Filmfare-ME-January-2025

Varun Dhawan Ruling

From OTT to Films! the Charts

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New Year, New Tidings: A Fresh Chapter Awaits!

Anew year heralds a sense of renewal! It’s a time to reset your sights on the future, chase even bigger dreams, redefine your goals and embrace the changes it brings with a renewed sense of purpose. As we step into 2025, it ushers in the promise of new tidings, fresh starts, a new you and a new us as we at Filmfare Middle East amp up further to bring you stories that inspire, narratives of trailblazers, content that celebrates both the extraordinary and the everyday, deliver insightful features, exclusive interviews, and captivating visuals that resonate with your aspirations. So, here’s to new beginnings and the endless possibilities 2025 promises to bring!

We’re thrilled to kick off 2025 by announcing that nominations are now open for the much-anticipated 4th edition of Filmfare Middle East

Most Influential Women 2025. A prestigious event that celebrates the achievements of extraordinary women who have made significant contributions across various fields and honours the power, the passion, the talent of women who are shaping the future and believe in not just breaking the glass ceiling but shattering it with their courage and resilience. The stage is set for another remarkable event and we invite all you women achievers to step into the spotlight. So, if you are someone who is all of the above or know a woman who is one, log onto our website and nominate today!

Talking about spotlight, all eyes are on our January Cover Star Varun Dhawan! The dynamic all-rounder entertainer has been ruling the screens and hearts with equal ease. Having proven his acting chops as well as showcased his natural flair for all things entertainment, the actor continues to raise the bar at the Box Office with each outing. Making an impactful web-debut in Citadel: Honey Bunny and then stunning audiences with his power-packed performance in Atlee’s mass entertainer Baby John, on the personal front too he added another beautiful chapter to his life as he embraced fatherhood welcoming his adorable daughter Lara with wife Natasha Dalal. And now kicking off 2025 with a bang, the actor takes center stage as we dive into his transformation from a versatile hero to a full-fledged action star. I met Varun in Dubai and in our candid tete-a-tete, he shared his excitement about balancing work and fatherhood and opened up on his determination to pushing boundaries and raising the stakes at the box office. Flip on the pages to read our exclusive Cover Story with this charismatic star.

Varun, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Ananya Panday… OTT has increasingly been luring some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry with its impactful content and fearless storytelling. And celebrating the best of the best on the digital platforms was the Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 that honoured artistic and technical excellence across 49 categories. Congratulations and kudos to Rohit Gopakumar, the brilliant wordsmith Jitesh Pillaai and Team Filmfare for pulling off yet another super-successful awards event. As expected, the 5th edition was packed with glamour and talent as the most prolific names on the OTT graced the evening, cheered on each other relentlessly and vied to take home the much-coveted ‘Black Lady’! Check out the winners and highlights of the star-studded night in the pages ahead.

Also in this power-packed issue, are our exclusive interviews with the music icon Robbie Williams, the gorgeous Kriti Sanon and the stunning Madhuri Dixit. Furthermore, do not miss the highlights of some of the most happening events that rocked Dubai – From legends Asha Bhosle and Sonu Nigam creating magic on stage to Bryan Adams wowing music-lovers at his concert, from the grand birthday bash of Founder and Chairman of Danube Group Mr Rizwan Sajan hosted by Rajan Lal to Sonu Sood and Honey Singh attending the premiere of their film Fateh… Varun Dhawan to Bobby Deol in the city… Dubai was buzzing and how, check it all out in the Dubaiscope segment ahead!

And on this exciting note, happy reading folks and may this new year be the best one yet - Own it, rock it!

CHECK OUT THE WINNERS AND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GLAMOUROUS STAR-STUDDED EVENING

START FRESH AND GET COMFY IN THE NEW YEAR WITH OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO SET A POSITIVE TONE FOR 2025

COVER STORY

HERO TO ACTION-HERO – VARUN DHAWAN IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE GETS CANDID ABOUT EXPLORING NEW GENRES, RAISING THE STAKES AT THE BOX-OFFICE AND REIGNING THE OTT TOO!

BOLLYWOOD ICON MADHURI DIXIT TALKS WOMEN POWER IN A CANDID CHAT WITH TANZIM PARDIWALLA

BOBBY DEOL IN THE CITY

ASHA BHOSLE AND SONU NIGAM CREATE MAGIC ON STAGE

PROPERTIES

CHECK OUT WHO WORE WHAT AT DANUBE FILMFARE OTT AWARDS 2024

KRITI SANON REFLECTS ON HER 10-YEAR JOURNEY IN A CANDID CHAT WITH JITESH PILLAAI

GLOBAL POP ICON ROBBIE WILLIAMS TALKS ABOUT HIS ECLECTIC JOURNEY AND HIS MUSICAL BIOPIC BETTER MAN IN AN EXCLUSIVE CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE

VARUN DHAWAN, KEERTHY SURESH IN THE HOUSE

RIZWAN SAJAN’S GRAND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

CHECK

ON THE GRAM

READERS WRITE AND BITE BACK... WITH LOVE AND AFFECTION

Check

GLITZ, GLAMOUR, GLORY, CHECK OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DANUBE PROPERTIES FILMFARE OTT AWARDS 2024

Manish Malhotra, Moushumi Chatterjee and Meenakshi Sheshadri

Imtiaz Ali and Hansal Mehta

Rajkummar Rao, Sonakshi Sinha and Patralekhaa

Kay Kay Menon and Nivedita Bhattacharya

Sanya Malhotra, Jaideep Ahlawat and Huma Qureshi

Sujoy Ghosh, Vijay Varma, Munira Surati, Manisha Koirala, R Madhavan, Aakanksha Naval-Shetye and Ananya Panday

Ananya Panday and Mr Rizwan Sajan - Founder and Chairman of Danube Group

Rajkummar Rao, Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma pose with the Black Lady

expert advice

Director of American Aesthetic Medical Center

BIOTIN FOR HAIR

DOES BIOTIN PREVENT HAIR LOSS?

Using biotin for hair has been common since many years due to its benefits and qualities; it is a type of B vitamin commonly used in cosmetic treatments to treat problems such as dermatitis, or weak nails and hair.

IS BIOTIN GOOD FOR HAIR GROWTH?

Biotin, also known as B7 vitamin (and formerly H vitamin), is a soluble vitamin linked to carbohydrates, fats, amino acids and purines metabolism, and that also favours blood circulation and hair growth; therefore, biotin will not just allow us to have a healthy and well nourished scalp: it will also provide strength and elasticity to our hair, making it shiny, too.

SO, WHERE CAN WE FIND IT?

Basically in foods of animal origin such as meat, fish or egg yolk; but also in vegetable products such as mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, whole grains, seeds, nuts ... If for any reason we cannot intake any of these foods, or we do not eat enough quantity, there is also the option of taking biotin tablets for hair. These biotin supplements for hair are usually sold in capsules and include other additives for hair, such as collagen or hyaluronic acid; however, due to the proliferation of this type of pills and supplements we must warn you about the risks of consuming them without the supervision of a specialist.

IS IT OK TO PUT BIOTIN IN YOUR HAIR ?

In general terms, using biotin for hair is safe in aesthetic treatments if administered in the recommended dose and under medical supervision.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

Nausea (especially during the first stages), stomach problems and diarrhoea, allergic reactions (including swelling of the face and throat, rashes on the body, etc) appearance of acne on the lower part of face and increased risk of abortion in pregnant women. Bear in mind that just as an excess of biotin intake has its side effects, a deficiency of biotin also has consequences for our body - rashes, hallucinations, depression... - and, as scientific studies have shown, it also causes a weakening of hair, affecting hair growth and pigmentation.

Besides, in certain patients it may be advisable - always under medical supervision - to consume optimum dosage of biotin, since it may provide other benefits for them such as:

Condition improvement in people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS)

Reduction of nerve pain in people with diabetes

Reduction of blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes (if combined with chromium)

Decrease in muscle cramps caused by dialysis

Shortening of altered mental status and motor control problems episodes in patients with basal ganglia dysfunction (if combined with thiamine)

DR. SANA SAJAN

Ravi Kishan, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Rajkummar Rao

Gulshan Devaiah and Sonakshi Sinha

Jaideep Ahlawat, Mr. Rizwan Sajan and Ravi Kishan

2024 was a rather special one for Varun Dhawan! Professionally the star made giant strides with his action avatar in Atlee’s massy entertainer BabyJohn and also took OTT by storm with his web-debut the Indian spin-off of the Citadel spy-thriller-verse Citadel:HoneyBunny directed by Raj & DK, while on the personal front, it was an even bigger celebration as Varun and wife Natasha Dalal have been basking in the joy of parenthood welcoming their beautiful and adorable baby girl Lara! Embracing fatherhood as well as his new action roles with aplomb, Varun has been riding the high wave into 2025. Whether intense dramas like Badlapur,Kalank,October, rom-coms like HumptySharmaKiDulhania,Bawaal and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, dance films like ABCD, horror-comedy like Bhediya, action comedies like Dishoom or now a high-octane actioner like BabyJohn, Varun has proven his acting chops as well as showcased his natural flair for all things entertainment! And going forward, the actor only wants to keep raising the bar at the Box Office! We caught up with the young actor in Dubai where he was promoting BabyJohn along with his co-star Keerthy Suresh as well as producers – the husband-wife duo – filmmaker Atlee and Priya! Amidst the fun banter and a candid chat we spoke to Varun about going all guns blazing in his out-and-out action role in the Kalees directorial, the excitement of donning the Khaki on screen for the first time and the actor also shared titbits about life post becoming a dad! Excerpts from our exclusive tete-a-tete with the reigning star!

I grew up watching these heroes play the cop and it’s been a dream since. So, playing a police officer in Baby John is definitely a checklist tick off for me.

Lights, camera, action!

