Shweta Tripathi on 4 years of ‘Haraamkhor’: I had to detach from myself to play Sandhya

17/01/2021
The story of a selfish, manipulative school teacher, taking advantage of a schoolgirl's vulnerability to gratify his dark, narcissistic desires, Shlok Sharma’s ‘Haramkhor’, featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi, released four years ago today. In an interview, the actress, who had faced the camera for the first time for this film, opens up about the challenging character and what it demanded of her. Excerpts… How do you look back on ‘Haraamkhor’? It was the first feature film that...

Don’t compare myself with anyone, I think about what’s on my plate: Sunny Leone

17/01/2021
Excited to be back at work after a difficult 2020, Sunny Leone is looking forward to a great year professionally. With handful of projects and talks going on for some more, the actor has started the ride with renewed vigour. “I think in 2021 a lot of things have been planned and a lot of things unexpected as well. Taking a break for so long one doesn’t know what’s going to happen. I feel grateful to have work at hand. So with everything that’s happening in the world, with coronavirus and p...

I’ll never do a film to buy a house, or a car: Amit Sadh

17/01/2021
Actor Amit Sadh says he's never driven by materialistic goals while signing a film, which is why he is clear about not being a part of projects that will embarrass him. Sadh, who has featured in films like "Sultan", "Super 30" and "Gold", said he likes to wait for exiting scripts rather than rush into a project. In an interview with PTI over Zoom call, the 37-year-old actor said he has built credibility over the years with his work, which he would never want to go to waste by choosing "bad fi...

Had epiphany to be an actor on stage: Mithila Palkar

17/01/2021
Popular cinema and OTT actor Mithila Palkar, best known for Netflix's 'Little Things' and 2018 movie 'Karwaan', says that theatre will always be her first love. Mithila had her beginnings with Marathi theatre, and feels close to it still. "Theatre will always be my first love. Marathi theatre is something that I knew in my heart that I wanted to start with. Specifically Marathi because it is the language that I am most comfortable speaking in, and stage because that's where I had the epiph...

After Mirzya didn’t work, filmmakers who’d signed me hired others: Saiyami Kher

17/01/2021
Actor Saiyami Kher doesn’t believe in rushing into things and that’s evident from how she takes her own time in signing up for films, too. She started off in Bollywood with Mirzya (2016), and since then, has starred in five projects till date three films, two web shows. Not sticking to Hindi films was a decision that she took consciously. “It happened organically. When I started off, I didn’t know anything at all. The first step was going to school and learning the basics of being in front of ...

Variety of characters is ‘Tandav’s strength: Gauahar Khan

17/01/2021
There is no main lead in "Tandav", says actor Gauahar Khan who believes that the highlight of the upcoming political drama is the diversity of its massive ensemble cast. Created and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the nine-part political drama is set in Delhi and aims to take viewers inside the closed, chaotic corridors of power and uncover the manipulations, charades as well as the dark secrets of people who will go to any lengths in pursuit of power. The show also stars Saif Ali Khan, Dimple K...

Actress Malavika Mohanan is eagerly looking forward to her film Master

16/01/2021
Her first Tamil film Petta was with Rajinikath and in her next, again a Tamil film titled Master; she is seen opposite Thalapathy Vijay. But that’s not the only reason why Malavika Mohanan is looking forward to the film. “Master is seeing a pan-India release and since the lockdown this is the first big release that we are witnessing in the industry. Plus it is releasing in five languages.” Comparing Master with a Salman Khan film or a movie directed by Rohit Shetty, she says,“This one is an ...

I have had my fair share of trolling, still get trolled for something or the other: Hina Khan

16/01/2021
Hina Khan, in an exclusive interview with mid-day.com's Anjali Singh, spoke about social media trolls, not getting affected by them anymore, and shared her expectations from herself as an actress. When asked about her approach towards trolls, Hina had a befitting reply. Here's what the actress had to say. "I have had my fair share of trolling. I still get trolled for something or the other. Now it has stopped affecting me. Initially, I used to block some trolls, now I don't even do that becau...

