Adapting Musafir Cafe, author Divya Prakash Dubey’s popular novel, wasn’t about recreating every page on screen. When directing the love story’s screen adaptation, Ruchir Arun knew he had to preserve one aspect over everything else — the honesty that made the novel resonate with readers.

“When my writer and showrunner, Sharanya [Rajgopal], first brought the project to me, what struck me first were the characters’ names — Chander, Sudha, and Preeti. These old-world names instantly made them feel like people I had known all my life. I wanted to ensure that these characters’ simplicity and the authenticity of their relationships translated perfectly to screen,” recalled Arun.

Led by Vikrant Massey, Mahima Makwana, and Vedika Pinto, the Netflix series traces the journey of the protagonist Chander across two phases of his life. For Arun, casting Massey was a no-brainer.

The director reasoned, “Vikrant was our first choice for Chander, and having worked with him now, it’s difficult for me to imagine anyone else in the part. We need romantic heroes who don’t have to be larger than life. We need stories of decent people, men who are the so-called green flags. Vikrant’s Chander reminds us that kindness, vulnerability, and sincerity can be deeply attractive.”

Musafir Cafe may be steeped in romance, but it’s also a story about growing up. Arun shared, “We first meet Chander in his 20s and then reconnect with him almost a decade later. Time has changed him, not just in the way he looks, but how he loves, what he values, and how he sees the world. Our understanding of love evolves as we grow older. I think Musafir Cafe is equally a story about growing up and discovering different versions of yourself.”

“What made me nervous were the places where we diverged from the novel, especially towards the end. We felt those creative decisions served the story well,” he said.

The long-delayed Dostana 2 appears to have hit another roadblock. According to a recent report, filmmaker Advait Chandan has stepped away from the project, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the sequel to the 2008 film Dostana.

A report by Variety India claims that Advait exited the film due to creative differences with the makers, although there has been no official confirmation from the makers yet. The report adds that the parting was amicable.

The sequel was announced by Dharma Productions in 2019 with Kartik Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor and Lakshya in the lead. Shooting had commenced in Goa but production came to a halt in 2021 amid a widely reported fallout between producer Karan Johar and Kartik.

Advait, best known for directing Secret Superstar (2017) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), came on board after the project’s original director, Collin D’Cunha, exited the film. Earlier reports in February had suggested that Advait would helm the revamped version of Dostana 2, with Vikrant Massey, Lakshya and former Miss India World Sini Shetty expected to headline the cast.

Joining the list of newcomers making their acting debut in 2026 is Vir Hirani, son of filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. If things go as planned, the new kid on the block may appear on screen as early as this summer. mid-day has learnt that Vir’s maiden series, ‘Pritam Pedro’, which also marks the filmmaker’s first web offering, is being lined up for a May release on JioHotstar.

A source revealed, “The cyber crime thriller was originally mentioned in the streamer’s 2025-26 slate. But as work on the series went on for long, it is finally arriving this May.”

‘Pritam Pedro’ sees Arshad Warsi portray an old-school cop, compelled to team up with Vir’s young officer, who is a computer geek and uses technology to solve cases.

Rajkumar, who serves as the co-producer and showrunner, had originally cast Vikrant Massey in the role of the young cop. The actor, however, had to exit the project. “Vir wasn’t supposed to be launched with ‘Pritam Pedro’. But during casting changes, Hirani felt Vir could fit in as a young tech geek,” said another insider.

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Vir Hirani will also be seen in director Shakun Batra’s next, an OTT film that is expected to roll soon

From television breakout to National Award-winning lead, Vikrant Massey has redefined the “outsider” success story. The 12th Fail star recently sat down with the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in Hyderabad to discuss his transition to films and the widespread acclaim following his 71st National Film Award win.

Money was the reason I stepped out of my home at the age of 16. My goal then was simple – to earn for education, a home, and eventually Rs. 1 lakh a month. I grew up in Andheri Versova, where all the shootings used to happen. I was one of those kids standing in a crowd, watching Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, and Sanjay Dutt shoot from the sidelines. I was fascinated by the lights, the walkie-talkies, and people running around with scripts.

