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Showing posts from April, 2025

When Manoj Kumar spoke about his journey, saying, “I made mistakes, not blunders”

The incomparably accomplished Manoj Saab shared many unrevealed incidents with me over the years. In one of my last conversations with him, I asked why he hadn’t directed a film in so long. “I haven't been able to make any films because of my back problem. Sadly, I no longer have the comfort of working with Manoj Kumar the actor. He was capable of telling home truths in the most understated manner. Now I have to choose from today’s stars. But Akshay Kumar respects me. In his film Namastey London with Katrina Kaif, he said, ‘If you want to know what India all is about, take a look at a DVD of Purab Aur Paschim and you’ll know.’ In fact, Purab Aur Paschim is the mother of many subsequent films.” Manoj Saab revealed he had an eye for talent: “Do you know, in Shor, when Sharmila Tagore dropped out—she was supposed to play my wife, a role that eventually went to Nanda—I had offered the part to Smita Patil. She politely told me she wasn’t interested in acting at that point.” He also re...

Prerna Arora on Manoj Kumar: “Listening to him was like reliving the Golden Era”

Producer Prerna Arora has the fondest memories of her interaction with veteran actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar. “As a huge fan, it was my sincere wish to remake one of his most popular films, Woh Kaun Thi. I was told he wouldn’t like the idea, as he didn’t believe in remakes. But I was adamant. When I contacted him, he was so warm, welcoming, encouraging—and so knowledgeable. He was an encyclopedia on Indian cinema. Just listening to him was like reliving the golden era of our cinema,” says Prerna, visibly moved. The remake of Woh Kaun Thi, which originally starred Manoj Kumar, was to feature Shahid Kapoor in the lead role. “Sadly, the project never took off. But I got the chance to interact with one of the most brilliant minds in the film industry. As an actor, Manoj Sir was the handsomest, the most adorable. I can watch him endlessly in Woh Kaun Thi, Gumnaam, Hariyali Aur Raasta, Dus Numbri, and Purab Aur Paschim. He and Dharam Paji are, in my eyes, the handsomest actors in India. As a...

Akaal: Gippy Grewal, Karan Johar, and team seek blessings at Golden Temple ahead of grand release

As the highly anticipated action-drama Akaal nears its release, Gippy Grewal, Karan Johar, and Apoorva Mehta visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek blessings. The trio was seen dressed in traditional attire, offering prayers at the sacred shrine, a moment that resonated deeply with fans and the Punjabi film industry alike. With April 10 set as the release date, the visit held special significance for Dharma Productions, as Akaal is their first-ever Punjabi-language film. This marks a historic expansion for the Bollywood powerhouse, stepping into the vibrant world of Punjabi cinema. Akaal: A Grand Punjabi-Hindi Bilingual Spectacle Written and directed by Gippy Grewal, Akaal is a larger-than-life period action drama set in the 1840s. The film narrates the tale of Punjabi warriors standing against a vengeful army, showcasing bravery, sacrifice, and cultural pride. With its bilingual (Punjabi-Hindi) release, Akaal aims to bridge the gap between regional and mainstream Indian cine...

Hrithik Roshan fan turns entire filmography into studio Ghibli-inspired art

Hrithik Roshan’s presence on screen has always been larger than life - equal parts charisma, craft, and constant reinvention. But a fan on X (formerly Twitter) has reinterpreted that magic in a way no one saw coming. Inspired by the ongoing “Ghibli-fication” trend, the fan artist has turned every film that featured Hrithik Roshan into a Studio Ghibli-style anime poster—offering a visual tribute as heartfelt as it is breathtaking. The illustrations don’t just offer a visual treat - they chart the many avatars Hrithik Roshan has embodied through his cinematic journey. From the fresh-faced Rohit of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai to the enigmatic Kabir of War, each artwork pays homage to the actor’s dedication to transformation. Known for reinventing his look and body language with every role, Hrithik has never repeated a persona. The anime-style reinterpretations highlight this evolution in fine detail: the innocence of Rohit, the intense depth of Rohan in Fiza, the sharp-edged charisma of Aryan ...

