Gloss, 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 BasuVarun Dhawan’s Bhediya 2 and Kartik Aaryan’s Naagzilla have been announced as Independence Day 2026 releases, thus paving the way for a box-office clash. While the two actors would be rivals over that weekend, buzz suggests they may soon be co-stars. We’ve heard that Dhawan and Aaryan are the top contenders to play the leads in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi 2, the sequel to the 2004 comedy that saw Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar’s characters in a game of one-upmanship as they wooed their ladylove, essayed by Priyanka Chopra. Sajid Nadiadwala, who produced the David Dhawan-directed original, is backing the second instalment. An insider revealed, “Sajid is keen on recreating the comedy and chaos of the original, but with a contemporary twist. Kartik and Varun are known for their comic timing, and are frontrunners for the roles. Together, they could be a riot on screen. But the scripting has only begun, and Sajid will take a call on the casting after he is satisfied with the script.” The insider added that the cast will be finalised by the year-end. “Aligning Kartik and Varun’s dates will be tough, given their busy date diaries. The makers are aiming for a late 2026 release.”
02 May,2025 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu‘I’ve done pretty well’ Deepika Padukone also shared her thoughts on her journey, saying, “I am actually going to tell myself I have done pretty well. You don’t really sit back and look at the journey.” She also shared how her day at home is after embracing motherhood. She revealed that her daily routine involves household chores, including sorting mail, cleaning the kitchen, and doing laundry. SRK praised her, saying, “I think the role she’s going to play the best, inshallah, is that of a mother with dua. She is going to be a wonderful mother.” (From left) Alia Bhatt, SS Rajamouli, and Aamir Khan attended WAVES in Mumbai A new beginning PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai on Thursday, May 1. He addressed a huge audience that included celebrities like SS Rajamouli, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, among others. He talked extensively about the content made in India and the capability of the content creators to lead the country to an economical boom. PM Modi also promised further initiatives like WAVES awards in the near future. Akshay Kumar held the first panel of the day with Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, and Hema Malini. The trio spoke about their journeys, inspirations and the Indian entertainment industry. Akshay Kumar ‘I was brash, overconfident, reckless’ During a fireside chat with Karan Johar and Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan reflected on his personal philosophy and journey in cinema. In the session ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler’, SRK shared his approach to life and work. “When I am not on the sets, I don’t do anything. I am in a meditative state,” he said. He attributed his success to his youthful boldness, saying, “I believe I was brash, overconfident, reckless, and a lot more stupid. I’m happy I was like this otherwise, I wouldn’t have chosen the path I did with such wonderful people.” He also addressed the “insider versus outsider” debate and said, “I have a problem with the distinction of insider and outsider,” he stressed that success depends on individual drive and perseverance. He also discussed Deepika Padukone’s journey in Bollywood. Honouring the legends Nagarjuna Telugu superstar Nagarjuna announced the release of commemorative postage stamps honouring Indian cinema legends Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, Raj Khosla, composer-singer-poet Salil Chowdhury, and legendary actor P Bhanumathi at the event. He thanked PM Modi for preserving and honouring Indian cinema’s legacy. Nagarjuna stated that WAVES celebrates India’s spirit, saying it honours a country whose stories have “shaped not just cinema but generations of hearts.” The stamps were launched by PM Modi, Nagarjuna, and other dignitaries, in the presence of his son and actor Naga Chaitanya and daughter-in-law Sobhita Dhulipala. ‘Intellectual soul of India’ Mohanlal Akshay, while in conversation with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, called Malayalam cinema the “intellectual soul of Indian cinema”. To this, Mohanlal responded, “Thank you for calling Malayalam cinema the intellectual soul of Indian cinema. We are blessed with great actors and directors. From the very beginning in Malayalam cinema, there is a thin line between art house and commercial cinema. It is closely knit. It’s very well-balanced. I had the chance to work with great directors. That time they used to call it art cinema, but those films also had entertainment value.” Bhai at the border Salman Khan Salman Khan is reportedly in talks to star in a film about the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict between Indian and Chinese troops. We have learnt that the film will chronicle the clash that resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and nearly 45 Chinese casualties. Salman will apparently play the role of a soldier in the film.