Despite making a mark on TV with shows like Balika Vadhu, I faced skepticism when he transitioned to films. There was this unfortunate preconceived notion that TV actors can’t act. That was the first sting, the first jab I took on my chin. It honestly surprised me, because I felt these people didn’t know where actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Shah Rukh Khan, Om Puri, Irrfan Khan came from. Some of the greatest stalwarts came from television. Amid many challenges, one thing I always felt very strongly, and still continue to hold on to, is that what I do in front of the camera, between action and cut, is what matters the most.

Today, with 21 years of experience, I can honestly say that people who are sitting at a certain stature are there because of the quality of work and dedication. Success doesn’t come easily; you have to work relentlessly for it. For every role, I must perform and position myself as a strong contender. Yes, there is that insider-outsider divide, but it’s only up until access.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra sir told me very honestly, ‘I want to make a theatrical film, but OTT gives you Vikrant Massey for free — why would anyone come to see you in a theatre?’ That was brutal, but it was true. I was very lucky to be part of 12th Fail. People didn’t see the story of an IPS officer; they started seeing themselves. I would quietly enter theatres in the final minutes, sit in the last row and watch people completely immersed. Once, an elderly man sitting next to me started weeping, his chest was shaking, and he held my hand very tightly. That was the moment I realised I had done something that would last.

Actor Vikrant Massey is gearing up for his first international project, White, in which he portrays spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Set against the backdrop of the 2015-16 Colombian peace process, where the spiritual leader performed the role of a mediator, the film required the actor to undergo extensive preparation and prosthetics for the role, director Montoo Bassi reveals.

“He is supremely talented. He’s been known for playing meaningful characters on screen and this is one of those. It was challenging, but he gave it his 100%. When it comes to the makeover and his transformation, he gave five hours of prosthetics and then 12 hours of shoot daily,” Montoo says.

The director adds that the film features a global cast and extensive international production. “We shot in Latin America and I was fortunate to get the best talent from Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, France, Argentina, and India. It was a great experience” Montoo says.

He also highlights the linguistic challenges involved: “The film is in Spanish and English, with the Spanish characters speaking their language. I myself had to prepare a lot to understand Spanish to be able to direct actors in their own language. I did not want it to be like an outsider’s view. It took almost five to six years for this film to be made because of the language barrier.”

There’s been considerable buzz around Farhan Akhtar’s much-anticipated Don 3, and not always for the right reasons. Before actor Ranveer Singh reportedly exited the project, the film had already made headlines when Kiara Advani and Vikrant Massey stepped away from the franchise instalment. Now, HT City has learnt that Farhan is keen on casting actor Rajat Bedi, who recently made waves with his comeback in The Ba**ds Of Bollywood , for a pivotal role in the film.

According to sources, Rajat is currently in talks with the makers and may step in for the role earlier offered to Vikrant. “Farhan is considering Rajat to play a key character that Vikrant was originally roped in for. The two have already had initial conversations and are expected to meet around mid-January at Farhan’s Khar office in Mumbai,” says a source.

Earlier, a July 2025 Bollywood Hungama report stated that Vikrant exited the project due to concerns over the depth of his role and the physical transformation it required. Around the same time, several reports also claimed that actors Aditya Roy Kapur and Vijay Deverakonda were being considered for the part, although there has been no official confirmation from the makers.

Actors Vikrant Massey and Mahima Makwana will play the romantic leads in the web-series adaptation of the novel Musafir Café. We have learnt that Mahima has begun the shoot in the hill town of Mussoorie. The series is slated for streaming on Netflix.

Massey, known for his intense yet nuanced roles, takes on the central character (presumably the book’s “Chandar”), while Makwana steps into the role of the free-spirited lawyer “Sudha”.

Although Vikrant Massey and Mahima Makwana played parts in the popular daily soap Balika Vadhu, they never shared screen space together. This will mark their first major joint project.

