The 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 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 correspondentADVERTISEMENT
