He is one of the most popular baddies on the small screen, but in real life, Karanvir Bohra is putty in the hands of his three daughters. A hilarious post on Instagram shows the muscular TV actor with a ponytail and blue tutu skirt, spinning on one foot like a wind-up doll after his youngest turns a pretend key on his back. Bohra, who has been part of many hit dramas like ‘Kasauti Zindagi Kay’ and ‘Shararat’, spoke to Neha Bhayana about fatherhood and how he talks so his kids listen

The toughest part of being a father to three girls will come when they become teenagers, when they start having their own likes and dislikes, crushes, late-night plans, and a world of their own. The best part of being a girl dad is knowing that no matter how grown up they become, a part of their heart will always belong to you…and they’ll always love you the most.

I think I’m a pretty cool dad, but I don’t know how I’m going to react when boyfriends enter the picture or when my daughters go through their first heartbreaks. I know it is all part of life, and while my instinct will be to protect them, I hope I’ll also be understanding.

As for things like partying, tattoos, drinking, and all other choices they will make as they grow up, I may not always agree with everything. There will definitely be moments that challenge me. But I don’t want to be the kind of father who controls or forces. I want to be someone they can always talk to, someone who guides rather than dictates. A dad who is a mix of fierce and understanding, who sets boundaries but never stops listening.

The past two years have been difficult being away from them while they study in Canada, and I’m here working and attending to my parents. I miss the little moments we once shared every day. Those hugs, conversations, laughter, and simple togetherness…I miss them immensely. My little one, Gia, is such a beautifully free-spirited soul. She stayed with me (in Mumbai) for a year, and those moments were truly special.

Being a television actor comes with its own challenges. There were days when I would shoot for 12 to 14 hours straight, so many times I’d bring Gia along to the set, and she would just chill with me there. And honestly, she loves the set. If you ask her, “What does papa do?” she’ll smile and say, “He’s shooting.”

There’s no trick in the book to make children listen to you. The only real way is to speak to them in their language. Talk to them with respect, as though they are individuals with their own thoughts and emotions. Explain to them what’s right, what’s wrong, and help them understand the consequences of their choices. And then, instead of forcing an answer on them, ask them gently: “What do you think you should do?”

People often misunderstand the meaning of gentle parenting. Gentle parenting does not mean spoiling your child. It means not getting angry over every little thing. It means not constantly scolding them for mistakes, but instead guiding them with patience and understanding. It means giving them your time when they say, “Dad, let’s play,” “Listen to my story,” or “Tell me a story.” At the heart of it, gentle parenting is simply about giving your children the quality time, attention, and emotional presence that many of us wish we had received growing up. And at the same time, I completely understand our parents, too. They came from a very different space and generation of parenting, and they did the best they could with what they knew at that time.

That’s primarily the reason I chose to share my experiences and the experiences of other fathers as well. There are so many momfluencers today, but very rarely do we get to hear a dad’s perspective on parenting or co-parenting. I genuinely felt people needed to hear that side too. That’s what led me to start a podcast on my YouTube channel called ‘Daddy Adventures’. I’ve had some really interesting and heartfelt conversations with Karan Singh Grover, Raghu Ram, Tusshar Kapoor, Gurmeet Choudhary, Zaid Darbar, Kiku Sharda and many other dads. What touched me the most was getting such a beautiful insight into how they feel as fathers, the emotional journeys they go through, and how each of them is navigating this entire new-age approach to parenting.

I still remember when my dad and uncle pushed me to take a bus alone for the very first time. I was barely 10, travelling from Colaba to Nana Chowk. When I completed that journey by myself, I felt so empowered. Years later, a similar situation arose with my daughter when she had to travel alone because of an issue with my visa. I realised airlines take great care of children travelling solo. I felt secure knowing she was safe, and I could also see how empowered and confident the experience made her feel. I truly believe parents should encourage children to have small adventures and independent experiences — that’s how they become mentally and emotionally strong.

Becoming a father changed everything for me. Life is no longer just about my dreams, my ambitions, or my journey. It’s about them. Every decision I make now carries a greater sense of responsibility because little eyes are always watching.

What I have learned over the years is that children are not ours to control; they are ours to love, guide and support. My role is not to shape them into who I want them to be, but to help them become who they are meant to be.

My journey as a father has been like a merry-go-round. I have chased my kids to eat food, get ready, go down and play, go to school, etc. Watching my daughters grow up has given me some of the most beautiful moments of my life; it’s like a bouquet of memories I will cherish forever.

Twenty years is a long time to be away from a franchise you love. Naturally then, Sharman Joshi — who was part of Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), which kicked off filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s comedy franchise — is itching to return to the world of Golmaal 5. “I’m likely to start working on it soon,” the actor told mid-day.

A lot has happened in the interim. Golmaal, led by Ajay Devgn, has had three instalments. Joshi wasn’t a part of them, with reports claiming that he had hiked his fees, which didn’t go down well with the producers. In several interviews, he claimed it was a miscommunication from his team that led to his ouster and he didn’t know until later.

Even as he has joined Golmaal 5 that will star Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arshad Warsi, Kunal Kemmu, Tusshar Kapoor, and Shreyas Talpade, he wished he hadn’t lost the years. “I missed Rohit’s energy on sets, Ajay sir’s intensity and calmness. I missed Tusshar too. Rohit’s entire team is warm and inclusive.”

The comic caper will go on floors in late February. While rumours are rife that Akshay Kumar will play the antagonist, Joshi is keen to explore his on-screen dynamics with Talpade and Kemmu. “I [had seen] Shreyas’s work during intercollegiate competitions as our colleges were next to each other. I’ve been his fan since Iqbal [2005]. Kunal and I will reunite after Dhol [2007].”