Being part of ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ a blessing: Shivangi Joshi

16/01/2021
Actress Shivangi Joshi, who plays the female lead in the current plot of the popular show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, feels that being a crucial part of the iconic show is a blessing. The show completes 12 years of run on Tuesday, as well as 3,300 episodes, making it the longest running Hindi GEC show till date. "The feeling is outstanding and great. I am privileged to share space with some of the finest actors and crew I have ever come across. Being a part of 'Yeh Rishta...' is a blessing,...

I learnt acting from struggles of my life: Monal Gajjar

16/01/2021
Actor Monal Gajjar, after working for nine years in six languages, recently made her Hindi film debut opposite Pankaj Tripathi. Monal, who was on her visit to Lucknow, where her debut film has been extensively shot, shared highs and lows of her life. Monal says, “I have not learnt acting, but as I have seen a lot of struggle in my life, I try to translate it on the screen. To become a good actor, you need to feel it from the heart and then put it in the character.” “For success you and your f...

My journey has been special: Kiara Advani

16/01/2021
Actress Kiara Advani made her Bollywood debut in 2014 with Fugly, which was a no-show at the box office. However, she was later seen in hits such as M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Lust Stories, Kabir Singh and Good Newwz. The actress cannot name a particular role as gamechanger in her career, but credits all her work for the success she enjoys today. "For me I think every film (mattered) right from my first film because that is what gave me my first step into the film industry. People als...

Author of Didda’s biography calls Kangana Ranaut’s film ‘violation of copyright laws of the country that she swears by’

16/01/2021
Hours after Kangana Ranaut announced her next, Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda, the copyright owner of the biography on the warrior queen of Kashmir, has accused her of "blatantly violating his sole rights". Ashish Kaul, author of Didda - Kashmir Ki Yodha Rani, has claimed that he has the exclusive copyrights to the story of Didda and had approached the actor to write a foreword for the Hindi version of the book in September last year but never got a reply from her or her then manager...

I’m in a great phase of my career: Dino

16/01/2021
Some may have believed that the model-turned actor’s first tryst on the big screen, playing the lead in the 2002-supernatural thriller Raaz may have been his professional peak. But his resurgence, not only as a producer but also as an actor in web series such as Mentalhood and Hostages in 2020 and now the upcoming series Tandav in which he plays a pivotal role, seems to speak a lot about Dino Morea’s perseverance and tenacity in the world of showbiz, despite being off the limelight for a few ye...

The reach and acceptance of the audience has suddenly increased: Shilpa Shukla

15/01/2021
Be it Mentalhood, Hostages or Criminal Justice: Behind The Closed Doors, Shilpa Shukla shone in all these stories with her performances last year. What’s more pleasing, according to the actor, is that many have said they want to see more of her onscreen. Content with the love, Shukla is determined to not disappoint her fans, her craft and is hoping for a “meaningful 2021”. “The reach and acceptance of the audience has suddenly increased. I’m happy that people liked all these projects and my ...

Nehha Pendse opens up about her new show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai!

15/01/2021
The well-known talented actor Neha Pendse has entertained her audience through her magnificent performances in several Bollywood movies and Television shows. She will now be seen in & TV's cult show, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, portraying India's favourite Anita Bhabi. Here are the excerpts from the interview with Neha on her journey in the industry and stepping into Anita Bhabi's role. BGPH is one of the most popular shows on Indian television. So how much you have seen the show and who has been yo...

I took my career for granted and went on too many sabbaticals: Raveena

15/01/2021
Raveena Tandon was one of the most popular actresses in the '90s. She made her debut in the 1991-hit Patthar Ke Phool and went on to deliver blockbuster hits like Mohra, Andaaz Apna Apna, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Dhule Raja, and Ziddi. However, after her wedding, she took a break from films limiting her on-screen appearance. Now, in a recent interview, the actress talked about her Bollywood career. She revealed that she took her career for granted and wished that she was more focused on her wo...