Aself-confessed fan of the action genre, Varun admits that it’s taken a long time for him to do an all-out actioner, but it’s been worth the wait as 2024 has proven to be quite an action-packed year with and both Citadel: Honey Bunny and Baby John! Having proven his acting chops in films like October, Badlapur and Bhediya, the actor was keen on doing a ‘full-on massy entertainer’ and Baby John has been just that. Having seen Varun at his intense best in Badlapur, we point out that Baby John feels like Badlapur on steroids. So, what was the most challenging aspect of the entire movie for him we ask and the actor says that the biggest challenge was to not get injured! “The most challenging aspect was not getting hurt and to come out of the heavy action sequences not injured, especially when we were shooting in Kerala. We had a lot of portion where we’re shooting in rain, we shoot, jumping from a 100-foot bridge or a horse, the wildest of all, they hung me down as well. So, there were a lot of wild situations,” shared Varun.

As for Badalpur, he adds, “It’s been a long time since Badlapur, that I didn’t go into this space, but that was consciously a choice because there was nothing that pulled me that much to it. Now I think the subjects are coming my way that are pulling me in the genre, this being one. The emotion of playing a father on screen in this, the emotion of playing a husband and above all, playing a cop, you know, that’s a very big responsibility. And I think in Atlee’s cinema, he blends humour, drama, romance, action, it’s almost… like the best way I can explain it is that it’s like an Indian thali… sab kuch hota hai usmein. So, I’m glad that I get to explore all of this in his film.”

Photographs: Ajay Kadam | Stylist:Akshay TyagI | Make up: Shrikrishna Sarvade | Hair: Altaf Shaikh from Aalim Hakkim

Varun shares that during his growing years a huge part of his film appetite was seeing the heroes play the righteous cop! “I grew up watching these heroes play the cop and it’s been a dream since. So, playing a police officer in Baby John is definitely a checklist tick off for me,” he admits. “First time in an action avatar, first time getting in this police uniform, it was a big responsibility right from the haircut to the look, to the kind of action to do when I’m a police officer. It had to be more composed and I can’t look like another rowdy. There’s a composure, there’s a style, there’s a class which comes when you wear that uniform. So it was exciting, but that’s a big responsibility too,” he adds.

Atlee shares, “Varun’s cop character is like a next door boy, but whenever the police avatar has to come out, from a next door boy, a beast will come out. It’s the beast mode we are preparing. So I think this kind of a police role, I’ve not seen in Indian cinema. I’ve done in Theri and I’m proud of it, and we’ve repeated it in a different way in Baby John. And it suits Varun perfectly.”

Keerthy Suresh too chips in about her first Bollywood co-star! She says, “He’s a complete package - like he’s playing a father, he’s doing action, he’s doing romance and he’s also got a jovial side, besides playing a police officer and he’s doing it all so well.”

Khaki calling

I would still consider myself an underdog because though the name associated is so big, I’ve never done this. So for me it’s like I’m fighting to make my place in this genre (action).

Secretsizzlingof screen chemistry revealed!

Talk about the sizzling chemistry that Varun and Keerthy share on screen and the comfortable camaraderie they share off it, and Varun reveals that the secret is ‘Marriage’! “The bonding between Keerthy and me is the word marriage. She was preparing for marriage, and I am already married! So, for her it was all like ‘ki jab main biwi banungi to aisi biwi banungi’, aur kaisi biwi bani hai ye film mein. She’s the wife of the year and she has already broken hearts.” Varun also reveals that she broke many hearts by getting married in real too. “Kitty’s a heart-breaker. So many guys were heartbroken to find out about her getting married. Nobody knew about her relationship for many years. I knew, and well we took very good care of her too. And the joke is, ‘Baby John, and she’s Bhabhi Jaan’!”

Photographs: Yasir Arafat

Bring on the Veshti!

While wearing Veshti may not have been a challenge, shooting a fight sequence in rains while wearing the Veshti did seem like a cause for concern considering a wardrobe malfunction was expected! But Atlee shares that Varun did the scene full justice. “There’s a certain intensity in that fight sequence with Varun fighting in a lungi and he has done a 100 per cent justice. I don’t think even if we would have waited for 10-15 years with that experience, someone could have pulled it to that level. He has really pulled that to an A-level,” says Atlee.

Varun chips in, “As far as the wardrobe malfunctions were concerned, I think there were at least 100 people who would have come and tied my lungi again and again or taught me how to tie it. So we were shooting the fight – rain sequence in Kochi only. The people helping us with the water were locals, and they kept coming and telling me ‘ki aise bandho’. By the end I got very comfortable too. I never felt out of place in that sense. I was concerned about the low angle shots, to be honest, but the emotions were so intense and high that it didn’t matter.”

I was concerned about the low angle shots, to be honest, but the emotions were so intense and high that it didn’t matter.

Atlee and Priya

Keep it real!

Another challenge was shooting at real locales! Varun shares, “I’m born and raised in Mumbai but when we shoot films in the Hindi film industry, we don’t usually shoot on the road or in real locations. It’s mainly sets. So when I worked with Kalees and Atlee Sir’s team, they suddenly from sets wanted to bring it to real locations. And I was like ‘how will we shoot, where will we shoot’ and we shot at town in Colaba, in the middle of the street. They blocked the whole street. And I don’t know how they did that. There was a whole chase happening and running on the road. From morning to evening I’m running, people are watching me, there’re cafes, so there are people drinking coffee and watching me. So they stopped shooting films like that. But these guys they actually brought it back to the road, there’s a fight sequence in the fish market, so that was a very new experience for me to getting down and dirty in real location in the underbelly of Mumbai.”

Pan India and cross industrycollaborations!

The filmmakers and both the actors share that the industries are no longer isolated. It’s not about Bollywood or South, they are all Indian films, they echo each other’s sentiments. Varun points out that more than industry, it’s all about exploring good content and pushing the envelope as actors in various genres. “In today’s environment I feel there are underdog films and then there are big films. I think Baby John is that underdog film probably because of me as I haven’t done this genre before. Maine kabhi koi badi action film ya action film nahi ki hai. So I would still consider myself an underdog because though the name associated is so big, I’ve never done this. So for me it’s like I’m fighting to make my place in this genre. Though I’ve done a lot of films but I’m fighting to establish myself in this genre and it’s very competitive. For someone to project me like this is a first. Kisi ne Hindi film industry me chance nahi diya aisa, Chennai walo ne hi chance diya,” laughs Varun!

Keeping calm before the storm!

So are there jitters ahead of the film’s release? “You have no idea, right now there’s a mask on, and I’m behaving very composed and calm because Atlee sir and Priya are here. But from inside, I want to just scream and go watch the film and even more I want to know the audience reaction to it.”

Varun shares that marriage and fatherhood does change one a lot. “First the only priority is you, then it becomes the wife and the baby and you look forward to working harder and then making back home on time for them. So, you can’t think of yourself in isolation anymore. The world revolves around them. It also makes you that much more responsible.”

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KRITI SANON REFLECTS ON THE HIGHS, LOWS AND MIDPOINTS OF HER 10 YEAR JOURNEY WITH JITESH PILLAAI

Kriti Sanon is more than just a pretty face. She’s an outsider with ‘survivor’ tattooed on her heart.

From her memorable performance as the vivacious Bitti in Bareilly Ki Barfi to her emotionally-charged role as a surrogate mother in Mimi, Kriti has proven time and again that she’s a force to be reckoned with. In her last release Do Patti, she continues to push her boundaries, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her craft by playing a double role with the ease of a virtuoso. Hailing from Delhi, Kriti embodies the spirit of a dreamer who has fought her way to the top with unwavering determination and hard work. Kriti’s grounded nature reflects her understanding of the highs and the lows of fame. She wears her struggles and victories with pride, inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams with courage. Beyond the glamour, Kriti Sanon stands tall as an artiste who values substance over superficiality. She’s not just building a career; she’s creating a legacy defined by meaningful roles, heartfelt performances and an unshakeable belief in the magic of movies. Excerpts from an engaging interview with the feisty actress…

Now that you have turned producer with Do Patti, do you feel less privileged because you can’t throw star tantrums on the sets?

I never throw tantrums on set and my producers can vouch for that. In fact, I was often exploited, working 16-hour days. Both my co-producer, Kanika Dhillon and I were first-time producers, which meant a lot of learning. Our main focus was to make a good film.

You loved playing the dark twin in Do Patti.

I really enjoyed playing the sassy, unapologetic Shailee. There’s something badass and liberating about her. She doesn’t conform to moral boundaries, which is the opposite of who I am in real life. Playing such a character boosts your confidence because it’s not who you are. Kanika’s characters always have layers. Shailee like Saumya, has her own baggage and demons. You’ll definitely see a more edgy side of me through these roles.

What made you want to produce this film?

While shooting for Mimi, I became

actors. Kajol would guide me on the tone of scenes and she was open to my suggestions. I’ve grown as an actor, and it was great to work on these edgy scenes with her. The ice between us finally broke.

You have worked with actresses like Dimple Kapadia, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Tabu. When women come together on set, is it a nightmare

TODAY, THE STORY IS THE TRUE STAR OF FILMS, AND WOMEN ARE OPTING FOR STRONGER ROLES. HOWEVER, FILMS WITH FEMALE PROTAGONISTS ARE OFTEN SEEN AS SMALLER PR ODUCTIONS, AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT PERCEPTION

deeply passionate and emotionally attached to the film, wanting to be creatively involved in every aspect of filmmaking. Since entering the industry, I’ve always been curious, absorbing everything from music to editing. After Mimi, I craved more intense and layered roles. I received great scripts like Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Crew. But, still sought something deeper. When I met Kanika, I shared my desire to produce and support films. She had a twin story in mind. After a month, she presented a beautiful five-page story that blended both our ideas. I was moved

and immediately on board.

Was there any difference in Kajol since you worked with her in Dilwale and now in Do Patti? I’ve definitely changed since Dilwale. Back then, I was new and felt like the baby on set, with limited scenes with Kajol. So we couldn’t break the ice. She got along well with Varun Dhawan, who had worked as an AD on My Name Is Khan, and I felt a bit left out. However, in Do Patti, we had many meaningful scenes together with a lot of give-and-take as

or is there a lot of bonding?

