face the stigma of her divorce from actor Naga Chaitanya even after three years. “When a woman goes through a divorce, there’s a lot of shame and stigma attached. I get a lot of comments saying, ‘second hand’, ‘used’, and ‘wasted life’,” she said.

The actor said that being a woman, she was subjected to more judgement: “Unfortunately, we live in a society which is so patriarchal that anytime something goes wrong, a woman gets subjected to… I’m not saying men don’t, men do, but a woman gets subjected to a lot more judgment and a lot more shaming, not just online, even in real life. You’re pushed into a corner where you are supposed to feel like you’re a failure that you were once married and now you’re not.”

The 37-year-old told Galatta India that a lot of lies were spread about her post the divorce. “I remember having this conversation with myself when things were really crappy and absolute lies were being spread. There were many times when I wanted to come out and say, ‘This is not true, let me tell you the truth’. [But then I told myself] Can you not live with the fact that your friends and your family know the truth? And it’s okay.” The actor said while she wanted to be “loved and validated and appreciated” all her life, she has finally learnt to let go: “I still haven’t said anything. So, whoever believes whatever they believe, it’s up to them. I’m very happy right now. I’ve grown so much, and I am doing incredible work, and I’m looking forward to the next stage in my life.”

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for Naga Chaitanya’s upcoming wedding with actor Sobhita Dhulipala on December 4, which will take place at Annapurna Studios (Hyderabad). Reportedly, the couple’s wedding ceremony, in accordance with the Telugu Brahmin traditions, will be an elaborate eight-hour-long affair. The rituals will include Kanyaadanam (giving away the bride), Mangalsutra Dharanam (tying the scared thread) and Saptapadi (seven vows around the fire). The expected celebs in the guest list include the Daggubati and Mega (Chiranjeevi) families, actor Mahesh Babu’s family, director SS Rajamouli and Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. There are also reports that OTT platforms are negotiating with the couple for exclusive streaming rights.

As actor Naga Chaitanya Akkineni blows out the candles on his 37th birthday cake today, he's got every reason to celebrate. Fresh from the success of his recent works including the digital series Dhootha and the blockbuster Bangarraju, Chaitanya is on a career high. And with his highly anticipated wedding to Sobhita Dhulipala just around the corner, it's safe to say that this birthday marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his life. Excerpts of the interview as followed-

Naga believes that birthdays are a time to recharge. He says, “I like to celebrate my birthday, but keep it low-key, simple and spend it with my close friends and family, doing things that I love. By that I mean, disconnecting for a while, being in my comfort zone and recharging my mind. This time, too, I am doing the same and spending time with close friends and family in Goa.”

Ask Chay, as he is fondly called by his fans, if Sobhita has planned anything for his birthday and he replies, “She leaves all the planning to me, as long as she is there with me that’s good enough for me.”

As he turns a year older, the actor is in a reflective mode. He shares, “I look at life in a way where ups and down are very normal, and I try to focus on the lessons that they teach me. Whenever something happens in a way that you don’t expect it to, there’s nothing wrong if you pick up the right learnings from it and move forward. It makes you stronger and helps you grow and progress in life. That’s how I look at life in general.”

The Laal Singh Chaddha actor, who is set to tie the knot with Sobhita on December 4, admits that there is no feeling of nervousness for his wedding.

“There is definitely a lot of excitement, butterflies... not much (smiles). Butterflies are only because of the planning and the logistics that are involved on those days, like bringing the guest list together and putting the other details of the wedding together. The wedding will be held at Annapurna Studios (Hyderabad), which has a very special sentiment attached to it. It was a conscious decision by the family to have the wedding there in front of my grandfather’s statue and seek his blessings. Our families are excited to come together & celebrate.

As he talks about preparing for the wedding, the actor is simultaneously also shooting for his next Thandel. Ask him how is he planning to navigate both the movie and the wedding? He explains, “Thandel is nearly wrapped up we have less than seven shooting days left, and they’ll all be completed this month. The wedding is next month, with celebrations and family commitments happening through the first week of December. After that, I’ll jump straight back into work on Thandel, handling dubbing and promotions. So, I’m confident I can balance everything smoothly.”