We need young people to join forces in putting an end to violence: Ayushmann Khurrana

15/01/2021
Ayushmann Khurrana is an actor who aims at bringing constructive, positive changes in society with his progressive, entertaining films, which also become conversation starters. He was recently appointed as UNICEF’s Celebrity Advocate for their global campaign EVAC (Ending Violence Against Children). Today, on National Youth Day, the 'Badhaai Ho' actor stresses on how the youth needs to come together to fight against any kind of violence that they are subjected to. “Only when young people c...

Yami Gautam on 2 years of ‘URI’: This film changed a lot of things for me

15/01/2021
Yami Gautam earned much acclaim for her portrayal of an intelligence officer in ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’. As the film completes two years of its release today, an emotional Yami Gautam spoke about what makes the film so special for her. She said, "Feels great looking back at Pallavi from Uri today. It's been two years today and for me it was this film that changed a lot of things, in me as an actor and how the audience and certain directors looked at me as an actor. Not just the physica...

Wanted to humanise the mother figure in ‘Tribhanga’: director Renuka Shahane

15/01/2021
Actor-director Renuka Shahane says she wanted to explore the societal pressure on women to toe the line in "Tribhanga: Tedhi Medhi Crazy", a multi-generational relationship story of mothers and daughters. Shahane, who is the daughter of writer Shanta Gokhale, says her aim was to humanise the mother figure through this depiction of an acrimonious equation between a famous writer Nayan and her daughter, an actor and Odissi dancer, played by Tanvi Azmi and Kajol, respectively. Mithila Palkar play...

Kirti on 2 years of ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’: I knew that we were making something very powerful

14/01/2021
Kirti Kulhari played a small but impactful character in Aditya Dhar’s ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’. As the film clocked two years on January 11 this year, ETimes got in touch with the actress for an exclusive interview where she opened up about playing an Air Force pilot, her fondest memories shooting for the film, and more. Excerpts… It has been two successful years of 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'. How do you look back at the film? It has been a wonderful experience being a part of this film. I ...

Hope Lohri brings with it new beginnings for everyone: Nimrat Kaur

14/01/2021
This year, Lohri, which marks is a crucial festival in the calendar of the farmers in Punjab and parts of North India, might be a very different one for them in view of the farmers' agitation. Actor Nimrat Kaur, who herself hails from a farmer family, has a special wish just for them, this Lohri. "My forefathers were farmers; we still have family who live in the villages. Farmers are a lifeline of our country as we are an agricultural economy. I hope and pray that the farmers’ situation is res...

Got to live the life of a powerful man, even if in fiction: Sunil Grover on ‘Tandav’

14/01/2021
When director Ali Abbas Zafar sent the script of the upcoming political drama "Tandav" to Sunil Grover, the actor asked him "Are you sure about this?" Grover, the funny man behind popular characters like Gutthi, Rinku Bhabhi and Dr Mashoor Gulati on television, was sceptical about joining the cast of the Amazon Prime Video series where he plays the right-hand man to Saif Ali Khan's scheming politician. But Zafar, who collaborated with the actor in 2019's "Bharat" opposite Salman Khan, knew Gr...

Lohri will be a bit pheeka this year: Radhika Madan

14/01/2021
Usually Radhika Madan looking forward to celebrating Lohri in Delhi with family and friends. But this year, she couldn’t, so she will be in the city. “This year, luckily mum and dad are here so, we will celebrate together. It will be my first Lohri in Mumbai. Usually, Covid nahin hota hai (laughs), toh bahut maza aata hai. We have dhol and dancing, and we prepare for the bonfire, get some wood and offerings. I look forward to meeting cousins and relatives, enjoy going round the fire, offeri...

I had rejected ‘Prem Qaidi’ as I was supposed to be introduced in a bikini: Ayesha Jhulka

14/01/2021
Remember Ayesha Jhulka, who with her impish smile and a twinkle in the eye, had ruled the roost in the '90s with films like 'Khiladi', 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar', 'Himmatwala', Waqt Hamara Hai', 'Chachi 420'. The actress had taken a sabbatical after her 2010 release 'Ada...A Way of Life' and had made a comeback with 'Genius' in 2018. For the #BigInterview, the actress opened up about her Bollywood journey, and films she was unable to do, shared memories from iconic films and of her superstar co-s...