‘Rang De Basanti’ (2006) completed 20 years of release last month. Remembering it, the actor said, “Last week, I was listening to the album, and all the fond memories came rushing back. Working on it was a fabulous journey.”

Sharman Joshi denied being approached for the ‘3 Idiots’ sequel. “I’ve not been informed about it so far, but I hope it happens,” he said.

Tusshar Kapoor says he’s never been busier, but it’s not just work that’s keeping him on his toes, but also fatherhood. As he completes 25 years in the movies next year, the actor, who debuted with Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai in 2001, says, “If I had to relive those years again, I would do those same things because I wouldn’t have been who I am today if I hadn’t made certain mistakes. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.”

Tusshar, who is Jeetendra’s son and Ekta Kapoor’s brother, believes his legacy came with both privilege and pressure. “I do believe there’s a concerted effort to pull you down if you come from a legacy, especially since my father had done over 200 films. But I didn’t consciously plan to block the noise out, you can’t do that. You have to live with it, and it does affect you. But you can’t let it consume or shake you to the point where you can’t do your work,” shares the actor, who was last seen in the horror comedy Kapkapii and is currently shooting for Welcome To The Jungle.

Even during the lows, when the box office wasn’t too kind, Tusshar says he never hit the panic button. The Golmaal actor explains, “I’ve always laughed and enjoyed even the worst of my phases. After my first film, when a few films didn’t work, it took me a while to understand that this is not in my control. So, the learning curve was when I toughened up and I realized that. I just focused on my work.”

Elaborating on how it’s not just about the number game anymore, says, “The industry has rewarded me for my hard work and has also allowed me to experiment. But I do feel that I have a lot more to do. Earlier, I would be too choosy. Back then, there was a lot of pressure to be selective. Today, you’re not dependent on any one medium. You can wait for your film to find its due wherever it does; so you can do more work, and you’re not at the mercy of the box office.”

On the personal front, Tusshar, who is a single father, says he has always been honest with his son Laksshya (9) about their family dynamics. “I’ve inculcated in him from childhood the idea that one has to understand that every family is different and unique. He has grown up as a very secure child. He understands that I wanted to be a father, and he’s the reason why I’m a father. That question (about where his mom is) has never come up, but I’ve always spoken to him in case somebody in school brings it up,” he shares.

As for love and relationships, Tusshar says he’s in a content space. “When you start working in this industry, you become so obsessed with your work. The only void I felt was that I didn’t have a child, but I have Laksshya now. I’m open to finding a life partner in the future, but that is something I cannot predict. However, there’s no vacuum. I really value and cherish this freedom.”

Mumbai: Reliance Industries' stake in Ekta Kapoor-led Balaji Telefilms dropped to 21.07% in FY25 from 24.82% a year earlier, according to the production company's annual report. Nonetheless, Reliance Industries (RIL) remains the largest non-promoter shareholder in Balaji Telefilms. It had invested Rs. 413 crore in 2017 for nearly 25% stake through a preferential issue as part of its Jio content play.

The promoter group comprising Jeetendra, Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor and Tusshar Kapoor holds 32%, down from 34.21% last year. Among institutional investors, Vanderbilt University Atyant Capital Management raised its holding to 6.19% from 4.51%, Gothic Corporation to 6.68% from 4.76% and Atyant Capital India Fund to 5.77% from 4.02%.

To bolster its film business and create intellectual property, Balaji Telefilms raised Rs. 130.7 crore through a preferential issue to eight investors, including Ekta Kapoor, Atyant Capital India Fund I and Duke Endowment.

RIL is now sharpening its media and entertainment focus on JioStar, where it is the majority shareholder alongside Disney. It has infused nearly Rs. 22,000 crore in the business over two years, first into Viacom18 and later into JioStar after the Disney merger.

Balaji Telefilms, known for its TV dramas, is pivoting toward films and digital as broadcasters reduce content spends, eroding per-hour revenue from TV. Over the next three years, the company expects films to be its main growth driver, followed by digital, with television a distant third. It has signed a content deal with Netflix, which is expanding its mass-market offering in India. Balaji Telefilms recently shut down its over-the-top platform ALTT after the information and broadcasting ministry blocked it among 25 apps for obscene content.

Actor Tusshar Kapoor is stepping into new territory with Janadesh, a political thriller directed by Prakash Jha. The actor, who was recently seen in Kapkapiii, will play a pivotal role in the ensemble film.

Revealing how the project landed in his lap, the 48-year-old shares, “Prakash ji called me and said that he has a character for me in this film. It was out of the blue.”

Best known for his comic outings in film series such as Golmaal and Kyaa Kool Hain Hum, Tusshar calls this project a welcome change. He elaborates, “It wasn’t a conscious decision to do a film like this and break any image. I was wanting to do a political thriller, especially with someone like Prakash ji who excels in the genre. I admire him a lot and feel fortunate to have an opportunity to explore this genre.”

The actor has already begun prep for the role. “Prakash ji and I have been meeting for mini workshops to understand the character and how he sees me and what he wants me to do with it,” he shares.

When probed further about the details, Tusshar hints at what’s to come, saying, “It is a fictional character and not based on a real-life person, but definitely inspired by real people and true incidents. It will feel very real to life for sure. I am prepping to make it look more believable.”

Earlier this month, Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani kicked off the shoot of Masti 4 in the UK. Now, there is an addition to the cast of the sex comedy’s latest instalment — Tusshar Kapoor. “It honestly feels like a college reunion, only wilder,” laughs Kapoor, who joined the unit two weeks ago.

