Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, and film producer Boney Kapoor's mother, Nirmal Kapoor, passed away at 90. According to reports, she breathed her last at 5:45 PM on Friday at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. She had been facing difficulties on the health front for the past couple of months. She is survived by her three sons, a daughter, and their families. Nirmal was the grandmother of actors Arjun Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Mohit Marwah, Harshvardhan Kapoor, and Shanaya Kapoor. Sandeep Marwah is her son-in-law. In the videos shared by the paparazzi, Boney and Shanaya were spotted at the hospital along with Rhea Kapoor's husband and filmmaker Karan Boolani. Janhvi was also spotted with her boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya. The funeral will take place tomorrow at Pawan Hans Crematorium, Vile Parle, at 11:30 am. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Further details awaited.
02 May,2025 07:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter reports of Shah Rukh Khan and Kiara Advani making their MET Gala debut surfaced in the media, it seems like global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas might also make a magnificent return to the prestigious fashion event on May 5. The former Miss World will sashay in style at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York after giving it a miss last year. Priyanka Chopra to mark her glorious return to the MET A source informed Mid-day, Priyanka will attend the MET Gala 2025 with Olivier Rousteing of Balmain. She is expected to don a powerful couture look, styled with an exquisite piece from Bvlgari’s newest high jewellery collection. A perfect blend of cinematic royalty and fashion authority. According to People magazine, this year, the event will celebrate the theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' inspired by Monica L. Miller's book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The exhibit will feature a range of garments, paintings, photographs, and more, exploring the indelible style of Black men in the context of dandyism. Priyanka to be honoured at 4th annual Gold House Gala Priyanka will be felicitated alongside Jon M. Chu, Megan Thee Stallion, and Ang Lee. This year, the Gold Gala will take place on May 10 at the Music Centre in Downtown Los Angeles. Over 600 guests are expected to convene. Priyanka will receive the inaugural Global Vanguard Honor for her unprecedented 25-year career bridging Asian Pacific and Western cultures through acclaimed work across Hindi cinema and Hollywood, as well as her continual elevation of underrepresented voices. Priyanka Chopra’s work front Priyanka is finally gearing up for her comeback to the Indian screens. She will star in SS Rajamouli’s untitled next with Mahesh Babu. ‘SSMB29’ will mark the former Miss World’s return to Indian cinema after six years. She was last seen in the 2019 film The Sky Is Pink. On the Hollywood end, Priyanka is busy filming the next season of her series 'Citadel' also has other exciting projects lined up, including 'Heads of State' alongside Idris Elba and John Cena, as well as a role as a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in 'The Bluff'.
02 May,2025 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent“Why is Bollywood failing at the box office?” is a question that echoes in every corner of the Hindi film industry today. Barring a few hits— one can count on their fingertips— Bollywood continues to struggle to get on its feet after suffering the Covid-19-caused blow five years ago. Inadvertently, it has become a talking point at the ongoing WAVES Summit, where superstars and producers Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan have shared solutions to the problem. Aamir Khan bats for more theatres A day after Shah Rukh called for an increase in the number of cinema halls in India, Aamir broke down how it’s unfortunate that for a hugely populated country like India, there were at most 10,000 screens available to watch movies. “In the US, which is one-third of our population, they have 40,000 screens, and China has 90,000 screens! In the 10,000 that we have, half are in the South and the other in the rest of the country. So for a Hindi film, there are only 5000 screens available,” he said. Aamir said it’s shocking that for a cinema-loving country, several districts have no theatres. “Our biggest hits over the years have had a footfall of merely three and a half crore people, which is just two percent of our population. So, where is the remaining 98 percent watching our films? We need to have a lot more