Movie Masala

February 19, 2025, marks nine years since the biographical thriller Neerja first hit the big screen. Directed by Ram Madhvani and with a stellar cast with Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Jim Sarbh, and Shekhar Ravjiani. The film remains a powerful tribute to the courage and inspiring story of Neerja Bhanot. She was a brave Pan Am flight attendant who bravely sacrificed her life to save the lives of 359 passengers during the 1986 hijacking of Flight 73. Released in 2016, Neerja resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, accomplishing 31 awards like the National Film Award, Filmfare Awards, International Indian Film Academy Awards, and Zee Cine Awards, amongst others. The film also performed exceptionally at the box office, grossing over ₹135.52 crore. Beyond its cinematic success, the film sparked conversations about selflessness, heroism, and the impact of one individual’s bravery. Nine years later, Neerja continues to inspire the audience with its message of resilience across ge...

After the Akshay Kumar starrer Khel Khel Mein, director Mudassar Aziz is now back with another comedy in the form of Mere Husband Ki Biwi. Starring Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh and Bhumi Pednekar, the movie is a love triangle told in a comic way. Pednekar speaks about the movie and her experience of shooting it in an interview with us. Mere Husband Ki Biwi looks like a laugh riot. Did you have fun shooting it? Well, comedy is something that I enjoy thoroughly. I've done quite a few. Maybe the tone of Mere Husband Ki Biwi is a little different. But if I look at it, this is more social comedy with a more slice of life feel to it. Mere Husband Ki Biwi is definitely different. The tone is a little front-footed. And also, I have not done a comedy where I get the punchlines. I have not done a comedy where I get to do physical comedy, which was very, very refreshing. I feel that women usually don't get an opportunity to do that. So, it was extreme amounts of fun. And I really, re...

Arjun Kapoor stars in Mudassar Aziz’s upcoming film, Mere Husband Ki Biwi. The movie revolves around his character’s chaotic love life as his ex-wife, played by Bhumi Pednekar, suffers retrograde amnesia, forgetting their divorce, while he prepares to marry his fiancée, played by Rakul Preet Singh. Love circles are entertaining on screen, but not in real life While love triangles may make for engaging cinematic content, Arjun Kapoor believes they are far from enjoyable in reality. In an interview with ETimes, he shared his thoughts on the matter. “Iss situation mein bechare ke saath jo hua hai and his past comes back because she's lost her memory. That is not a fun situation in real life to have somebody stuck in,” Arjun remarked. He further stated that such entanglements are unhealthy and should be avoided. ‘Somebody always gets hurt’ in love triangles The actor highlighted the emotional toll of being caught in a love triangle. “I don't think anybody should be stuck in this ...

Harman Baweja is on cloud nine as his production, Mrs, has turned out to be a huge success. Starring Sanya Malhotra in the lead, the film dropped on Zee5 on February 7 and ever since, it has amassed a huge number of views. The response is unanimously positive but a small section of the audience had reservations over its content. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Harman spoke about all these aspects and a lot more. How has the feedback been for Mrs? The feedback has been overwhelming. The very essence of why I set out to make Mrs was that I wanted to make an ‘active film’. My team used to always ask me what it meant. It means that I want this film to have a conversation after its release. I didn’t want it to be one of those films where you say ‘Acchi thi, chalo ab kuch khaate hai, shaam ko wahan jaana hai’. The idea is that this film should start a healthy conversation. I could see that happening whether it's on social media with friends. A friend messaged me, ‘This...

The Pan-India phenomenon has been on the rise since Baahubali. But even before that, the trend was being experimented with by Kamal Haasan. He released films like Indian (1996) in Hindi as Hindustani and remade Avvai Shanmughi (1996) into Hindi as Chachi 420 (1999). With Hey Ram, he went one step ahead – he shot the film in both Tamil and Hindi. It starred Kamal Haasan in the lead and also featured Shah Rukh Khan as well as Rani Mukerji in pivotal roles. The ambitious venture completed 25 years on February 18 and Bollywood Hungama stumbled upon an interesting fact about the film. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Hey Ram was nearly 210 minutes long. Bharat Shah presented the film in Hindi and he realized that its run time was a bit too much for the Hindi-speaking audiences. Hence, he requested Kamal Haasan to bring down the film’s length. Kamal, however, was against the idea. He felt that the film has a long duration...