The actor is no stranger to bold comedies, having featured in the Kyaa Kool Hain Hum franchise, in which he shared screen space with Deshmukh and Shivdasani. That’s probably why Kapoor is confident about their on-screen chemistry in the Milap Zaveri-directed venture.

“I have worked with all three actors separately before. So, there was no reason to be concerned about the chemistry between us. They welcomed me with open arms when I reached the outdoor venue. I’m sure the camaraderie and fun off screen will reflect on screen. Masti is a successful brand in the comedy genre, and I readily accepted Masti 4 after hearing a brief narration of the story and my role.”

But as a man approaching 50 and a parent today, how does Kapoor strike a balance between bold comedies and boundaries? It’s all in the writing, he says.

He elaborates, “Masti 4 is an adult but family comedy, and has been written keeping the sensibilities of the wider audience in mind. My job as an actor is to [play the role] with sincerity. Regarding the boldness of it, my director is more concerned than me about the limits of the Masti universe.”

Mumbai: Veteran actor Jeetendra Kapoor and family-owned firms Pantheon Buildcon Pvt Ltd and Tusshar Infra Developers Pvt Ltd have sold a land parcel in Andheri for Rs 855 crore, according to property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards.

The transaction comprised two contiguous land parcels spanning a total area of over 9,664 sqare metres (2.39 acres). The site currently houses Balaji IT Park, and includes three constructed buildings with a cumulative builtup area of 4.9 lakh sq ft. The deal incurred a stamp duty of Rs 8.69 crore and registration charges amounting to Rs 30,000.

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Bollywood’s evergreen star Jeetendra and his family have sold a massive land parcel in Mumbai’s Andheri area for a whopping Rs 855 crore. With this grand deal, many are now curious about the Kapoor family’s overall wealth, from Jeetendra’s early days to Ekta Kapoor’s media empire and Tusshar Kapoor’s luxury lifestyle.

As reported by Square Yards, the sale was officially registered on 29 May 2025. The deal was finalized through the Kapoor family’s two companies—Pantheon Buildcon Private Limited and Tusshar Infra Developers Private Limited.

The property includes two connected plots, measuring about 9,664.68 square meters (roughly 2.39 acres). The land currently houses the Balaji IT Park, which features three buildings with a combined built-up space of nearly 4.9 lakh square feet. This major sale came with a stamp duty charge of Rs 8.69 crore and a registration fee of Rs 30,000. The land is expected to be used by NTT to expand its presence in India’s fast-growing digital infrastructure market.

Jeetendra, once one of Bollywood’s most popular actors, is now a successful businessman. His net worth must have gotten a significant boost after the recent property deal. Although his recent net worth is not known, according to Lifestyle Asia, as of April 2024, his net worth stands at Rs 10.84 crore. He earns about Rs 26 lakh each month, with a yearly income of around Rs 3 crore.

He is the chairman of both Balaji Telefilms and Balaji Motion Pictures. The production house brings in a total revenue of Rs 422 crore. Jeetendra lives in the luxurious Krishna Bungalow in Juhu, which is said to be worth Rs 200 crore. He shares the home with his wife, Shobha Kapoor, and daughter, Ektaa Kapoor.

In terms of wheels, Jeetendra owns a swanky Range Rover worth Rs 3 crore. Interestingly, before his film career, he worked as a steward for British Airways.

Ektaa Kapoor, daughter of Jeetendra and Shobha, has built a huge name for herself in the world of Indian television. She started young, working under filmmaker Kailash Surendranath when she was just 17. Her big break came in 1995 with the hit TV show 'Hum Paanch,' which changed her life and career.

As reported by Financial Express in November 2023, Ektaa has a net worth of about Rs 95 crore (USD 11.3 million). Her monthly income is around Rs 2.8 crore, and she earns about Rs 30 crore per year. Her wealth has grown by 25 percent in recent years.

Ektaa is the Joint Managing Director and Creative Director of Balaji Telefilms Ltd., a company that has produced over 17,000 hours of daily soaps. The company brings in about Rs 422 crore in revenue. ALTBalaji, the digital platform run under the same group, earned Rs 102.6 crore in 2022.

Tusshar Kapoor made his acting debut in 'Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai' at the age of 19, opposite Kareena Kapoor. He went on to work in popular films like 'The Dirty Picture,' 'Kya Kool Hain Hum,' and the 'Golmaal' series. His performances were praised, but he didn’t reach the same level of stardom as his father. Over time, Tusshar stepped back from acting and is now seen in just one or two films. Still, his life is far from simple.

As reported by ABP Live in November 2024, he earns about Rs 40 lakh per month from brand shoots and has an annual income of around Rs 5 crore. Tusshar owns property worth nearly Rs 44 crore. His car collection includes luxury models like a Porsche Cayenne, an Audi Q7, and a BMW 7 Series.

With a land deal worth Rs 855 crore now under their belt, their legacy only grows stronger.

Renowned Malayalam filmmaker and screenwriter Sangeeth Sivan passed away. He was 61. The legendary director reportedly died after undergoing treatment following his health deteriorated at a Mumbai hospital. Known for directing the 1992 film 'Yoddha', he was the eldest son of filmmaker Sivan who passed away in April 2023.

Sangeeth's brother Santosh Sivan is an acclaimed cinematographer and filmmaker. His youngest brother Sanjeev is also a proven film personality. Sangeeth started his career with Basu Bhattacharya, who roped in the late filmmaker to serve as the executive producer of his son's directorial debut 'Raakh' which featured Aamir Khan and Pankaj Kapur.

Reacting to his demise, actors Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and others paid heartfelt tribute on social media.

Sangeeth marked his directorial debut with the Malayalam film Vyooham - a crime film starring Raghuvaran, Sukumaran, Captain Raju, Babu Antony, Urvashi, Rajan P. Dev and Parvathy Jayaram.

