
Friendship Day 2025: Imtiaz Ali announces new movie ‘Side Heroes' with quirky teaser celebrating ‘reunion of friends'
In a heartwarming teaser for the movie dropped on the eve of Friendship Day, Imtiaz can be seen discussing a plot for a potential movie with the actors, when he receives a call from his college buddy.
'Dosto ka reunion' is the central theme of Imtiaz Ali's upcoming movie.
In the teaser, Imtiaz talks to his friend in a Bhojpuri accent, displaying the raw and unfiltered emotions of friendship. While on the phone with his friend, Imtiaz learns about a reunion after 15 years.
'Sweety bhi aa rhe hai,' said his friend. A blushing Imtiaz then gets an idea of Side Heores, and pitches it to the three actors and producers.
'Dosto pe film bnante hain,' the director said, adding that the movie will be based on the kind of friendships which last for a lifetime. Dost 'jo bhoot ki tarah apki zindigi me shamil rhengay, magar jinke bina zindigi adhoori hai.'
Sharing a teaser of the movie, producer Mahaveer Jain Films, wrote: 'Dosti celebrate karne ka time aa gaya hai! To all the friends on the eve of Friendship Day!'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Khesari Lal Yadav's moral advice on Premanand Maharaj divides the internet
Bhojpuri star Khesari Lal Yadav recently warned fans that Premanand Maharaj isn't a 'machine to wash away sins.' But the internet had a lot to say — watch how users reacted to his unexpected moral advice. #KhesariLalYadav #PremanandMaharaj #BhojpuriCinema #Controversy #ViralNews #IndiaNews


Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
Social media backlash no hurdle for OTT success as trashed titles grab top viewership spots
OTT (over-the-top) platforms are increasingly finding that social media backlash doesn't necessarily hurt viewership. Shows like The Royals and Nadaaniyan, which faced heavy trolling online, have emerged among the top streaming originals in Ormax Media's mid-year list, with 15.5 million and 8.9 million viewers, respectively. Further, varying consumer tastes are often not adequately reflected in social media algorithms, where there might actually be an audience base for what some consider unwatchable. 'Social media chatter about long-form content, be it theatrical, streaming or linear television, can be misleading, because you can find yourself in an echo chamber that is not even remotely reflective of the real world," Shailesh Kapoor, founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Ormax Media, wrote in a blog after publication of the list. Nitin Gupta, chief creative officer, Chaupal, a platform specializing in Punjabi, Haryanvi and Bhojpuri content, agreed that social media trolling does not always lead to a drop in viewership. 'In fact, sometimes it creates a sense of Fomo (fear of missing out) among audiences, even those who criticize the content. Trolling often becomes part of a larger conversation. It highlights areas that may need improvement but also brings more attention to the show," Gupta added. Backlash may help viewership Outrage on X or Instagram is loud, but it's rarely a perfect proxy for actual viewing behaviour, according to entertainment industry experts. Neelesh Pednekar, co-founder and head of digital media at Social Pill, a digital marketing agency, said the people who binge eight episodes on a weekend are not the same cohort crafting 20-thread takedowns. 'OTT platforms optimise for completion rates, watch hours, and repeat sessions, metrics that don't necessarily dip because a show is being roasted online. In many cases, backlash plateaus after 48-72 hours, while the title keeps quietly pulling steady (or even growing) streams. Unless the controversy hits a moral red line, such as calls for boycotts that spill into mainstream press, the impact is usually noise, not net loss," Pednekar added. Further, most OTTs have a playbook now which includes sentiment dashboards and social listening to separate genuine concerns from performative outrage, targeted public relations and creator outreach, such as giving interviews to the right journalists, seeding nuanced explainers and pushing 'making-of" content to shift the narrative. They may also attempt product-side tweaks such as changing tiles or thumbnails, re-cutting trailers, or altering synopsis language to reset expectations. Charu Malhotra, managing director and co-founder, Primus Partners, a management consultancy firm pointed out that in many cases, trolling ends up becoming free marketing. Controversy sparks curiosity and that is a real behaviour on OTT. When a show is being talked about, even negatively, people are more likely to check it out just to see what the trolling is about. For example, a show like Indian Matchmaking turned into a major online discussion point, mainly because of the social media criticism. Controversy mongers A lot of online outrage can stem from bad faith, Aparna Ramachandran, head–digital originals, Balaji Telefilms Ltd, said. Some individuals create outrage simply to increase their own online visibility or position themselves as opinion-makers by targeting major media brands. 'Therefore, it's essential to understand audience bias and parse through the noise for valuable signals. Platforms look for clear indicators—such as genuine criticism or a disconnect with the content or the brand—to determine their next steps," Ramachandran said, adding content typically has a long tail—its value is often recognized over time as it becomes part of larger conversations and cultural moments. Not all shows have benefited from controversies. Netflix's Leila, for example, set in a dystopian future with the world ruled by a totalitarian regime, didn't spark interest. To be sure, even as Indian OTT platforms navigate extreme criticism through a combination of strategies, most also provide age ratings and content warnings to help viewers make informed decisions about the content they consume. Some platforms have introduced self-regulation mechanisms to govern their content and address viewer concerns. Rajat Agrawal, chief operating officer (COO), Ultra Media & Entertainment Group that owns OTT platform Ultra Jhakaas, said, on one hand, excessive trolling can create a toxic environment around a show or film, making it less appealing to audiences. But on the positive side, trolling can sometimes generate buzz and increase curiosity as well. "We've seen titles, on our platform and elsewhere, benefit from what I call 'controversy curiosity'. In today's digital age, where everyone's forming opinions in real time, the algorithm rewards engagement, whether it's outrage or excitement. Sometimes, the best marketing is accidental controversy. That said, the content must ultimately deliver; if it doesn't, the spike is short-lived. But if the storytelling has merit, trolling ironically ends up being free publicity," said Kaushik Das, founder and CEO, AAO NXT, an Odia language platform. As far as regional platforms and shows go, controversial subjects do not spark as much debate because the viewer base is limited. Titles on bigger platforms are usually trolled online.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Ravi Kishan dances with devotion in front of CM Yogi during Gorakhnath temple festivities
Bhojpuri superstar and Member of Parliament Ravi Kishan once again became the centre of attention when he performed a lively dance before Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the historic Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur. The occasion drew huge crowds who witnessed the actor-politician showcasing his energetic moves as part of the celebrations. The event not only highlighted Ravi Kishan's connection with his roots but also reflected the blend of culture, faith, and politics in Uttar Pradesh. His dance instantly became the highlight of the programme, spreading rapidly across social media and gaining reactions from fans. With CM Yogi present, the moment turned into a unique mix of entertainment and tradition, reminding people how local cultural icons continue to play a vital role in community gatherings. Ravi Kishan dance at Gorakhnath temple before CM Yogi The Bhojpuri star displayed his trademark energy on stage, turning the event into a festive spectacle. His performance delighted the crowd and showed his comfort in combining entertainment with devotion. CM Yogi's presence at Gorakhnath temple celebration Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's presence elevated the importance of the programme. His interaction with the crowd and Ravi Kishan added a political and cultural dimension to the celebration. Cultural significance of the Gorakhnath temple event The Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur is one of the most revered religious centres in Uttar Pradesh. Events like these highlight the deep cultural and spiritual ties the temple holds for the local community. Social media buzz around Ravi Kishan dance Clips of Ravi Kishan's dance quickly went viral across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Fans appreciated his lively spirit, making the moment a trending highlight in Gorakhpur and beyond.