theatres in India. There are so many districts that don't have a single theatre to watch films. So, I am from a place which has no cinema halls. I might read about a film online, but I will never get to watch it. This is one of our biggest issues, which we have been facing over the decades. India's huge potential can be realised if we have that many screens," he said. Need a longer window between theatrical and OTT releases Not just that, Aamir feels the industry needs to look at another business model, which he calls “faulty”. The actor spoke about the need for a longer window between theatrical and OTT release of a film. Aamir said the current window of eight weeks makes no sense to him as it only encourages the audience to wait for two months after a film’s release to catch it on an OTT platform, which he/she has already subscribed to for a year. “Earlier, films would come to theatres, and a year after that on satellite. Then it became eight months, and later six months. So, I had a choice. I can either watch films in theatres or wait six months and watch on satellite. Now, what’s happening is, let’s take this bottle in my hand, and imagine you are told, ‘Please buy this bottle right now or I will drop the bottle at your home after eight weeks.’ This is a business model we are currently following. If I have to be honest to my audience while marketing my film, I have to tell them, ‘Guys, my film is releasing, but all those people who have bought subscriptions to a particular OTT platform have already bought my film. They don’t need to come to the theatres. Those who are not on any OTT platform, please come and watch my film.’ This is the communication I will have to have with my audience, and it’s very awkward. So, this window between theatrical and OTT release is too small. You are killing your own business. In a price-sensitive country like India, this is a big deal. We need to look into it,” he said. Aamir said it doesn’t matter whether a film is good or bad; it will be killed by the current business model. “When we (film artistes) meet, we have this discussion, 'Why are our films not doing well?' I say, ‘Hello! You are telling your audience to not come.’ The quality of the film is a separate topic. Whether your film is good or bad, this business model doesn’t make sense to me. If I make a very good film, this business model still doesn’t make sense to me. The current business model is faulty.”
02 May,2025 05:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian movie business is struggling, with fewer people going to theatres to watch films. Instead, audiences often choose to wait for a movie to release on an OTT platform. And then come films like Oppenheimer, which break all records and force theatre chains to run extra midnight shows. Given that even the stocks of AMC have dropped significantly over time, it was only fitting to question the man behind one of the biggest hits in recent times. During the WAVES Summit 2025, Mayank Shekhar moderated a session where he questioned one of Hollywood’s GOAT producers and the man who backed Oppenheimer, Charles Roven, about the declining theatre market. Charles Roven on fewer people going to theatres In response, Roven asserted that he usually doesn’t make films based on whether they will be released in theatres or go directly to an OTT streaming platform. Addressing the issue, he stated: "This is probably obvious, but your business is so just inside India, and my business is so around the world that the model is completely different. All of you make movies or content and decide how you're going to get it exhibited—sometimes as you're financing it, and sometimes after you've financed it. Everything I do starts out with the intention that I want to show it around the world. I don't think that's where you guys come from." Aamir Khan was quick to jump into the conversation and agree, "No, we don’t. You're absolutely right." Charles further added that he believes India should be looking at the world and figuring out a way forward. About Charles Roven ‘Oppenheimer’ Charles Roven produced Oppenheimer, which was not only a huge box-office success but also a critics’ favourite. The gripping tale of hard work, determination, and ambition—directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., and more—earned widespread acclaim. It won eight awards at the Golden Globes, including Best Drama Motion Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Drama Motion Picture. At the BAFTA Film Awards, Oppenheimer secured seven wins, including Best Film and Best Director. Additionally, it triumphed across eight categories at the Critics’ Choice Awards 2024.