Shabana Azmi will be collaborating for the first time with South star Jyotika in the female-led high-stakes drama Dabba Cartel that also features an ensemble cast of Saie Tamhankar, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Nimisha Sajayan, among others. Recently, as Netflix dropped the trailer of this upcoming entertainer, the entire cast came together to speak about the show and their camaraderie with each other, wherein Azmi made a heartfelt confession about not wanting Jyotika for the part she was roped in to play. During the launch, Shabana Azmi revealed that she attempted to convince the makers about not taking the Shaitaan actress for the part. “I have tried to remove two girls from this. One of them is Jyothika. She doesn’t know about this but I kept saying ‘yeh nahin usko lo (don’t take her)’. But these guys told me do what you want we won’t change her.” However, the actress added that she is grateful to them for maintaining their stand. “I am really grateful now that she’s here. Truly. ...

Ahead of Maha Shivratri on February 26, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar and singer Dr. Palash Sen have collaborated on a new song titled ‘Mahakal Chalo.’ The song features both of them as vocalists. But how did this collaboration come to be? Who initiated it, and what was Palash’s experience like? Speaking about the journey of the song, Palash Sen wrote, "I generally write such posts to highlight an issue that starts bothering me, or to highlight something that purely pisses me off. But today, I write this to highlight something that left me with a smile and pleasantly surprised." Palash Sen Praises Akshay Kumar’s Musical Talent Palash Sen, the frontman of Euphoria, further wrote, “But here you were giving me support & a backing no one from Bollywood has, in years.. And we both didn't even know each other. And then I met you & saw your humility, respect & your professionalism. And here we are and Mahakal chalo will release tomorrow.” Before concluding his letter...

The excitement surrounding Sikandar, starring Salman Khan has reached an all-time high ever since its announcement. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by A.R. Murugadoss, the film has become one of the most eagerly awaited releases, especially after the thrilling teaser dropped. As the audience eagerly anticipates the reunion of Salman and producer Sajid Nadiadwala after a long break, the two shared a heartfelt moment when the superstar took to his social media to wish the producer on his birthday. In a warm and personal post, Salman Khan shared a picture of himself alongside Sajid Nadiadwala, celebrating the latter’s birthday on his official social media page. Taking to his Instagram page, Khan shared an image which captured a joyful moment between the two friends, and Salman paired it with a birthday message for Sajid. He also hinted at the exciting reveal ahead as he captioned it saying, “Happy Bday Grandson” and added, “Looking forward to the poster reveal at 3:33 pm”. A d...

Based on the real life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Chhaava is a historical drama that has taken over the theatres by storm earlier this week. Opening to rave reviews, the film has been receiving much love from audience and industry insiders who are in awe of Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna taking on these unconventional, power-packed roles. Recent one to shower praises on the film is none other than Vicky’s colleague and popular actor Rajkummar Rao who took to social media to review the film and rave about the work of the film’s team. Taking to his Instagram story, Rajkummar Rao shared a poster of Chhaava featuring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and said, “Chhaava is Brilliant” as he went on to appreciate Kaushal’s performance saying, “You deserve all this love Bhai and much more”. He further added, “Laxman Utekar Sir Take a Bow”. He also addressed the work of Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Ashutosh Rana by ...

Karan Johar, who has been one of the most hailed filmmakers of the country, called out people who continue to live under a delusion, insisting that if there was vaccination for it, he would have given the same to many in the industry. The director-producer, who started his career by giving blockbuster films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, revealed that it was only on the sets of My Name Is Khan did he realize that he knows his job as a filmmaker. In an interaction, Karan asserted the need of being realistic and mentioned how he understands why his films worked or failed. In an interaction with trade analyst Komal Nahta on Game Changers, Karan Johar opened up about how he had this epiphany of sorts on the sets of the Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol starrer which he felt was way out of his comfort zone as a filmmaker. He said, “It was after My Name Is Khan I believed in me that I knew my job," and added, “The film was beyond my talent and outside the scope. It was beyon...