Talking about what he wants to achieve in his career ahead, Naga, who is currently shooting for Thandel, elaborates, “There are a lot of desires that I want to fulfil and a lot that I want to explore with different films and characters. I am extremely hungry for work, and I feel that I haven’t achieved too much of what I have set out to do, so there is a lot of work left for me in films. I want to keep growing. On the personal front as well, it’s a very special year for me as I am looking forward to a new journey and starting a beautiful family.”

Talking about the new chapter in his life, Naga says, “I am looking forward to starting a new journey with Sobhita and celebrating life together. I connect deeply with her, she understands me beautifully and fills a void in me. It’s going to be an amazing journey ahead.”

Having accompanied a friend who was serving as an assistant director on Student Of The Year 2 (2019) to the set, Akshay Arora recalls having witnessed the manner in which food was being served to the cast and crew. “I saw that it was not an enjoyable situation,” recalls the chef, who subsequently arrived at the idea of creating vanity kitchens for those on set.

“Having been an athlete, I had a sense of nutrition, so we thought [of serving healthy meals on set].”

While several meal subscription plans have made their way to the market, Arora says his company is distinguished in the fact that the quality of ingredients they serve is superior. “I knew that the food that I would provide would be of the same quality that I would use to put something into my system. We set a benchmark in that aspect, and also spent a lot of time, effort, and money into research and development so that we could create healthy food that was also tasty,” says the chef, who was admitted to an international university for a course on real estate development, but began to also accompany his friend to culinary classes during his time spent there.

“We use different culinary techniques to make food more appetizing, and our passion kept pushing us to do better.”

A bevy of stars, including Sidharth Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal, Kartik Aaryan, Karan Johar, Kiara Advani, Rohit Saraf, Arjun Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, Sobhita Dhulipala, Mahesh Babu, and Ram Charan, among others, have availed of his services. After having bagged his first client in Malhotra, he recalls having been approached by Kaushal’s team as the actor was “transforming [his physique] for several projects at the time”.

Arora often finds himself aboard such projects that require actors to undergo a physical transformation. “We need to subsequently be in touch with their coaches and nutritionists to help them meet the purpose of making [the actors] ready for the film.”

Unlike the standard meals provided to the cast and crew on set, Arora creates custom-made meals for each actor. “Because it is tailor-made, we need to understand everyone’s nutritional requirement. During the filming of Student Of The Year 2, Tiger Shroff was on a really strict diet, and we created dishes around his requirements. We have a nutrition department, where nutritionists understand the actor’s goals, and current lifestyle. We also have a culinary department that caters to an actor’s culinary palette, and focuses on creativity. Each one reacts to food in a different way. Nutrition, for the human body is like astrology—it depends on each person’s individual problem. After we understand what works for people, we then inquire about their preferences. For example, some clients may like street foods like wada pav, and we need to [cater to those needs]. We also have to keep track of their lifestyle, sleeping patterns, hormones, and age. Many of them get only three to four hours of sleep due to their erratic schedules.”

Ask him if catering to celeb clients who are vegetarian is as difficult as it is perpetuated, and he responds in the affirmative. “It gets difficult when the calorie allowance is set, which it usually is. So, if someone can only eat about 1,000 calories, it becomes difficult to add enough proteins because a majority of the vegan proteins have high amounts of carbs and fats [which increase the number of calories consumed]. But if you’ve got enough macros to play with, you can easily get a good amount of protein through a vegan diet.” 

A defining aspect of his job is ensuring his team meets the demands of his clients, who are “high-achievers”. “Every minute of their life is dedicated towards being productive in the space that they’re working in, so our life has to match that. If our client has a 4 am call time, our team has to wake up an hour earlier, and sleep an hour after the client sleeps, to ensure they are [served each meal]. Usually, the team dedicated to the client has to be on the same schedule that the client is on.”