02 May,2025 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKareena Kapoor Khan has reiterated several times that unlike her contemporaries, she doesn't harbour Hollywood aspirations. At the ongoing WAVES Summit, Kareena made a strong case for her indifference towards the prospect of an international career. The actor recalled the moment when legendary Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg spoke to her about 2013 blockbuster 3 Idiots. "Steven Spielberg was eating in the same restaurant as me. This was many moons ago, when 3 Idiots had just released. He came upto me and said, 'Are you the girl from this Indian movie about three students?' I said, 'Yes, that's me.' He said, 'My God! I love that movie!' I didn't have to act in an English film for him to see it. He watched 3 Idiots!" she said at a panel discussion, moderated by filmmaker-friend Karan Johar. When Johar reminded her of her famous quote from a Koffee with Karan episode, where she said, "Sab bus pakad ke Hollywood jaa rahe hain," referring to Bollywood actors making their international debut, Kareena laughed and said, "Main yehi hoon. I love my Indian movies and working in them. I love dancing to Hindi songs and speaking Hindi dialogues. 'Bhatinda ki Sikhni hun (a dialogue from Jab We Met),' acha lagta hai baar baar bolna." Johar then invoked her another dialogue from the 2007 Imtiaz Ali-directorial, which said, "Main apni favourite hun." To which, she replied, "Every girl and woman should always say this line, 'Mai apni favourite hun.'"
02 May,2025 03:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaNamit Malhotra, visionary producer behind the much-anticipated Ramayana, shared today that the planned unveiling of the film’s first glimpse at Waves 2025 has been postponed due to the ongoing situation in Pahalgam. The film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash was to launch the first asset at the event today. “We planned to launch Ramayana glimpse today at Waves 2025, but postponed it due to Pahalgam,” he said. Namit Malhotra shares deets on Ramayana Malhotra is extremely satisfied with the Nitesh Tiwari film, which soon goes into the filming of its second part. The film is being developed using advanced VFX and real-time AI lip-sync. “Ramayana is a story meant for the world,” said Malhotra, while speaking to the press in Mumbai. “We are leveraging cutting-edge technology to make it truly global, not just through dubbing or subtitles, but by achieving authentic lip-sync in multiple languages. Our aim is to make audiences across the globe feel as though it was made in their own language.” Malhotra emphasized the team wants to honour the spirit of the epic while using modern tools to reach hearts worldwide. “Ramayana deserves to be localized — to be told in every tongue, in every corner of the world.” Ramayana set to be released in two parts Last year, Malhotra, who has previously worked on several high-profile Hollywood projects including 'Dune' and 'Inception', shared that the film was set to release in two parts. The epic saga will feature Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. Sai Pallavi will star as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, with the first installment slated for release in 2026, and the second part will release in 2027. In a heartfelt message accompanying the film's first poster, he wrote, "More than a decade ago, I embarked on a noble quest to bring this epic that has ruled billions of hearts for over 5000 years to the big screen. And today, I am thrilled to see it taking shape beautifully as our teams work tirelessly with only one purpose: to present the most authentic, sacred, and visually stunning adaptation of our history, our truth, and our culture - our RAMAYANA--for people across the world." Nitesh Tiwari is known for his work on Dangal and Chhichhore.
02 May,2025 03:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJaved Akhtar has been someone who openly shares his viewpoint on every important subject. While Akhtar has already condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, he has now slammed Pakistan's alleged complicity in the same. While speaking at a FICCI event, Akhtar talked about how India has always tried to make peace with Pakistan, but they never reciprocates with the same intentions. Javed on peace with Pakistan Javed Akhtar addressed the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam last week, which claimed 26 lives, and said, “Every government in this country, whether it’s the Congress or the BJP, has tried to establish peace. Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji went to Pakistan. But what did they do? They washed the place he visited. Is that what they call friendship? How are we supposed to talk to Pakistan when they didn’t even accept the dead bodies of their own soldiers from the Kargil war?” Further, while talking about how the horror that took place at Pahalgam Valley is making several Kashmiri vendors flee the town, he said, “99% of Kashmiris are loyal to India,” and added, “To those who harass Kashmiris in places like Mussoorie or any other part of India, you are only validating and confirming Pakistan’s propaganda.” Earlier, after the horrific incident took place, Javed had talked about the incident and added, “Come what may, whatever the cost, whatever the repercussions, the terrorists of Pahalgam cannot be allowed to get away. These mass murderers have to pay with their lives for their inhuman deeds.” About the Pahalgam terror attack The deadly terror attack on tourists claimed at least 26 lives, including a local who fought the terrorists and tried to snatch their gun when he was shot. The terrorists segregated the tourists based on their faith and shot them after finding out their religion. The terrorist outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF), has claimed responsibility for the attack. TRF is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and came into existence following the historic abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, which granted special status to the Indian state, now a union territory.