Shehnaaz Gill says she would have been married if she was a struggler: ‘Mere bachche bhi ho gaye hote’

14/01/2021
Actor Shehnaaz Gill, who became a household name with Bigg Boss 13, said that marriage is not on the cards for her anytime soon. She said that if she was not successful, things would have been very different, and she would have already been married with kids. During an Instagram live, when a fan asked Shehnaaz about her marriage plans, she said, “Shaadi? Meri umar nahi hai shaadi ki. Ab mere paas hai time. Agar main struggler hoti toh main pakka shaadi kar leti. Mere bachche bhi ho gaye ho...

Hrithik Roshan helped me lose weight before I started shooting for ‘Dhoom’: Esha Deol

13/01/2021
On Hrithik Roshan's birthday, friend Esha Deol, who had shared screen space with the superstar in ‘Na Tum Jaano Na Hum’, spoke about her first co-star. Excerpts… How was your experience working with Hrithik Roshan in 'Na Tum Jaano Na Hum'? The first time I faced the camera for films, it was with Hrithik Roshan in ‘Na Tum Jaano Na Hum’. A huge crowd had gathered to watch the mahurat shot in Mehboob studio. Luckily, it was a dance sequence and we had rehearsed a couple of times. I love dancing,...

I hope gender gaps in terms of pay scale, opportunities reduces: Bhumi Pednekar

13/01/2021
While Bhumi Pednekar acknowledges that how it is only because of the change in the film industry that has made it possible for her to dabble with different films, she feels that there are still some things which need to be altered. She had a busy 2020 with three films releases and this year too looks like it is going to be a packed one for Bhumi Pednekar. The actor has already started shooting for Badhaai Do recently and promises that this year indeed is going to be exciting for her and her fa...

I will do whatever it takes to take care of my family: Anil Kapoor

13/01/2021
In a career spanning over four decades, Anil Kapoor has delivered several memorable films. In our interview, the actor reflects on his journey, shares why he is grateful about the work still coming his way, and points out that there is great strength in asking for help. Excerpts: How was the mood on the sets of 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo' in Chandigarh? It's Neetu Kapoor's first film after Rishi Kapoor's demise and she had to be rushed back to Mumbai after contracting COVID... Working on 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo...

Saif Ali Khan says privileged upbringing made him the right choice for Tandav

13/01/2021
Actor Saif Ali Khan will soon be seen playing a cut-throat politician in Ali Abbas Zafar's upcoming web series, Tandav. In a new interview, Saif has talked about why he was the right choice for the role. Saif plays Samar Pratap Singh, a young politician, hoping to follow his deceased Prime Minister father to power. Saif said that the life of privilege has led, prepared him for the role. Speaking to Financial Times, he said, "I have grown up in a very privileged section of New Delhi, I underst...

Rakul Preet Singh on having a busy 2021: I’m very driven, greedy for good work

12/01/2021
Rakul Preet Singh said she wants to calm down a bit as she is otherwise very restless and someone who loves working and is too disciplined and time-tabled in her head. She has recently recovered from Covid-19, and actor Rakul Preet Singh believes in looking ahead and not think much about the past that 2020 was, except, maybe, for the learnings. “2020 has holistically taught us to be grateful and thankful to smaller things in life. The year was an eye-opener and sort of an equaliser in many wa...

We still need to be extremely mindful of virus: Shilpa Shirodkar after receiving COVID-19 vaccine

12/01/2021
Shilpa Shirodkar recently became the first Indian celebrity to receive COVID-19 vaccine but the actor believes that people must not become complacent and should continue wearing face masks to protect themselves from the virus. Shirodkar, known for starring in 1990s blockbuster such as "Kishen Kanhaiya", "Hum", "Khuda Gawah" and "Aankhen", had revealed on Thursday that she received the coronavirus vaccine in Dubai, where she has been living with her family for the past two years. The actor had...