For the unversed, Musafir Café by Divya Prakash Dubey is a Hindi-novel exploring modern relationships, choices and the idea of carving a space for oneself. Two very different people — Sudha, a principled divorce lawyer who doesn’t believe in marriage, and Chandar, a software engineer with literary dreams — meet via a matrimonial setup and then drift into an unconventional living arrangement.

We reached out to Vikrant, Mahima and the platform but didn't get a response.

Earlier in an interview, Vikran shared how he chooses his scripts. He said, "There are quite a lot of things actually. There are so many permutations and combinations that go behind you choosing a role. But I think that right at the core of it lies the question as to what that story evokes within me... I hate the narrations, I always insist on reading what will be shot eventually. I read it as an audience, if it is evoking what it is ought to, if it’s ought to make me laugh, does it make me laugh, if it’s ought to make me cry, does it make me cry, does it evoke that sense and then comes the other combination which is like have I done this before as an actor? Does this ring a bell with me? Is this a story that I actually want to tell?"

Actor Anshuman Jha, who recently made his directorial debut with Lord Curzon Ki Haveli, believes the film’s biggest strength lies in its casting featuring Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Paresh Pahuja and Zoha Rahman. “Even an average film with the right cast can do better numbers because people relate to the characters,” he says.

Recounting how this belief has guided his career choices, Jha reveals he once turned down a role in Half Girlfriend (2017), the movie based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel of the same name, starring Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor.

He says, “I was offered the part that Vikrant Massey eventually did [he played Madhav’s (Arjun Kapoor’s) friend Shailesh] but I said no. Vikrant and I even spoke about it. I told him that he should have been the lead in that film, then I would have done that role.”

Jha goes on to defend his stance with conviction. “12th Fail (2023) wouldn’t have been the success it is if it had the same lead as Half Girlfriend. Vikrant brought an honesty that made 12th Fail what it is. Vidhu Vinod Chopra sir’s conviction to take it to theatres helped it reach people because it had the right actor in the right role.”

New Delhi: It was a night of star power and cinematic pride at Vigyan Bhawan on Tuesday as President Droupadi Murmu honoured stalwarts of Indian cinema at the 71st National Film Awards.

The spotlight, however, belonged to Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, while Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Vikrant Massey walked away with top honours in acting categories.

Mohanlal, already decorated with the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2019), was visibly moved as he accepted Indian cinema’s highest recognition. “I am deeply humbled to be the youngest recipient and only the second ever from Kerala. This moment is not mine alone, it belongs to the entire Malayalam film fraternity,” he said. Sharing the honour with colleagues, he added: “I never dared to dream of this moment. It feels magical, it feels sacred.”

President Murmu presented the award to Mohanlal amid a thunderous standing ovation. Fellow superstar Mammootty called him “a true artist who has lived and breathed cinema,” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as someone who “epitomizes excellence and versatility.”

In perhaps the most Bollywood-dominated edition of the awards, Shah Rukh Khan won his first National Award for Best Actor in over two decades for his blockbuster ‘Jawan’. “This award is a blessing. ‘Jawan’ was a film made from the heart, and I dedicate this to every fan who has stood by me through the years,” Shah Rukh said.

Actor Vikrant Massey, who shared the Best Actor award with Shah Rukh for ‘12th Fail’, credited director Vidhu Vinod Chopra for his journey. Rani Mukerji was honoured as Best Actress for ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’. “This film was about the power of a mother’s fight. This recognition belongs to every woman who has faced injustice and refused to give up,” Rani told mediapersons.

The Evening reflected cinema’s diversity: ‘Kathal—A Jackfruit Mystery’ was named Best Hindi Film, Sudipto Sen won Best Director for ‘The Kerala Story’, while Shilpa Rao took home Best Female Playback Singer for Chaleya from ‘Jawan’.