With Dimple ma’am, I had only two scenes, one where I say, “davai do” and another with a malfunctioning robot. During rehearsals, she laughed and complimented my performance. Her style, confidence and colourful glasses are inspiring. One day, I’d love to play a character like hers. Working with Kareena felt like acting with Geet from Jab We Met. She has a natural spark on camera but she prepares meticulously. Before a

Do Patti

take, I see her walking around, mouthing her lines in different ways, completely focused. Tabu ma’am is unpredictable. She often adds spontaneous, funny moments that shift the scene’s tone. I don’t think she prepares. She just lets things flow on the sets. Kajol ma’am looks even better than she did in Dilwale. I’m curious about what she’s doing. Even after so many films, she still has a hunger to improve each scene, which reminds me of Shah Rukh sir’s dedication.

What kind of challenges do women in the film industry face?

Today, the story is the true star of films, and women are opting for stronger roles. However, films with female protagonists are often seen as smaller productions. We need to change that perception. Producers should create grand, visually-stunning scenes with female leads, like those in Pathaan with Shah Rukh Khan, moments that are made for the big screen. Gangubai is a great example, where Mr Bhansali presented the story on a grand scale, invested in the visuals and the film succeeded both critically and commercially.

What kind of relationship do you share with your own sibling?

I’m close to my sister, Nupur. She’s my best friend and knows everything about me. Like most siblings, we’ve had our ups and downs. There was a time we didn’t get along, fought a lot, and had separate friend circles. When I moved to Mumbai, we weren’t as close but when she

moved here, our bond grew stronger. As we got older, we became best friends. We still have our fights but I’m very protective of her and tend to ‘mother’ her.

If she were seeing someone, would you give her relationship advice?

She doesn’t need me as she’s more sane in her relationships than I am. We are different people when it comes to relationships.

You come from Delhi, where girls have a lot of harrowing tales to tell about how they are harassed by men... Delhi is often considered unsafe for women, especially after 8 pm. When I was doing my BTech and modelling simultaneously, I used to drive to my shows and my parents would start checking on me by 8:30 pm. If a group of girls went out, we made sure there were boys with us. In contrast, in Mumbai, I would drive back alone or with my driver at 2 am, and my parents were amazed by how safe it felt. I do have some Delhi traits, though. For instance, I had to protect my Hindi in Mumbai because it can get diluted here. People say “right maro” (for turning right), which sounds aggressive. Also, in Delhi, we speak a bit faster, which I still do!

You are an engineering student. They are supposedly very cold and clinical. Is that why you have a business bent of mind

and you came up with ventures like skincare, a clothing brand, and now production? I never had a business mindset. As an engineering student, I was taught to be logical and curious, always asking “why” and “how” things work. This mindset shaped my journey, from Heropanti to Dilwale. I still ask questions about my character, sets, and more. When I turned 30 during the lockdown, I realised the importance of skincare and started learning about it. Noticing a gap in the market, I thought of creating skincare products. When I met my partners, I had a clear idea of the ingredients and products I wanted to develop. They didn’t expect that from an actor but I applied my engineering mindset to many areas.

You’ve lived alone in Mumbai. Does it take a toll on your mental health? Did you think of going to a therapist, especially when working on a troubled character? Being alone was fine until my dad returned to Delhi, leaving me alone in

SINCE ENTERING THE INDUSTRY, I’VE ALWAYS BEEN CURIOUS, ABSORBING EVERYTHING FROM MUSIC TO EDITING. AFTER MIMI, I CRAVED MORE INTENSE AND LAYERED ROLES

Mimi

Kriti Sanon’s LOVE FUNDAS

Is your height a deterrent when it comes to your co-stars and your dating life?

(Laughs) In my dating life, I prefer men who are taller or the same height as I am. I don’t want to look down to kiss. I always want to be able to lean on

someone’s shoulder! That said, I’ve worked with many actors with whom I’ve had great chemistry, and some have been shorter than me. They might have to stand on a ‘patra’ but that’s perfectly fine.

Men are intimidated by successful women. Have you ever faced that with your partner?

I’ve only encountered one insecure person but that relationship didn’t last. To me, that’s a red flag. A partner should support and help the other grow, regardless of success. It’s about being proud of each other and wanting the best version of themselves. That’s what I look for in a man.

Is it easier dating an actor or easier to date someone from another profession?

An actor might understand certain situations better because they’re in the same field but I also think actors can be quite vain and the profession feels like a bubble. It’s refreshing to talk to someone outside of that world who doesn’t know the persona and treats you like a normal person, discussing other things. Everyone has their pros and cons, whether an actor or not. What matters is that the two people are in sync best friends, and share a love for each other.

What kind of person are you in relationships? Psychotic or stressfree?

I fall head over heels in love. I’m understanding and trusting. To me, love

and trust go hand in hand. I’m a romantic at heart, while my sister is also romantic but more practical.

Five things in an ideal partner:

Mutual respect, honesty (being able to share anything with each other), a strong friendship, having fun together and sharing similar family values.

Mumbai for the first time. I didn’t like the silence at home or the emptiness I felt when returning to a hotel room after a shoot. It’s unsettling. While filming Mimi, I poured myself into a scene, channelling painful memories. Initially numb, I found myself screaming and crying, a release I hadn’t experienced before. Postlockdown, I went through a tough phase and spoke with therapists, but nothing helped.

During Do Patti, I tapped into another emotional memory, but it left me feeling low weeks later. My therapist advised me to stop revisiting such memories, emphasising that while acting requires emotional depth, I needed to protect my well-being. I promised to find a healthier approach.

There was a time when your films were not doing well, and there were a lot comments that you were doing

bad films. As an actor, I want to balance performance-driven films with bigbudget, 100 crore films.

I enjoy watching all kinds of movies, so I believe I should be a part of diverse projects. Success and failure are beyond my control. Once I sign a film, I give it my 100 per cent, whether it turns out to be good or bad. After Mimi, there was a lot of chatter about what I should or shouldn’t do, with unkind remarks saying I was unlucky. But this kind of trolling doesn’t affect me.

What have been the turning points in your career?

I wouldn’t call Dilwale a turning point but it was a stepping stone. From being an outsider with just one film to working with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. It gave me global reach, thanks to Shah Rukh sir’s massive fanbase. Bareilly Ki Barfi was a real turning point, as people saw me in a completely different role as Bitti, proving I could perform. Then came Mimi, which was a huge turning point in my life. I’d also mention Teri Baaton Mein. While shooting, I didn’t think much about the outcome. The character, Sifra, was about a robot who could be human at times and robotic at others. The way the audience embraced the character and the love it received was incredible.

What have you learnt in your journey so far?

As an actor, you go

I MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT NOT TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO MAKE ME FEEL INSECURE, EVEN IF THEY MEAN WELL. YOUR CORE GROUP SHOULD UPLIFT YOU

through ups and downs and eventually, you reach a point where you know what doesn’t work for you and you can focus on what you truly love. For me, it’s being on the sets. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Crew did well, and people’s perception of me changed completely. I’m not affected by the chatter because it’s temporary.

What advice would you give to the girl who started off 10 years ago?

Don’t be too hard on yourself or stress too much. Keep working, and you’ll get where you’re meant to be when the time is right. Everything happens for a reason and your ups and downs will serve that purpose. Stay true to who you are, because in this

industry, it’s easy to lose your core. Remember, both success and failure are temporary, so don’t be too tough on yourself.

Have you lost out on roles to kids from film families or because you didn’t have that connection?

I haven’t been given opportunities easily from the start of my career. Once, I heard I was being considered for a role but wasn’t among the top three. Later, I found out that none of the top three were selected, and instead, someone else from a film background appeared on the poster. It happens.

there was no difference in the writing or execution. As for Amit and Aradhana, they have very different personalities. Amit is more instinctive, while Aradhana is more logical. A great example of this is Laxman Utekar sir. His explanation of the delivery scene in Mimi was truly touching. He said that typically, in films, a woman screams a few times, and the child is born. But he wanted people to feel the real pain of childbirth in that scene. He wanted every husband to look at his wife and realise what she went through. For a man who hasn’t experienced that pain himself to say that was commendable.

These days, people’s faces are constantly

AS AN ACTOR, I WANT TO BALANCE PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN FILMS WITH BIG-BUDGET, 100 CRORE FILMS. I ENJOY WATCHING ALL KINDS OF MOVIES, SO I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE A PART OF DIVERSE PROJECTS

You mentioned Bareilly Ki Barfi, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Teri Baaton Mein, which was directed by the duo Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah. Is there a difference in the male gaze and feminine gaze when directing a film?

Bareilly Ki Barfi was written by Nitesh Tiwari and directed by his wife Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and

changing because of fillers or Botox. Do you ever feel pressured to try it out?

I make a conscious effort not to surround myself with people who make me feel insecure, even if they mean well. Your core group should uplift you. Those who cause insecurity are often dealing with their own, but I don’t judge them. It’s a personal choice.

If altering your body boosts your confidence, that’s your decision, and you should accept the outcome. However, I don’t want young girls feeling pressured to be perfect all the time. No one looks perfect constantly. I have puffy days, bad hair days. The photos we see are often edited and filtered and sometimes you don’t even recognise yourself. It’s important to understand the impact this has.

Does all this trigger anxiety in you?

As someone in a profession centred on vanity, I do want to look good but not to the point where I feel the need to change anything. I want to age gracefully and take care of myself, both physically and mentally. Because what you feel inside shows on your face. Overall well-being is key. I want to look real. I don’t want to always post pictures where I look perfect. I avoid the filter zone and tell photographers not to overly touch up my face to the point it looks unreal.

What about body shaming? There’s so much pressure to be a certain size in school, college, and especially in this profession. Is that a harsh reality?