02 May,2025 07:12 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamBollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan attended a session on 'The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler' at the inaugural day of the WAVES summit in Mumbai. In a fireside chat with director friend Karan Johar and Deepika Padukone, King Khan spoke about the time he wanted to step away from showbiz, courtesy of a script that expected him to wear a skirt. When SRK wanted to take a step back from Bollywood When Karan Johar asked Shah Rukh Khan if he ever felt like stepping away from Bollywood when things were not working in his favour with changing times, the actor shared, “Some years back, I was sitting at home, and Karan Johar came to my house with a script. I won’t name the script. The script required me to be wearing a skirt throughout the film. That is the only time I wanted to step back. I said, ‘Yaar aisa toh nahi hoga yaar.’ It was one of those films in olden times where men wore skirts, not androgenous men like me.” Watch the video below. When Karan Johar asks Shah Rukh Khan about ever wanting to take a step back, the KING of wit gave a playful answer about a script that required him to wear a skirt! Watch to know what he said! ❤️😂SRK AT WAVES@iamsrk @WAVESummitIndia#KINGKhanAtWaves pic.twitter.com/HxpW9CYV9V — Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) May 1, 2025 About the WAVES Summit 2025 WAVES will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and emerging tech, and seek to present itself as a comprehensive showcase of India's media and entertainment prowess. The summit, being held at the Jio World Convention Centre, aims to unlock a USD 50 billion market by 2029, expanding India's footprint in the global entertainment economy. Shah Rukh Khan’s work front The superstar will reunite with Pathaan director Siddharth Anand for King. Earlier reports suggested that the film is inspired by the English-language French production, Leon: The Professional (1994). The original film revolves around a professional hitman who reluctantly takes in a twelve-year-old after her family is murdered by a corrupt official. The two form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns to be like him. Khan will be playing a role that was essayed by Jean Reno, and his daughter Suhana Khan will be stepping into Natalie Portman’s shoes. It will feature Abhishek Bachchan as the antagonist and also have Abhay Verma of Munjya fame in a pivotal role.
01 May,2025 07:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs someone who moved to Mumbai when she was just 18, Bollywood star Deepika Padukone says she has done quite well for herself by creating a space in the world of entertainment. The 39-year-old actor joined superstar Shah Rukh Khan for a session, titled "The Journey: From Outsider To Ruler", at the inaugural WAVES Summit on Thursday here. "Today when I look back at the journey... For an 18-year-old to move to a big city... It was a big decision to make. Those little things, having to navigate life with trial and error. Overall, when I look back I say not bad, well done. "I am actually going to tell myself I have done pretty well. You don't really sit back and look at the journey. I don't celebrate the moments too much. I look at things in a straightforward way," said Deepika, who started out as a model before making her acting debut with 2007's "Om Shanti Om" opposite Shah Rukh. In her "me time", the "Padmaavat" star said she focuses on everyday things like running her house. "There's a study where all the mail comes... I sort out all of it... Cleaning the kitchen, checking vegetable stock for the week, laundry... I don't know any other way. Maybe because I started out this way. I didn't have a big house earlier. I didn't have house help," she added. Shah Rukh, who also starred with Deepika in movies such as "Happy New Year", "Chennai Express", "Pathaan" and "Jawan", praised the actor, saying she will be a great mother to Dua, her daughter with actor-husband Ranveer Singh. "The role she is going to play the best, is that of a mother, to Dua. She is really going to be a wonderful mom," he said. Deepika called the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) "a timely event". "The way this has come together, it was high time. India being the centre of it (cinema and entertainment) is the right time. It's the coming together of AI, tech, and storytelling," she added. WAVES will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and emerging tech, and seek to present itself as a comprehensive showcase of India's media and entertainment prowess. The summit, being held at the Jio World Convention Centre, aims to unlock a USD 50 billion market by 2029, expanding India's footprint in the global entertainment economy.
01 May,2025 07:22 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIBollywood actor Ajay Devgn has returned as the honest Income Tax officer Amay Patnaik in Raid 2. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who also helmed the original 6 years ago, Ajay fights a new rival in the form of Riteish Deshmukh’s Dada Manohar Bhai, a two-faced politician and mama’s boy who runs a foundation in her name to whitewash his illegal dealings. Spoiler alert! While the two lock horns in this predictable plot, we decode its ending that suggests incomplete revenge. Will Riteish Deshmukh resume his role in Raid 3? The audience who watched Raid 2 were taken on a ride across Bhoj, where Riteish conveniently falls into Ajay’s trap one after the other. Despite spectacular performances, the crime thriller ended up half-baked with a sloppy plot that lacked suspense, the primary element in this genre. As one would guess, Ajay saves the day, but does he really get rid of Riteish? The final scene showed the antagonist join Saurabh Shukla, from Raid, with the latter asking the former, how does he plan to get out. The film ends with Riteish looking into the camera, making the audience believe that he is indeed planning to seek revenge. Is Raid 2 worth a watch? The film is pretty much similar to its predecessor, with the new elements being the amplification of the amount collected and the places raided. In the 2028 film, Ajay raids one house, but this time he has more area to cover. Instead of Ileana D’Cruz, Vaani Kapoor essays the role of his wife. That being said, Riteish outshines in terms of onscreen presence, while Amit Sial, who enters the film in the second half, elevates the lethargic plot with his acting chops. It had all the necessary potential to surpass the first installment, but fell flat with its storytelling. Who knows whether the makers might take feedback from the audience and critics to come forth with an even better script for round 3. It would be a treat to watch Riteish back in the game as Dada bhai, perhaps more fierce and vengeful to take on Ajay, the imaandaar commissioner.
