Can contrast lead to harmony? Singers Zaeden and Anuv Jain believe so. On the surface, the two artistes couldn’t be more different — Zaeden, the beatmaker, and Jain, the lyrical storyteller whose songs feel like whispers of confessions. But as the two performed together at the House of McDowell’s Soda Yaari Jam in Pune on May 10, it was a celebration of contrasts and camaraderie. Zaeden, who set foot in the world of music in 2014 as a DJ, found a deeper resonance with songwriting. “Now, I don’t want people to just dance; I want them to feel,” he told mid-day, days before their performance. In that pursuit, he arguably has the best collaborator in Jain, whose numbers are all about feelings. Jain added, “It’s brilliant that Zaeden and I are performing because the audience gets to experience a broad spectrum of music.” Expressing his enthusiasm about collaborating with the Husn hitmaker, Zaeden shared, “Anuv's music has this raw vulnerability that connects instantly. The contrast in our music styles makes this collaboration interesting.” The diversity doesn’t just make for a compelling stage presence. It mirrors the growing inclusivity of the Indian music scene. “Artistes are no longer following a formula; we’re creating new lanes. What’s [remarkable] is that there’s space for all of it: vulnerability, groove, storytelling, even experimentation,” reflected Zaeden. His career has taken him beyond India’s borders, as he collaborated with Yves V and Jermaine Fleur for the track, Something like. But that never meant losing touch with his roots. “Working with global names opened me up to different ways of thinking about sound and culture. But no matter where I go, I always bring a bit of home into my sound,” he stated. Meanwhile, Jain has built his career on his lived-in experiences. Often referred to as the “boy who sings feelings”, does he feel boxed? “I don’t feel boxed at all. Writing about feelings gives me a lot of material. The only way your experiences can limit you is when you have decided how much you would give away. There are certain things that you want to keep to yourself; you have to find the line.”
12 May,2025 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuLoneliness can sometimes lead to great works of art. But music and loneliness don’t go together, believes Ankur Tewari. “I feel musicians are getting lonelier because they are only interacting with their computers, and working in silence,” laments the composer and singer. Bringing musicians together was one of the ideas that led to the creation of City Sessions, his first independent album under Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s Tiger Baby Records. The album, which released on May 9, features six original tracks by independent artistes Neel Adhikari, Pushan Kripalani (Slight Diversion), and Arijit Datta (Airport). For Tewari, City Sessions was a means to go back to how music used to be originally created. Think a bunch of people jamming together, each bringing their individuality and skill to the table. “The charm of why we started making music together is getting lost. So, we took the less beaten path of getting singer-songwriters, musicians, film technicians, and music producers together in a room and saying, ‘Now let’s make a song together’. We recorded it the old-school way where you start the take and you finish it. Everybody who was making the song was in the same room. There is a joy [to this process]. We used to make music like that in films earlier. But with technology, the disadvantage is that it’s pulling people apart,” says the Gully Boy (2019) music supervisor. (Second from left) Ankur Tewari with the team of City Sessions, which is backed by (in white) Zoya Akhtar and (extreme right) Reema Kagti Creating City Sessions over 10 months made him feel like part of a community again. The album is also Tewari’s way to put the spotlight on the art itself at a time when songs are treated as commercial entities. “There is vulgarity in the way we look at movies and music today,” states the musician. He makes his case further by saying, “You would find it odd if you were a professional and I asked you, ‘What’s your salary?’ Or if I rated a restaurant on the basis of how much money it makes and not its food. That’s what is happening to the film and music industry — everyone is concerned about the numbers. A weird sense of competition and ruthlessness has come in. We need to all grow together. We need to make better music and better films together.” Having Akhtar and Kagti, who have often thrown their weight behind indie music, by his side has made this easier. The way ahead, he says, is to build this community. “Right now, we are in the process of old-school A&R [artistes and repertoire] where we go to gigs and open mics. I also want to take this across languages.” Our music, our way The album features six original tracks by independent artistes Neel Adhikari, Slight Diversion, and Airport
12 May,2025 07:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuProduction may be a new avenue for actor-couple Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa, but they are making swift progress. While their maiden production Toaster has yet to première on Netflix, the duo has set the stage for their second offering. mid-day has learnt that the yet-untitled film, starring National Award-winning actors Rao and Keerthy Suresh, will roll in Mumbai on June 1. Sources tell us that the story examines today’s education system and its profit-driven approach. Through their banner, Rao and Patralekhaa are keen to bring largely untapped voices to the fore. This time around, they are said to have roped in director Aditya Nimbalkar, who recently helmed Sector 36 (2024). A source reveals, “Their second production is a satirical take on today’s money-making education system. The story, in a humorous way, highlights how the field of education is all about business and profits rather than imparting knowledge and building the future of the country. The leads play educators, who blow the lid on the goings-on.” While the project kicks off in Mumbai in June after Suresh wraps up her Tamil movie, Revolver Rita, it will be followed by a schedule in Delhi. The source adds, “The makers intend to wrap it up over a straight 45-day shoot. Even as Rajkummar and Patralekhaa are learning the ropes as new producers, they are clear on the kind of projects they wish to back. They are looking for novel stories that go beyond entertainment and reflect on the current social issues.”