The 71st National Film Awards couldn’t have gotten starrier than this. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan won his first National Award in his 33-year career for his double role in Jawan (2023). The actor shared the honour with Vikrant Massey, who won it for 12th Fail (2023). Bollywood entertainers seemed to dominate the awards as Rani Mukerji took home the Best Actress award for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (2023).

On the one hand, Khan’s fans saw the win as overdue, considering his restrained act in Swades (2004) was overlooked by the National Film Awards jury 20 years ago. On the other hand, some social media users called the Jawan win “laughable” and “a joke”.

The Best Director award went to Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story (2023) — a win that will presumably be debated over the next few days. The movie, which centred on the alleged coerced religious conversion of Malayali women, was widely criticized. An elated Sen called the win “validating”.

He told mid-day, “I would’ve been even happier if the film had also taken the top honour, but this recognition validates everything we set out to express through The Kerala Story.”

With Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani winning the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, co-writer Ishita Moitra told mid-day, “It’s Karan Johar’s [filmmaker] hard work and love that shines in this film.”

The film also won Vaibhavi Merchant the Best Choreography award. She learnt about the win when we called her. “This is overwhelming. You’ve broken the news to me,” said a surprised Merchant. 

Deepak Kingrani, who bagged the Best Dialogue award for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, said, “This win is important as [it gives us] courage to write and producers to pump money in such films.”

New Delhi: Hindi cinema dominated the 71st National Film Awards on Friday with superstar Shah Rukh Khan winning his career’s first best actor award for ‘Jawan’ alongside Vikrant Massey for ‘12th Fail’, which was also named the best feature film.

Rani Mukerji won the best actress honour for ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’, her first award. The awards for 2023 were announced by jury head Ashutosh Gowariker. He said Shah Rukh had delivered a “powerhouse performance, balancing raw intensity and emotional depth, and bringing to life a hero who fights not just the enemy, but societal boundaries, creating two unforgettable cinema personas”.

Sudipto Sen won the best director award for ‘The Kerala Story’, which also got the cinematography prize. It had sparked a row for its portrayal of women being converted and recruited by ISIS. ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ was the best popular film .

Rani Mukerji, who has clinched the National award for best actress, said, “I’m overwhelmed. For me, this award is also a validation of my 30-year body of work, my dedication to my craft with which I feel a deeply spiritual connection and my passion for cinema and this beautiful film industry.”

‘Jawan’, which minted over Rs 1,100 crore at box office worldwide, was a highoctane thriller from filmmaker Atlee and featured SRK in the dual role of Army officer Vikram Rathore and his jailor son Azad.

The jury praised Massey’s performance as one that portrayed the transformative journey of a village boy with “raw honesty and emotional depth”. In a statement, Massey (38), said it was a dream come true moment for him.

Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Sam Bahadur’ was recognized as the best film promoting national, social and environmental values and won the award in the make-up & costume category.

Vaibhavi Merchant won the best choreography award for ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ song ‘Dhindhora Baaje’, while Shilpa Rao was named best female playback singer for ‘Jawan’ track ‘Chaleya’. Sanya Malhotra-starrer ‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery’ was named the best Hindi film.

While Hindi cinema ruled in the main categories, regional movies were recognized in categories such as best supporting actor as well as actress and in technical segments.

Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comic) went to Telugu film ‘Hanu-Man’, which also won the best action direction award. The National Award for best screenplay was shared between Telugu movie ‘Baby’ and ‘Parking’.

Filmmaker Ashish Bende won the best debut film by a director for Aatmapamphlet, a coming-of-age drama that resonated with audiences and the jury alike.

Overwhelmed by the recognition, Bende said, “Getting a national award was always a dream for me, but I did not know that my dream would be realized in my directorial debut. Though it is an award for direction, I feel that it is not a solo award but an award for the entire team of Aatmapamphlet. The film was made during Covid-19 pandemic with a lot of effort, and today all those efforts have paid off.”

Bende will receive the Swarna Kamal for this award.

He added, “The Marathi film industry has along legacy of quality films, and today I feel proud that I am part of this rich tradition. The award will personally encourage me to keep doing quality work.”