01 May,2025 05:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Oshin Fernandes2025 is actor Viineet Kumar Siingh's year. After receiving widespread acclaim for his recently released films Chhaava, Superboys of Malegaon, and Jaat, the actor is all set to enter a new phase of his life on the personal front. He has shared that he and his wife, actor Ruchiraa Ghormare, are expecting their first child together. Viineet Kumar to be a father soon In a chat with Hindustan Times, the actor announced the happy news of his wife's pregnancy and shared his excitement, saying, "We are super delighted and can't wait for our baby to be with us. This is new for us, and I want to be there for every moment." "I am so happy. There's too much happening, and my emotions are all over!" Ruchiraa added. While Viineet is super pumped to be a father, the mom-to-be shared, "The pregnancy has been and is a busy one for Viineet and me. I am a workaholic, so I am glad to be working in this phase of my life." "Main Ruchiraa ka khayal rakhne ki koshish karta hoon. Jaldi se jaldi kaam khatam karke ghar jaata hoon. I have figured out my time to accompany her and have been with her for visits to the doctor. I plan to be on paternity leave post-delivery in July," Viineet continued. The ‘baby luck’ For Viineet, this has been nothing short of magical. Crediting his success as 'baby luck', he asserted, "I used to hear about such things, and now I have seen it happen. Within four months, four movies featuring me have released — that too theatrically — Match Fixing, Chhaava, Superboys of Malegaon, and Jaat! I don't have a say on when a film releases, and to have back-to-back releases is amazing. 2025 has been a blockbuster year for me! Bahut khoobsurat hai." While talking about the kind of parent he wants to be, Viineet was quick to share, "Parent sirf yeh nahi hota ke aap ek bachche ke pita ho. Yeh bhi dhyaan rakhna hai ke aapki life partner, aapki wife ki life mein bahut kuch change hoga. Main sirf ek dimension se nahi dekhta hoon. Main zimmedaar hoon. You have to see and know that a mother goes through a lot, and bahut badlav honge. Being a father isn't about responsibility towards your baby but also responsibility towards the mother. I am going to figure out and work on being there for both of them."
01 May,2025 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent"Chhaava" is an extraordinary film and Vicky Kaushal is brilliant in it as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, says actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh, who is mounting period drama "Raja Shivaji" based on the life of Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films, "Chhaava" follows the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The period action drama is one of the highest grossing Hindi films of the year as yet with a reported box office earnings of over Rs 700 crore. "It's ('Chhaava') an extraordinary film. Well directed by Laxman Utekar, produced by Dinesh Vijan because he's someone who backs great content and well performed by Vicky. He was brilliant. It's based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, he truly is an inspirational personality for all of us," Deshmukh told PTI. Deshmukh will play the titular role in "Raja Shivaji" and also direct it. It will be produced by Jio Studios and Deshmukh's home production banner Mumbai Film Company. The 45-year-old actor-director, who will next be seen in "Raid 2", said the team is working on the movie with "utmost respect, passion and dedication". "'Raja Shivaji' is very close to my heart. I've been wanting to make this for the last nine years and I'd rather produce. But now I'm directing it and we are almost 60 per cent done after this promotion (of 'Raid 2') will get back to working on it. We have a long way to go..." he revealed. In "Raid 2", Deshmukh plays a corrupt politician called Dada Manohar Bhai who is chased by Ajay Devgn's IRS officer Amay Patnaik. The film, directed by Rajkumar Gupta, is the sequel to 2018's "Raid". It also features Vaani Kapoor and Rajat Kapoor in pivotal roles. Deshmukh had made a space for himself as an actor with great comic timing with films such as "Masti", "Malamaal Weekly", "Dhamaal", and "Housefull". His career turnaround came in 2014 when he received widespread critical acclaim for playing a serial killer in "Ek Villain". The actor said he around a dozen of negative character roles, but none of them were as exciting. "Sometimes the films were not great. For me, it's very important the film should be (great). I should like the film and 'Raid 2' was one such film that I really enjoyed. I was glad that the antagonist in the film was as important as the protagonist. It was good to be part of the world of a Rajkumar Gupta film as an antagonist." Deshmukh also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people last week in the "harshest way". "Lot of innocent tourist brothers and sisters have lost their lives and our government is taking strict actions. We wholeheartedly are in support of every action taken by the honourable government and we hope that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice and in that regard, whatever is expected from us as part of the film industry and as citizens, we are always there." "Raid 2" is backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak under the banners T-Series and Panorama Studios, respectively. The film is slated to release in theatres on Thursday. 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