12 May,2025 07:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRA wave of relief has washed over India after the country and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, after the past few days of conflict. The Indian film industry, which had postponed some of its activities, is also hopeful that things will resume normalcy in the weeks to come. Yet, there are talks within production houses about taking it slow with regard to their immediate projects. Among the biggest films readying to roll is Shah Rukh Khan’s King, which sees him share screen space with his daughter and actor Suhana Khan. Director Siddharth Anand was reportedly planning to call action on the thriller on May 16. A source says, “Despite the ceasefire, things remain sensitive and the situation is dynamic. So, everyone is wondering whether this would be a good time to take their projects on floors. The team of King has been working towards May 16, which is when they’re expected to begin filming. But a slight delay won’t be surprising as it would be preferable to go on set when the atmosphere is less tense.” Last week, as military tension escalated between India and Pakistan, Kamal Haasan and Aamir Khan postponed Thug Life’s audio launch and Sitaare Zameen Par’s trailer launch respectively. While there have been no incidents of shoots being cancelled, the talk is that some investors are contemplating pulling out of projects even as the ceasefire has de-escalated the situation. “The after-effects of the India-Pakistan conflict are being felt across the board. People aren’t confident that releasing films right now would yield success. They are also considering waiting it out before setting up big projects. The industry is being cautious,” adds the source.
12 May,2025 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaDinesh Vijan’s films have had a good run in theatres since last year — if Munjya and Stree 2 were among the few successes that Bollywood enjoyed in 2024, the producer delivered a blockbuster in Chhaava this year. Now, Maddock Films is gearing up for the release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, while Cocktail 2 will go on floors soon, and the scripting of Vicky Kaushal’s Mahavatar is underway. That’s quite a populous slate. But there’s more. Three of the banner’s films — Pooja Meri Jaan, Rumi Ki Sharafat, and Sarvagunn Sampanna — have been shot and ready, but staring at an uncertain future. Huma Qureshi and Mrunal Thakur lead Pooja Meri Jaan What’s been the hold-up? Sources say Vijan’s attempts to strike a deal for their OTT première haven’t worked out to his liking yet. He is confident of their content — after all, Huma Qureshi and Mrunal Thakur’s Pooja Meri Jaan highlights the issue of stalking, while Radhikka Madan’s Rumi Ki Sharafat is a social comedy. “All these mid-sized films have varied subjects with strong performances, falling in line with the banner’s vision of bringing diverse content. But after being ready for over a year, they are facing delays as Dinesh hasn’t been able to crack a deal with streamers that befits these projects. He believes the films deserve a certain figure, but the platforms feel they are too expensive,” says a source. Radhikka Madan; Vaani Kapoor and Ishwak Singh’s Sarvagunn Sampanna has also been waiting in the wings Last year, mid-day had reported that Pooja Meri Jaan’s release was pushed from November 2024 as Vijan wanted it to première after Chhaava (Raja trumps Pooja, Oct 14). Rumi Ki Sharafat was shot in 2023, as was Sarvagunn Sampanna. Another insider notes, “If one looks at it from Dinesh’s point of view, he is right. Maddock Films is in a position to wait it out. After the pandemic, the acquisition budgets have reduced. But Dinesh doesn’t want to sell them at a price that doesn’t do justice to their potential.” mid-day reached out to Vijan’s team, who didn’t respond till press time.