It was an intimate and beautiful ceremony, the kind Sobhita Dhulipala’s wedding planner character from Made In Heaven would approve. Yesterday, the actor and Naga Chaitanya got engaged, in the presence of family and close friends, at the latter’s residence in Hyderabad. Chaitanya’s superstar-father Nagarjuna shared the joyous news on X, warmly welcoming Dhulipala into the family.

  

An insider tells mid-day that the couple began dating around May 2022, when they brought in Dhulipala’s birthday together. Since then, the two were inseparable, often spotted together in Hyderabad and on vacations abroad. Their relationship, although a constant subject of speculation among fans, remained mostly private. Apparently, during their Bali vacation last December, the duo talked marriage.

The source says, “They zeroed in on August 8, 2024, for their engagement because of its unique significance, owing to the triple eight in the date. They both believe in numerology and this date symbolizes infinity, balance and prosperity. They felt it would mark an auspicious beginning for their journey together.”

We hear the families are looking at prospective wedding dates. Another insider suggests that the couple is considering a December wedding. “The dates could be between December 17 and 29. But it is too early to pencil in, considering both Sobhita and Naga have busy schedules till the year-end. They will finalise the date in the coming months.”

Chaitanya was previously married to actor Samantha and the two parted ways in October 2021.

Nature conservation is a cause that many Bollywood stars champion. With World Environment Day around the corner, many actors have joined forces to spread the good word. This year, Abhishek Bachchan will lead the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bhamla Foundation’s World Environment Day campaign, the theme of which is Bhumi Namaskar. Bachchan will front the music video that also stars Varun Dhawan, Jackie Shroff, Sobhita Dhulipala, Malaika Arora and has been helmed by R Balki.

Asif Bhamla, the mind behind the initiative, says Gulzar and Javed Akhtar were among the first to hear the song and praise it. “Bhumi namaskar is about expressing gratitude to Mother Earth that keeps giving us so much, and we selfishly keep destroying it,” he shares.

The song is written by Prasoon Joshi, composed by Aman Pant and sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Sheykhar Ravjiani, and others.

While a cyclathon will be held on June 5 at Carter Road in Bandra to mark World Environment Day, an event has been lined up at the Carter Road amphitheatre for June 8. Bhamla is pleased that Bachchan agreed to be part of the venture.

“Mr Balki told me that bringing Abhishek on board wouldn’t be easy as he is shy. He is known to refuse ads worth crores. When we explained to him that he’d be giving back to Mother Earth through this, Abhishek agreed.”

Bachchan says he wants to do his bit for a greener planet. “I’m happy to be a part of this global campaign. Plus, Balki has curated this, whom I have immense respect for,” he says.

While Shroff is proud that the next generation is environmentally conscious, Arora says, “Healthy soil is essential for life on earth. Plants can survive without humans, but humans cannot without plants. This is a reminder [that we can] make a difference together.”

While the Indian audience will have to wait for sometime before Monkey Man can make its way to theatres, Dev Patel’s maiden directorial venture is only a day away from its US release. On Wednesday, the action thriller had its premiere at the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Sobhita Dhulipala and Sikandar Kher, who play pivotal roles in the film, flew out on April 2 to attend the premiere.

Before heading to the US, Kher spoke to mid-day, expressing his excitement for the event. He said, “I am so excited to reunite with the entire cast and crew, and see the film together at the premiere. We got a phenomenal response at the SXSW [South by Southwest Film Festival] last month. Now, there is a sense of excitement for the film’s release.”

Kher and Dhulipala are staring at a hectic week ahead as they will begin press interactions today, followed by a team dinner. Over the next few days, the cast will travel across the US promoting Monkey Man.

Going by the early reviews, Patel has scored a winner with his directorial debut. The violent action thriller follows the journey of a man, portrayed by the actor-director, who embarks on a mission to avenge his mother’s death that was caused by corrupt leaders. His quest for vengeance takes an unexpected turn as he becomes a champion for the oppressed.

Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man is among the headlining movies at the South By Southwest Film Festival (SXSW), finding a spot alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s The Fall Guy, Anne Hathaway’s The Idea Of You, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Road House.

While the SXSW Film Festival kicks off in Austin on March 8, Patel’s revenge thriller will première on March 11. Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Pitobash and Vipin Sharma are expected to join the actor-director for the event.

With the première, first-time director Patel will kick off the movie’s promotions that will continue well into its April 5 release. A source says, “Monkey Man, which revolves around a guy rising from the slums to protect the weak, is a story rooted and shot extensively in India. The makers are clear to position it as an Indian story, and the promotional plan will include all its cast members. In the weeks leading up to its release, Dev will also promote the thriller across India.”

The Jordan Peele production also stars Makarand Deshpande and Ashwini Kalsekar.

For actor Sobhita Dhulipala, her debut Hollywood film Monkey Man has been a “roller coaster”. “My character has got a very distinct texture that’s unlike anything I’ve seen. It left me feeling inspired and even more in love with cinema. The action, the music, the style and the raw emotion. It’s going to be a sensory feast,” she says.

The film also stars Dev Patel and Sikandar Kher, and Dhulipala lauds Patel, who has directed the revenge drama. “He truly has exceptional taste in all things cinema. That, coupled with his enormous patience and passion to give his best in every department, is pretty phenomenal,” says the actor.

Having made strides with films such as Ponniyin Selvan I and II, Kurup (2021) and Major (2022), was Hollywood a natural progression? “I am entirely focussed on telling exciting stories, language and medium no bar. I draw motivation from my ability to submit to my instincts,” she says, adding that playing pivotal roles in the OTT series The Night Manager and Made in Heaven “upped my desire to embrace versatility as an actor”.

During one of our previous conversations, Sobhita Dhulipala had spoken about wanting to explore more genres. The Made In Heaven actress has ventured into the psychological thriller (Raman Raghav 2.0), black comedy (Kaalakaandi) and historical action drama (Ponniyin Selvan franchise) space, and recently, her web series The Night Manager, with Aditya Roy Kapur won praise.

When asked if she is keen to do an intense romantic film with Aditya, she said, “I want to do the kind of intense romantic films that Vishal Bhardwaj ji makes. Romance ho toh aise ki matlab haath jal jaye. Aditya and I have a very chill vibe. I think he and I will be more suited for a romantic comedy. A romcom of two fools (laughs). I know he really wants to do a comedy.”

A trained classical dancer, Sobhita hasn’t got a chance to showcase her dancing skills in any film so far. Talking about actors who she would love to dance with on screen, she says, “I would love to match steps with Madhuri Dixit Nene and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. And when it comes to the actors, I would love to dance with Shahid Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan. I will try my best to match up to them.”

She’s been impressive with her work in films like Raman Raghav 2.0, Kaalakaandi and web shows like Made in Heaven and The Night Manager. Sobhita Dhulipala who hails from Andhra Pradesh says that when she arrived in Mumbai she wasn’t even fluent in Hindi.

Talking about the understanding she had of Bollywood, Sobhita said, “I learned Hindi after I came here. While growing up I enjoyed Bollywood music. When it came to films I have grown up watching movies like Rang De Basanti and Mangal Pandey: The Rising. I didn’t have a plan when I came here. I took part in a beauty pageant. Actually when I was in college mujhe acting ke keede ne kaat liya. When I look back, it was a crazy adventure. Ever since I was young I had a strong creative charge and that helped me reach where I have reached today.”

During her school and college days, even though she was academically driven, Sobhita was quite active in extracurricular activities. She says, “I had the habit of reading and writing. I was also training in classical dance forms like Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam. All these elements that contribute to a creative instinct were very much there. But it just never occurred to me ki isko main career bana sakti hoon.”

As she started looking out for work in showbiz, Sobhita shares that she had given herself a deadline. She concludes saying, “From the time I finished my college I gave myself a deadline of three years - if within that I am not able to find my path then I would go back to studying. I just wanted to give myself a realistic marker. It helped me have an objective and focus. Then when Raman Raghav 2.0 happened… the film had a positive influence on me.”

