What happens when some of Indian cinema and television’s most accomplished female actors come together for a whodunnit? Margao Files, which premièred on the Waves platform on Friday (June 12), attempts to answer that question with an ensemble cast led by Zeenat Aman, Suchitra Krishnamoorthy, Pallavi Joshi, Kitu Gidwani, Shilpa Shinde, Pervein Dastur, Tannaz Irani, and Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal. 

The film is set against the backdrop of a wealthy but dysfunctional Catholic family in Margao, Goa. Director Kapil Kaustubh Sharma said the concept was driven by his desire to create an Indian mystery led entirely by women.

“There has never been any Indian mystery where all the primary characters are women and with various interesting shades. I knew it had to have only brilliant actresses as only they would be able to carry these unconventional characters,” he said.

Sharma revealed that Kitu Gidwani’s detective, Miss Rose Briganza, was subconsciously inspired by Agatha Christie’s iconic sleuths. Zeenat Aman plays Sylvia White, whom Sharma describes as “a graceful, classy rich Goan lady who has turned into an alcoholic”.

Pallavi Joshi, he added, appears in a role unlike any she has played before, while Shilpa Shinde essays a tough police officer. Tannaz Irani, meanwhile, welcomed the chance to play a constable, saying, “I have never played a constable and I couldn’t pass up such a powerful and exciting role coming my way.”

Zeenat Aman, who’s in town to launch Ritabhari Chakraborty’s calender, speaks to us about her career, being ‘parented by her kids’, and how cinema has evolved over the years since her time. Excerpts from the chat:

When I was persuaded by my kids to join Instagram, I really did not expect the engagement I received. The involvement of my fans on social media has brought me great joy and a sense of responsibility towards them.

Commercial cinema is definitely male dominated. In my time, female actors had little to do. However today, as there are streaming platforms, a wider variety of films are being made. Now, stronger, nuanced and varying roles are being written for women.

Uttam Kumar was a prolific artiste whose career has spanned over five generations. He was a shining example of what any artiste should aspire for. I think he endures because his performances looked effortless and charming.

There are multiple things I look into. For instance, who is the character I’ll be portraying? Who are the people that I am working with? How long will I be committed to a project? Is it going to be a joyous experience?

Social media has brought with it a lot of pressure for young actors today. It is important to trust your gut along with your intellect when it comes to navigating this. Most importantly, seek joy in whatever you do.

Don’t do it from a vanity point of view, but from a health and longevity point of view.

There’s plenty in the pipeline, so my fans will just have to stay tuned!

Honestly, when I look back at some of my films in the past, I cringe. I have changed so much as a person and as a woman that I certainly would not have made some of the choices that I had made back then. But at the same time, I will say that I was just very happy to be consistently working. There has been a tremendous shift in the work environment. For example, in my time, nobody had vanity vans. Due to the analog nature of filmmaking back then, actors did not have the privilege of having instantaneous replay of their work. Also, I am so pleased to see so many women working in various roles in the film industry now.

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About launching Ritabhari’s calendar, Zeenat Aman sais, "She’s a vibrant, dynamic talented young actor, who is straddling both worlds of cinema – in Bengali and in Hindi. I was happy to participate in the launch of this calendar. It resonates with me because I believe in the embodiment of woman power and I like to support it."

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"I now relate to my kids as adults, as my friends. And I value their opinions in spite of them sometimes treating me like an eight-year-old girl"

Mumbai: Film director Chandra Barot, best known for the blockbuster classic, Don (1978), which prompted multiple remakes in southern languages and spawned a series of sequels decades later, passed away due to medical complications at Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra (east) on Sunday. He was 86.

“My husband was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years. He died due to a cardiac arrest at 6.30 am,'' his wife Deepa Barot told TOI.

Barot also directed the Bengali superhit, ‘Ashrita’ (1990), starring Mithu Mukherjee. Barot's family lived in Tanzania, but was forced to come back to India following racial conflicts in the East African country in the 1960s. His sister, Kamal Barot, was a playback singer in Bollywood. He assisted Bollywood biggie Manoj Kumar in films such as 'Purab Aur Pachhim', 'Shor' and 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan'.

The making of the original ‘Don’ is a legendary Bollywood tale. Barot's cinematographer-producer friend, Nariman Irani, was reeling under a debt of nearly Rs 12 lakh after his first film as producer, 'Zindagi Zindagi', had flopped. Barot offered to help. He was friendly with Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman having worked with them in 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan'. They all decided to work in ‘Don’ to help Irani. Tragically, Irani passed away in 1977, before Don could hit the screen. Amitabh Bachchan, who won the Best Actor Filmfare award, dedicated the award to Irani and his wife.

In the 1970s, 'Don' was an unusual title for Hindi films. Barot's mentor, Manoj Kumar, had asked him with a quizzical tone if he was making some film called "Down''! Barot explained that it was a Spanish word 'Don' which actually meant 'gentleman'. Kumar understood and suggested that the pacy second-half needed a song. The advice led to the birth of the chartbuster, ‘Khai ke paan Benaraswala.’

Don, which celebrated platinum jubilee, was remade in Tamil as Billa (1980) with Rajinikanth as hero. A year earlier, N T Rama Rao was the lead in Yugandhar, the film’s Telugu version. In Malayalam, the film was remade as Shobharaj (1986) with Mohanlal in lead. Later director Farhan Akhtar reinterpreted the movie in Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006) and Don 2: The Chase Continues.

Several Bollywood personalities such as Farhan and Kunal Kohli mourned his passing on social media. “Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family,'' posted Farhan.

On a rainy Sunday, Barot's last rites were carried out at the Kherwadi based Hindu crematorium in Bandra (east). It was a low-key affair attended by his family members and some relatives. As the final rites took place, one could not help but recall a Barot remark he made years ago: "I will be remembered as the man who made Don".