Feminine roles are no longer generic stereotypes: Tisca Chopra

12/01/2021
Actress Tisca Chopra says feminine roles are no longer generic stereotypes but people who have conflicts, dimensions and trajectories. "When I started out, there were three types of roles; there were the three B's. The babe from age 16-25, the Bhabhi from age 25-40 and anything over 40 was Biji," Tisca said while talking about how things have changed for female stars. "Fortunately, since then, things have moved and characters have now evolved to becoming far more layered,nuanced, lived in and...

Mika Singh extends a helping hand to the farmers in Delhi

12/01/2021
Mika Singh has distributed drinking water bottles to the agitating farmers who are camping on the outskirts of Delhi. The singer has launched his own brand, especially for them. “I am with the farmers and I hope things get resolved soon. They are not just protesting for their rights; it’s for the country. If the farmers are not looked after, the whole food chain gets disturbed,” he says. Mika Singh has been an incredibly successful and popular singer of Bollywood for a long time. A majority ...

Preity Zinta opens up about family’s COVID-19 diagnosis: Felt helpless far away in America

12/01/2021
Actor Preity Zinta on Monday said it was a stressful time for her when her family members, including her mother, brother, his wife, kids and uncle, had tested positive for COVID-19, three weeks ago. Zinta, who's currently in the US, took to Instagram and said now that they have recovered, she can finally sleep well. "Three weeks ago my Mom, brother, his wife, kids and my uncle all tested positive for COVID-19. Suddenly terms like ventilators, ICU and oxygen machines took a new meaning. I fe...

The stardom I have been blessed with must have a greater purpose and not just be about personal vanity: Vivek Oberoi

12/01/2021
Actor Vivek Anand Oberoi believes in using his celebrity status for something more than just basking in adulation, and earn money. And that’s why he came forward during the Covid-19 pandemic to help people who were affected the most by the crisis. To start with, even as the Covid positive cases continue to rise, the showbiz industry is back to work, for the sake of those daily wage workers primarily. Oberoi reveals that in such a catch-22 situation, his company served around 7,500 daily wage w...

Sedition case: HC extends relief to Kangana till Jan 25

12/01/2021
The Bombay High Court on Monday Extended the interim relief of no coercive action against actor Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel till January 25 in connection with an FIR registered against them under sedition and other charges. The HC also directed the city police not to summon the duo for questioning till then. Ranaut and her sister appeared before Bandra police in Mumbai on January 8 for recording their statement in the case, pursuant to an assurance given to HC in November la...

Overall sales now trending very close to usual times: D-Mart

11/01/2021
NEW DELHI, jan 10: Avenue Supermarts Ltd, which owns and operates the supermarket chain D-Mart, said its overall sales and sales mix are now trending very close to usual times, though the consumption changes post COVID-19 still persists. Lesser trips and higher basket values continue to be the norm and products such as apparel, laundry, footwear, travel and such relevant out of home usage categories are taking more time to recover, it said. While, the company, which is expanding its online sho...

WhatsApp says latest does not change its data-sharing practices with Facebook

11/01/2021
NEW DELHI, jan 10: Facebook-owned WhatsApp said its latest update - which has received criticism from a multitude of users globally - describes business communication and does not change its data-sharing practices with the social media giant. Earlier this week, WhatsApp had started rolling out in-app notifications to users about an update in its Terms of Service and privacy policy regarding how it processes user data and partners with Facebook to offer integrations across the social media gian...

Petrol, diesel prices remain unchanged across metros

11/01/2021
NEW DELHI, jan 10: Retail fuel prices across the four metro cities remained unchanged for the third consecutive day. In the national capital, petrol was sold at the record high of Rs 84.20 per litre, reached on Thursday (January 7). In Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, the fuel was priced at Rs 90.83, Rs 86.96 and Rs 85.68 per litre, respectively. Petrol and diesel prices had increased on two successive days last Wednesday and Thursday taking gasoline to record high levels in Delhi while keeping it...