02 May,2025 02:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRaid 2, the high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase between Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn) and Dada Bhai (Riteish Deshmukh) has struck gold at the box office, raking in a powerful Rs 19.71 crore nett on day 1 in India. Backed by strong word of mouth and rave reviews, Raid 2 has opened on a solid note. Raid 2 is the 3rd-highest opener of 2025 After Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which minted Rs 31 crore, and Salman Khan’s Eid release Sikandar, which raked in Rs 26 crore, Ajay Devgn gave a boost to the box office with his second installment. The superstar once again cemented his status as the undisputed sequel king, with footfalls expected to surge over the weekend for this edge-of-the-seat crime thriller. Director Raj Kumar Gupta on Ajay vs Riteish On working with Ajay and Riteish, Rajkumar was all praise for them. He told ANI, "They both are fabulous actors. They both liked the script and immediately agreed to work on the film. Truly loved working with them as they both delivered a 'dhamakedar performance'. Audience will love their face-off." Riteish Deshmukh on playing a villain in Raid 2 Riteish Deshmukh shared his perspective on the pivotal role of antagonists in cinema, emphasising that the strength of a film often lies in the complexity of its villain. In a candid conversation with IANS, he said, “You know, more than just the hero or the villain, it's really about the character. A story truly comes alive when there's a strong clash. And to create that clash, both characters need to be equally powerful. Often, for the hero to truly shine, the villain must remain dominant until the very end. It's like this — stepping over a speed breaker isn’t exciting, but climbing Mount Everest is. The tougher the journey for the protagonist, the more engaging it is for the audience. That’s why the villain has to be bigger. Playing an antagonist at that fierce level is a wonderful challenge.” Raid 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak and Krishan Kumar. The film is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series and is a Panorama Studios production. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 is currently running in cinemas near you.
02 May,2025 02:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn the occasion of Maharashtra Day, Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor joined in the celebrations by indulging in the traditional sweet dish Puran Poli. The 'Stree' actress took to social media to share a glimpse of the festive moment with her fans on social media. Shraddha shared a candid photo of herself enjoying the festive treat, giving a glimpse of her love for Maharashtrian culture and cuisine. In the picture, she is seen holding a plate of puran poli, offering a bite to her fans while looking straight at the camera. Alongside the image, the 'Ek Villain' actress wrote, “Puran poli Happy Maharashtra Day, Pride, Power and Puran Poli!” For the unversed, puran poli is a traditional Indian sweet flatbread, especially popular in South India and the state of Maharashtra. Apart from being celebrated as Labour Day, May 1 holds special importance for the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. On this day, Maharashtra attained full statehood and official recognition, making it a proud and festive occasion for its people. The day is marked by statewide celebrations, with several prominent celebrities and public figures expressing their pride on social media. Celebrities also extended their heartfelt wishes on social media, joining in the celebration of Maharashtra Day. Actress Shanthi Priya shared a heartfelt video on Instagram to wish her fans on Maharashtra Day. Dressed in a stunning orange and pink saree, she exuded grace and tradition with elegant gold jewellery, including a necklace, bangles, and a classic Maharashtrian nath. In her post, she shared her strong bond with the state, saying, “From Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu… and now, proudly a part of Maharashtra! This land has given me love, identity, and a place to call home. Majha Maharashtra, majha abhiman! Happy Maharashtra Day to this incredible state that embraces all with open arms! Maharashtra chi shaan, Maharashtra cha maan! Jay Maharashtra.” Alia Bhatt embraced the spirit of Maharashtra Day with a striking look she revealed on social media for the Waves Summit 2025. The Raazi actress shared a series of her photos showcasing her graceful ensemble that perfectly captured the vibe of the occasion. Alia embraced a Maharashtra-inspired radiant pink and orange nauvari-inspired Paithani saree. 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
