With menacing eyes, eccentric mannerisms and powerful acting, Ranveer Singh has upped his own ante as Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji in 'Padmaavat'. But the actor said it's a character whose ambitions and greed he does not relate to, even though he has his eyes on building a vast legacy of filmography to be proud of. After captivating cine-goers with his powerful performance in films like 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela', 'Bajirao Mastani' and the latest 'Padmaavat', actor Ranveer Singh is set to dive into projects that are as different as chalk and cheese. There's 'Gully Boy', 'Simmba' and a biopic on India's 1983 Cricket World Cup victory. "I have a very large vision for myself, my body of

Filmmaker Dinesh Vijan, who is busy with horror-comedy film 'Stree', said the audience is willing to see great films over merely picturesque locations. Asked if Bollywood is now focussing on content-driven films than just entertainers, Vijan told media, "I believe the audience's thinking has changed and I think we need to cater to that. I feel a good film always works." "It was a phase... Like I said, it is a new emerging India. So, we need to cater to that and obviously with the digital advent that has happened, they are not willing to see nicer locations but are willing to see a great film. Vijan said the industry needs to "pull up our game and work that much harder to give that kind of co

A still from the film Renowned Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi believes that language is never a barrier for cinematic expression. And, with his next, 'Beyond The Clouds', he has taken that belief many notches higher by telling an Indian story in an Indian setting, with the crew also from our country. A year since Majid Majidi began his India sojourn with a mahurat shot of the film at Mumbai's Mukesh Mills, its trailer will be launched in the city today. Alongside him will be his lead cast — debutant Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan— music director AR Rahman, the film's Hindi dialogue writer Vishal Bhardwaj and the producers. The movie, largely in Hindi with a few dialogues in English and

Neeraj Pandey is a man of few words, who lets his films do the talking. He has successfully dabbled in writing, directing as well as producing films. With his fifth directorial venture, 'Aiyaary', all set to hit the screens, the director talks to BT about how writing is the most important aspect of filmmaking, why he likes keeping a low profile and how he doesn't feel that artistic expression is under any threat in the country. Excerpts... Is 'Aiyaary' a quintessential Neeraj Pandey film? The seeds of 'Aiyaary' were sown during the shoot of Baby (2015), when we were interacting with personnel from the Army and intelligence services. The title, 'Aiyaary', has been on my mind for a long time.

National Award winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, whose forthcoming release is Neeraj Pandey's 'Aiyaary', said the craft of acting can be taught but it needs relentless passion from the learner. Can acting be taught or does it come from the experiences of life? Manoj, whose application to the National School of Drama (NSD) was rejected multiple times, said, "I think the craft of acting can be taught. Yes, there's a lot we embrace from the experience of life and to a certain point, there is an inborn talent. But acting is a mix of talent and craft. "I know many average actors, who learnt the craft rightly and with the years of practice, they have managed to find their way. That is why we go to

If 2017 belonged to content-heavy, small-budget entertainers, the current year seems to be led by films heavy on star power and big budgets. With as many as 40 prominent films anticipating release in the remaining 11 months of 2018, Bollywood will witness a musical chair of sorts between various projects vying to find a suitable release window. After 'Padmaavat' announced its release date, Neeraj Pandey's 'Aiyaary', which was initially scheduled for a Republic Day release, pushed its opening to February 9. Akshay Kumar's 'Padman' also deferred its release to February 9, allowing Sanjay Leela Bhansali's visual extravaganza a clear two-week run. The films, while competing with one another, are

As planned, the Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoorand Ranveer Singh starrer 'Padmaavat', finally hit the theatres all across the country. The good news is, amidst all the controversy and tension; people have welcomed the historical drama with open arms. Most of the cine goers have given the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial the thumbs up. While Ranveer Singh's portrayal of Sultan Alauddin Khilji seems to have won over everyone, Deepika and Shahid's performances too were appreciated. One enthusiastic cine lover said, "The scale of 'Padmaavat' is greater than that of 'Bajirao Mastani'." One viewer also compared the movie to the SS Rajamouli epic 'Baahubali' as she said, "After 'Baahubali' if you

For Jim Sarbh, who has been attracting positive reviews for his portrayal as a slave-general of Alauddin Khilji in 'Padmaavat', said working with a nuanced director like Sanjay Leela Bhansali who pays attention to detail, gave him an opportunity to try and be as good as the grand and beautiful frame. A theatre actor and a director himself, Sarbh, who has worked in films like 'Neerja' and 'A Death in the Gunj', and performed live in several plays including Kalki Koechlin's 'The Living Room' and Rajat Kapoor's 'What is Done, is Done', said it's always an empowering experience to work with directors who are passionate about work. Jim told to media, "In 'Padmaavat', you are pushed to be as good

After facing a lot of controversies and death threats, the makers of magnum opus 'Padmaavat'have finally screened the movie to a group of journalists in the national capital. While everyone was in praises for Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor's acting, they felt that the modifications recommended by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has made an adverse effect on the storyline of the movie. When asked if modifications play a spoil-sport in the storytelling, one journalist told, "The modifications have ruined the story-telling of the movie. I would have given four stars to the movie if it would have been shown to us without any modifications." Meanwhile, another jo

A publicity still of 'Welcome To New York' The trailer of 'Welcome To New York' ('WTNY'), which recently released, has already found plenty of takers online, thanks to its wacky, rib-tickling visuals that show two youngsters, whose journey to New York changes the course of their life. The film, touted to be India's first laugh riot in 3D, has been directed by Chakri Toleti. The ensemble cast includes names like Karan Johar, Sonakshi Sinha, Diljit Dosanjh, Riteish Deshmukh, Rana Daggubati, Lara Dutta and Boman Irani. Karan, who plays a double role, says, "'WTNY' should actually be called 'ROFL' because it belongs to a genre of films that will have you rolling in the aisles with laughter!" Son