However, it was 'Yoddha' which got him into the spotlight. The fantasy action film featured Mohanlal in the lead. He played the role of Thaiparambil Ashokan, the saviour destined to rescue the Rimpoche of a Nepalese Buddhist monastery from sorcerers practicing black magic. He collaborated with the superstar for films like ‘Gandharvam’ and ‘Nirnayam’.

After securing his hold down south, Sangeeth ventured into Bollywood and made the 1998 film 'Zor' starring Sunny Deol, Sushmita Sen, Milind Gunaji and Om Puri. The film however tanked at the box office. 

After a brief gap, he returned to Bollywood and delivered films like 'Kyaa Kool Hai Hum', ' Apna Sapna Money Money', and 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2' to name a few. 

Sangeeth was working on the horror comedy ‘Kapkapiii’ starring Shreyas Talpade and Tusshar Kapoor.

Sharing his experience of working with Tusshar and Sangeeth, Shreyas told IANS: "Reuniting with Tushar and Sangeeth is the best thing because the rapport and comfort that I share with both of them is phenomenal. It's like you are working with two of your brothers. I also feel there's a certain level of maturity that comes to your performance after years of experience. That seems to have happened with both me and Tusshar. Sangeeth has the skill to understand our strengths and utilise them to the fullest.”

The film also stars Sonia Rathee, Siddhi Idnani, Jay Thakkar, Varun Pandey, Dherendra Tiwari, Dinkar Sharma, and Abhishek Kumar.

I have never felt bored or overwhelmed by the daily chores of being a single parent who has to do everything. I pretty much relished it from the beginning. Being single can be quite boring. I think my life has become more active, happier and more fulfilling since Laksshya’s birth. He has completed my family, and it has been a very invigorating experience. I was only focused on my work before him but now I have so much more to do and look forward to. It is not just about my work anymore. I think the pressure is just taken off by the fact that I enjoy doing what I am doing for him. I don’t have a very active social life anyway so I don’t feel I am sacrificing anything for his sake. In fact, I now attend birthdays, travel, I interact with fellow parents and am busy with school activities. I think parenthood is enhancing me as an individual.

Very honestly, he has never questioned me in that manner yet. From the beginning he has understood that he is born to a single father, and that it is an unconventional family, but it is a normal and complete family. He is content and happy, perhaps because of the amount of time I have given him, the confidence, the security and the sense of belonging that I have instilled in him through my style of parenting. He does not compare his family to any other family at school. I constantly ask him if he has any doubts or any conflicts but he is pretty clear that this is how it is. He knows that every family is different. We have literature now that addresses every type of family, whether it is with a single parent, adoptive parents or separated parents. This has given him a better idea that one can be happy, normal and content even with a different family.

I am sure there are reasons why the law has changed. We are a vast country with a huge population and very complex demographics which don’t really cater to the idea that one size fits all because everyone’s situation, everyone's circumstances are different. Of course, it is sad for those unmarried men and women who yearn to become parents but cannot. I think adoption is a great alternative. You can give a home to a child who is less fortunate, and fulfill your own dream too.

My hands are full with one. As a single parent, I already have a lot of responsibilities. I don’t want to get into something that I can’t give my 200 percent to.

Yes, we do. Our kids are always together. When I am home, Ravie is over and they are playing together and when I am not in town, then Laksshya is often at my sister's place. She often takes them out to a mall or a play area for a kids’ day out. Sometimes she organizes big play dates at home for her friends and their children. She does a lot and I do a lot. And that’s why the kids don’t really feel the need to be like others. They don’t feel any void in their family because there are so many of us anyway and we dote on them.

They do. They are like best buddies. They don’t really have fights because Ravie is the younger brother. When Laksshya was younger, he used to get a little annoyed because he had to share the affection and the pampering but he has grown out of it.

No. I am very disciplined and a little more controlling. I want to tick all the boxes as far as the parenting aspect is concerned. Ektaa is all heart. She is not much of a disciplinarian, and not very controlling. She is like Santa Claus who wants to give as much love, joy and affection as she can. She subscribes to the same school of parenting as our parents. In a way, she is more old school and I am very Gen Z in my style of parenting. I am also very affectionate but I do go by the book and I have my ifs and buts about things and I can be controlling which is also fine. There is no right answer as to which style of parenting is appropriate.

Laksshya is seven and half now and he has become quite independent. We don’t really have a definite list of activities; we just do random stuff. He has his own schedule of classes, and he likes to play on his own. I like to be around him and watch over him and see that he is doing his classes properly, but I don’t really sit on his head. Sometimes we play a puzzle or bingo before bedtime. When I am not shooting, I have my morning coffee and spend a little time with him while he is getting ready for school. We just go through the week that went by or talk about what he has on his mind.

I do keep a track of all his activities, his classes and the birthday parties he attends. He has a very sharp memory and remembers the dates of all birthdays he has to go to. I do monitor because I have to also plan a gift for the child whose birthday it is and if he will skip a class that day, I inform his teacher too. All this coordination I do even when I am not in town.

He does have a lot of opinions. I have brought him up in a manner where he can make his own decisions. He decides whether he wants to do something or which classes he wants to join. Of course, once he is enrolled in a class, I see to it that he does not give up just because he is bored. He decides what interests him, what he wants to pursue, who he wants to be friends with. I don’t force him to be friends with the kids of my friends. I am trying to foster independence. So, we do have clashes sometimes. But I am not too stubborn. If he insists on playing more when it is time for bed, I do a small understanding with him. I say, “Ok, you can play for 20 minutes more today provided you go to bed early tomorrow.” I do this so he understands that he cannot just have freedom at his beck and call.He has to earn that liberty, and it needs a little bit of sacrifice.