It’s a harsh reality but you can’t stop people from saying what they want. In the past, they’d say it to your face; now, it’s online. While social media has its positives, the negatives often outweigh them. People share what they’re eating, where they’re travelling, making it seem like everyone’s life is better than yours. But that’s not the whole picture. No one shows the moments when they’re crying.

Everything is curated for Instagram. The camera is on 24/7. Isn’t that scary?

Part of me wishes I’d been around during an earlier time when there were fewer awards and less focus on appearance. Back then, awards had more credibility and the celebrations felt genuine. People would show up for award shows relaxed, reflecting their true personalities, not like they’d been styled by someone. Now, everything’s become more complicated. Everyone seeks validation, whether through social media or reviews. But which part of it is real? You want to know who’s praising you genuinely. It’s all become very superficial.

Imagine getting validation from an app... It’s also become a perception and may not be the truth. The audience believes what you put out. The audience reads rumours and actually believes them and discusses them. Social media is feeding us so much information because platforms need to put out something every few seconds.

Do you think this constant scrolling is healthy?

A few years ago, I’d get upset watching my hairstylist stress over not getting views on his posts. I’d tell him he was more focused on capturing the moment than living it. This obsession with social media is affecting today’s generation. That said, I’ve become addicted to reels myself! I used to swear I wouldn’t, but now I watch skincare reels for hours. By the end, I feel drained. The older generation, who didn’t grow up with social media, is confused by it, while the younger generation hasn’t experienced life without it.n

Bareilly Ki Barfi

Robbie Williams Better Man

GLOBAL POP ICON AND CHART-TOPPING ARTISTE, ROBBIE WILLIAMS, IN AN EXCLUSIVE CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE GETS CANDID ABOUT HIS ECLECTIC JOURNEY, CELEBRATES HIS DREAMS AND TALKS ABOUT THE CATHARTIC MUSICAL BIOPIC BETTER MAN

PHOTOGRAPHY: YASIR ARAFAT

Robbie Williams is undoubtedly one of the most charismatic and dynamic performers witnessed in music history. And yet when the musical biopic Better Man – brilliantly directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) - is made on the life of this Britpop superstar, the singer-songwriter prefers a CGI monkey play him on reel.

A rather unconventional call, we say about this creative storytelling format, ‘but it does get you talking’ points out Robbie! Yes, brutally honest and absolutely attention-loving, that’s Robbie Williams and to quote him, “I’m cheeky, I’m silly, and I’m naughty. I’m not alpha or beta — I am a monkey,” he says when asked about his choice of a monkey as his spirit animal over a conventionally more powerful choice like a lion or a tiger? “I did suggest to Gracey, that I would like to see myself as a lion, but I’m not, you know, and he said I was more monkey and he was right.” The tagline - Fame makes a monkey of us all – strongly resonates with the meaningful choice, and also reflects a deeper metaphor reflecting Robin’s raw emotional complexities through his fractured relationships, fears, insecurities, his struggles with addictions and an evolved love affair with fame.

Interestingly, however, while the movie showcases his resilience and triumphant journey to the top despite the constant battles with his inner demons and moves you with its intensity in laying bare the darkest cervices of Robbie’s life, Better Man is no exercise in glorification of the entertainer extraordinaire that he truly is. The biopic offers fans a rare glimpse into the man behind the music and chronicles his early days with Take That to his meteoric rise as a solo artist.

We caught up with the electrifying entertainer in Dubai for an exclusive interview. Having grown up listening to his music, I tell him how he’s been an integral part of our pop-culture and the huge fan-following he has in India too. “I’ve got the Indian Hindu Monkey God –Hanuman - statue in my bag with me all the time,” he reveals excitedly on learning that I’m from India, while we settle for our candid tete-a-tete! With his characteristic wit and candor, Robbie is in parts funny and charming to the T as we dive deep into the heart of Better Man. Letting down his starry guard to reveal a more humane and real side of him, he reflects on his journey — one filled with incredible highs and heart-breaking lows, self-discovery and reinvention to chasing the ambition of being the best entertainer on the planet – and shares insights into what it was like to relive those moments on screen and talk about the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Confronting the dark to find peace is not easy and Robbie admits that everyone’s route to finding their way out of darkness and finding that sanity is very different. So what was it for him? “I just keep turning up, the voices pop up once in a while, but I am in charge now,” he says. Going forward, the singer is working on an upcoming tour and hopes to release an album too. Excerpts from our conversations with the Better Man!

Better Man left our hearts in a pulp of emotions…

Thank you. Yes, people are being very emotional when they see the movie. It’s having a profound effect on people and it’s a very odd thing to say when people say, ‘so your movie made me cry’ and then I say ‘thank you!’ It’s the weirdest job to be in where you can make somebody cry and then thank them for it and here I am.

The movie seems to have a rather cathartic effect! Has it been a part of your healing process or would you call it the outcome?

I’m only going to be able to talk about catharsis after all this is done. Right now, I’m promoting it and I’m terrified that people are

going to see it so that’s what I’m concentrated on. I know that the catharsis will come after and that catharsis will come one way or the other. One way is, it’s incredibly successful and people email me and text me, they tell me when they see me, how much it moved them and what it meant to them; and then comes cathartic. The other version is, nobody goes to see it and its catharsis because I have to go to therapy and work on myself again (laughs).

There’s a beautiful message that seems to have been weaved in that the film conveys - to forgive yourself, to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness. Was that the intention?

INTERVIEW

Not really! The intention was to remind people that I exist. But I’m beginning to understand and realise that forgiveness is the superpower that you can acquire. And I’m not very good at it, I’m really not. I need to get better. I need to forgive myself more than anybody else. But then there’s a bunch of people I need to forgive too because holding onto that rug sack full of bitterness and anger and resentment is not good for the soul. And I think that if I intend to move on to the next dimension, I have got to get rid of and become better at forgiving.

What is the most incredible thing about the movie?

The most incredible thing about the movie is I didn’t die. Living the life! And the most incredible thing is that it exists and it’s touching people on a very profound level and it’s authentic and it’s raw and you’re going to cry.

We did! So, is there a particular scene or a sequence that’s especially close to you?

There’s an incredible scene on Regent Street where me and the boys perform that song ‘Rock DJ’ and I have to mention that one because that’s the most expensive scene in the movie and involved like hundreds of dancers and some extreme visually gorgeous choreography.

Why do we not get to see you on screen in this one?

I was going to, but then it would have taken three months away from my family to film it and I didn’t want to be away from my family for that long.

But what was the thought process of having a CGI monkey represent you rather than have a real actor play you?

I think we needed to get people talking. That was it.

You have!

Mission accomplished!

Tick! I think that was all this was about really. Strangely it works better than if it was a human playing a human. It is to say spiritual, magical trick!

When it was on paper, it must have been a kind of risk going on board with this?

Not for me. And neither for Michael Gracey. But it was for the people, the people who invested in the movie. I just thought it was the best idea ever and I still think it’s the best idea. I stand by it 1000 per cent and by the looks of the reactions that the film is getting, it works.

If you were to give an advise to say a 15-year-old you, or a 21-year-old you, what advice would that be?

I wouldn’t. I would just tell that everything’s going to be okay and you’ve got this. It’s going to be dark and it’s going to be bumpy, but it’s all going to be worth it and I love you. That would be it!

What’s the best part about being Robbie Williams today?

Being loved by my wife. Being loved by my four children. Creating and facilitating life and a lifestyle that is unbelievable. Getting to be creative and getting to have my creativity appreciated. Having access… and being full of gratitude. I’m full of gratitude right now.

If you had to describe your journey in say three words, what would they be?

Hilarious, painful, surreal!

Aren’t they self-contradictory though…

Well you know, you can

I

wouldn’t (give any advice to my younger self)... I would just tell that everything’s going to be okay and you’ve got this. It’s going to be dark and it’s going to be bumpy, but it’s all going to be worth it and I love you. That would be it!

find hilarity in pain too. It’s definitely been surreal. And it’s definitely been painful.

What is the one achievement that you’d look back and give yourself a pat on the back for?

18 years of monogamous living with my wife. It’s a big one (laughs).

Okay…

All the other stuff I thought I could do! I thought I could be a stadium standing act, I thought I could make an album, have it be in people’s minds and hearts. I thought I could shoot videos, I thought I could be a pop star, I definitely didn’t think I could be monogamous but here I am!

The movie depicts your childhood and shows you with this dream of wanting to be famous and battling this big fear where you don’t want to grow up to be a nobody. Today, what is the one dream you look forward to?

I just want to keep this thing going. You know, I want to exist. I am a professional attention seeker. I need attention or cease to exist my job cease to exist. So, it’s important that I have people’s attention.

Is there a message you’d like to send across to your fans reading or watching this! Well, first of all, thank you very much for taking me into your heart and having me be a part of your journey whilst here on the planet. I’m very grateful. This meant an awful lot to me. You know I’ve wanted to be seen and I’ve wanted to be heard and I’ve wanted to be loved and I’ve been seen and heard and loved on such a grand scale and I’m very grateful for that and very grateful to them.

18 years of monogamous living with my wife. It’s a big one (laughs)… I thought I could be a stadium standing act, I thought I could make an album, have it be in people’s minds and hearts. I thought I could shoot videos, I thought I could be a pop star, I definitely didn’t think I could be monogamous, but here I am!

Still Madhuri... madabout

MADHURI DIXIT’S PROWESS OF MESMERISING VIEWERS HASN’T WANED.

TANZIM PARDIWALLA TRIES NOT TO BE A FANGIRL WHILE INTERVIEWING THE ICON

Like the rhythm of a timeless song that one cannot get enough of, Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit Nene keeps growing on you. The grit of Tezaab’s Mohini, the fire of Devdas’ Chandramukhi and the charm of Hum Aapke Hai Koun..!’s Nisha flow through her even today. It’s a Sunday afternoon and I’m on the phone with the legendary actress. She has a way of putting you at ease, the warmth in her voice envelopes you like a blanket. The tinkle of her laughter assures you that all’s well with the world. Call her an icon and she graciously thanks you. For someone who has been on top of her game for ages now, she has no airs. The actress talks about how Bollywood’s landscape has evolved over the years. She tells me how working with new people still excites her and that the phenomenon of a female-led film dominating box offices has been a long time in the making. Excerpts from an insightful conversation with the dancing diva of Bollywood:

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CAN ONLY HAPPEN WHEN WOMEN SUPPORT OTHER WOMEN, AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN THAT.