Actor Adarsh Gourav has revealed his eventual aspiration to step behind the camera and direct films. While he has already made a mark as an actor, Adarsh’s passion for filmmaking extends beyond just being in front of the lens. His latest role in Superboys of Malegaon, where he portrays a character inspired by real-life filmmaker Nasir Shaikh, has further fueled his desire to explore all aspects of the craft in the future when the time is right for the actor. Speaking about his filmmaking ambitions and his experience portraying Nasir Shaikh, Adarsh shared, "Storytelling has always fascinated me, not just as an actor but as a creative force in its entirety. I’ve always been drawn to the world behind the camera—the process of building a narrative, shaping characters, and visually bringing emotions to life. My desire has always been to explore all aspects of creative arts, and directing is a natural step in that journey. I want to explore all avenues of acting first and direction I f...

What happened at rapper Badshah’s recent concert in Vadodara? He surprised the crowd by openly supporting comedian Samay Raina, who is currently facing legal trouble over a controversial episode of India’s Got Latent. During his performance at Parul University in Gujarat, Badshah wrapped up the show by shouting, “Free Samay Raina!”—a moment that quickly went viral on social media. Samay Raina’s Ongoing Controversy The controversy stems from a recent India’s Got Latent episode featuring YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, who asked an inappropriate question to a contestant. The episode led to severe backlash against Samay Raina, resulting in an FIR being filed against him. He has been asked to appear in court by March 10. In response to the criticism, Raina took down all India’s Got Latent videos from his channel and stated, “My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies.” Badshah’s Statement Sparks Online Reactions A video of Badsha...

Filmmaker Karan Johar recently discussed the success factor behind blockbuster films in Indian Cinema and insisted that conviction played a bigger role than logic. The producer-director pointed out how superhits and mega blockbusters that have achieved immense success in the past few years rely more on the filmmaker’s conviction in his work rather than logic by making references to films like Animal, RRR, Gadar. In an interaction with Komal Nahta, Karan Johar revealed how S.S. Rajamouli showcases his immense faith in his work over anything else and also held it true for Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Anil Sharma, who too have experienced massive response at the box office. Revealing how logic doesn’t play a role in these films, Karan said, “Take Rajamouli sir’s movies, for instance. Where can you spot logic? You can only see conviction in his films. When that conviction comes to the forefront, even the audience will believe you. This holds true for all major blockbusters, including Animal, R...

It is a known fact that Aanand L. Rai and A. R. Rahman are joining hands for the third time with Dhanush for an intense romantic drama titled Tere Ishk Mein. While the makers have insisted that the film belongs to the Raanjhanaa world, they have asserted that it is not a sequel. Now 12 years later, the Pan-India actor is expected to play another obsessed lover with Kriti Sanon taking over the role of the leading lady. Now, it has been revealed that Dhanush has already kicked of the movie in Delhi. A photo of Dhanush from the sets of the passionate romantic drama has been going viral. It features the actor running across the streets in the capital in a bearded avatar, showcasing rage. In an earlier interview with PTI, Aanand L. Rai had opened up about the intense character the actor will be essaying in this entertainer and had insisted how these are complex love stories. “It is from the world of Raanjhanaa, but is it Raanjhanaa 2? No, it is not. When I say the world of Raanjhanaa, I’m...

Whether it’s his family, friends, or co-stars, Kartik Aaryan believes in uplifting the people around him and celebrating their achievements with a full heart, showcasing his green flag side to his fans and followers. The actor insisted that even if it is his partner, he would shower them with the same kind of appreciation over their achievements. “I haven’t been in this situation, so I don’t know exactly how it feels,” Kartik shared. “But if my partner were more successful than me, I’d be genuinely happy for them. Of course, I wouldn’t be happy about not being successful myself, but that wouldn’t take away from my joy for their achievements. I’d wholeheartedly root for my better half.” The actor revealed that this mindset has come from the strong women in his life who have shaped his outlook. “Even in my family, my mother and sister have always been incredibly hardworking, and we constantly celebrate each other’s achievements. My mom, in particular, has made sure that we talk about a...