I see myself as a gentle but firm dad. I am not strict and harsh but I am not a spoiler either. There are days when I allow him to skip a class. Once a week or so I allow him to binge on chocolates. If he insists on going for a trip during Diwali or Christmas break, I try to work it out. So, I do indulge him but I don’t spoil him.

Oh, yeah! Dada, dadi are always trying to spoil him but now I have set my rules, so they don’t do anything that doesn’t go down well with me. If they want to spend a day with him and they want to take him out or if his bua (Ektaa Kapoor) has gone abroad and she has got him gifts, I don’t stop them. I know that a few instances are not going to make him a spoilt child. I think that he should get to experience dada dadi ke emotion but I don’t allow my parents to change his lifestyle. They understand now, so they are setting limits for the kind of pampering they do. It is mindful of the fact that Laksshya has a routine. They can break the norm for one afternoon or one evening but they can’t really change his routine. I set that tone and I decide how he lives his life at least till he becomes an adult. I am conscious of the fact that we have to help our kids become strong, independent individuals. Kids should not become lazy and consider life a bed of roses or see life from the eyes of their grandparents because grandparents will always make life very cushy for them. We have to give them a realistic picture too.

When Laksshya was under five, he used to get quite upset when I was away for a long time. He used to show his anger after I returned. Thankfully, that phase is over. Now he is cool about it. He does not get irritated, angry or insecure. I was recently away for a 15-day shoot. We used to meet over Zoom in the evenings. He also joined me on the sets in Delhi for two days when he had a long weekend break at school.

He knows I am an actor, and he knows there is something called Bollywood. But he hasn’t really understood the world of cinema or tasted the limelight. He just knows that I am famous and I get papped, but he does not really care about it. Frankly, he doesn’t really enjoy watching movies, not even animated ones. He prefers videos on YouTube or watching cricket and football. He doesn’t like going to a cinema hall and would rather play with friends. I think these are just phases. I think he is currently in a no-movie phase.

As of now he wants to become a footballer and two months ago, he wanted to become a YouTuber. In fact, he has started a YouTube channel. I don’t know if he will take to acting. I keep a restriction on the amount of screen time he is allowed, and he does not have a phone of his own so he hasn’t really been influenced by reels or Instagram. During the lockdown, I used to shoot reels. He was part of my videos but he hasn’t really got acclimatized to social media. I think he is too young for social media. Later, if he wants to go into the world of entertainment or communication or social media, be it influencing or acting, I will support him. I don’t want to influence him, but I don’t keep him away from Bollywood either. I am ok if he wants to watch a Bollywood movie or if he has a favourite actor. A few months back, he was crazy about 'Pathaan'. He used to sing ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’ all day and he loved Shah Rukh Khan. Right now, he is into cricketers and footballers. One day he is talking about Shubman Gill, another day he wants to bowl like Jaspreet Bumrah or Mohammed Shami. I am not so much into cricket, so he educates me. We saw the World Cup matches together.

Ever since actor Akshay Kumar confirmed the news of him stepping back from the Hera Pheri franchise, social media has been buzzing with the ‘No Akshay, No Hera Pheri’ trend, initiating conversation around the viability of taking forward such franchises without actors redeeming their iconic characters. And, according to people from the industry, getting the original cast is always the best bet.

Last week, Kumar confirmed that he is moving away from the Hera Pheri instalment due to some creative issues. Sometime back, there were reports suggesting that actor Salman Khan had distanced himself from the No Entry sequel.

Actor Suniel Shetty, one of the leads in the film, is upset about the new development. He says, “I am not happy about it. It hurts. 14 saal kaat liye, uske baad bhi problem ho toh it hurts. We need to sit and talk. And Kartik is not playing Akshay’s character. That is a completely different character that is coming to the movie.”

Whereas, actor Paresh Rawal, who has also been part of the movie franchise, says, “Audience ko kuch naya milega Hera Pheri 3 mein... However, commercial decisions about who to bring back are made by producers, writers and directors. I prefer not to think about it.”

On the other hand, actor Tusshar Kapoor uses the example of the Golmaal franchise to stress that having an original cast for a franchise is important, saying, “I don’t know about the commercial viability, what will happen or not. But director Rohit Shetty was the star of the franchise for us, and I can only hope he casts us all together if he is planning to go forward.”

However, when it comes to starting a new chapter with new faces in the franchise universe, the past examples highlight that it comes as a big gamble, with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 with Kartik Aaryan turning out to be a success but Race 3 (2018) with Salman Khan tanking at the box office.

Producer Ramesh Taurani, known for backing projects such as Race, Raaz and Ishq Vishk, asserts: “Yes, stakes are higher when revisiting projects without their faces, but a script is the only way to evade it.”

However, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 director Anees Bazmee believes that focusing on nostalgia while retaining the essence of the previous instalment is also a viable option, and that it worked for him.

Firstly, I have to say that Hera Pheri without Akshay is unthinkable. The film is identified with its characters, so it will be fantastic to see them back because these characters have remained in the minds of audiences. So, getting the original cast is the best scenario.

When it comes to commercial viability, makers always prefer to get the original cast back. Sometimes, the makers wait for a long time for the original cast, but if they find a safe alternative, they want to go ahead and explore it. Safe is the key word here.

Over 18 years since he played a cop in Khakee (2004), Tusshar Kapoor has donned the khaki uniform again for Maarrich. This time around, as ACP Raj Dixit, the actor is in pursuit of a killer who has shaken up the city. Facing the camera after three years since Boo Sabki Phategi (2019) was an exciting yet demanding affair. For starters, Kapoor had to gain over five kilos for Dhruv Lather’s directorial venture.