If you see my roles over the years, they’ve always been about strong women who stand up for their own rights

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A ROLE AT THIS STAGE OF YOUR CAREER?

When I did The Fame Game, I thought it was interesting and different for me. It was the story of an actress with a family, children to protect and so many things weighing on her and how she stands up for herself in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed doing that. Then there was Maja Maa, in which I played an LGBTQI role. It was about love, the freedom to choose who you want to love and live your life with, and not excluding the family from it. You want their support; you want the family to move with you. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is different. It’s a spooky horror comedy. So you can imagine how different this is for me. That’s why I chose to do it.

VIDYA BALAN PRAISED YOU FOR SUPPORTING HER. TELL US ABOUT WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN WHEN THERE’S SO MUCH TALK OF

ACTING USED TO BE THE ONLY THING WE DID. SLOWLY, COMMERCIALS CAME, AND ARTISTES FOUND OTHER WAYS TO EARN MONEY. But now, there are so many other things you have to do, not only to promote your film but also for your personal gain

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WOMEN WERE SIDELINED AND JUST THERE AS EYE CANDY, AND SLOWLY THAT EVOLVED.

In the ’40s-’60s, with directors like Guru Dutt, women were the centre of their world

The Fame Game

COMPETITION.

Women empowerment can only happen when women support other women and I strongly believe in that. If you see my roles over the years, they’ve always been about strong women who stand up for their own rights and who stand up for other women’s rights. I see a future for women if that happens. People ask me, “How are you doing all this? You’re working and balancing your family life?” I say that’s because the other women in my life supported me. My mother and my mother-in-law, who is like a second mother to me, both supported me. They were always there, encouraging me. That’s how you go out and do what you do best. When you have your family’s support, your husband’s support, that’s when you can go and do amazing things. I’ve always had a great camaraderie on the set with everyone because I think it’s important to feel strong and to believe you can do anything in this world.

I DON’T

KNOW ABOUT REMAKES.

I CAN UNDERSTAND

SEQUELS BECAUSE

THEY’RE

AN ADVANCEMENT OF THE PLOT. If someone wants to make a Tezaab remake or a sequel, they’ll have to adapt it to today’s

age

YOU HAVE DONE ICONIC DANCE DUETS WITH KARISMA KAPOOR AND AISHWARYA RAI. WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH VIDYA BALAN BEEN LIKE?

It’s been wonderful. Whether it was the Dance of envy from Dil Toh Pagal Hai or Dola re Dola from Devdas. Now, in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, I knew Ami je tomar was already an iconic song. I’ve always loved it. When I got the opportunity to be in this film, and they said we were going to do the song as well, I was thrilled. I said, “It’ll be such a great experience to dance with Vidya.” I’ve always appreciated her as an actress. Now I know she’s a lovely person too. We vibed so well during the making of the film. The idea of taking Kathak and Bharatnatyam, two different styles for two different actresses and blending them into one song was brilliant. Choreographer Chinni Prakash did such a wonderful job. Shreya Ghoshal’s voice is melodious. They’ve taken the same song and made it fresh on screen. It’s great when you want to do something different, and you get to work with a team that’s so cohesive and work on the same page.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE WITH KARTIK AARYAN AND TRIPTII DIMRI?

This is the first time I’m working with Triptii, though we don’t have many scenes together. But I can see the enthusiasm and the way they wor. They’re such hardworking people. Kartik thinks of everything. His mind is

always buzzing. He goes all out, whether he’s promoting a movie or shooting for it. When you have that kind of energy on the set, it’s always great because it rubs off on you. We learn from their enthusiasm, and they learn from our experience.

ARE THERE THINGS THAT STILL SURPRISE YOU ON A MOVIE SET?

When you work with new people, it’s always a new experience. I’d never worked with Anees Bazmee before. Manu, the DOP, is excellent. The first two days you’re always trying to adjust to everyone. But on this set, the day I walked in, I felt as though I knew everyone. It just fell into place somehow. Even with all the actors, it felt like one big family. We used to sit together and chat. Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Mishra and all used to keep us in splits with their one-liners. Anees ji, as a leader, is amazing because he is so sorted; he balances everything on the set. We had a great time.

BETWEEN VIDYA BALAN’S KAHAANI AND ALIA BHATT’S JIGRA, THE NUMBER OF FEMALE-LED FILMS HAS ONLY INCREASED. BUT DO YOU THINK BOLLYWOOD IS DOING ENOUGH FOR ACTRESSES?

There was a time when women were sidelined and just there as eye candy. But the situation has evolved slowly. In the ’40s-’60s, with directors like Guru Dutt, women were the centre of their world. But then things changed. There was a time when we were just ornamental again. It changed again in the ’90s. I was fortunate to get strong roles in movies. Filmmaking is unpredictable but women are getting better roles. Films like

Jigra, where the sister goes to rescue the brother, show a role reversal. We have directors today who think that way. We need more people like that; those who think outside the box. It’s happening, but we still need to cover a lot of ground.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN GEN Z DISCOVERS YOUR WORK AND CONNECTS WITH YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

It’s wonderful because whenever I meet Gen Z, I realise they are so smart. They know so much. They want to share their life experiences and see what’s happening in others’ lives. Social media has become important to them. It’s wonderful to always touch base with them because you learn so much from them. Even my kids know so much. It’s crazy. They’ll watch a film and give you a whole breakdown. I just look at them and think, “How come I didn’t think of all this?”

STARS TODAY HAVE DIFFERENT STREAMS OF REVENUE... Acting used to be the only thing we did. Slowly, commercials came and artistes found other ways to earn money. But now, there are so many other things you have to do, not only to promote your film but also for your personal gain. You’re always in touch with your audience. If you want to say something to them directly, you have a channel to do that. There are so many good things and so many bad things. But that’s true of everything in life, right? How you manage your life is up to you. You have a choice. That’s the word I would use.

HOW DIFFERENT IS YOUR PROCESS WHEN YOU’RE DOING COMEDY VS A SERIOUS DRAMA?

For me, the process begins when the camera is on. I might be thinking about it but I’m not aware of it when I’m reading my lines and everything. When the camera comes

Tezaab

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

on, I’m there in the moment. That’s how I work. That’s my process.

WHO ARE SOME ACTORS YOU WANT TO WORK WITH?

There are a lot of people I haven’t worked with, especially the youngsters who are doing such great work. I should be excited about what I’m going to do. That’s the basic thing for me. I should get excited about the role and about doing something different, not only as an actress but also as a person.

YOU WON YOUR FIRST FILMFARE AWARD FOR THE 1990 FILM DIL. HOW DO YOU LOOK BACK ON THAT WIN?

It was exciting because Filmfare is a major award. I was nominated for Tezaab before that, and then in 1990, I was nominated for Dil. I didn’t win for Tezaab, but when I got it for Dil, of course, it was thrilling. It was an appreciation for what I had done. It was amazing to be on stage, receiving the award and getting an ovation from the very industry in which you work.

WHAT’S YOUR STANCE ON REMAKES?

I don’t know about remakes. I can understand sequels because they’re an advancement of the plot. If someone wants to make a Tezaab remake or a sequel, they’ll have to adapt it to today’s age. They’ll have to change it anyway, so why try to make the same thing again? Make something new.

WHAT IS THAT ONE LESSON FROM YOUR MOTHER THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU ALWAYS?

I don’t think I lacked for advice because my mom was always there, like a strong pillar standing by me. If there was criticism, she’d just say, “Don’t even worry about it. Have confidence in yourself, believe in yourself.” Today, because I’m a mother, I would say the same things to myself. That’s what I tell my kids now when they’re feeling a little out of place. It’s important to be strong and stand by your convictions.

THE WHAT, WHERE, WHO IN THE CITY

DUBAI SCOPE

WHO:

BRYAN ADAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY: YASIR ARAFAT

WHAT:

MUSIC-LOVERS IN THE UAE WERE IN FOR A TREAT AS BRYAN ADAMS PERFORMED AT THE ETIHAD ARENA, ABU DHABI. THE ROCK LEGEND BELTED OUT HIS TIMELESS HITS INCLUDING ‘SUMMER OF 69’, ‘RUN TO YOU’, ‘EVERYTHING I DO’ TO A FULL HOUSE!

WHO:

BOBBY DEOL, SOHAIL KHAN

WHAT:

OUR DECEMBER COVER STAR BOBBY DEOL WAS IN THE CITY. THE SUAVE STAR INTERACTED WITH MEDIA AND SIGNED OUR MAGAZINE COVER AT THE EXCLUSIVE EVENT THAT ALSO SAW SOHAIL KHAN IN ATTENDANCE.