Kaveri Kapur's new single ‘Ek Dhaaga Toda Maine’ from her debut movie is making all the music for all the right reasons. Kaveri lent her voice to a rather melodious track that talks about the chaos that life sometimes becomes and how to deal with complexities that it throws our way. The single has been composed and rendered by Kaveri herself, with the Hindi lyrics penned by Prasoon Joshi and produced by maestro A R Rahman. Kaveri had earlier talked about how she considers A R Rahman her mentor and opened up about him guiding her on her music journey. And now, the music maestro too has showered praises on Kaveri. He said, "Song writing, especially personalised thoughts in poetry is a gift, a blessing that not everyone gets. I think Kaveri has it naturally, through her genes and her point of view of the world. I loved working on this track with her, co-producing with her and I wish her the very best." Kaveri recalled that she had first written ‘Ek Dhaaga Toda Maine’ when ...

Sheeba Akashdeep, who has been a part of films, television, and web-series, recently recalled her time with Akshay Kumar on the sets of Mr. Bond (1992). The actress revealed how while working in close proximity, often actors end up being together but the love soon fizzles out, albeit it does leave an impact on young minds. In a candid conversation, Sheeba opened up about developing a ‘friendship’ with the Khiladi star and also revealed how she took her own time to cool down from the impact of a breakup. In a Pinkvilla report, Sheeba Akashdeep was quoted saying, “When you are young and working in close proximity, ho jata hai ishq (love happens)." Further talking about how their families too shared a bond, the actress continued, “Both fitness-crazy people… And family friends. My nani and his mom would play cards together.” However, she continued to insist that she doesn’t remember much about the breakup. “We were both kids. I don’t even talk about it. I find it so funny. What’s the...

Young Aayush Kumar is making his big debut with Suneel Darshan’s Andaaz 2, along with the two actresses Akaisha and Natasha Fernandez. It’s the second film in the franchise with the first, released in 2003, starring Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta. In an interview with us, Aayush spoke about his journey and his experience of bagging his first film. Aayush, what brings you to Bollywood? After dropping out of my MBA from University Business School, Chandigarh, I landed in Mumbai to be a part of the Hindi film industry. My parents, who reside in Gurgaon, were worried about how I would make it here without having any sort of connections whatsoever in the industry... Acting brings me joy and with a determination to make my parents proud, just like every middle class boy aspires, I landed in tinsel town to fulfil my ambition. How did Suneel Darshan find you and were you aware of his achievements when he signed you? I met Suneel Darshan sir through a casting director w...

Choreographer Farah Khan recently reflected on her past decision to reject Shilpa Shirodkar for Dil Se’s iconic song ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya.’ In a vlog, she jokingly admitted that she thought Shilpa was “100 kilos” and wondered how she would fit on the train. However, in a new vlog featuring Shilpa, Farah lightheartedly made amends, promising her a spot in ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya 2’ if the song ever gets remade. In her latest vlog, Farah Khan, joined by her cook Dilip, visited Shilpa Shirodkar’s home, where the topic of her past rejection resurfaced. Shilpa playfully recalled Farah’s remarks, saying, “You said, ‘Shilpa was at least 100 kilos. How will she get on the train? And if she does, where will Shah Rukh stand?’” Both burst into laughter as Farah reassured her that she would definitely cast her in a sequel, to which Shilpa quipped, “I will be on the train with dancers and Shah Rukh!” Farah also recalled how Shilpa was famous for her rain songs in the 1990s, joking that she always arrived on...

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor marked a significant milestone with the launch of his lifestyle brand Arks and the grand opening of its first retail store in Bandra, Mumbai. He arrived at the store in the morning, warmly greeting and posing for the paparazzi. As he stepped into the fashion and lifestyle industry, his wife, actress Alia Bhatt, showed her support by sharing a special Instagram post, celebrating his achievement and congratulating him on realizing his dream. On Friday, Alia Bhatt shared a series of pictures on Instagram, sporting a cap and sneakers from Ranbir Kapoor’s brand, Arks. In her caption, she playfully congratulated him and wrote, “Can literally now walk a mile in YOUR shoes—@arks is here! Congratulations, baby. Your dream is live! Shop elevated essentials now – link in bio!” The first photo captures Alia flashing a bright smile while wearing a white Arks cap, followed by an image of her showcasing white sneakers. The last two pictures also feature her pet cat, Ed...