Still from Padmaavat Through the course of Padmaavat's journey to theatres, the industry, audience, trade and social influencers have been voicing their support for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. Some of the most influential names coming out to support the magnum opus include Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (spiritual leader, humanitarian and an ambassador of peace), Amish Tripathi (author) and Dr Ved Pratap Vaidik (Founder of Press Trust of India's Bhasha and Chairman of Bhartiya Bhasha Sammelan). After watching the movie, which stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, Amish said, "This film celebrates Rajput bravery and honours Rani Padmavati. Moreover, it also says positive things

Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, known for movies like 'Bandit Queen', 'Mr India'and 'Masoom', is directing his first directorial and said it is like a new challenge and adventure. Kapur on Sunday tweeted a series of photographs and captioned it, "My first snow outside my window in St. Gallen, Switzerland. My first experience at directing a musical on stage. A new challenge. A new adventure." It is reported that his first stage play is about conquering the highest peak of the Alps in Switzerland and is called "The Matterhorn" authored by Michael Kunze. Kapur gained international recognition with the 1994 film 'Bandit Queen', based on Mala Sen's biography of infamous Indian bandit and politic

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh said his multilingual film 'Saaho', which also stars Prabhas and Shraddha Kapoor, is shaping up really well. "'Saaho' is shaping up really well. It is a bit difficult to shoot for that film because at one time, you have to shoot for Hindi, Tamil and Telugu as it's a multilingual film. But I am learning a lot during the course of its shooting," Neil said at celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani's calendar launch 2018 on Wednesday in Mumbai. Neil will also be seen playing a pivotal role in 'Firrkie'. "About 75 per cent shoot of 'Firrkie' has been completed. It has been a very good shoot. We don't realise how time flies when you are busy shooting," he said. "The entire t

Actress Sonam Kapoor, who plays a pivotal role in the Akshay Kumar starrer 'PadMan', said if the character is substantial, she does not mind playing a small yet important role in a movie. It was the same case in 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'. After her performance in 'Neerja' which not only received positive reviews, but also got Sonam a special mention at the National Awards, has her criteria for choosing a film changed? Sonam told, "It is the combination of the story and my character; screen timing does not matter to me, honestly. One does not have to be in every single frame of the film to create an impact of the character. If my part is well-crafted, even with three scenes, my character can mak

Producers of 'Padmaavat' on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court to convince four states - Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Maharashtra - to withdraw the ban on the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. In their plea, the producers questioned the right of these four state governments to ban the film when the apex court has already clarified that the film's screening can only be suspended in a particular area if there is law and order situation developing. Chief Justice Dipak Misra has reportedly agreed to hear the plea tomorrow. These four states banned the movie, said its release may pose law and order problems. Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles, the film is bas

R Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in 'Vikram Vedha' Industrialist Anil D Ambani-owned Reliance Entertainment has entered into a joint venture with Y Not Studios and AP International, marking its entry into the South film industry. The development follows the studio's pioneering and creatively successful partnership model in Bollywood, through joint ventures with Rohit ShettyPicturez, Plan C Studios (with Neeraj Pandey) and Phantom Films (with Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena). Y Not Studios, founded by S Sasikanth, has produced 12 feature films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi, including last year's R Madhavan-starrer, Vikram Vedha (Tamil). It was one o

Every dark cloud has a silver lining, or so they say. Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, the director of the Sunny Deol-starrer 'Mohalla Assi' will agree. The filmmaker spent four years battling the Central Board of Film Certification(CBFC) at its various offices, and the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in the court, to get Mohalla Assi cleared without undue cuts and with an 'A' certificate. However, we hear the story doesn't end there. The filmmaker has not just won the court battle, but has also convinced Sunny to work with him again. The former CBFC member and the actor are expected to start work on their next film together after Sunny's son, Karan's debut film, 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas'

Rakul Preet Singh Former Miss India Rakul Preet Singh, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming thriller opposite Sidharth Malhotra, will next be seen romancing Ajay Devgn in Luv Ranjan's contemporary romcom. A quirky take on urban relationships, the film, scheduled to go on floors soon, will have the actress playing a feisty and super-confident urban girl. Luv Ranjan, the writer and producer of the movie, says, "Rakul exudes wonderful energy. It didn't take us long to bring her on board because her natural persona fits the character to the tee." Bhushan Kumar, who is also producing this Akiv Ali-directorial, adds, "Rakul made her debut with our earlier production, 'Yaariyan'. She i

Actor Akshay Kumar has recently released a teaser of 'PadMan's upcoming track 'O Saale Sapne'. The 50-year-old actor took to his Twitter handle and teased fans with a 3D motion poster, in which the actor can be seen working on an assembly line with the song playing in the backdrop. He wrote, "Dream, work and innovate. The song for all the innovators #OSaaleSapne from @PadManTheFilm coming soon!" Earlier, the movie's trailer, which was released on December 15, gave a glimpse into the life of a superhero, "who is crazy enough to change the world". The movie, which also stars Sonam Kapoor, promises to be the story of a social awakening, revolves around the idea of the 'Rustom' star making s

Zoya Hussain Director Anurag Kashyap's 'Mukkabaaz', which hits screens on January 12, will see Zoya Hussain making her Bollywood debut. After being a part of the theatre circuit, the actress chose to step into cinema not with a quintessential girl-next-door role in a commercial film, but with the sports drama in which she will be essaying the character of a small-town girl who is mute. About learning sign language from Sangeeta Gala (a deaf person, Sangeeta has trained many B-Town actors to play hearing and speech-impaired characters) for the film, Zoya reveals that the disability of her character symbolises the lack of voice that women have in our society.She adds, "I had a huge responsibil