People tend to listen when their favourite actor champions a cause. This belief has made Bollywood artistes join forces ahead of World Environment Day on June 5 every year, to raise awareness about nature conservation. This year, Ajay Devgn and Sharvari have taken the lead. The actors have shot for two special videos, helmed by Imtiaz Ali, as part of the World Environment Day campaign that aims to fight plastic pollution.

In the past few years, many stars — including Alia Bhatt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Bhumi Pednekar — have fronted music videos to drive home the message. But Asif Bhamla, whose foundation spearheads the World Environment Day campaign, reveals that they changed tack this year.

“This time we have taken a break from music videos. When I initially reached out to Ajay for the music video, he said that dance is not his forte, but he will do it as a video message. He added that we should create something that can run at the theatres too; that way, we can reach out to maximum people. We have three videos, [two of which are] titled Tik Tik Plastic 3.0 and Earthing. While Ajay and Sharvari have starred in two, the third stars Zeenat Aman and singer Shaan,” says Bhamla.

Ali based the campaign on a simple truth — that even the smallest acts of environmental preservation can make a big difference. While one video sees Devgn urging people against plastic use, the second was shot in a Bandra garden and has the two stars reconnecting with nature.

The director shares, “While writing the two short films, I wanted to ensure that the tone is not preachy or boring; instead, it should be something that the country’s youth relate to. Ajay felt the same way.”

For Devgn, the campaign not only marks his first collaboration with Ali, a director he has been keen to work with, but also mirrors his own beliefs. “I have been advocating for conscious, eco-friendly living, and this campaign is a natural extension of that journey. Our aim is to reach everyone with the message that even small actions, done consistently, can make a big difference.”

Sharvari adds, “To be directed by Imtiaz Ali was a dream come true. I have always wished to be on a set with him. To be in the same frame as Ajay Devgn sir was a fantastic experience. There is so much to learn by just seeing him perform.”

Zeenat Aman (right) with Sharma (centre) and Kavya Trehan (left)

A sweeping palace bathed in golden-hour light sees a self-made startup queen storm into a room of chandeliers in a sharp pantsuit. At the other end, a prince in a royal bandhgala looks on. When we sat down with Aastha Sharma, that’s the picture she painted for us of The Royals — Netflix India’s newest offering. “Think what happens when royalty is reimagined with a distinctly modern swagger....” she says.

In the buzzy romantic dramedy created by Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy, Bhumi Pednekar plays Sophia, a fiery entrepreneur who falls for Ishaan Khatter’s Prince Aviraj. And in the most inspired casting coup of recent times, Zeenat Aman graces the screen as the matriarch, while the ensemble is packed with names like Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, and Lisa Misra, among others. Known for dressing red carpet queens like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kiara Advani, Sharma’s work here is character architecture.

“When people hear ‘royals’, they think of heavy silks and stiff embroidery. But I kept asking myself: ‘what would a 2025 Maharani wear to brunch?’” Sharma says.

That’s where the mood board began, mixing heritage with haute couture, and old money with new mood.

“The aim wasn’t to cosplay the monarchy. It was to create aspirational, elevated looks that reflected privilege, power, and personality. I had met the Nandy sisters, Rangita and Ishita, in 2017. I got a call saying that they’re making a show, Four More Shots. It was an instant connection. Rangita has a very strong sense of style, and we are constantly sending each other styles, trends, and how we can incorporate that in what we do next. And just like that, it’s been eight years,” she snaps her fingers.

Strapped for time with only a month to shoot, Sharma says that best creativity happens on a deadline. “I had just had my baby and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to live in Rajasthan for a few months. But the only person who was locked for the show was Zeenat, and how does anyone pass up the opportunity to style the OG?”

When she read Zeenat Aman’s character, she had goosebumps, Sharma says. “I thought that this is it, this is my dream project. I would get to dress the ultimate icon in a way she’s never been styled before. The day she walked in for the presentation was the first time I met her. We showed her the look board, the mood board. She was all in instantly. She looked at me and said, ‘You’re going to style me?’ I nodded. Then she said, ‘You’re going to make me look like this?’ I said yes. And she just went, ‘Bang on.’ At our first fitting, she looked at herself and said, ‘You know, no one has ever made me look this cool.’ I nearly fainted. She does look incredibly cool and gorgeous. It was surreal. She’s Zeenat Aman. I don’t even need to say anything more. And these weren’t easy clothes to carry off. They were layered, textured, opulent. But as Maajisa, she killed it.”

Each principal character had a clear fashion persona. Bhumi’s Sophia is an outsider. She is unapologetically a disruptor. “We leaned into structured cinched blazers, cigarette trousers, and a muted palette. She is today’s girl and I dressed her in power suits.”

Ishaan’s Prince Aviraj, by contrast, is the reluctant royal. “We always do research, but all I got was images of men dressed in the traditional regalia — for the most part, the same stereotypical portrayal. I had to reimagine it. Here was a character who is a Maharaja by birth but he’s never actually lived that life. He’s grown up in New York, far from palaces and protocol. When he returns, he’s not walking in with a crown on his head or wearing those expected brocades or silks. He’d look like someone you’d see in South Bombay today; stylish, effortless, and contemporary. Yet there’s something about him… The royalty is in his bearing. It’s inborn. We did multiple trials to arrive at that look. There’s a transformation arc in the show, emotionally and aesthetically, and it reflects in his wardrobe too. It was a team effort. Rangita, Ishaan, the rest of us all shaped Aviraj together.”