12 May,2025 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaBringing back India’s favourite patriotic song Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh The makers of Border 2, the sequel to Border (1997), have reportedly acquired the rights to the iconic song Sandese aate hain for an undisclosed record sum, reimagining it as Sandese aate hai 2.0 with Sonu Nigam and Arijit Singh lending their voices. Reports suggest that the song will be picturised on Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh, among others, and will serve as a tribute to the Indian Army. We have learnt that the new version will seamlessly blend the original with a modern touch, retaining the evocative essence of the timeless song. The film, directed by Anurag Singh and produced by JP Dutta, Bhushan Kumar, and Nidhi Dutta, is touted to be India’s biggest war film and is slated for release on Republic Day 2026. With the shooting currently in full swing, the makers aim to wrap it up by August. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan War. ‘I thought I am terrible, not made for cinema’ Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, might be bitter about his experience in Bollywood in the last few years, but he is loving working in the South Indian film industry after shifting to Bengaluru. He recently opened up about his stint with acting, particularly in South Indian films, and loving it. At a recent event he credited Tamil star Vijay Sethupathi for convincing him to act in Maharaja (2024). The filmmaker-turned-actor recalled, “He [Vijay] said there’s this amazing story.... Then I said, ‘Listen, I have to get my daughter [Aaliyah Kashyap] married, and I don’t think I can afford it.” Anurag shared that at this point Vijay told him, “We’ll help you,” and that’s how Maharaja happened. Anurag revealed that he initially considered himself “terrible” and “not made for cinema” as an actor, but has since enjoyed acting, especially during the current filmmaking crisis. His breakthrough in acting came after he acted in Sonakshi Sinha’s Akira (2016) to pay off debts, jokingly calling himself the “highest paid unpaid debut actor”. When Shatrughan Sinha was told he can’t afford Rs 60 rent Javed Akhtar and Shatrughan Sinha In mid-day’s latest episode of Sit with Hitlist, veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar revealed that when he first came to Mumbai, he shared a small room with a person for a monthly rent of R120 while he was struggling to making ends meet in the city. He also shared that Shatrughan Sinha, who was also trying to make a career in films, approached him to share the room. However, Akhtar jokingly refused, saying, “Pagal ho tum? Har mahine tum Rs 60 de sakoge? Impossible.” Akhtar, however, admitted that he had noticed Shatrughan’s confidence and style that would make him a star. Akhtar and Shatrughan went on to collaborate films as part of the screenwriting duo Salim (Khan)–Javed, including Dostana (1980), Kaala Patthar (1979), Kranti (1981), and Zamana (1985). These films showcased the actor in key roles alongside Amitabh Bachchan and others. Dostana 2 comes home Vikrant Massey; SreeLeela and Lakshya Karan Johar had announced in 2019 that they were making Dostana 2, the sequel to Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, and Abhishek Bachchan’s Dostana (2008), with Kartik Aaryan, Lakshya, and Janhvi Kapoor. However, the project did not go through. Now we have learnt that Advait Chandan will helm the project, which will reportedly directly release on Amazon Prime Video. mid-day had earlier reported that the film will have a fresh cast, with Vikrant Massey replacing Kartik, and Lakshya, with Sreeleela expected to play the female lead (After old fight, new friends, May 6). Reports also suggest that the script is being written to suit the dramedy.