Sobhita Dhulipala who made her debut with Raman Raghav 2.0 in 2016, is currently being talked about for her performances in web shows like The Night Manager 2 and Made In Heaven 2. Sometime ago, the dusky beauty who has been seen in films across industries, in one of her interviews had said, “There’s always been an obsession over fair skin here.” In a conversation with us, she shares her views on the skin colour discussion, breaking perception, marriage and more.

Sobhita, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, says, “I didn’t even know I was dusky or where I stood on the colour shade chart until someone told me that (you are dusky). See, if I go to another part of the country, as per their standards, I am considered gori. Amongst my schoolmates, I was on the fairer side. When I came to Mumbai, I was considered dusky. So, it all depends on where you are. I never felt less by such remarks. I feel dusky looks very sexy on men and women. All this discussion (on skin colour) has only exposed me to the preferences that existed and made me think ki achcha, if this (dark skin) is not something that they are looking for, then what else can I bring to the table as a performer to compensate for the gap that they are feeling. That has been my attitude and it has served me in a healthy way.”

Sobhita has not restricted herself to one film industry. Apart from starring in Hindi films, she was also seen in Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil movies like Goodachari, Moothon and Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2. 

“You know I tried to belong (here) in the beginning. I was new to Mumbai, and I didn’t know anything. So, I wanted to be included in this industry and I was like koi toh mujhe apne group mein le le (laughs). Over a period of time, I lost the keeda of wanting to be included in a circle or get a stamp of belonging to a group. I have lost interest in trying to cater to perception. I find it very boring. I think it is important to live your life and open your heart to amazing new experiences and take risks as life is too short. So, even if I stick out like a sore thumb, I will be a sore thumb with a ring on it!”

Glad to have had an opportunity to explore south projects, Sobhita shares, “I got to do an arthouse cinema with Moothon and a commercial blockbuster with Kurup. And then something like a PS 1 and 2... these have been such amazing experiences. It only motivates me to make these choices because I have not been strategic or scheming. I have genuinely acted on my instinct and that has served me well.”

One of her recent projects Made In Heaven 2 featured Sobhita as a wedding planner for high-profile shaadis. Ask her if being a part of this show has led to a change in her perception of marriages and she replies, “I always thought that marriages are weird (laughs). I have always been obsessed with the idea of motherhood, but marriage ke baare mein itna socha nahi. However, obviously... it will happen one day (laughs). Ek cheez toh hai ki... I do not look at marriage as an end goal in life. Many tend to look at it like the ultimate goal of their life, aur waise nahi hona chahiye. Yes, I have started feeling strongly about it, especially after doing a project like Made In Heaven.”

Lately, her personal life has been written about, and being a very private person, she has never really spoken about it. When asked how she deals with such situations, especially on social media, the Kaalakaandi actress says, “I deal with it by not being on social media much. It doesn’t contribute to my life productively and gives me unnecessary anxiety. Being off social media just cuts you off from all the negativity because it is the platform where it all gets built up.”

If something comes a close second to his love for filmmaking, it’s his love for film festivals. Since May, Anurag Kashyap has been doing the festival rounds with Kennedy, the latest being at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. For someone whose latest movie got a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, does he harbour fears as a filmmaker?

“My producers feel the pressure because my movies don’t make enough money for them. I do what I want to do. I work with people who are available. I don’t have access to stars. Also, there’s a persistent fear that I may make a Bombay Velvet [2015] again. When you don’t have stars, the resources are limited and you get a free hand with the story,” smiles Kashyap.

It’s true for Kennedy. The noir thriller was originally written for Tamil superstar Vikram, even borrowing the title from his nickname. But things didn’t work out, and Kashyap went on to cast his Ugly (2014) actor Rahul Bhat.