The show’s creators allowed Sharma the room to design with depth. “When I found out the shoot was happening in Jaipur, I thought, ‘Half my job is already done!’ Jaipur has some of the finest jewellers, people with the craftsmanship we needed for this world. In a show like this, jewellery is everything. These characters are royalty. Even if they aren’t in elaborate clothes all the time, their jewellery needs to speak for their lineage. It has to be exquisite. So I brought Amrapali, Gem Palace, and Rambhajo Jewellers on board. These three were absolute saviours. Because I’ve been in this industry for so many years, I simply picked up the phone and said, ‘Guys, I really need your support on this one.’ And everyone came through wholeheartedly. From Falguni and Shane Peacock to Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, they all said yes instantly. I just had to call and remind them, ‘We’ve worked together for so long now I need your real backing.’ And they showed up for me. The styling on this show is massive, but somehow, everything came together beautifully. This show let us have fun. We weren’t restricted by realism. We were creating a fantasy with roots in India’s royal past.”

Of course, comparisons were inevitable. A commoner entering a palace as a misfit, and challenging legacy? Sonam Kapoor and Fawad Khan’s Khoobsurat (2014) walked that line. But Sharma insists this series is painting a wholly different picture.

“Khoobsurat was a fairy tale. The Royals is a satire dressed as a romance.  Moreover, that film is over 10 years old. Royalty, like everything else, has seen a sea of change ever since...”

For Sharma, The Royals is an experience of a lifetime. And who gets to be royal in 2025? “Anyone who walks into a room and owns it,” she smiles.

Hope it’s crown-worthy!

It wasn’t Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, the new pairing, or the curiosity surrounding royal lives that drew us to creators Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy’s latest show, The Royals. It was to see how yesteryear actor Zeenat Aman marks her comeback on the screen. However, when we confessed that to director Priyanka Ghose, she clarified that they had every intention for the senior actor to have more scenes.

When we said we only began rooting for Khatter and Pednekar’s love story after episode six, she said, “That was by design. I knew that by then people will want them to get back together.”

The Netflix eight-episode series follows the clash between an entitled prince and a tech startup entrepreneur amid a contemporary fairytale setting. In conversation with mid-day, she discussed the casting choices and why she had to hand over direction to Nupur Asthana later. Excerpts from the interview.

When you’re writing a script, writers shouldn’t be limited by restraints. The minute you get to execution level, you know the challenges. You’re aware that you’ll get an actor only for a limited time and shoot only so much. As a director, you have to be clear on what to cut and what to keep. We had written and wanted more of Maajisa, but by the time we cast Zeenat ma’am, we knew her health challenges. We had spoken to her and her management, and learnt that her health would permit her only a few days. So, I worked backwards. We handpicked the scenes and calculated how much screen time to give her. I knew the key scenes she had to be part of, even in the royal ensemble during the charity fashion show. Her scenes with Sakshi [Tanwar] ma’am were non-negotiable — we needed the emotional arc. In the royal gathering, there were earlier scenes for her, but since she couldn’t shoot more days, I had to remove her from them. I shot the polo scenes for three days and the fashion show for two. It was difficult to have Zeenat ma’am sit through all that. I had to finish her parts all at once. The next day, I would shoot the opposite axis to avoid her angle. The intention was more, but the reality differed. Still, we did our best to include Maajisa in the right proportions across the season.

We brought in Nupur to direct episodes four and seven, which we shot last. The schedule had shifted because when we were to shoot in the mahals, it was peak wedding season in January and February. The dates shifted, and by the time we got to episodes four and seven, I wasn’t available. Rangita and I actively went out looking for a director to take over. Nupur had little to shoot in Rajasthan because her episodes were set in Mumbai and Madurai. Even the royal ball was shot in Mumbai. It broke my heart — I had done all the homework — but I had already committed to another project.

That’s like giving away secrets [she laughs]! Across six episodes, the entire schedule was in Rajasthan, then a short one in Goa for the opening episode, and some bits in Mumbai like the Gastronomics competition. I did three rounds of location recces. I picked different palaces because one palace doesn’t offer everything. We needed a bat-pooping corner, a dancing hall, darbar hall, exteriors, a swimming pool, and a polo ground. I went out with my production designer — incidentally, my sister Payal Ghose. The challenge was to make different locations seamlessly look like one palace. Even when we got access, we were only given empty barren halls. Payal dressed them up from scratch. Yuvanath Singh’s [Milind Soman] room was a giant open hall with no artwork or bathroom. Everything was constructed on-site by Payal and her team, including painting the walls.

Each royal family from different provinces is positioned differently — financially, socially, or politically. On our recce trips, I had met some royals. Through those interactions, I realized every family’s trajectory is different. They might be holding onto a title from the past, but some of them are very affluent doing well after foraying into fashion, polo, politics and other fields. We showed different shades inspired by them.

I knew of Sakshi ma’am through casting coach Atul Mongia, who directed her in Mai [2022] and spoke highly of her. I had to convince her of Padmaja’s arc across the season. This was new to her, and she was skeptical, but that was the challenge she took as an artiste. She was also going through a personal crisis, but I saw a hungry artiste wanting to prove herself. In three days, she found her rhythm. Watching her scenes with Ishaan on camera was a joy.

Ishaan in real life is a sexy, endearing, sensitive man — that was easy to portray. I was surprised no one had tapped into that before. He made Aviraaj far more likeable than he is on paper. If you just read the script, he’s a brat who behaves badly — during the will-reading and post a one-night stand. No one would root for him. But Ishaan brought more to the table. Yes, the ‘eye-candyness’ helps. His shirtless scenes didn’t feel forced and he is comfortable in his skin. I never used an inch of body make-up on him. He carried the trauma of the crown taking his father away and ran from it. Ishaan brought those layers effortlessly.