02 May,2025 11:57 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSGloss, style, and scale are not lacking in Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, but many feel the Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat-led crime caper has neither the smarts nor the taut storytelling expected of the genre. Kookie Gulati, who has helmed the Netflix film with Robbie Grewal, isn’t perturbed by the audience’s mixed reactions. The director shares that he was brought on board by producers Siddharth and Mamta Anand to design it as a “commercial entertainer”, a count he has delivered on. “At some point in the shoot, they realised that they wanted it to be more of a Bollywood commercial entertainer with glamour and songs. The makers thought I could bring that to the film. That’s when I took over from Robbie, who had other commitments that were overlapping with the shoot. If I came on board, I had to make it mine. [We] added three more songs. I also rewrote parts of the script, and shot many action pieces, including Jaideep and Saif’s confrontation.” Kookie Gulati Jewel Thief sees Saif Ali Khan and Ahlawat’s characters trying to outwit each other in their attempt to rob a rare diamond. Having worked with both actors, Gulati is impressed by their distinct approach to their craft. “Saif would be constantly talking to me about the film, the scene and his character. Jaideep comes prepared; he always brings his A-game on set. He discusses a scene thoroughly before the shoot, and when the camera rolls, he adds subtle touches to his character.” After the testosterone-heavy crime caper, Gulati’s next will be a woman-led actioner. Admittedly ‘charged’ about his next, the director reveals, “It’s about a strong woman who finds herself in a dangerous situation. It’s a high-octane thriller with an emotional twist.”
02 May,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRVishal Jethwa was at the gym when director Neeraj Ghaywan called to tell him that their movie, Homebound, has been selected for the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. “My world changed in that moment,” he recalls. Having the drama, also starring Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, selected for the prestigious film festival’s Un Certain Regard section was something Jethwa didn’t even dream of. So, one can imagine his joy, when earlier this week, Hollywood heavyweight Martin Scorsese came on board Homebound as an executive producer. Getting Scorsese’s seal of approval is a rare feat. “When I heard Martin Scorsese’s name, I thought he was a big name. I didn’t exactly know who he is. When Ishaan and Neeraj sir told me of his films, I realised that even though I have only seen a few Hollywood movies, I’ve seen a lot of his work — from Shutter Island [2010] to The Wolf of Wall Street [2013]. It’s a surreal feeling. His eyes are on us. This is a big blessing,” Jethwa beams. (From left) Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter in Homebound. Pics/AFP, Instagram Homebound happened to the actor like most other films did — by pursuing it because it felt right instinctively. He says, “My process is that I should trust at least one person [in the film’s team]. If Dharma Productions is offering me a film and I don’t know anything else about it, I’ll say yes. Or if Sanjay Leela Bhansali is directing a film, it’s a yes.” The actor’s reason to do Homebound was Ghaywan, who has displayed his distinctive voice with Masaan (2015) and the segment, Geeli Pucchi, in Ajeeb Daastaans (2021). He shares, “During [one of the] many auditions, Neeraj sir called and briefed me. Finally, one day, he called me to the Dharma office, where Ishaan, Neeraj sir, and I met for the first time. I was a bit scared. In that meeting, my chemistry with Ishaan was checked, and then, the [casting] decision was taken. It’s only after meeting sir that I understood the depth he has; he knows you completely within a few minutes of meeting you. He must have seen a lot of ups and downs to empathise like this.” Working with Khatter was another highlight for Jethwa, who believes he has a lot to learn from his co-star. “His confidence and dedication to work [are inspiring]. He is easy-going and intelligent,” he says. Neeraj Ghaywan At Cannes, again Neeraj Ghaywan’s debut feature, Masaan (2015), was also selected in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The Vicky Kaushal-starrer had won the FIPRESCI Prize
02 May,2025 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