12 May,2025 07:12 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist Team'The Bihar Chapter' actor Karan Tacker is all set to be a part of Anupam Kher's directorial Tanvi The Great. This marks Tacker's debut on the big screen after years of working in television and on streaming platforms. Karan Tacker's character unveiled Kher released the film's poster on Tacker's birthday. The poster shows him as Captain Samar Raina, an Indian Army soldier.Along with the poster, Kher added a caption praising Tacker's performance: "ACTORS of TANVI THE GREAT: Happy Birthday Karan! When I watched #NeerajPandey's 'Special Ops', I was deeply impressed by the presence and performance of #KaranTacker. #Khaki The Bihar Chapter was equally impressive! Karan has this unique ability to make his performances look effortless while still carrying the weight of a seasoned actor. The role he plays in #TanviTheGreat had these requirements! He carries the Indian Army uniform and the responsibilities that come along with it with finesse, dignity, and majestic grace. You will love him in TTG! Thank you, Karan, for your love, dedication, and BRILLIANCE! Happy Birthday once again, my friend. Jai Ho and Jai Hind! "Take a look View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) Tacker is best known for his work in Special Ops and Khakee: The Bihar Chapter.In a statement shared by the film's team, the actor said, "This moment is incredibly surreal. To debut on the big screen with a film like Tanvi The Great, under the direction of someone I've admired for years -- Anupam Kher sir -- is not just a professional milestone, it's a dream manifested.""Playing Capt. Samar Raina challenged me in ways I'd never imagined. Getting the opportunity to represent India at Cannes with this film is humbling beyond words. As an actor, you crave stories that move people, that matter -- and Tanvi The Great is exactly that. I'm grateful to Anupam sir and Boman sir for believing in me, for giving me a space where I could fly. I can't put into words the thrill of sharing a glimpse of the world we have created," he added. Karan Tacker skips birthday celebration Actor Karan Tacker is not celebrating his birthday in light of the tensions between India and Pakistan. The actor stands in absolute solidarity with the security forces and the countrymen. The actor said, "This is not a birthday to be celebrated given the situation of the country, it's extremely overwhelming and extremely nerve racking. Not celebrating at all in absolute solidarity with the countrymen and the Army and everyone who's working tirelessly to keep us safe." (with inputs from ANI)
11 May,2025 08:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Salman Khan thanked his father, Salim Khan "for the best mothers in the world". Dropping a picture with both his mothers, Salma and Helen, Salman wrote on Instagram, "Thank u dad for the best mothers in the world. To the most beautiful women in my world. Happy Mother’s Day." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) Salim Khan initially married Salma on 18 November 1964. The couple welcomed four children together: Salman, Arbaaz, Sohail, and Alvira. Later in 1981, the acclaimed writer tied the knot with actress Helen Richardson. The couple adopted a girl named Arpita. In another update, Salman recently faced backlash for tweeting about India and Pakistan ceasefire, while staying silent on Operation Sindoor. As India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire after days of tension across the LoC, Salman penned on his X, "Thank God for the ceasefire." However, he later deleted the post. Netizens trolled the 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' actor with remarks such as "Ceasefire lasted as long as @BeingSalmanKhan movie lasts in theatre". One of the tweets read, "All these bollywood workers @iamsrk, @BeingSalmanKhan, Aamir, Ranbir, etc. have huge fan base from Pakistan / middle east with huge investments in Gulf countries. They know no harm will be dowine to them or their business interests by Indian nationalists. They don't care." Another X user shared, "A cybercitizen shared, "#salmankhan ka fan tha 15 saal se but Aaj nafrat ho gayi hai es insaan se had se jadda. Jab war chal rahi thi ek b tweet nhi aaya Jaise pata chala war khthm tweet aa geya or jab dubara start hoi tweet delete kr diya fattu insaan hai yeh. Desh se pehle kuch nahi jai hind. (I was a fan of Salman for the last 15 years, but from today I have started hating him. When the war was going on, he did not tweet once, but when he came to know that the war was over, he tweeted. Then, when Pakistan violated the ceasefire, he deleted the post, what a coward. Nothing is more important than the country." The fourth comment read, "#Salman khan posted"thank god for ceasefire" and deleted that. Silence in pain, and a whisper after ceasefire? Don't show empathy @BeingSalmanKhan...Snake in the grass." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 05:35 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSDirector duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru have confirmed the ousting of Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane from ‘Sanam Teri Kasam 2’ in the wake of skirmishes between India and Pakistan. In a statement, the directors said that the silence on the actors’ part (Pakistani actors, who work in India) against the Pakistan sponsored acts of terror in Pahalgam is deeply concerning. They also stated that their remarks against India have come across as highly misplaced, and demand condemnation. They said, “Terrorism of any kind, against any nation, state, or people must be condemned unequivocally. What’s even more disheartening in this case is the silence or worse, the statements of certain actors who have worked in India, received immense love, respect, and opportunity, yet failed to condemn such acts of terror against India. In fact, some