Was it intentional to show the leading lady as a knight in shining armour instead of a damsel in distress?

Yes, that arc was always in the story — Sophia is the one pulling the royal family out of its misery. Full marks to the women creators who thought of the female character in a wholesome way.

Her impulsiveness was on paper. We leaned into it knowing Bhumi could pull it off without making it overbearing. With any other actor, I’d be skeptical. In India, we don’t easily accept authoritative women. But Bhumi has softness and vulnerability. Sophia is flawed, and only Bhumi could make her likeable. Sophia is Bhumi in real life.

Making the transition from singing to acting wasn’t easy, but Lisa Mishra learnt it all on the job. After foraying into acting with Call Me Bae, the singer will be seen in The Royals, which is led by Zeenat Aman, Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter. For Mishra, who is taking baby steps into acting, working alongside such talented artistes was a dream.

“Working on The Royals was like going to acting school. As a new actor, having the opportunity to work alongside Zeenat ma’am, Ishaan, and Bhumi, who are unique in their craft, was enriching. Every day on set felt like a masterclass,” she says.

The Netflix show, produced by Rangita Nandy, was largely shot in Rajasthan. Mishra says when she was not facing the camera, she was studying her co-stars’ performances.

“How they approach each scene taught me so much about the subtleties of the craft. Zeenat ma’am has a nuanced way of conveying emotions with minimal movement— it’s all in her eyes, the slight tilt of her head, and the way she carries silence within a scene. Ishaan finds spontaneity in every take, while Bhumi’s methodical approach brings such honesty to her performance. Every day, I was observing how they broke down complex scenes, and used silence or pauses to convey even more than dialogues could.”

At 72, Zeenat Aman remains an icon, radiating the same effervescent charm that enthralled audiences when she stepped into the industry with Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1970). With a career spanning five decades, the veteran actress has embraced the digital revolution and aced the Instagram game. In a rare conversation, Zeenat Aman reflects on her remarkable journey and the road ahead.

The actress often shares anecdotes from her past experiences – personal and professional – on social media. On Saturday evening, at the musical spectacle Yeh Shaam Mastani in the city, which also featured some of her most beloved songs, the actress shared fond memories in front of a live audience. In a conversation with us, she said, “I’ve travelled the world with all the greatest musical talent. But I was always a small part of a very large show.”

Zeenat further added, “When I was approached by Sa Re Ga Ma, to be the headliner of this show, where my songs and stories would be played, I was elated. I was taken aback when I realized the body of work that I have. You tend to live on a day-to-day basis, and don’t reflect on these things. It was quite startling. It was wonderful to be physically present in a theatre and connect with people who resonate with the work that you have done, who have grown up with your songs & your music.”

Last February, the yesteryear actress took the Instagram world by storm and won hearts with insightful stories that revealed her sharp wit and thoughtful perspective. “Initially, I was overwhelmed. I had no words. I knew nothing about Instagram. My son Zahaan (Khan) kept pushing me to write my thoughts and discuss stories. I was finding it quite difficult. He told me, ‘Don’t worry, we will do it together’. I would say it’s very conceptual. I feel grateful to receive the love that I do from the people who are reading my posts. It makes me feel extremely responsible about what I put out there.”

Ask her about her posts, which could easily be chapters in her memoir, and she says, “I am an English literature student. I love to write. But I do have to say that every post of mine involves three of us (Zahaan, Cara Piranha and me). The three of us have to give a thumbs-up before anything is posted. It is teamwork.”

Has there been an occasion when she was asked to not post something by her Insta cops? “Yes, there has been an occasion when something has come up, something has been written, and then we read it, and we decided against posting it as we felt it would create too much of a controversy,” she reveals.

Zeenat will soon be seen in the OTT series The Royals, where she plays Ishaan Khatter’s nani and the film Bun Tikki alongside Shabana Azmi and Abhay Deol. Ask the actress, who has been a part of over 80 films in her career, what kind of projects she wishes to do now, and she replies, “I just want to have fun. You will see that in every project that I am working on, I’m just having fun. I am meeting a lot of young, talented people and interacting with them. Young people are so nice to work with. I do what brings joy to my life. What else is there? I say no to a lot of work because I want to choose only what I think I will enjoy doing, and I want to work with people that I resonate with.”

Zeenat’s journey is a testament to her resilience and her ability to evolve with the times. During the conversation, she cites American literary luminary Maya Angelou’s quote, ‘I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.’

She explained, “Sometimes things are so bad that you just want to give up and say, no, I cannot do this. But then, did you realize that life has so much to offer? There’s so much joy and you never know what’s around the corner for you. How you deal with your downs matters more than how you deal with your ups. How you react to a situation is what makes a difference to you.”

After witnessing success in Mumbai, Zeenat’s show Yeh Shaam Mastani would head to Delhi and Jaipur.

The upcoming web series Showstoppers, starring Zeenat Aman, Shweta Tiwari and Digangana Suryavanshi, is in the middle of a controversy for non-payment issues against director-producer Manish Harishankar. We’ve learnt from multiple sources that other than Aman, no other members of the cast and crew members has been paid in full.

“Only a percentage of the actors’ and support staff’s fee was paid by the producer. Besides actors, many crew members have complained,” a source tells us, adding, “The show has gone on halt mode, and the last episode hasn’t been shot yet, so we don’t know how post-production will happen. None of the investors have seen their money return as the show still has not been picked by any OTT platforms. It is likely to get shelved only.”

Confirming on record that he hasn’t got his payments, Krishan Parmar, the official stylist on board tells us, “I was roped in for Digangana’s styling with a per day assured sum. Shweta’s personal stylist also hasn’t been paid; I talked to him but he has given up. My billable amount was Rs. 1.25 lakh but only Rs. 25,000 was paid. Whenever I approach the line producer, Narendra Jani, for the payments, he tells me that they’ve pitched the series to platforms and once it’s sold, everyone’s payments would be cleared.”

Calling Harishankar’s claim that 90% of the payments have been cleared, “lies”, Parmar reveals that several other crew members are going through the ordeal but they are scared to go on record because they fear they might never recover the dues. “I’ve sent the bills numerous times, I have given my account details but there’s no response from him,” he says.

Manish Harishankar, who is directing and producing the web series, says the leads have been paid in full. “For supporting actors, we have to hold 10-15% of the total payment, which is given after dubbing etc. Whatever payment is pending is because post-production is on. From my budget, I have cleared 90% of the payments,” he tells us.

Abhay Deol, who dons many hats (actor, producer, art lover), recently made his debut as a DJ at a newly opened arcade, Ballers Ahmedabad on Sindhu Bhavan Road, Ahmedabad. The Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) actor tells us, “I love music and used to make mixtapes as a child. I learnt how to work on a DJ console, and this was a natural progression. Now, I can mix the music that I have collected over the years and play it.”

He adds, “I feel humbled by the response I received for my gig. Amdavadis are really warm.” Will he do a DJ tour now? “It is a hobby and I will be back to shoot for films soon. But as a DJ, I feel more confident now to perform in front of people. So, if I get offers, I may be up for it unless I am busy.”

Is it a conscious choice to choose films that aren’t exactly mainstream? He says, “I am always attracted to scripts that are relatable, insightful yet entertaining. I choose films that aren’t completely arthouse or completely mainstream. Be it Socha Na Tha, Dev D, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye or ZNMD, all my films have managed to strike a perfect balance between the two.”

Abhay, who has done independent movies like Road, Movie, adds, “Also, I don’t label films as mainstream or independent. For me, the subject is the main thing. When we use words like ‘independent’ for a film, it means it wasn’t mainstream, and was difficult to make and sell. I make movies that usually don’t get made. They get labelled as independent films as they don’t have the backing of big producers, distributors or directors. Even Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Oye Lucky… were called independent films back then but had a big producer backed them, that wouldn’t be the case.”

Abhay recently wrapped up the film Bun Tikki, which also stars Zeenat Aman and Shabana Azmi. Both the actresses have worked extensively with his uncle Dharmendra, whom he lovingly calls ‘papa’. Abhay says, “I had a great time. Zeenat Aman is the most warm, sweet, and polite person you will meet, and extremely professional. I have also known Shabana for a while. Zeenat ji feels papa is a gentleman, while Shabana is fond of him too. They remembered the good old days of working with him.”

Having played unconventional characters, does he feel people expect that from him now? Abhay says, “I feel an actor’s image is built organically. I have always experimented with my characters. So, if my image is that I experiment with my roles, and people say they love my choices, it’s a blessing. I feel humbled. I want to do challenging roles-things that I haven’t done before.”

In recent times, Abhay has spoken about how he could have done certain things (like handling fame after Dev D) differently in his career. Elaborating on it, he shares, “When you are young and inexperienced, you are ignorant about certain things. As we grow up, we deal with the same situations in a more mature way. I was a rebel, but I am more diplomatic now. Being rebellious got me this far, as it was difficult to make the kind of movies I wanted. While the movies I made between 2005 and 2007 are considered relevant today, it was hard to make them back then. Now, I feel that being diplomatic is going to take me ahead.”

Abhay, who has done OTT projects like JL50 and Trial by Fire, believes there is room for improvement (for OTT platforms). He says, “When a medium is new, it has nothing to lose and you can experiment with everything. But once you grow bigger, you have a certain responsibility, and you tend to take fewer risks. When organizations prioritize business over creativity, the downfall begins. So, I hope that platforms can evolve more because I feel it’s time to be bold and take risks once again.”

Mallika, who made a splash with her debut film Khwahish (2003) and then went on to do films like Welcome and Dhamaal, was last seen in the movie RK/RKay directed by Rajat Kapoor in 2022. The actress was supposed to be a part of Pritish Nandy’s next production The Royals, a web series which stars Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. Apparently, Mallika even did the look test for the project, which would have marked her reunion with Pritish after their last successful collaboration, Pyaar Ke Side Effects in 2006.

However, we hear that Mallika has opted out of the project. She was supposed to play Ishaan’s mother in the series.

A reliable source close to the actress shares, “Mallika was in two minds to play the character of a mother. However, she was okay to play one, if the role was meaty and was at par with her contemporaries. She was promised that the role would be on the lines of Moira Rose (from Schitts Creek), however, the character had no substance. If she is playing a mother that too of Ishaan she would expect the character to have meat. She walked out of the project."

Meanwhile, another source from the production adds, “Since the show is set in a particular time, we have auditioned multiple actors. The production only picked the actors that were appropriate for the character.”

When we reached out to Mallika, her publicist confirmed the news and said, "Mallika walked out of the project in Feb due to creative differences with the production house. The character wasn’t what they promised her to be. So after rounds of discussions, she eventually took the decision."

The 47-year-old actress was last seen in RK/RKay (2022). Meanwhile, The Royals is already on the floors and the cast is currently filming. The production house chose to not comment on the story till the time we went to the press.

Zeenat Aman’s recent Instagram post on live-in relationships created a stir among senior actors in the industry and netizens. In a recent Instagram post, the veteran actress took to giving relationship advise to her followers. She said, “If you’re in a relationship, I strongly recommend that you LIVE TOGETHER before getting married! This is the same advice I’ve always given my sons, both of whom have had or are in a live-in relationship.