“Dhruv wanted me to look like the cops we see in real life. He didn’t want me to have a toned physique,” he says. For a self-confessed foodie, gaining the extra kilos wasn’t tough. “I was not working out as I was under the weather at the time, so it became easier to put on the kilos. I added carbs to my diet.”

The next step involved workshops with co-actors Seerat Kapoor, Dipannita Sharma, Himanshu Kohli, and Anita Hassanandani. The workshops were aimed at building chemistry among the actors. For a month, Kapoor also underwent voice modulation training.

“Unlike some of my previous characters in the light-hearted entertainers that required a higher pitch, this one needed a lower pitch. There was considerable time between completing the shoot and dubbing. So, I continued my voice modulation exercises till I completed dubbing.”

Maarrich sees him in the additional role of a producer, after Akshay Kumar’s Laxmii (2020). How was his latest brush with production? “The movie has taken me out of my comfort zone, both as an actor and a producer,” he smiles.

In 2016, Tusshar Kapoor became a father to his son, Laksshya, who was born through surrogacy. While everyone was surprised and had a bunch of questions for the single dad, Tusshar was at a stage where he was ready to embrace this new phase of his life – parenthood. It’s been six years now, and the actor says that he has “seamlessly blended into this role”. With Father's Day coming up tomorrow, Tusshar shares how much he loves his daddy duties, how different Jeetendra and he are as dads, and stresses on how his unconventional family is solid and complete. Excerpts…

I don’t think we celebrated this day in India back when I was a kid. It wasn’t so popular. For us, every Friday would be Father’s Day. Dad used to be busy shooting down South, so every Friday, we all would visit him in Chennai or Hyderabad. Every weekend would be spent there in his company. Then when I grew up, Father’s Day became more about simple greetings to my dad. I am very inexpressive when it comes to wishing people on birthdays or such special occasions. I believe in showing less and doing more. My son, Laksshya, on the other hand, is totally the opposite.

While I hate celebrating my birthdays and being in the limelight on such days, he enjoys celebrating his birthday and is super excited even for my birthday. He is expressive and asks me things like, ‘On my friends’ birthdays you give them gifts, but on my birthday, you never give me any gift.’ Well, I don’t give him gifts because he already gets so many gifts on his birthday (laughs!). After I started celebrating Laksshya’s birthday, I realised the importance of this day. It is okay to get pampered on this one day of the year. This phase has made me realise that I am a better father than a son!

I plan to do some outdoorsy activity with him. We might go for a walk in the park, and then to some nice place for lunch. In the evening, I would want him to spend time with his friends. Otherwise, for me, every day is Father’s Day, as I spend so much time on parenting duties.

Dad has been like this quintessential Indian father of his time. I have always looked up to him and respected him. You know the typical Indian fathers of those times… kids weren’t overfriendly or even friendly with them. He was mostly very busy and would work through the year. He would take time out for us during summer vacations and weekends. When it comes to me, I am the dad and the mom. I am on top of everything. I am structured, very affectionate and very hands-on. Laksshya openly speaks his mind to me. I know exactly how my son is doing in school or who his real friends are. Having said that, I don’t interfere. I am not a controlling or overbearing father. I don’t like it when people say things like, ‘You are a very good father’, as I am just doing things that most parents do. Just because I am a single man and an actor, and ours is an unconventional family, people think that I am doing so much.

Initially, my parents did wonder how I would be able to deal with the duties of a father, considering I am busy with work. They wondered if I would be able to be a hands-on parent as much as I would like to. They also wondered whether I would be dependent on them to take care of my child. However, it has been the opposite (laughs!). They always struggle to spend time with Laksshya. They keep asking me, ‘Hamara turn kab aayega (to babysit him).’ They think I spend way too much time with him and don’t leave any scope for them.

I think I have seamlessly blended into the new life that I have embraced. The day I held my son in my arms, I was a little nervous. Yes, my life turned around completely, but I did blend in. Since the time he came home, I have been by Laksshya’s side throughout. I plan my days as per his schedule. I had to introduce a few changes to my life and yes, the spontaneity is not there anymore. Also, because I became a dad at 40, I think I was able to pull it off so well. Had I become a father at 30, then probably I wouldn’t have been the kind of dad that I am today. At 40, it was easier to adapt to this new life.

Yes, of course. Ekta and I step up for each other and take care of Laksshya and Ravie (Ekta’s son) whenever either of us is not in town. We exchange tips as parents. Just a few days ago, I told Ekta that I wanted Ravie to have short hair and she liked my suggestion and got him a new haircut. Ravie spends a lot of time at my place with Laksshya. The cousins are quite close to each other. I have turned to women for tips and suggestions because they are really good at certain things. Likewise, I share my opinions with them, which brings in a fresh perspective too.

I will tell him that all families are different from each other. Sometimes there are families where the parents are in two different countries, then there are those where the child has unfortunately lost one parent. There are families where there is a single parent, and there are parents who are separated or are in a long-distance relationship. Also, there are kids who are growing up without any parents, but with their grandparents. So, every family is facing some challenge or the other. You know what, having said that, these families won’t be questioned, but I would be questioned as in my case, I am single and not married. I will be questioned, which is fine, and I have the answers. I feel being different doesn’t mean being dysfunctional. A ‘different’ family is not necessarily a ‘dysfunctional’ family. I hope to break this myth. I have told Laksshya that the family that he is in is a complete family. I think he is growing up feeling nurtured, secure and confident. And I think that is what a normal family should be like.