Vikrant Massey has been friends with the unconventional for so long that it’s the quintessential that makes him nervous. Naturally, he was hesitant to board Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, his upcoming romantic drama opposite debutante Shanaya Kapoor.

“The last time I did something like this was Broken But Beautiful, directed by Santosh Singh, who has directed me in this as well! Though I did Haseen Dillruba, which also had romance, it was a thriller. But this is a quintessential Bollywood love story with lip-sync songs. I told my producers that I have never done lip-sync songs. Nor have I outrightly romanced someone on screen. I wasn’t sure I would be able to pull it off,” he begins.

But his body of work is proof enough that he loves a challenge. With Aankhon ki Gustaakhiyan, the challenges were many, the biggest being his character of a visually-challenged man.

“Eyes play such an integral role in a romance. So, I wondered how I would be able to do that. But as much as I was jittery about taking it up, it also felt exciting. Unfortunately, in the world of cinema, visually-challenged people haven’t been represented rightly enough. The dignity they deserve and the challenges that eventually become part of their life are not shown. So, to play this authentically was the biggest challenge,” he shares.

The film also fits perfectly into the actor’s pursuit of collaborating with debut voices, Massey points out. “It is human nature to get complacent sometimes. If you observe my filmography, you will note that if I am doing four films a year, [at least in one film], I collaborate with a first-time writer-director. It is so that I can unlearn things and recalibrate myself,” he says, adding that his new work made sure he was surrounded by newcomers.

Besides Kapoor and the director, who is making his film debut with Aankhon ki Gustaakhiyan, “most of the HoDs were first-timers”. “You learn so much from them that a lot of things that are redundant in you get removed,” he says.

It’s natural for a newcomer to feel the pressure of sharing screen space opposite an established actor, but Massey tells us that he, in fact, felt the pressure opposite Kapoor.

“Shanaya is such a good person. I hope I am able to justify her dreams and aspirations, has a good time working with me, and it justifies her wait. She is extremely talented, hardworking and sincere. She knew everyone’s lines in the film,” he says, adding that working with Kapoor inspired him. “The amount of involvement and fire she had completely dissolved all my complacency, if there was any. She comes from film royalty but is so much more than that.”

Kajal Aggarwal, Anil Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Vikrant Massey, Vivek Oberoi, Mohit Raina feature in the film. Pics/AFP, Instagram 

The curtain has officially risen on Ramayana. On July 3, Nitesh Tiwari unveiled the teaser of the two-part magnum opus, and it confirmed that the Indian audience’s optimism was well-placed. The three-minute teaser may have offered shielded glimpses of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana, but it signalled that the filmmaker was bringing a world grand in vision, rich in imagery, and most importantly, honest in its retelling of the epic.

While it’s known that Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, and Ravie Dubey play Sita, Hanuman, and Lakshman respectively, mid-day has learnt that Tiwari has put together a cast of over 25 actors across India for his ambitious project. It is heard that megastar Amitabh Bachchan will voice the character of Jatayu, the divine vulture that not only unsuccessfully fought Ravana, but also aided Lord Rama and Lakshman before breathing its last. While Kunal Kapoor will play Lord Indra, Indira Krishnan portrays Ram’s mother Kaushalya.

A source reveals, “Nitesh has carefully curated the cast, based on visual resemblance, the actors’ ability to transform into their respective characters, and the gravitas they bring. The cast includes Anil Kapoor, Kajal Aggarwal, Vikrant Massey, Vivek Oberoi, Mohit Raina, and Adinath Kothare. Actors across mediums have been chosen as the makers wanted to get whoever was best for the role.”

In December 2024, Vikrant Massey did what was an anomaly in the cut-throat business of Bollywood — the actor announced that he was taking a break from movies. Expectedly, it sparked shock among his fans and colleagues. Six months on, he is promoting his next, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. That has left many confused, who misconstrue that Massey had retired. He begins, “People still ask me, ‘Why did you retire?’”