It just seems logical to me that before two people get their families and the government involved in their equation, they first put their relationship to the ultimate test. I’m aware that Indian society is a little uptight about “living in sin”, but then again, society is uptight about so many things! Log kya kahenge? (What will people say?).”

Reacting to her views, her Hare Rama Hare Krishna co-star Mumtaz, in an interview with a publication, said, “Zeenat should be careful with what she is advising. She has all of a sudden come into this huge social media popularity, and I can understand her excitement about sounding like a cool aunty. But giving advice that is counter to our moral values is not the solution to increasing your following. Aap Zeenat ko hi le lo misaal ke taur par… She knew Mazhar Khan for years before marrying him. Her marriage was a living hell. She should be the last person doling out advice on relationships.”

The alleged personal remarks made by Mumtaz didn’t go down well and drew a strong reaction from Zeenat, who told a publication, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I’ve never been one to comment on others' personal lives or tear down my colleagues, and I’m not going to start now.”

However, when Bombay Times reached out to Mumtaz, the actress denied that she made any personal remarks against Zeenat and said, “I am very upset with whatever has been written about me. Naturally, Zeenat ji will feel bad. This is nonsense. Yeh galat baat hai. I never said all this. I have never spoken like this, I want to tell Zeenat ji that this is not me… please forgive me about this.”

About her views on relationships, Mumtaz, who got married to businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974, went on to say, “I have seen so many people jo 20 years tak saath mein rehke bhi separate hue hai. I have many friends in London who have lived with their boyfriends for 15 years, but they never got married, and then they parted ways. Toh jo hona hai woh hota hai… shaadi karo toh shaadi bhi tootti hai, aur girlfriend-boyfriend ki tarah raho toh woh bhi ek doosre ko chodke jaate hai.”

Imagine The Crown in an Indian setting. That would be a fascinating world. Soon, Zeenat Aman, Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter will take us into that universe with Royals. While talk about Pednekar making her web series debut with the show hit headlines earlier this year, little was known about it. Now, mid-day has learnt that producers Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy wrapped up the series’ first schedule in Rajasthan in March-end and are currently shooting in Mumbai.

So, does Royals trace a particular aristocratic family? Not really. Sources tell us that the Netflix offering is a blend of fiction and facts, with some parts inspired by the different royal families of Rajasthan. Pednekar, who leads the series, apparently plays a big-league entrepreneur.

A source reveals, “The desert state has seen generations of royal families, from Jaipur to Mewar and Alsisar. Bits and pieces have been taken from the lives of these families, marrying it with a generous dose of fiction. The show will travel back and forth between two eras—the present day and the past decades. Like The Crown, it is being made on a grand scale, depicting lavish palaces, extravagant parties, and polo matches. At its core, Royals is a romantic comedy that will delve into the style, politics and fabulous lives of the aristocrats. Four More Shots Please’s success showed that the producers have a finger on the audience’s pulse, and this time, they are putting out a stylish and emotional drama.”

Pednekar, Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Chunky Panday and Milind Soman were a part of the first schedule that kicked off on February 10 in Rajasthan.

The source adds, “The unit shot at real locations like the City Palace and the Rambagh Palace. Simultaneously, the production design team was building huge sets reflecting the interiors of a palace, at a studio in central Mumbai. As soon as that schedule was wrapped up, the cast and crew kicked off the month-long stint in Mumbai. They will have a short schedule in Goa before wrapping up.” 

Apparently, Rangita has chosen Four More Shots Please director Nupur Asthana, and The Night Manager’s Priyanka Ghose to helm the offering.

The actor told Zoom: “Zeenat has all of a sudden come into this huge social media popularity, and I can understand her excitement about sounding like a cool aunty. But giving advice that is counter to our moral values is not the solution to increasing your following. Aap Zeenat ko hi le lo misaal ke taur par… She knew Mazhar Khan (late actor) for years before marrying him. Her marriage was a living hell. She should be the last person doling out advice on relationships.”

Zeenat Aman said, "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I’ve never been one to comment on others personal lives or tear down my colleagues, and I’m not going to start now."

The actor wrote on Insta: If you’re in a relationship, I strongly recommend that you LIVE TOGETHER before getting married! This is the same advice I’ve always given my sons, both of whom have had, or are in, a live-in relationship. It just seems logical to me that before two people get their families and the government involved in their equation, they first put their relationship to the ultimate test. It’s easy to be the best version of yourself for a few hours a day. But can you share a bathroom? Weather the storm of a bad mood? Agree on what to eat for dinner every night? Keep the fire alive in the bedroom?... I’m aware that Indian society is a little uptight about “living in sin” but then again, society is uptight about so many things!

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We spoke to yesteryear actor Saira Banu: “I am not reading much... but we are old-fashioned people. Our trend is 40-50 saal pehle ka. Iss baat se (live-in) main toh sehmat nahi ho sakti hoon kabhi bhi. I’d never advocate live-in. It’s unimaginable and unacceptable for me.”

You can’t blame Ananya Panday for being greedy as an artiste. She has tasted blood with Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023), and now she wants more. The actor has a promising line-up that includes Vikramaditya Motwane’s Control, Collin D’Cunha’s Call Me Bae and the yet-untitled film with Akshay Kumar. But she is eyeing a new goal—headlining a biopic.

The actor recently watched The Crown, and Elizabeth Debicki’s performance as Princess Diana seeded the desire. “I loved how she completely became the character and yet brought so much of herself to it. I would love to do a biopic, transforming myself into someone who already existed,” shares Panday.

She has a wishlist, though she admits to being unsure whether she can do them justice. “I would love to act in a biopic of Madhubala ji, Zeenat Aman ji, Waheeda [Rehman] ji or Rekha ji.”