PHOTOGRAPHY: YASIR ARAFAT

WHO:

ASHA BHOSLE, SONU NIGAM, ZANAI BHOSLE, SALMAN AHMED, RIZWAN SAJAN, SALIM MERCHANT, MANIESH PAUL, SURESH OBEROI AND VIVEK OBEROI, GULSHAN GROVER

WHAT:

DUBAI WITNESSED MUSICAL HISTORY BEING CREATED AS MUSIC LEGEND ASHA BHOSLE AND MUSIC ICON SONU NIGAM PERFORMED LIVE TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UAE FOR THE ASHA BHOSLE & SONU NIGAM LEGACY CONCERT! A MEMORABLE EVENING FOR MUSIC-LOVERS, THE TWO LEGENDS REGALED CROWDS WITH TIMELESS CLASSICS AS WELL AS CONTEMPORARY HIT NUMBERS. 91-YEAR-OLD ASHAJI’S RENDITION OF ‘TAUBA TAUBA’ ESPECIALLY HAD THE CROWDS CHEERING ON

ENDLESSLY, WHILE SONU’S ENERGY INFUSED THE EVENING WITH MORE MUSICAL MAGIC! ZANAI BHOSLE ALSO LIT UP THE STAGE WITH HER SONGS AND PERFORMANCE. THE ENERGY IN THE ARENA THE CROWD WAS ELECTRIC AS THE WAS TRANSPORTED THROUGH DECADES OF MELODIES, EMOTIONS, AND NOSTALGIA WHILE THEY SANG ALONG TO EVERY SONG. ALSO SEEN IN ATTENDANCE WERE SURESH OBEROI, VIVEK OBEROI, DANUBE GROUP FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN RIZWAN SAJAN WITH WIFE SAMEERA SAJAN, DANUBE GROUP’S VICE CHAIRMAN ANIS SAJAN, DIRECTOR OF DANUBE WELFARE CENTRE AND FOUNDER OF ALISH APPAREL SHABNAM NISSAR KASSAM, MANIESH PAUL, SALIM MERCHANT, GULSHAN GROVER, SHADAB FARIDI, ALTAMASH FARIDI, S. SREESANTH, AS WELL AS THE MAN BEHIND THE EVENT - SALMAN AHMED OF PME ENTERTAINMENT

WHO:

VARUN DHAWAN, KEERTHY SURESH, PRIYA, ATLEE

WHAT:

LEAD STARS OF BABY JOHN – VARUN DHAWAN AND KEERTHY SURESH ALONG WITH THE PRODUCERS OF THE FILM ATLEE AND WIFE PRIYA – WERE IN THE CITY TO PROMOTE THEIR ACTION-ENTERTAINER.

PHOTOGRAPHY: YASIR ARAFAT

ROBBIE WILLIAMS WHO:

WHAT:

PHOTOGRAPHY: YASIR ARAFAT

ROBBIE WILLIAMS INTERACTED WITH FANS AND MEDIA AT THE RED CARPET FOR THE DUBAI PREMIERE OF HIS MUSICAL BIOPIC BETTER MAN

Sonu Sood, Honey Singh, Stebin Ben, Suraj Jumani at the Dubai premiere of Sonu’s directorial debut Fateh

PHOTOGRAPHY: YASIR ARAFAT & VIDEO: JAFAR VITTIYIL

Celebrations Unlimited

FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF DANUBE GROUP, MR. RIZWAN SAJAN’S BIRTHDAY WAS MARKED BY MULTIPLE CELEBRATIONS THAT SAW FRIENDS, FAMILY AND EMPLOYEES COME TOGETHER FOR SPECIAL CELEBRATORY EVENTS SPREAD ACROSS SEVERAL DAYS. WHILE THE ENCHANTING DESERT PARTY, ‘ARABIAN NIGHT,’ HAD MR. SAJAN CELEBRATED WITH HIS EMPLOYEES AMIDST THE STUNNING DUNES; ADDING TO THE FESTIVE SPIRIT, THE DANUBE HEADQUARTERS TURNED CHRISTMAS SEASON IN A JOYOUS AND HEARTWARMING CELEBRATION AS THE SAJAN FAMILY CAME TOGETHER FOR THE CHAIRMAN’S BIRTHDAY AS WELL.

GOOD FRIEND RAJAN LAL ALSO HOSTED A GRAND BASH TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY AND THE JOYOUS OCCASION SAW MANY CELEBRITY GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDING SENIOR STAR SHATRUGHAN SINHA, GULSHAN GROVER, SHASHI AND ANU RANJAN, AMONGST OTHERS. THE SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT OF THE MEMORABLE EVENING WAS THE ENORMOUS TOWER CAKE IN THE FORM OF BAYZ 102 THAT LITERALLY TOWERED ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE LENDING IT A ‘LARGER-THAN-LIFE’ FEEL.

A VISIONARY ENTREPRENEUR AND TRAILBLAZER, MR. SAJAN EXPRESSED HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO HIS EMPLOYEES, FRIENDS, AND LOVED ONES FOR THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT, LOVE AND BLESSINGS.

HERE’S TO A LEADER WHO NOT ONLY INSPIRES BUT ALSO VALUES THE COLLECTIVE SPIRIT THAT DRIVES EXCELLENCE. WISHING MR. RIZWAN SAJAN CONTINUED SUCCESS, HAPPINESS, AND MEMORABLE CELEBRATIONS IN THE YEARS TO COME!

CHECK OUT THE GLIMPSES FROM THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FILLED WITH CHERISHED AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS SPENT WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND EMPLOYEES

Rajan Lal hosted a grand birthday bash for Rizwan Sajan that was made memorable with a special tower cake in the form of BAYZ 102

The Sajan Family comes together to celebrate the birthday of Founder and Chairman of Danube Group Mr Rizwan Sajan

Rajan Lal, Rizwan Sajan, Shatrughan Sinha and Punam Sinha

Rizwan Sajan and Madhusudhan Rao CEO - Danube Group

Managing Director Danube Group Adel

Sajan with Director Danube Group Dr Sana

Sajan with Kids

Adel Sajan with Mrs Sameera Sajan

Rizwan Sajan with Vice Chairman Danube Group Mr Anis Sajan and Shabnam Kassam

Dr Sana Sajan with family

Rizwan Sajan with Gulshan Grover and friend

Rizwan Sajan wiht Team Filmfare Middle East

Who Wore

Kareena Kapoor Khan looked rediant in a silver-grey Sabyasachi Akashtara saree, with a beige backless scoop-neck blouse. She accentuated the look with diamond stud earrings and a statement ring. The actress let her blushed cheeks do the talking while her pinkish nude lipstick and tiny red bindi added to her x factor. Must say she owned the red carpet like always. Ananya Panday appeared bae-misaal in an outfit from Amit Aggarwal’s ‘Antevotra’ collection. Her tight-fitted silver gown with embellished accents was on fleek. She paired it with an exquisite diamond necklace, studs and shimmery makeup. Her hair was neatly placed on her right shoulder adding to the clean look. Sonakshi Sinha dazzled in a black top with tie-on detailing and bold power shoulders. She completed her look with a belted peplum jacket from Alexandre Vauthier, a custom skirt from Tutus Kurniatiofficial, a belt bag from Bvlgari x Alexanderwangny and elegant jewellery from Anmol Jewellers.



Kareena Kapoor Khan

 Sonakshi Sinha

 Ananya Panday

What?

Srijani Roy Chowdhury decodes the ensembles worn by the dazzling celebrities at the red carpet of the recently held Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024

Sanya Malhotra looked red carpet-ready in a Maison Estefan suit, paired with rings from Jet Gems, Anmol Jewellers and Di Publications. What set Sanya's look apart was her dainty choker from Misho Designs and her winged eyeliner. Huma Qureshi wore a dazzling, body-hugging gown by GKD.EDIT. She accessorised it with plump earrings. Her dramatic makeup look consisted mascara-heavy eyes and plump red lips. Simply gorgeous! Alaya F looked breathtaking in a Synchronyy Obsidian asymetrical ruffle gown by Shivani Awasty. She paired the look with black high heels. She kept her makeup simple with minimal shadow eye shadow and nude lips.

 Huma Qureshi

Sanya Malhotra



Alaya F

 Abhishek Bachchan

R Madhavan looked dapper yet relaxed in a black t-shirt, black jacket and semi-crushed black jeans. His tanned shoes add that touch of perfection to his look. Abhishek Bachchan looked distinguished in a black formal tuxedo. He completed his look with a short comb-over hairstyle and well-groomed beard. Must say he looked a class apart! Fardeen Khan was in his uber-cool self in a tight-fitted suit from TISASTUDIO. He paired it with a black body hugging t-shirt. The actor completed his look with brown sunglasses and a dainty silver chain.

 Fardeen Khan

 Vijay Varma

R Madhavan

 Rajkummar Rao & Patralekhaa

Vijay Varma looked slick in a striped suit and trousers from Sarab Khanijou. Rajkummar Rao was as stylish as ever in a brown blazer from RAAMZ, white formal pants and deep brown shoes from Lusso Lifestyle. He paired his look with a signature wavy hairstyle. Patralekhaa looked radiant in a Balenciaga suit, Harshita Nagi mesh skirt and jewels from Misho Designs. She kept her hair sleek and stunning, parted sideways. The couple looked picture perfect on the red carpet. Gulshan Devaiah donned a black tuxedo with a red pocket square. His partner, Kallirroi Tziafeta, was seen in a black dress and stylish brown sunglasses. Vedang Raina kept his loverboy image intact in a black three-piece DB wool suit by Gucci. He also donned matching black shoes to complete the look.

Raina



Gulshan Devaiah & Kallirroi Tziafeta

Vedang

GOLD STANDARD

THE DANUBE PROPERTIES FILMFARE OTT AWARDS 2024 WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS.

The Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 was a grand celebration of excellence in digital entertainment, shining a spotlight on the finest achievementsin web series and films. This spectacular event showcased the boundless creativityand talent flourishing in the OTT space. Among the night's brightest stars was Amar Singh Chamkila, which swept an incredible ten awards, including the prestigious titles of Best Film, Web Original, and Best Director, Web Original Film for the visionary Imtiaz Ali. Adding to the evening's glory, The Railway Men dazzled with six awards and Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar took home five Black Ladies, further cementing their places as masterpieces of storytelling. Unforgettable performances were also honored, with Rajkummar Rao and Jaideep Ahlawat, captivating audiences in Guns & Gulaabs and Jaane Jaan, winning the Best Actor (Male)Series: Comedy and Best Actor (Male), Critics’: Web Original Film respectively. The legendary Manisha Koirala delivered brilliance in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar and took home her fifth Filmfare Award for her efforts. Here’s looking at all the other winners from the big night.

The event was a resounding tribute to the transformative power of digital content, celebrating the extraordinary stories and remarkable talents that continue to enchant audiences around the globe.