Akshay Kumar, Tabu set to shoot Bhooth Bangla’s climax in Hyderabad

Akshay Kumar and Tabu will begin shooting the climax of their horror comedy Bhooth Bangla in a southern city on April 17. Sources reveal that director Priyadarshan has planned a month-long schedule focused primarily on the film's climax and other key scenes. Once the schedule wraps up by mid-May, Bhooth Bangla will be almost complete. That’s swift progress for the horror comedy, which began filming only this January in Rajasthan. The shoot kicked off at Chomu Palace in Jaipur, with the cast—including Kumar, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Mithila Palkar—later filming in Hyderabad and Mumbai. Now, director Priyadarshan is set to begin the film’s most crucial phase. A source shared, “A grand palace set has been created by art director Sabu Cyril at Ramoji Studios for this segment. The main cast will be involved in a sequence where Kumar’s character, a magician, debunks myths surrounding black magic. While it deals with a serious theme, the scene will be delivered in an entert...

Imran Khan shares how living with girlfriend Lekha Washington changed his lifestyle; says, “Lekha and I had to share one plate and fork”

Actor Imran Khan follows a Japanese minimalist lifestyle, but things have shifted since his girlfriend Lekha Washington became a part of his life. In a recent interview, Imran shared how his life has evolved since the two began living together. Imran and Lekha are said to have begun dating during the Covid lockdown and moved in together just a year ago. Since then, it's been a journey of striking a balance—Imran often complains about having too many possessions, while Lekha enjoys bringing home anything that catches her eye. So how did Imran shift from his minimalist lifestyle to living with someone who loves collecting things? According to him, it happened gradually. In an interview with Bombay Times, the actor shared a moment that highlighted his minimalist ways—he once didn’t even have enough cutlery to entertain guests. He said, “Around two years ago we had friends, a couple came home for dinner. So there were four of us and I only had three plates and three forks. I didn...

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21/02/2025 from New Upcoming Movies | Friday Movie Release | Bollywood Movies | Hindi Movie Releasing this week - Bollywood Hungama https://ift.tt/qeNT3LA

Kareena Kapoor Khan on aging gracefully; says, “Age is just a number. I want to always be fit”

Kareena Kapoor Khan on Wednesday said she aims to stay fit to handle the challenges of aging, allowing her to continue working and enjoying family life for as long as possible. The 44-year-old actor shared her thoughts at the launch of her nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar's book, The Commonsense Diet. Kareena, who shares sons Taimur and Jeh with her husband Saif Ali Khan, said she wants to stay independent in daily life without relying on “someone or a stick.” At an event, she said, “Age is just a number. I want to always be fit to take on whatever old age brings. I want to be able to do what I have to do, whether I have to go to set also at the age of 70, 75. I want to keep working all my life. I want to be able to bend to pick up my grandchildren. So for that, I need to eat right with her guidance.” She added, “That's what for me, ageing and life is. I love it, I'm embracing it, but I'm taking all these particular things like eating ghee, eating khichdi, doing a little...

Rohit Shetty celebrates Ajay Devgn’s birthday with AI generated Ghibli edits; watch

Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn turned 58 yesterday, April 2. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty wished him on social media. He joined the Ghibli-style trend and shared some charming AI-edited images of them together. On Tuesday, Rohit Shetty paid tribute to Ajay Devgn with a Ghibli-style birthday post on Instagram and captioned, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG BROTHER @ajaydevgn.” He shared AI-generated edits featuring them together. One image showed Rohit holding a camera while Ajay fought a goon, another captured them sitting behind the camera watching a scene, and the last, a heartwarming hug, was truly adorable.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Rohit Shetty (@itsrohitshetty) Fans couldn’t get enough of the images, calling Ajay and Rohit their “favorite duo.” One user commented, “Last one (heart emoji),” while another wrote, “This is too good. Evil eyes off you both.” A third fan compared the final picture to Thompson and Thompson from Tintin (heart emoji), and another simply said...