For now, Panday is being moulded as an actor by some fine directors. Having wrapped up Motwane’s cyber thriller, she says, “Vikramaditya is a dream director. [While shooting], you don’t realize what you are learning. But later, when you do something [in front of the camera], you realize you had learnt it from him. He wants everyone to grow with him.”

Being directed by D’Cunha on her maiden web series has been a fun ride. “I’d make Colin enact scenes and he’d bring his own funny twists.”

New Delhi: Some of the most iconic actresses of the seventies and eighties are back in the spotlight - as faces of major brands.

Zeenat Aman, Neetu Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore and Neena Gupta have signed several endorsement deals in recent months and brands say the trend is not about the allure of nostalgia but to leverage how these actresses are reinventing themselves and breaking the stereotypes.

These associations help brands ride on their legacy and cut through clutter, industry executives said. Besides, these yesteryear stars charge only about one-fourth of the charges of A-listers such as Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, they said.

"There is a noteworthy focus on age inclusivity now," said Darshana Bhalla, chief executive of talent management company D' Artist Talent Ventures. "While acknowledging the accomplishments of the youth is essential, it's equally crucial not to underestimate experience, credibility and maturity," she said.

Cosmetics and beauty company Forest Essentials, Oppo phones, and fintech platform Cred signed Zeenat Aman.

Neetu Kapoor has been roped in by Mankind Pharma's petcare brand and PepsiCo's Lay's chips, while Neena Gupta now endorses electric vehicle Eblu Feo and P Mark edible oil.

Sharmila Tagore's recent campaigns include ITC's Vivel soap and beauty line and Mamaearth shampoo where she is seen advising granddaughter Sara Ali Khan.

Most of these yesteryear icons have huge social media following.

Zeenat Aman made a successful Instagram debut in February last year, while Neetu Kapoor and Neena Gupta regularly post pictures and updates on social media platforms or interact with fans and paparazzi. Neena Gupta and Sharmila Tagore have also featured in OTT shows or talk shows. This helps brands they endorse deepen consumer connect, executives said.

The return of these legends as brand ambassadors is unlike the older men celebs like Amitabh Bachchan or Kapil Dev who have always been in public domain and hence have been seen in ads consistently, brand experts said.

"Traditionally, women actresses had a shorter shelf life," said brand strategy consultant Harish Bijoor. "All that is now getting elongated and many of them are back with a bang. Many of the legacy actresses are now digital stars of their own making, and personify contemporary retro, which is drawing in brands," he added.

Executives said the yesteryear names evoke nostalgia and grace, and are helping relevant brands connect better with consumers they are targeting.

"Our association with Aman brought her personality, gravitas and authenticity to the narrative," said Sanya Dawar, marketing and brand communications lead at Forest Essentials.

The beauty company's recent festive campaign with Zeenat Aman has been one of its "most engaged" social media campaigns, she said.

Aman's campaign for Cred in August got over 1.4 million views in a day, according to the company.

Rajeev Juneja, vice chairman of Mankind Pharma, while announcing that Neetu Kapoor and her son Ranbir Kapoor would endorse the company's petcare brand PetStar, had said, "We believe their association will not only elevate the brand's visibility but also resonate with pet lovers."

According to Umesh Verma, general manager, marketing and communications, at Puri Oil Mills, which roped in Gupta along with Boman Irani for P Mark edible oils, the choice of Gupta was a well-thought-out strategic decision based on multiple parameters. "Neena Gupta suited the script, and her recent roles in many popular OTT series have increased her fan following among young generation viewers who constitute an important customer segment for the brand," he said.

The visibility, social media presence, and public engagements that the actresses have themselves worked upon are a big change from even a year or two back when they were rarely seen in public domain, experts said. Previously, the yesteryear actresses such as Rekha, Hema Malini and Dimple Kapadia would be seen endorsing only one-off brands.

"Instagram has been my playground for the past year or so... It is simply extraordinary to me that I can connect with quite literally hundreds of thousands of you through this page," Aman, who now has 665k followers on Instagram, wrote on her page recently.

Executives at talent companies say fees of the seventies' stars, currently about 20-30% of what a Priyanka Chopra or a Deepika Padukone charge, could well go up at least by another 20-30% in the years to come, if brands see higher returns on investment. Padukone is known to charge about Rs 5 crores per endorsement, they said.

Busy is how Shabana Azmi would describe 2023. The veteran actor had three releases, beginning with What’s Love Got to Do with It, followed by Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Ghoomer. The year is ending just as eventfully for her—she recently reunited with Zeenat Aman to shoot the first schedule of Bun Tikki in Shimla. The project marks their reunion 41 years after their last collaboration, Ashanti (1982).

Four decades is a long time in which the two iconic actors have changed so much. But some things remain the same. Azmi says, “Zeenat Aman continues to be one of the most polite people I know. It’s always a pleasure to be in her company. I did my first mainstream film, Ishk Ishk Ishk [1974] with her, then Ashanti. She was a big star during Ishk Ishk Ishk, and some of us were newcomers and completely raw, but she was very approachable and polite. That remains unchanged in her; she continues to not play the star.”

There’s another thing about Aman that remains untouched by time—her stunning looks. Azmi vouches for it, saying, “Zeenat has been styled very well and looks absolutely gorgeous.”

Faraz Arif Ansari’s directorial venture, which sees Aman returning to movies, also stars Abhay Deol and marks couturier Manish Malhotra’s second production. Looking forward to the next schedule, Azmi says that she loves shooting in today’s times as the atmosphere on the set has undergone a sea change. 