The actor is amused that his announcement was misunderstood by so many. “Which part of my post did people not understand? Maybe they are not used to seeing actors taking a break, but I want to better myself. I wanted to take that break. I had mentioned in my post that there are two films I’d be working on, one of which was Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. Two months after announcing my break, I started shooting for it,” he says.

Massey reveals he had turned down many projects leading up to the announcement. “Post 12th Fail [2023] and The Sabarmati Report [2024], a lot of films were coming my way. I can’t do 10 films a year. So, that post was to convey to filmmakers that I needed some time off. Many were shocked to hear a no from me.”

More importantly, slowing down was crucial for the actor’s sanity. With seven releases in the past two years, including successes in 12th Fail and Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba (2024), he felt the need to pause. 

“It was not something I decided overnight. There was a burnout. I wanted to spend time with my family. Also, I [saw] the love coming in from the audience. I want to be worth their time. But when I’m getting burnt out, how can I face the camera and keep repeating the same thing?”

The actor wrapped up Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, co-starring Shanaya Kapoor, in March. White, a biopic on spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is due to roll only in August, giving him enough time to re-energize himself. So, where does that leave Don 3? “It’s too early to talk about it,” he smiles.

Two new talents hope to find a place in the Hindi film industry with Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan. While Santosh Singh, known for helming Broken…But Beautiful, is making his theatrical debut, the love story will also mark Shanaya Kapoor’s foray into Bollywood. Launching a star kid today comes with incessant trolling and talks of nepotism. It isn’t lost on Singh, who insists that Kapoor was chosen on the basis of merit for the love story, led by Vikrant Massey.

Recalling that he met her after he was impressed by her test tape, the director shares, “We gave her two scenes to prep. She came back after two days, performed the scenes, and I thought she was good. The role she is playing is tough — for anyone, not just a debutant. So, we did workshops with her for three to four months. She also trained with an acting coach. It’s a big responsibility to launch someone. But as long as someone is hard-working and giving it their all, that’s what matters.”

Earlier this year, Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor made their big-screen debut with Loveyapa, which struggled to draw the audience to theatres. Singh believes the disproportionate negativity online played a role.

He reflects, “There is a lot of hate now, when it comes to [star] kids. I liked Loveyapa. It bombed purely because of the hate. I hope people will first watch a film, see the performances, then form an opinion. How can you hate someone without seeing their work? Just because their path might’ve been easier in some way? That’s not fair.”

Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, centred on a musician and a theatre actor, is an adaptation of Ruskin Bond’s short story, The Eyes Have It. Having grown up on the much-loved writer’s works, Singh says it was a joy to interpret his story for the big screen.

“This story is just six pages. We used it as the base, and created our own story around it. I hope we’ve done justice to what he wrote,” says the director, adding that his biggest support system came in the form of his leading man. “Vikrant is such a versatile actor. After Broken..., we’re doing a love story again.”

A lot has changed in Vikrant Massey’s life between his 2018 web series, Broken…But Beautiful, and the upcoming Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. But one thing has remained unchanged, says Santosh Singh, who helmed both offerings. He points out that after Broken…But Beautiful, the actor hasn’t featured in a tender, aching love story. That was one of the reasons Massey signed Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan opposite Shanaya Kapoor.

“Broken… was the first love story we did together, and now we are back with another. Vikrant once told me that most [filmmakers] cast him in hard-hitting movies like 12th Fail [2023] or negative roles like Sector 36 [2024], but only I see him as a romantic hero,” says Singh, who is readying the film for a July 11 release.

Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan looks at the love that blossoms between Massey’s musician and Kapoor’s theatre actor. It also marks the latter’s Bollywood debut.

Singh recalls, “The film had its own journey of finding the heroine. We [initially] had Tara Sutaria and Pratibha Ranta for the role, but their dates didn’t work out. We tested Shanaya and she passed with flying colours. We did four months of workshops with her; she also worked with an acting coach. By the time we started shooting, she knew the script by heart.”