“I learned so much from Salman Khan”: Shreya Gupto speaks on making her Bollywood debut with Sikandar

Rising star Shreya Gupto is poised to captivate audiences with her Bollywood debut in the highly anticipated film Sikandar, where she shares the screen with superstar Salman Khan. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and set for release on March 30, 2025, this action-packed drama marks a pivotal moment in Shreya’s inspiring journey from humble beginnings to the glitz of Mumbai’s film industry. With a story rooted in grit and determination, Shreya’s ascent is one of talent, perseverance, and a dream nurtured since childhood. From Film Sets to Stardom: Shreya’s Early Years Born in Kolkata and raised in Chennai by a resilient single mother, Shreya Gupto’s tryst with acting began early. Frequently accompanying her mother to film sets, where her mother took on small roles to make ends meet, Shreya found herself drawn to the spotlight. Her first big break came as a child artist in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Varanam Aayiram, playing Suriya’s sister. This role ignited a passion that would define her life...

Kajal Aggarwal celebrates Gudi Padwa on the sets of The India Story

Kajal Aggarwal spread joy and festive cheer as she celebrated Gudi Padwa with the team of her upcoming film, The India Story. The actress, who commenced shooting for the film in January in Pune, marked the occasion with the team of the film, embracing the spirit of the festival on set. Fans received a glimpse of these celebrations which included traditional rituals and festive sweets as the photos found its way online. As the shoot progresses, fans eagerly await further updates on the project. Going by the look, the actress is donning, it seems like she will be seen in the role of a lawyer in this upcoming project. Directed by Chetan DK and produced by Sagar B. Shinde under MIG Production and Studios, The India Story is set to hit the big screens on August 15, 2025. The film is a hard-hitting drama that delves into the dark realities of pesticide scandals, shedding light on their far-reaching consequences. With its powerful social message, the film aims to spark awareness and initiat...

Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies faces plagiarism claims over similarities to Arabic film Burqa City

Kiran Rao’s widely discussed directorial Laapataa Ladies has been accused of being inspired by the 2019 Arabic film Burqa City. A recently surfaced video from Burqa City on social media has sparked speculation among netizens about the originality of Rao’s Bollywood film. The viral clip shows that the Arabic movie follows a newlywed man searching for his wife after she is mistakenly swapped with another burqa-clad woman. As the video gained traction on social media, netizens reacted with skepticism, questioning whether Kiran Rao had copied the concept from the Arabic film. One user commented, “Nothing that Bollywood produces seems to be an original work of art. They are all brazenly copy pasted from somewhere else, shamelessly billed as original work.” Another added, “Plagiarism in India. Not a new concept.” A third user expressed disappointment, saying, “Abhi kuch nahi ho sakta..I was under the impression that it was original..good that this movie gave one beautiful song ‘Sajni re’ by...

Shalini Pandey on being compared to Alia Bhatt; says, “We don't need another Alia because she is amazing just as she is”

Shalini Pandey made her acting debut in 2017 alongside Vijay Deverakonda in Arjun Reddy and quickly became an internet sensation. Her innocence, charming looks, and electrifying chemistry with Vijay caught everyone's attention. In 2024, she once again went viral after starring as Kishori in Maharaj, the debut film of Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan. Many netizens pointed out her striking resemblance to Alia Bhatt, from her facial features to her voice. However, Shalini isn’t particularly flattered by the comparison. In a recent conversation with Instant Bollywood, Shalini Pandey responded to comparisons with Alia Bhatt. The Arjun Reddy actress acknowledged Alia’s talent, saying, “Alia hai! We don't need another Alia because she is amazing just as she is.” She praised Alia not just for her performances but also for her off-screen persona. However, Shalini emphasized that she wants to be recognized for her own individuality and said, “I want people to see me as Shalini rather th...

Kareena Kapoor Khan turns heads in dazzling red ensemble at Vivienne Westwood Show; watch

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor stole the spotlight at the Vivienne Westwood fashion show in Mumbai, making an unforgettable entrance in a stunning red ensemble. The actor, known for her impeccable sense of style, wowed onlookers with a breathtaking outfit that showcased her flawless fashion sensibility. She donned a striking red dress featuring a corset bodice, off-shoulder sleeves, and a flowing skirt with a daring thigh-high slit, perfectly accentuating her graceful silhouette. Kareena’s confidence was palpable as she posed for the paparazzi, who eagerly captured her every move. The actor stood unfazed amidst the frenzy, effortlessly striking poses while showing off her gold-hued heels. With a beaming smile, she captivated everyone, radiating both elegance and poise as photographers urged her to turn this way or that to get the perfect shot.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bollywood Hungama???? (@realbollywoodhungama) As the flashes from cameras cont...