“It is heart-warming to see many more women heading several departments. Earlier, it was such a rarity. Secondly, you never go on a set without the entire script in your hand. Plus, the advent of the casting director has changed the ecosystem with actors from small towns and theatre [coming in]. Earlier, there were stock actors like Om Prakash, Jeevan, Kanhaiyalal and others. You could predict their every gesture. Today, you have actors who know their craft. Today, no actor can fake playing the guitar just by strumming on the strings.”

While there are positive changes, there are pressures too. Social media has become a necessary tool for actors and filmmakers to stay connected with their fans. What’s her take on the social-media obsession? “Today, even food cannot be savoured unless it’s photographed! Nobody seems to be living in the moment. It’s all for public consumption,” she exclaims. “Now, we have so much [information] thrown at us. We need to give time to ourselves for introspection, only then inner growth is possible.”

On her recent trip to Kolkata, actress Chitrangda Singh posed for the CT camera and talked all about breaking myths related to skin colour and age, and why she doesn’t regret taking a sabbatical when she needed it, despite being at the peak of her career.

Chitrangda has some beautiful memories from the time she was shooting for Bob Biswasin the city, especially at Rabindra Sarobar Lake.

She says, “I remember, it was Valentine’s Day, and I’d never seen so many couples in one place. I was happy to see the easy expression of love. It was like I was sitting in a film set.”

“I absolutely love how Bengali women carry themselves. They are fierce, confident and uninhibited about their sensuality. As a woman from North India, it’s a very liberating sight to see this.”

Her idea of creating a style statement is by choosing what feels like a part of one’s personality. “I don’t follow any trends. I go by who I am, which is slightly more classic and vintage. I usually go for vintage silhouettes and I don’t think I can carry over the top, high fashion, blingy kind of looks. I like a certain ease about fashion, it should flow with you and be a part of you,” shares the Gaslight actor.

“I draw inspiration from how Princess Diana and Jackie Kennedy used to style themselves. Diana was so classy yet at the same time there was always an x factor to her looks.”

The actress feels there’s been a substantial amount of change when it comes to accepting dusky skin on screen; however age is still something that is in the process of being accepted. “I think age categorization starts very early when it comes to women, it can start as early as when someone is 30. I am not sure how much it has evolved in the industry, but definitely the audience is now very proud of all things India, be it festivals, skin colour or food. It has taken some time for us to own that, but we are there now,” adds Chitrangda .

“Confidence is the most attractive aspect of one’s personality. I feel sometimes the prettiest girls are not the ones with perfect bodies or faces. Perfect is not always beautiful, it’s beyond that. An interesting person is beautiful.”

“Kareena and Kajol are two actresses who are breaking myths about age. They make you realise, it has nothing to do with age, but your personality and the quality of talent you bring to the screen.”

According to Chitrangda, she didn’t have any other option than taking a sabbatical when she needed to. However, she also feels that the Indian film industry has a short memory span. She shares, “In today’s time, especially, if you are not visible you’re forgotten. At this point of my life, when I look back, I don’t think I could’ve taken other choices. That’s life. One can’t be on two boats at the same time.”

“Zeenat Aman takes aging with grace to a whole new level. I absolutely love how she uses Instagram to communicate with her fans. I don’t think anyone uses the platform better than her. She is such an inspiration, in an era where there’s a lack of sources from where one can draw inspiration. Social media is all about copying these days, there’s hardly anything that’s inspiring. But Zeenat, I think, is somebody who’s using social media like nobody else.”

Zeenat Aman recently opened up about an eye condition, Ptosis, which had troubled the actor for 40 years. She took to Instagram to share how she’s been dealing with the condition and how she recently underwent surgery to fix the condition: “There has been an elephant in the room with me for the past 40 years. It is time to show this elephant the door. I have a condition know as ptosis - the result of an injury I suffered many decades ago that damaged the muscles around my right eye. Over the years, it caused my eyelid to droop further and further. And a few years ago it became so acute that it began to obstruct my vision (sic).”

Also known as droopy eye due to how the eyelid is affected, Dr Puneet Jain, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, Delhi, says, “Ptosis is a condition where the upper eyelid of one or both eyes droops or falls over your eye. It occurs due to problems with the levator ani (the main muscle acting to lift your eyelid).”

The condition is usually seen in the elderly, as ageing can weaken the eyelids. “It can happen to those who are born with underdeveloped or weak eyelid muscles or due to an injury, nerve damage or underlying medical conditions,” says Dr Preeti Chaudhari, Consultant, Ophthalmology, SRV Hospitals, Dombivli, Mumbai.

Other ways one may acquire Ptosis is by trauma or physical injuries to the eye, the presence of a tumor on or around the eyelid or systemic diseases like diabetes or thyroid. Infections of the eyelid may also cause Ptosis.

Ptosis affects both the function and appearance of the eyes. It can also have a major impact on the psychosocial functioning of a person who is suffering from this disorder. Patients with Ptosis may develop anxiety, depression and an obsession with their appearance. - DR SUJAL SHAH, DIRECTOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, SIR HN RELIANCE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL, GIRGAON, MUMBAI

Observation is recommended for mild cases of age-related or congenital Ptosis that do not significantly impact vision. Eyelid exercises might be recommended in certain cases to strengthen the eyelid muscles. For moderate to severe Ptosis, surgical correction is the primary treatment. - DR PREETI CHAUDHARI, CONSULTANT, OPHTHALMOLOGY, SRV HOSPITALS, DOMBIVLI, MUMBAI

Sometimes the eyelid can bend down to such an extent that it covers your pupil. The condition can limit or even completely obstruct normal vision. People suffering from Ptosis may develop symptoms like increased tearing, extreme eye rubbing, fatigue and dull pain around the eyes and weakened vision. - DR PUNEET JAIN, SENIOR CONSULTANT, SHARP SIGHT EYE HOSPITALS, DELHI