Dostana 2, which was shelved in 2021 after a falling-out between producer Karan Johar and actor Kartik Aaryan, seems to be back on the table. This time, the casting may surprise you. While original choice Aaryan has moved on to another project, Naagzilla, under the same banner, sources close to the development reveal that Lakshya continues to be part of Dostana 2’s cast. We’ve heard that Vikrant Massey is now the frontrunner to play the parallel lead.

In 2019, Dostana 2 was announced with Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Lakshya. However, after 21 days of shoot, Johar announced that Aaryan had exited the rom-com due to “creative differences”, and the project was eventually shelved. Lakshya went on to make his Bollywood debut with Kill (2023).

“As initial talk about reviving the rom-com began in the production house, retaining Lakshya was a no-brainer,” says an insider. Dostana is known for its bromance, and the makers wanted a fresh jodi for the sequel. Massey, who is said to have bagged Don 3, apparently is a strong contender. The insider adds, “He is the top choice if the makers take Dostana 2 forward. The team wants actors with chemistry and gravitas. Vikrant fits that brief.”

We’ve also learnt that the script will undergo changes. If things work out, the rom-com will be a 2026 offering.

Dehradun: Aarushi Nishank, daughter of former Uttarakhand CM and ex-minister for human resource development in the Narendra Modi cabinet, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, was allegedly cheated of Rs 4 crore by two persons claiming to be film producers and promising her a role in a Bollywood movie. In her complaint registered at Kotwali police station in Dehradun, Aarushi said she was later replaced in the film, and the producers refused to return her money.

Aarushi, co-owner of Himshree Films, said Mansi Varun Bagla and Varun Pramod Kumar Bagla introduced themselves as directors of Mini Films Pvt Ltd and told her they were producing a Hindi film, ‘Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan', starring Shanaya Kapoor and Vikrant Massey. "They offered me a significant role and promised fame and profit if I invested Rs 5 crore through my firm or an acquaintance," she said in her complaint.

An FIR has been filed against the accused have been booked under multiple BNS sections, including section 308(5) (extortion by putting someone in fear of death or grievous hurt), section 318(4) (cheating and fraud), section 336(3) (forgery with intent to cheat), section 338 (forgery of valuable documents), section 340(2) (using forged documents as genuine), section 351(3) (criminal intimidation by threatening death or grievous hurt), section 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy).

According to the FIR, an MoU was signed between Himshree Films and Mini Films Pvt Ltd on Oct 9, 2024. The next day, Aarushi transferred Rs 2 crore to the accused. She claimed she made additional payments in Oct and Nov 19, bringing the total amount to Rs 4 crore. The transactions included Rs 1 crore on Nov 11, Rs 25 lakh on Oct 27 and Rs 75 lakh on Oct 30.

Aarushi alleged that the producers assured her a 20% profit from the film, estimating total returns of over Rs. 15 crore. She was also promised the right to finalize her role's script, with a clause stating that if she was dissatisfied, her Rs 5 crore would be refunded with 15% annual interest.

On Feb 5, she learned that the film's shooting in India had been completed and another actress had been cast for her role, which was set to be filmed in Europe. She accused the producers of publishing a manipulated photograph on their company's official page, excluding her from an event she had attended. "This electronic forgery, categorized as a document, was used to defraud me and embezzle Rs 4 crore through a fraudulent MoU," the FIR quoted her as saying.

Aarushi also claimed that throughout this period, the producers intimidated her with threats of defamation and extortion. "They made derogatory comments about my Garhwali background and warned that if I pursued legal action, they would file false charges against me and my father, leading to severe consequences," she alleged.

Investigating officer SI Manmohan Singh Negi told TOI, "Based on her complaint, an FIR has been lodged at Kotwali police station in Dehradun. We will record her statement before proceeding further. It is too early to comment on the case at this stage."

Notably, in Dec, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami had met the film's team, including actor Vikrant Massey, in Dehradun. Aarushi was also present at the event.

Rajkumar Hirani’s upcoming web series is special for the filmmaker for more reasons than one. Apart from marking Hirani’s debut in the digital space, the crime-drama series will also serve as the launch pad for his son, Vir. A source from the creative team tells mid-day that the Disney+ Hotstar offering revolves around two cops who come to terms with their distinct working styles.

“Initially, Arshad [Warsi] was to play the role of an old-fashioned cop who likes to solve crimes in his style, while Vikrant [Massey] was set to be seen as a young computer geek who uses technology to solve crimes. It chronicles what transpires when two diverse personalities are brought together to solve crimes. Now, some changes have come into effect. While the six-episode series was to be directed by Hirani’s assistant, Amir Satyaveer Singh, now, Pataal Lok director Avinash Arun has taken his place. Also, because Vikrant is busy with his other commitments, the makers have decided to cast Vir instead.” The 12th Fail (2023) actor has not stepped back from the project, but will now slip into the role of the antagonist.

The decision to cast Vir in the show, tentatively titled Pritam Pedro, did not require several rounds of discussions. He has assisted his father during the shoot of Sanju (2018), and has also studied theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London. He has directed several short films, including The Obituary, and also debuted in a play called Letters From Suresh, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan.

“Vir had delivered a 35-minute monologue in it,” reveals the source, adding that the aspiring actor will be undergoing intense physical preparation for his role. “He is adhering to a rigorous diet and training schedule to play the part of a fit cop. He is also brushing up on his knowledge of computers. Since he has been involved in the scripting process, he knows each scene of the series like the back of his hand.”

Vikrant Massey, who shocked his fans recently by announcing that he will be taking a break from films, had elaborated at a recent conclave, “The life I had always dreamt of, I finally got it, so I thought it was time to live it. I want to take a break because, at the end of the day, everything is transient, which is why I am only doing one film next year. My son was born, and I was not able to spend any quality time with him or my wife. So, I had written in that Instagram post that as an actor, son, father and husband, it was time for me to recalibrate.”

During his recent visit to Ahmedabad, Vikrant spoke to us about choosing to play unconventional characters, extreme fan reactions, fatherhood and more.

Vikrant, who was lauded for his portrayal of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma in 12th Fail, shares, “I was happy with the kind of love 12th Fail got. Fan expectations had risen post that film and I expected the same love for all projects. However, doing a film like The Sabarmati Report gave me a reality check. The same people who had lauded me for 12th Fail and Sector 36 abused me for being a part of this film, which brought me back to reality.”

He adds, “When I was abused and given threats, I realized that for fans, sometimes convenience takes precedence over understanding your character. It was disheartening, but I will always focus on telling the stories that I believe in.”

Be it A Death In The Gunj, Haseen Dillruba, Gaslight, or OTT shows like Mirzapur and Broken But Beautiful, Vikrant has always explored unconventional characters. He says, “It is actually a mix of both-my conscious choice and choosing the kind of work I am offered. When I started my career, I was doing whatever projects were being offered. Somehow, I was always getting roles which were not run-of-the-mill even when I was doing television. But now, it has become my conscious choice to do such projects, as I feel I am meant to do them.”

He adds, “Be it commercial or message-driven films, I choose projects that have archival value. My father watches films that were made 50 years ago. I also want to do films that the upcoming generations would like to watch 50 years later.”

Vikrant and his actress-wife Sheetal Thakur, who got married in 2022, became parents to a baby boy, Vardaan, earlier this year. He tells us, “Fatherhood is the best role of my life (smiles). It is a blessing to be a father, and my son has made me a better person. Coming back home after work and seeing those eyes smiling at you is a feeling which is difficult to describe. Vardaan is the biggest gift of my life.”

Talking about how he deals with the trolls, "I ignore the trolls; comments from faceless people on social media are linked to my profession and I have to get used to it. But it’s disappointing when trolls target your family and loved ones."

Has Vikrant taken a break from OTT now? The actor says, "I haven’t stopped doing OTT projects, but I’m waiting for the right script to make a comeback. If the script is good, I will do that project irrespective of the medium."