“I can’t chase stars. I don’t want to pressure anyone to do a film, I want them to joyfully submit to it. I reach out to stars, but if they say, ‘Pata nahin,’ I don’t pester them. Rahul did Kennedy because he trusts me. Vikram keeps changing his number. When he was shooting for Ponniyin Selvan 1, Sobhita [Dhulipala] told him that I reached out to him. [That’s when] we figured out that I texted him on a number that was three years old. My cast was locked by the time Vikram reached out to us, but he gave his blessings.” 

Another quality that is common to most Kashyap films is their political undertones, his last offering Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat being a prime example. “All my films factor in the social context of its milieu. Almost Pyaar has strong social undertones. But I am not deliberately trying to make a political film. Politics will seep in naturally, given the setting. Kennedy is set during COVID-19, so it reflects its times.”

It has been a rich 25-year run at the movies for Kashyap. As an artiste, how does he view the current stage of his career? “I’m at a stage where I don’t feel the need to compete with anyone. People want to box me, but I like every genre. I loved Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. I loved Barbie more than Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan delivered what’s expected out of a film, but Greta Gerwig delivered something novel with a doll! I fight to keep creativity soaring in filmmaking.”

Four years after Made In Heaven dropped on Amazon Prime Video, creators Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti are back with its second season. The show that touches upon socially relevant issues against the backdrop of Indian weddings, drops online today. Sobhita Dhulipala and Arjun Mathur who play wedding planners and their on-screen teammates – Shashank Arora and Shivani Raghuvanshi – talk about their reunion and what’s in store for the audience this time around.

Speaking about why it took four long years to return, Sobhita shares, “It’s quite an extravagant show. It’s set against the wedding backdrop, which requires a large setup and grand set designs. There is no joy in compromising and putting something out just because kaam khatam karna hai. It’s made with love and sometimes it takes time.”

Arjun adds, “We faced two lockdowns during our shoots. The shooting was planned for eight months, but took around 18 months. We shot in extraordinary circumstances, completely out of our control, but finally, we are glad that we are here.”

Apart from the main cast, the season will also feature Mrunal Thakur, Radhika Apte, Dia Mirza Rekhi, Pulkit Samrat and Sanjay Kapoor, among others, as guests.

Says an excited Shivani, “It feels nice and fresh, because otherwise wohi chehre aapko dikhte rehte hai. The new cast members and characters will bring in freshness.”

Arjun adds, “We embrace these new characters and include them into our family. We become the hosts. After seeing season one, most actors were ready to jump in and take on the opportunity.”

Shashank shares, “From the newer lot, I enjoyed working with Radhika, Imaad Shah, Sarah Jane Dias, Mrunal… you learn something from every person that you work with.”

Arjun’s performance won him a nomination at the International Emmy Awards 2020 in the Best Actor category. He shares, “This has been a breakthrough show for me. After watching the trailer of the second season, I had to pinch myself. It is a matter of great privilege because as actors, we aspire to headline shows and shoulder the responsibility of big projects!”

Shivani adds, “I have grown up watching Zoya’s work. I have been a part of couple of projects, but after this show, people have started calling me Jazz (her character in the show).”

Sobhita: None, because I am never invited to one!

Arjun: I am a big fan of Virushka’s (Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma) wedding. I have followed it on social media.

Sobhita: In our Telugu culture, there is a ritual where a bride, after the Gauri puja, is put in a basket and all the uncles carry her to the mandap. It really looks cute; the bride in the basket looks like a doll.

Arjun: I just want to eat and go home. Just eating good food at a wedding makes me happy.

Sobhita: I just love the traditional part of a wedding. I want to do the puja and spend the money on vacationing. Mujhe destination wedding nahi karna hai… kitna paisa waste hota hai!

Arjun: I love beach weddings.

Sobhita: Oh, very exciting! There will be so much hype around this wedding. It will be fun heading the marketing division of this shaadi.

Arjun: I think I will sell tickets in black, for people to come and see this wedding (laughs).

Sobhita: Any massy Tamil hit number

Arjun: Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna

Sobhita: Showing up is not necessary!

Arjun: Empty stomachs are not compulsory!

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