I don’t want to go back to the lockdown phase. However, I didn’t really sulk too much about it last year. My son kept me busy. I have always been used to the idea of working from home. We actors can do a lot of things from home — reading scripts, editing and so on. Even video calls help in getting a lot of work done. I believe in making the most of what life throws at me.

Laksshya has made my life more fulfilling. Embracing parenthood has turned me into a better human being and made me a more organised person. I have a more mature approach to life after becoming a father. Having said that, parenting can’t be taken lightly. You have to enjoy the process and I’m enjoying every moment of it.

Really? I don’t believe so. Everybody around me has been very positive. We are considered to be very conservative, but the Indian mindset is actually very liberal. I was very honest and clear about the way I brought Laksshya into my life. He is my biological son and I opted for IVF and surrogacy.

As long as you are honest, people are very warm and welcoming. It is only when there are unanswered questions that people start gossiping. If there is nothing to hide and you are ready to do something your way, I would say India is the place to be.

I don’t even deal with it, I just ignore it. There will be all kinds of people in the world and they will have issues with everything. You just have to laugh it off. Everyone has the right to have a voice of their own. I won’t say that there isn’t any noise. There is a lot of noise. We just don’t need to jump into the noise and be a part of it. You can look at it as entertainment and move on. Life doesn’t change, you know. You still have to get up and do things that you would have done without the noise as well. So, go on and focus on what you have to do.

Maybe because I have so much to do with my son, my work, I have no time to focus on these things. I am not in my 20s anymore when you analyse and over analyse and then brood over things that don’t matter. There are certain things that you need to feel pressured about and these are not among those. Yes, I am Jeetendra’s son. But if I have got an opportunity in this profession, worked hard and sustained it, then I should be happy. Aapko khudka astitwa malum hona chahiye. Otherwise, you’ll be shaken up by both the good and the bad.

It is about your choice, how you would want to use it. If you want to get sucked into it, you can. Or if you want to use it as a tool to market yourself, you can do that too. You can communicate with your fans, clear their misconceptions when there are debates on nepotism and sharing of ideas about our privileges. We can tell them that we all work hard and we all are in the same boat. We all have our ups and downs. The more you get affected by social media, the more your trolls will get vindicated. Jo aapka mood kharab karna chahte hai, unko fodder mil jaata hai. They are not happy and take to social media to vent. If you give them attention, they win. I get sadistic pleasure in ignoring them. Unko unki aag mein jal jaane do (laughs).

There is a film called Maarich that we have almost finished. We have not decided if we would want to release it in theatres or on OTT. The scenario is changing every day and based on that, the distributors would take a call. Unlocking is still an ongoing process and a few films are slated to hit the theatres. We would like to sit back and take a call by May. There are talks with Priyan sir (Priyadarshan) and Satish ji (Kaushik). We haven’t signed for anything, but let’s see what happens.

(Laughs) Main bhi sun raha hoon ke Golmaal Five ki planning chal rahi hai. If at all it happens, it will not happen before next year.

As he completes 20 years in showbiz, Tusshar is ready to give his career a new spin. Venturing into a zone that he hasn’t before, this year, we will see him in whodunit titled Maarrich, in which he plays a badass cop.

Talking about the film, the actor says, “It’s a grey whodunit, and it gets its title from a character in Hindu mythology, who had tricked Sita into believing something that wasn’t for real. It’s not the kind of film that anyone would easily associate with me. It’s unlike anything I have done before. The narration for this film was so gripping that I was drawn to producing and acting in it. I’m glad it is difficult for people to imagine me as a badass.”

Tusshar, who is backing a film for the second time, shares, “My character is someone who can arm-twist, act aggressive and has a dark side. He’s a successful senior officer in a certain age bracket. So, we gave him a mild French beard and some weight. I also had to undergo classes for voice modulation to make the character sound a certain way.”

The film also features Naseeruddin Shah and a bunch of newcomers in key roles.

He has entered the 20th year of his Bollywood innings, and actor Tusshar Kapoor is only glad that he is doing what he loves the most. He considers himself “lucky” to have been able to do a wide range of characters and genres, especially after he sort of got stereotyped in comedy roles, especially because of Golmaal film franchise.

“I started with Khakhee (2004), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), then again did Shor In The City and The Dirty Picture, both in 2011… as many serious and dark roles, as much as comedy. But because of Golmaal, it becomes like a brand for you. I don’t have a problem with it, I’m happy,” he says.

Over the years, have there been any films which Kapoor, 44, regretted doing? “I don’t regret, but yes, of course, there are some films I did in the beginning of my career which I feel I’d have avoided. But I did it, and I should be happy, because even the not so good experiences taught me a lot. You learn that this is not something (you want to do), not the people you want to work with, and it’s not a setup you’d like to do again,” confesses the actor, who made his acting debut with Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai (2001).

All set to be next seen in film Jersey, which is a remake of a Tamil film with the same name, Kapoor believes that doing all kinds of films is necessary to gain necessary knowledge and experience.

“I have had my share. That was part of the game, life and journey. It was always full of surprises. In today’s time, if there are a bit lesser opportunities in films, there’s the web platform. Now, with Coronavirus, we have the option to release films for audience there. I’m grateful it’s getting bigger, and there is so much growth within the industry. Different kinds of movies are being made, and genres are being explored,” says the actor, whose production, Laxmii, recently released on an OTT platform.

The advent of different platforms and the content shift has also made it possible for the longevity of an actor’ career, he continues. “If you are fighting fit, even at a much older age, it’s getting bigger and exciting. Picture abhi baaki hai,” he concludes.

Last month, theatres finally got a green-light to reopen with 50% capacity. And ever since, talks have been rife about the non-availability of fresh content, especially toplined by big names, to revive the exhibition sector. Surely, one reason is that most of the new, ready films have already been acquired by OTT (over-the-top) players.