PHOTOGRAPHS: KUNAL GUPTA

(L-R) Best Actor (Female), Series, Critics’: Drama Huma Qureshi (Maharani Season 3), Best Actor (Female), Critics’: Web Original Film Ananya Panday (Kho Gaye Hum Kahan), Best Actor (Female), Web Original Film Kareena Kapoor Khan (Jaane Jaan) and Best Actor (Female), Series: Drama Manisha Koirala (Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar)

Mr Rizwan Sajan - Founder and Chairman of Danube Group and Abhishek Bachchan

BEST ACTOR (MALE), SERIES: COMEDY

RAJKUMMAR RAO

GUNS & GULAABS

BEST ACTOR (FEMALE), WEB ORIGINAL FILM

BEST ACTOR (FEMALE), CRITICS: WEB ORIGINAL FILM

KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN

ANANYA PANDAY

BEST ACTOR (MALE), CRITICS: WEB ORIGINAL FILM

JAAN JAIDEEP AHLAWAT

JAANE JAAN

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (MALE), SERIES: DRAMA

R MADHAVAN

KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN THE RAILWAY MEN

BEST ACTOR (MALE), SERIES, CRITICS: DRAMA

KAY KAY MENON

BAMBAI MERI JAAN

BEST ACTOR (FEMALE), SERIES, CRITICS: DRAMA

BEST ACTOR (FEMALE), SERIES: DRAMA

THE DIAMOND

SEASON 3 HUMA QURESHI BEST ACTOR (MALE), WEB ORIGINAL FILM

HEERAMANDI:

BAZAAR

MANISHA KOIRALA

BEST DIRECTOR, SERIES: CRITICS’

NIKKHIL ADVANI

MUMBAI DIARIES SEASON 2

BEST SERIES, CRITICS

RAJ & DK

BEST SERIES THE RAILWAY MEN

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (FEMALE), WEB ORIGINAL FILM

BEST MUSIC ALBUM, WEB ORIGINAL FILM

A R RAHMAN

AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA

WAMIQA GABBI

KHUFIYA

BEST DEBUT (MALE), WEB ORIGINAL FILM

VEDANG RAINA

THE ARCHIES

GUNS & GULAABS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (FEMALE), SERIES: DRAMA

BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR, WEB ORIGINAL FILM

ARJUN VARAIN SINGH

KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN

BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR, SERIES

SHIV RAWAIL THE RAILWAY MEN

BEST WEB ORIGINAL FILM: CRITICS

SUJOY GHOSH

JAANE JAAN

MONA SINGH

MADE IN HEAVEN SEASON 2

BEST DIRECTOR, WEB ORIGINAL FILM

IMTIAZ ALI

AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA

BEST SHORT FILM (PEOPLE'S CHOICE)

PRODUCER: HARSHITH REDDY, DIRECTOR: NAVEEN VIJAY KRISHNA

SATYA

BEST ACTOR (MALE), SERIES: DRAMA

GAGAN DEV RIAR

SCAM 2003: THE TELGI STORY

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (MALE), SERIES: COMEDY

FAISAL MALIK

PANCHAYAT SEASON 3

BEST ACTOR (FEMALE), SERIES: COMEDY

GEETANJALI KULKARNI

GULLAK SEASON 4

SMILES FOREVER

CANDID MOMENTS CAUGHT FROM THE DANUBE PROPERTIES FILMFARE OTT AWARDS 2024'S PHOTOBOOTH

PHOTOGRAPHS: KUNAL GUPTA

Winning duo: Kareena Kapoor Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat

Shining on: Imtiaz Ali

Sober thoughts only: Kay Kay Menon

Killing them softly: Madhavan giving Minnale vibes

Presenting some candid moments from the Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024. It was a night to remember, when the biggest talents from the OTT space celebrated their victory. Here’s a peek of them letting their hair down during the photo session...

Sombre mood: Geetanjali Kulkarni

Over the top: Amit Ray, Subrata Chakraborty and Chandrakant Sonawane pose together

Naughty but nice: Ananya Panday

That happy feeling: Mona Singh

Million dollar kid: Vedang Raina

Queen vibes: Huma Qureshi

Like a wow: Manisha Koirala

UnderstatedRajkummarpanache: Rao

Joyful mood: Ananya Panday and Arjun Varain Singh

Deep thoughts: Gagan Dev Riar

Three amigoes: Sumit Arora, Suman Kumar and Raj Nidimoru

Happy surprise: Saurabh Sachdeva

Looking ahead: Jaideep Ahlawat

Simple elegance: Kareena Kapoor Khan

SEOUL CONNECTION

Director Hwang Dong Hyuk and lead actors Lee Jung Jae and Wi Ha Joon of Squid Game fame talk about the global phenomenon with Tanzim Pardiwalla

Korean entertainment has been having a moment for a while now. Between gritty crime thriller films and cutesy romantic K-dramas, audiences have been hooked.

However, Squid Game, the show that was a global phenomenon in the pandemic, wasn’t a formulaic revenge drama or a fluffy romcom. The binge-worthy survival thriller uses a series of deadly games to comment on the rot in today’s capitalistic, corrupt and cut-throat society. From breaking records at the Emmys to the star cast winning accolades, the show did everything one would expect a show in a niche like this not to do. Director Hwang Dong Hyuk and lead actors Lee Jung Jae and Wi Ha Joon admit they did not

expect the show to return for a second season. But here we are, back for another round.

THE MAKINGS OF A UNIVERSAL DISRUPTOR

Lee Jung Jae has had a long career. But in 2022, he made history by winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Squid Game.

“When we were getting awards in the last awards season, we didn’t know Season 2 was coming out. I thought that was the final step of my Squid Game journey. But after the awards season, we knew that the next instalment was coming. I realised that this show was going to be a big chunk of my life.

So I enjoyed my time on the set

with the new cast as well.”

Reflecting on the recognition, he shares, “Receiving awards can mean a lot to actors. But I think it also means that people loved and rooted for my character. That directly translates into my introspection about what I can do to make people love and support my characters in other projects going forward.”

Director Hwang Dong Hyuk echoed the sentiment of uncertainty. He says, “I didn’t go into Season 1 thinking I would have to make another season. However, I thought if the show performed really well and we had to return, what kind of story would I tell? I did think about that. Towards the end of the first

THERE WERE SO MANY EXPECTATIONS AROUND SEASON 2. SO I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO GET AWAY FROM THAT PRESSURE. WHEN AN ACTOR FEELS SO MUCH ANTICIPATION, THEY BECOME A BIT GREEDY IN PORTRAYING THAT CHARACTER

– Lee Jung Jae

season, I left the story at a point where Gi-hun turns back.” The filmmaker lost teeth during the making of the first season. When asked what made him do it all over again, he laughs and says it’s all about closure for the audience. “When Season 1 achieved a huge

I DIDN’T GO INTO SEASON 1 THINKING I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER SEASON. HOWEVER, I THOUGHT IF THE SHOW PERFORMED REALLY WELL AND WE HAD TO RETURN, WHAT KIND OF STORY WOULD I TELL? I DID THINK ABOUT THAT

– Director Hwang Dong Hyuk

THE NEXT LEVEL

“What I wanted to do was run away from all the pressure I was feeling because Season 1 was such a big hit,” says Lee Jung Jae. “There were so many expectations around Season 2. So I felt like I needed to get away from that pressure. When an actor feels so much anticipation, they become a bit greedy in portraying that character, and that is not good,” he laughs. While it sounds absurd in the context of the show, his focus was on bringing a smile to viewers’ faces. “I thought what was most important was to bring joy to viewers with the character of Gi-hun. So I focused on the changes he has gone through and how I can channel an evolved Gihun this time. I had a lot of fun with the crew and co-stars this time around,” he adds.

Seated next to Jung Jae in a grey suit to match the muted tones of his co-star’s beige suit, Wi Ha Joon

amount of success that exceeded everyone’s expectations, I felt it was inevitable that we come out with another instalment because there was so much anticipation and curiosity about what would happen next. I almost felt a sense of responsibility that I had to bring Gi-hun’s journey to a close. It wouldn’t be right to stop here. That’s why I thought I had to work on seasons 2 and 3.” Doing anything well typically means having to do it again.

IN SEASON 2, MY CHARACTER JUN HO WAS FACED WITH THE GRAND REVEAL THAT THE FRONT MAN WAS INDEED HIS BIG BROTHER. HE SURVIVED ALL THESE DIFFERENT ODDS, SO HE HAD ALL THIS FEAR AND RAGE INSIDE HIM – Wi Ha Joon

nods along. Flashing a smile that’s enough to melt your heart, the actor who plays detective Hwang Jun Ho in the show reveals he wanted to portray complex emotions. Musing on the journey, he shares, “In Season 2, my character Jun Ho was faced with the grand reveal that the Front Man was indeed his big brother. He survived all these different odds, so he had all this fear and rage inside him.” The actor has an affinity for playing the anti-hero (although we wish

he did more romantic dramas). “I tried my best to give a detailed and nuanced portrayal of him with all these different emotions swirling inside,” he says. Both Jung Jae and Ha Joon understand the pressure of reprising a role on popular demand.

THE UNDERDOG

Squid Game might be one of the most gruesome shows out there, but there are moments of lightness to be found; that’s where much of Dong Hyuk’s philosophy can be found. He shares, “Gi-hun had already gone through an awakening and we knew he was a changed man after the games. For Season 2, he had to start from the same place. But rather than show how changed he was as a character, it was about the clumsiness, friendliness and childishness that fans found endearing. This time around, we wanted to bring those elements back to his character.” He adds, “You get to see when Gi-hun is with his childhood friend, where we get glimpses of the old Gi-hun that we know and love.”