01 May,2025 01:17 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIActor Suniel Shetty has spoken up about the recent box office struggles of Bollywood films, questioning whether international movies are now dominating the Indian market. In an interview with ANI, Shetty shared his views on why many big Hindi films are failing at the box office. "English films are running... Humari filmein aaj 15 lakh ka business nahin kar rahi hain. So, where did we go wrong? Have we allowed the international brands to come and steal the thunder from us? Have we allowed them to take away our business?," Shetty said. Shetty also pointed to multiple issues affecting the industry, from expensive popcorn to the falling number of theatres across the country. "Look, we will have to reduce the prices. If the price of popcorn is higher than the ticket price, then it becomes very, very difficult. You know, the number of theatres has to increase. The number of theatres has to multiply by 5x," he said. Reflecting on the past, Shetty recalled how earlier producers were deeply involved in every part of a film's release. "In our time, when a producer used to make a film, his life used to be tied to that film because he had to pay for it himself or take a loan to make it. For him, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were make-or-break days." He also criticised the corporate culture that now dominates the film industry. "And on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, if you call a corporate house, they'll say, 'I'm out for the weekend.' Our business is a weekend business," Shetty added. Several Bollywood movies, including Salman Khan's recent Eid release Sikandar, have failed to draw large crowds to theatres. Despite this, some recent films like Kesari 2, starring Akshay Kumar, have done well and received positive reviews. Suniel Shetty will next be seen in 'Kesari Veer', which also stars Vivek Oberoi. Directed by Prince Dhiman and produced by Kanu Chauhan, the film is set to release on May 16. 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
01 May,2025 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIActress Sonam Khan took to social media to share a cherished memory from the early days of her film career—revealing how an unexpected encounter with legendary actor Shashi Kapoor led to her casting in the 1991 fantasy film “Ajooba.” In a heartfelt social media post, Sonam, who played Shehzadi Heena in the film, revealed that she was not the original choice for the role. However, everything changed during a chance meeting with Shashi Kapoor, who was so struck by her appearance that he immediately expressed she looked like a princess—leading to a quick change in casting. She reflected on Kapoor’s generous and gracious nature during the film’s shoot in Jaipur, particularly while filming the song “Main Mitti Ka Gudda, Tu Sone Ki Gudiya.” Khan also expressed her deep gratitude for the kindness and support she received as a newcomer, especially from the late Rishi Kapoor, who was her co-star in the film. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam Khan (@sonamkhan_72) Sharing her photo from the film, Sonam wrote, “When I did ajoobamovie as Shehzadi Heena, I wasn’t the first choice. A chance meeting with Shashi Kapoor ji changed everything. The moment he saw me, he turned to his manager and said, “She looks like a princess.” Soon after, the actor who was originally supposed to play the part was dropped. (No names, please).” “Shashi Kapoor ji was the epitome of graciousness, kindness, and care. We shot in Jaipur for the song “Main Matti Ka Gudda, Tu Sone Ki Gudiya.” Whenever I struggled with a dance step, Shashi ji would gently tell the choreographer to change it, saying, “Yeh bacchi hai, take it easy.” That was his kindness—always protective, always gracious. My costumes for the film was designed by the legendary Bhanu Athaiya ji, who also won an Oscar for her iconic work in #Gandhimovie.” The post further read, “The crowds there went absolutely hysterical. Since this was before the age of social media, spotting actors in public was a rare event. The song was filmed at a tourist site in Jaipur —though I must admit, I’m forgetting the name of the palace. Do forgive me for that! Nonetheless, the crowd was so overwhelming that I had to be escorted back to my hotel with police protection. We later traveled to Russia for another shoot and were treated like royalty. Each of us had a Russian interpreter to help us understand the local language. Rishi ji, too, was incredibly supportive throughout, helping a new comer like me… Rest in peace #rishikapoor ji We will miss both of them for generations to come.” Sonam Khan shared this cherished memory on the fifth death anniversary of Rishi Kapoor. The actor tragically passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 67, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. 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
01 May,2025 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