Now, as Akshay Kumar-Kiara Advani starrer Laxmii readies for the digital premiere, the ‘content talk’ has reared its head again with trade analyst-critic, Komal Nahta writing an open letter to the star making an appeal to have his film simultaneously release in single-screen cinemas [top multiplex chains have already decided to not screen those films that don’t premiere only in cinemas] as well as on OTT.

So, the big questions are: is it possible, and feasible for an OTT player to allow such simultaneous releases, after having paid a premium price for exclusivity? And how much an actor or a producer can help in salvaging the situation? “In spirit, and on an emotional level, what Mr Nahta has written is absolutely right. But technically, it’s not possible. As an exhibitor, I know a film like Laxmii can change the entire scene for us but as a producer, I know that once a deal has been signed, no one can do anything about it,” says film exhibitor-distributor and producer, Aditya Chowksey, adding: “I have had the experience of dealing with an OTT player vis-à-vis my film, Khuda Haafiz. So, I know that once you sign a legal agreement with them, no actor, producer or director can interfere. Then, it’s totally their prerogative.”

Not just Laxmii, the coming days will see a number of star-spangled films such as Coolie No. 1, Ludo, Bhuj: The Pride of India, Chhalaang, Torbaaz, AK Vs AK, Duragavati, Jhund and The Big Bull among others, releasing on OTT platforms. Business-wise, simultaneous release on single-screens “won’t make any sense” for streaming sites, say industry experts.

“I am all for the welfare of single-screen cinemas, but theatres still remain shut in many states, including Maharashtra, which is the biggest market. Only a few single-screen cinemas (across India) are available (to release a film), and they can only be filled to a 50% capacity. So, I am sure the OTT players realise that having a simultaneous release won’t fetch them a lot of money,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding: “Also, it doesn’t really matter what we say. Ultimately, only the OTT players can take a final call as it’s their acquisition and product now.”

At the same time, many believe that a top name such as Kumar can turn things around. “There’s no doubt that the ball is in the OTT platform’s court because technically speaking, they have the rights. Having said that, India is a country where a star’s voice is heard. So, that way, he may initiate a conversation about it, and have his say,” says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi.

For Laxmii producer, Tusshar Kapoor, who has produced the film along with Kumar and Shabinaa Khan, it’s all about how the OTT platform decides to go about it. “Once the deal is done, being the distributor, Fox Star/Disney+ Hotstar has to take a call. Let’s see what they decide to do. They have to talk to the (film) distributors. As far as I know, there are no such plans as of now,” he says.

At the end, Chowksey puts things in perspective, by saying” “I am sure any actor would love to have his/her film running on the big screen as, after all, that’s what made them stars in the first place. But you can’t beat technicalities, or break terms of legal agreements.”

Tusshar, who has been juggling his duties as an actor, producer and father over the past few months, believes that the pandemic has a taught people the art of celebrating their joy with simplicity. Talking about the festive season, Tusshar says, “This Diwali is special. I have become a producer and am learning everything about the job from scratch. The lockdown has been a great phase of lessons. For starters, it’s taught us to go minimalistic, especially with celebrations.”

He further adds, “Kudos to our authorities, who ensured that we got a chance to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan, Eid and Dusshera despite the current situation. If we could celebrate these festivals without hampering the guidelines and taking away from the spirit of the festival, we can do that for Diwali, too. I think even when everything goes back to normal, we should not go crazy hosting parties. I want to celebrate festivals, but I don’t think we need to bring the house down. We have to ensure that we follow guidelines and beat the Coronavirus pandemic to make these festivals memorable.”

Tusshar and his sister, producer Ekta Kapoor, are known to host one of the best Diwali parties in Bollywood every year. What’s the plan this time? He shares, “It will be just a few friends in the house. We will keep it small. In fact, my birthday is a few days after Diwali, and even for that, we have the same plan. Though we have a lot to celebrate, we plan to keep things simple. Personally, I am not a social butterfly, so I usually have a quiet, intimate birthday with friends and family every year. This year, I’ll live it up with my son (Laksshya) and nephew (Ravie).”

When the Coronavirus-induced lockdown hit the theatrical business in India, it was evident that producers would have to take tough calls regarding their films' release. In April, in a game-changing move, Laxmmi Bomb became the first big-ticket movie to pursue discussions about a digital release. Six months and a string of digital premieres later, as the Akshay Kumar-starrer is poised for a Diwali release on Disney+ Hotstar, producer Tusshar Kapoor says shifting gears to an OTT release was a practical, though difficult, decision.

"The movie was originally expected to release in cinemas in May. But we had a new set of circumstances, and took an informed and logical decision in the light of the events. As the makers, we wanted to show the film to a large audience. This move felt right because more people will watch it online than in theatres at this point of time. We are taking the film beyond geographical restrictions. Disney+ Hotstar has a massive following due to the Indian Premier League. We believe in Akshay Kumar and his fan base. Plus, this film is different from masala movies, and good content works regardless of screen size," reasons the producer.

When the makers of the horror-comedy — which is a remake of Raghava Lawrence's Tamil hit, Muni: Kanchana (2011) — announced its digital release, the distributors had expressed their displeasure. Ask Kapoor if the move created a rift, and he explains, "There is no animosity. When things go back to normal, cinemas will always be the first preference. The circumstances compelled us to work our way around things. This was never intentional; movies are always made for theatres first."

Reports suggest that the November 9 offering may enjoy a simultaneous theatrical and OTT release as several states have reopened cinemas from October 15. "Things are changing every day, so one can't rule out the possibility. [The decision] is up to the distributors. For now, it's a Disney+ Hotstar release," asserts Kapoor.