Dong Hyuk stuck to the basics when it came to making Gi-hun lovable. “It’s no fun to watch the top dog win because everyone expects the top dog to win. We see ourselves as the underdog and we always want to shine brighter, be better and come out as the winner. We think we are currently the underdogs, which is why we root for them. That makes a story worth watching, which is why so many entertaining stories have underdogs as the protagonists. People love to follow their journeys.” And as any viewer who watched the show from start to finish will tell you, it worked. Opening up about the Hallyu wave or Korean entertainment wave that’s sweeping the world, the director shares, “Until now, so many creators and people from the Korean entertainment industry have put so much of their passion and effort into making what they love, whether in music, series or films. In the past, it wasn’t always easy for local content to be introduced to the global audience. For films, you had to attend film festivals and meet the right distributors for your work to reach the right audience. It was very complex and difficult.” He concludes with a smile, “Now, it has become so easy as there are multiple platforms through which creators can directly connect with viewers.” n

Hwang Dong Hyuk, Lee Jung Jae and Wi Ha Joon

POPCORN E XPRES S

2025 SEEMS LIKE A GOOD YEAR FOR THE MOVIES. DEVESH SHARMA TAKES NOTES OF THE PROMINENT THEATRICAL RELEASES

As we head into 2025, Bollywood is set to deliver an exciting mix of films that promise to captivate audiences with a diverse range of genres and bold storytelling. Notable releases include Superboys

Of Malegaon, which explores the journey of a young filmmaker in a small town, Lahore 1947, which takes a look at India’s Partition, courtroom drama Jolly LLB 3, where original Jolly Arshad Warsi goes up against the second Jolly, Akshay Kumar, War 2, which promises a face-off between Hrithik Roshan Indian actor and Jr NTR, Alpha, YRF’s first female-oriented spy film and Deva, where Shahid Kapoor is playing a tough cop. With starstudded casts and promising plots, Bollywood looks all set to rock the viewers in days to come…

JANUARY 2025 SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON

DIRECTOR: Reema Kagti

CAST: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, Anuj Singh Duhan

RELEASE DATE: January

The film depicts the journey of an aspiring filmmaker as he bands together his group of friends to make a film for his town, Malegaon. The movie is inspired by the 2008 documentary S upermen Of Malegaon and promises to be an entertaining fare.

FATEH

DIRECTOR: Sonu Sood

CAST: Sonu Sood, Jacqueliene Fernandez

RELEASE DATE: January

Fateh is the directorial debut of Sonu Sood. He plays a dreaded assassin, much like John Wick, who runs out of enemies before he runs out of bullets. Sonu has cast himself in the lead here in his full-fledged action role. Jacqueliene Fernandez reportedly plays a hacker he's supposed to save.

LAHORE 1947

DIRECTOR: Rajkumar Santoshi

CAST: Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Ali Fazal, Shabana Azmi, Abhimanyu Singh

RELEASE DATE: January

Lahore 1947 is set against one of the most tense and tumultuous times in Indian history, the Partition of India. Decades have passed since then and yet the wounds are raw. The film promises to be a heart-wrenching emotional saga. A lesson in history, Rajkumar Sanoshi style.

DIRECTOR: Sandeep Kewlani, Abhishek

Anil Kapur

CAST: Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan, Veer Pahariya, Nimrat Kaur

RELEASE DATE: January

Sky Force is based on India's retaliatory attack on Sargodha air base of Pakistan in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani air war. If reports are to be believed, the film is going to have amazing shots of aerial fights. It has all the ingredients of being a good war fim. Looking forward to it.

DIRECTOR: Abhishek Kapoor

CAST: Aaman Devgn, Rasha Thadani, Ajay Devgn, Diana Penty

RELEASE DATE: January

Azaad is set in British times and has both Ajay Devgn and his nephew Aaman Devgn playing rebels against the British rule. It’s also the story of the bond between a young man and his free-spirited horse. Aaman and Rasha Thadani are making their debut in the film.

Superboys Of Malegaon

Sky Force

UNTITLED FILM

DIRECTOR: Advait Chandan

CAST: Junaid Khan, Khushi Kapoor

RELEASE DATE: February

Advait Chandan is known for his critically acclaimed films like Secret Superstar and Laal Singh Chaddha. Junaid Khan, who made his film debut with the period drama Maharaj, has been receiving praise for his versatile acting. Khushi Kapoor, who made her debut with The Archies, is also gearing up for a promising career. So, it all looks exciting indeed.

DIRECTOR: Raj Kumar Gupta

CAST: Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor

RELEASE DATE: February

The sequel is also based on the income-tax raid conducted by the officers of the Income Tax Department who work with intelligence agencies to nab white-collar crimes. This film focuses on IRS officers Amay Patnaik and Vishal Singhal who tackle white-collar crimes.

DHADAK 2

DIRECTOR: Shazia Zahid Iqbal

CAST: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri Dhadak 2 is said to be an official adaptation of the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal (2018). The original talked about love in the times of caste politics. How much is the Hindi adaptation true to the heavy subtext of the original remains to be seen.

DIRECTOR: Karan Singh Tyagi

CAST: Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, Ananya Panday

RELEASE DATE: March

This upcoming film is based on the life of C. Sankaran Nair, a prominent Indian lawyer and politician. The story is set against the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and focuses on Nair's legal battle against the British Empire. The film is inspired by the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. It promises to be a hard-hitting courtroom drama.

DIRECTOR: Rosshan Andrrews

CAST: Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Hegde

RELEASE DATE: February

Shahid Kapoor portrays the role of a brilliant yet rebellious police officer who goes to great lengths to uncover a web of deceit and betrayal while probing into a high-profile case. Shahid hasn’t played a uniformed cop till now and the movie could be a game changer for him.

DIRECTOR: Adnan Shaikh, Yasir Jah

CAST: Ahan Shetty, Pooja Hegde

RELEASE DATE: February

This will be Pooja Hegde's second Valentine's Day release, if all goes well.

Directed by debutantes Adnan Shaikh and Yasir Jah, Sanki is said to be a violent love story. Ahan is looking forward to another fresh start and we hope things work out for him.

DIRECTOR: AR Murugadoss

CAST: Salman Khan, Kajal Aggarwal, Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Prateik Babbar

RELEASE DATE: April

The action-packed movie is about a young hero who defends his town. It’s Murugadoss’ comeback film to Hindi cinema. Note that Murugadoss almost worked with Salman Khan in Ghajini, so this collaboration was long overdue. The film has been reportedly shot in Hyderabad’s Falaknuma Palace and other grand locations.

DIRECTOR: Subhash Kapoor

CAST: Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Huma Qureshi, Amrita Rao, Saurabh Shukla

RELEASE DATE: April

The third instalment in the J olly LLB universe will be released in April 2025. The dark comedy continues to follow the humorous legal adventures of the two Jollys as they take on new cases and face off in court. It's a perfect blend of comedy and drama, promising to entertain audiences with its witty dialogue and engaging plot.

DIRECTOR: Shashank Khaitan

CAST: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul

RELEASE DATE: April

MAY 2025

DE DE PYAAR DE 2

DIRECTOR: Anshul Sharma

The story follows Sunny, a charming and traditional young man, as he embarks on a journey to win the heart of Tulsi Kumari, a vibrant and spirited woman. The film promises to be a delightful mix of romance, drama and entertainment. HOUSEFULL

CAST: Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Rakul Preet Singh

RELEASE DATE: May

The story picks up from where the first film left off, with Ashish Mehra (Ajay Devgn) and Ayesha Khurana (Rakul Preet Singh) navigating the challenges of their relationship as they seek the approval of Ayesha's family. Expect plenty of laughs, drama and heartfelt moments as the two families clash in a hilarious one-upmanship. Madhavan is said to be the surprise element in the film.

JUNE

DIRECTOR: Tarun Mansukhani

CAST: Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Nana Patekar, Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea, Chunky Pandey, Jackie Shroff, Nikitin Dheer, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Sonam Bajwa, Chitrangda Singh, Soundarya

Sharma

RELEASE DATE: June

The film promises to be a hilarious roller-coaster ride with plenty of laughs, romance and drama. It’s the fifth installment in the popular Housefull franchise, which has been a hit with audiences since its inception. The film is said to set on a cruise this time around and that means we’re going to be served mayhem at sea.

SUNNY SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI

DIRECTOR: Ayan Mukerji

CAST: Hrithik Roshan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor

RELEASE DATE: August

In War 2, Hrithik Roshan reprises his role as the suave spy Kabir, while Jr. NTR reportedly takes on the role of the antagonist. The film promises to be a high-octane action thriller with intense action sequences and a gripping storyline.

DIRECTOR: Raznnesh Ghai

CAST: Farhan Akhtar

RELEASE DATE:November

120 Bahadur famously known as the Battle of Rezang La, fought in 1962 during the Indo-China war, it is a story of remarkable courage, heroism and selflessness shown by our men in uniform against all odds.

SEPTEMBER 2025

BAAGHI 4

DIRECTOR: A. Harsha

CAST: Tiger Shroff

The movie stars Tiger Shroff in the lead role, promising a grittier and more intense action-packed experience. The first look poster features Tiger Shroff in a rugged avatar, soaked in blood and wielding a sword, hinting at a darker and bloodier mission. It marks the Hindi debut of Kannada director A Harsha.

OCTOBER 2025

THAMA

DIRECTOR: Aditya Sarpotdar

CAST: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal

RELEASE DATE: October

The story reportedly follows a determined historian who sifts through old manuscripts to uncover clues about the mysterious legends of vampires in the Vijayanagara Empire. Ayushmann Khurrana is said to be playing a man-turned-vampire, adding a unique twist to the tale. It's part of Maddock Films’ horror-comedy universe, which includes films like Stree and Bhediya.

DECEMBER 2025

DIRECTOR: Shiv Rawail

CAST: Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol

RELEASE DATE: December

YRF’s spy universe will have a brand-new addition with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s Alpha. They both play the parts of elite agents in this thrilling action-packed adventure. It will be YRF’s first female-led spy action thriller. The story follows two female super-agents in a high-stakes action thriller, promising an exciting and action-packed cinematic experience. Hrithik Roshan is supposedly playing a cameo in the film.