have gone so far as to criticise India’s legitimate steps to fight terrorism. In light of this, we stand by our government and fully support its decision. Nation first and always. Jai Hind”. Earlier, actor Harshvardhan decided to step down from the sequel to the film if the producers go ahead with the same cast. The actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram on Saturday, and wrote, “While I am grateful for the experience however as things stand, and after reading the direct comments made about my country, I have made a decision to respectfully decline to be a part of ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ part 2 if there is any possibility of the previous cast being repeated”. The actor referred to the casting of Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane in the film, and her fans being drawn to the actor’s Instagram after the two nuclear armed nations launched escalations. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 05:30 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Sidharth Malhotra called this Mother's Day "a little more special" as he is getting ready to welcome his firstborn with wife Kiara Advani. Sid took to his Instagram account and penned a heartfelt note that read, "Love You Mom...It all begins with you, but this Mother’s Day feels a little more special. Because now it’s not just about the moms I look up to, but also the one I get to walk this new chapter with. To my mother, my mother-in-law, and the newest member of this club, Ki. Happy Mother's Day!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@sidmalhotra) First in post, Siddhath added an adorable black and white photo with his mom, after which he dropped a screenshot of his and his mother's video call with Kiara and his mom. Last, we see the mom-to-be posing with her two mothers. Back in March, Kiara and Sidharth left everyone surprised as they announced that they are expecting their first child together. The lovebirds dropped a joint post, in which they shared a lovely still of their palms holding an adorably tiny knitted sock, and captioned it “The greatest gift of our lives...Coming soon (sic)." The rumors of Sidharth and Kiara being in a relationship started doing the rounds as they were shooting the 2021 hit "Shershaah". The couple was often seen at various events together. Despite giving hints, these two remained tight-lipped about their relationship. In February 2023, Sidharth and Kiara got married in a lavish ceremony. Work-wise, Sidharth has been paired opposite Janhvi Kapoor in the upcoming romantic entertainer, "Param Sundari". Made under the direction of Tushar Jalota, the film is expected to be a cross-cultural love story that centers around a love tale where two contrasting worlds collide, a "North ka munda" meets a "South ki Sundari." "Param Sundari" is scheduled to reach the cinema halls on July 25, On the other hand, Kiara will next be seen as the female lead in the highly anticipated sequel, "War 2", where she will share the screen with Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 05:15 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThis Mother’s Day, actress Sanjana Sanghi opens her heart about the woman who has been her unwavering anchor through every phase of life — her mother. Sanjana's special moments with her mother For Sanjana, no moment in her life — joyful or challenging — has been complete without her mum by her side. “It’s virtually impossible to choose ‘the most special memory’ with her,” she reflects. “From dropping my brother and me to school every single day for 12 years and the banter we’d have, to seeing the pride in her eyes when I became a Gold Medalist at Delhi University or when I was selected for Dil Bechara — they’re all so special.” The motherly guidance Sanjana’s journey into cinema began early, with her debut in Rockstar at just 13. While most teenagers were still figuring out school life, she was already learning the ropes of film sets — with her mother, of course, never far behind. “Mum was my constant companion while I navigated a professional world while being a young teenager,” Sanjana says. “Even though she stopped traveling with me as I grew older, she’s still the spine of how my ship sails — everything from script discussions to red carpet looks, Mama’s take is key.” But it’s not just the big decisions where her mother’s influence is felt. Even in the quieter moments of self-doubt, it’s her mother’s wisdom that guides her through. “You did your absolute best, now leave it up to God,” is a line Sanjana holds close to her heart. “I can be harsh on myself, especially because of my drive, and even though I’ve lived alone in Mumbai for seven years, she has the sixth sense to know when I’m overworking or pushing myself too hard.” Sanjana's mom's favourite film of hers One film that holds a particularly tender meaning for the Sanghi family is Dhak Dhak. “Mum has a special connection with the mountains, and she felt my journey from Delhi to Ladakh in the film was a way of her own mountain dreams being fulfilled,” Sanjana shares. “My nani was a fiercely independent woman, and that spirit lives in my mum. Seeing that same energy portrayed on screen meant the world to her.” At the heart of Sanjana’s story is a legacy of strength passed down through generations. “Everything I know about strength and the magic of womanhood comes from my nani and mum,” she says. “That as women we are limitless, innate multitaskers, and multi-hyphenates. Within us lies the power to create, to nurture, to transform — and I’ve witnessed them embody this spirit every single day.” This Mother’s Day, as the world celebrates motherhood, Sanjana Sanghi reminds us that behind every strong woman is a lineage of love, resilience, and quiet, unwavering support — often led by a mother who simply knows best.
11 May,2025 04:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarADVERTISEMENT
