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From 'Metro In Dino' to Netflix's 'Aap Jaisa Koi': Decoding Fatima Sana Shaikh's rise to the top with two acclaimed performances
Fatima Sana Shaikh, has once again proven her mettle, earning a coveted spot at No. 5 on IMDb's Popular Indian Celebrities list. Her recent standout performances in Aap Jaisa Koi and the much-anticipated Metro… In Dino have captivated both critics and audiences alike, reaffirming her status as one of the most talented and versatile actors of her generation.
Known for her fearless choices and ability to completely transform into her characters, Fatima's journey from her breakout role in Dangal to her current acclaim has been nothing short of inspiring. In Aap Jaisa Koi, she delivered an emotionally layered performance that showcased her depth and maturity, while her role in Metro… In Dino highlighted her effortless charm and screen presence.
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Her ability to balance critical and commercial appeal. Whether it's intense drama or relatable romance, Fatima brings a refreshing authenticity to every frame she inhabits.
Her IMDb ranking reflects the growing admiration and buzz surrounding her performances.
As Fatima continues to evolve and shine, one thing is clear — this is her moment, and she's only getting started.
In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost, when Fatima Sana Shaikh too spoke on gender pay gap and for things to change, audiences need to accept women led films. She said, 'Finally, there are women who are asking for what they deserve, and that is commendable because to voice it and to even receive that was like a dream. And, you know, these are the women like Deepika Padukone who are paving paths for us so that tomorrow when we are in that position, we won't obviously think twice to get our due.'
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Scam to Sagas: Applause expands slate with Archer titles
As streaming platforms ramp up their demand for scalable IP and cross-market appeal, Indian content studios are increasingly looking beyond domestic formats and entering the global literary market. Applause Entertainment , backed by the Aditya Birla Group , is the latest to make a move, acquiring exclusive screen rights to six novels by British author Jeffrey Archer . The acquisition, which includes The Clifton Chronicles, Fourth Estate, First Among Equals, The Eleventh Commandment, Sons of Fortune, and Heads You Win , marks Applause's first foray into global fiction IP . While notable, the development fits into a broader trend of Indian studios building slates that can travel across languages, territories, and platforms. Applause plans to adapt them as series and films across multiple Indian languages and distribution platforms, including global streaming services. 'We have just closed the deal and now we are getting started in earnest,' said Sameer Nair, managing director of Applause Entertainment. 'We want to move fast. The idea is to identify a showrunner or creative director for each title and begin working on adaptation, deciding the context, setting, and treatment.' Nair added that the studio hopes to have at least one or two properties entering the pre-production phase in the next three to six months. 'Everything we develop will be run past Jeffrey Archer and will go through our own iteration process. We want to make sure we're doing justice to the original material, while also adapting it meaningfully for screen,' he said. From local books to global IP Applause's earlier successes have largely come from Indian non-fiction adaptations like Scam 1992 and Black Warrant and scripted versions of international formats including Criminal Justice, Hostages, Call My Agent . This move into global fiction marks a strategic expansion geared toward meeting a rising demand for high-concept IP that can be localised but is inherently global in theme and structure. 'Jeffrey Archer's stories are sagas, not single-incident plots,' said Nair. 'They lend themselves to both long-form drama and feature films, depending on how we reimagine them.' While Archer's books are widely read in India, Nair acknowledged that a large segment of India's tier II and tier III viewers may not be familiar with them. 'The larger Indian mass has not heard these stories. That's the excitement you can take these stories to them. Once it comes on a streamer or platform, it reaches,' he said. He drew a parallel with Scam 1992, which was based on Sucheta Dalal and Debashis Basu's book The Scam. 'I don't think many people had read the book before the show came out, but more people saw the show. Hopefully, that encouraged some to go read the book,' Nair said. 'We only used a small part of it but the book itself is far deeper.' Stabilising and expanding Applause's expansion comes at a time when the Indian content market is undergoing a cost correction, following years of aggressive investment between 2020 and 2023. Several production houses were forced to scale back due to unsustainable content spends and shifting platform strategies. However, Applause has avoided major disruption by maintaining cost discipline. 'We've always been frugal,' said Nair. 'When others were spending INR 100-INR 200 crore on a single show, we were building profitable units. All our projects aim to recover cost and make a margin. That allows us to reinvest continuously.' He estimated that the company has already invested and reinvested over INR 2,500–INR 3,000 crore and continues to operate on a reinvestment-led growth model. 'There's no fixed number for how much we will invest in the next two years,' Nair said. 'We just keep doing it.' Applause evaluates all projects on a unit economics basis, aiming for profitability at the project level rather than relying solely on large upfront investments or slate deals. While budgets have come under pressure, Nair said the overall outlook for the industry is positive. 'There was a lot of pressure on content cost in the past couple of years, but now things are levelling out. It's fair, platforms also need to be profitable,' he said. Alongside the literary acquisition, Applause is also diversifying its production slate with a growing focus on theatrical films and digital-first animation . The company has signed filmmakers Kabir Khan and Imtiaz Ali for upcoming Hindi projects and is producing a Tamil feature film Bison with director Mari Selvaraj, targeted for release around Diwali. Nair said the move into theatrical films is a natural extension of the studio's capabilities. 'Hopefully, in the next couple of years, you'll see us as a major movie studio,' he said. In the kids content space, Applause launched a YouTube channel ApplaToon earlier this year, leveraging its animation rights to Amar Chitra Katha 's intellectual property. The channel, aimed at a digital-first audience, focuses on mythological and historical narratives. 'YouTube turned out to be the most effective distribution channel for children's content,' Nair said. 'Many streamers and broadcasters are currently re-evaluating their kids' programming slates, but YouTube remains consistent. We've made a strong start and we plan to build aggressively in that direction.' For Applause, the Archer collaboration is not a one-off prestige play, but part of a deliberate expansion into IP-driven content development. 'This is a milestone moment for us,' Nair added. 'To reimagine these stories with scale and style, and position them for audiences across the globe, that's the creative opportunity we're excited about.'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Cultural Capital has no liking for music, lit gatherings
Mysuru: The city, hailed as the Cultural Capital of the state, is grappling with a unique challenge as artists and organisers witness a sharp decline in audiences for cultural events, including theatre performances, music concerts, and literary gatherings. This dwindling attendance at performances has sparked concerns about the future of cultural activities in the city. Artists and organisers note that the younger generation has largely distanced itself from cultural spaces and activities. Organisers report that literary events and cultural programmes lacking prominent names struggle to draw public interest, often resulting in performances before empty seats. Consequently, many organisers are shifting their focus to educational institutions, where students form a captive audience. Stakeholders attribute this trend to various factors. Indian classical music promoter Himamshu CR, involved in several music events and organisations, confirmed this trend, stating that today's audiences prefer concerts featuring well-known artists. "The music scene in Bengaluru is far more vibrant compared to Mysuru in terms of audience engagement," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo "We can't get star artists every time. For others, the response is not encouraging," Himamshu, who is the grand-nephew of celebrated violinist Pitil Chowdaiah, said. Dasara offers opportunity to build interest: Music promoter He further noted that the Dasara festival in Mysuru offers an excellent opportunity to foster public interest in music and draw crowds to such events. "Unfortunately, poor planning by authorities has squandered this platform. There is an urgent need to cultivate interest in music among the public," he emphasised. KS Shivaramu, president of Mysuru Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat, admitted that literary events are experiencing a severe shortage of attendees and readers. "Both writers and readers share responsibility for this decline. As the quality of writing and books diminishes, readers are drifting away from these events," he said. Literary environment absent: Satish Javaregowda T Satish Javaregowda, president of Spandana Samskrutika Parishat, pointed to multiple reasons for this trend. "The literary environment is absent in today's schools and colleges, which has hindered efforts to spark interest in fine arts and literary activities among the youth," he said. He added, "Many organisers also lack discipline in managing literary events, which negatively impacts other cultural programmes as well. " Actor and theatre director Mandya Ramesh highlighted that the current education system fails to connect students with theatre, arts, and music. "To address this, our schools, colleges, and universities must prioritise engaging students in these fields," he urged. Sudarshan MD, assistant director of the Kannada and culture department, noted that fine arts activities struggled to attract audiences during the Covid-19 period. "However, the situation has since improved," he said.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Kajol receives Raj Kapoor Award on her 51st birthday, wears mother Tanuja's saree, delivers speech in Marathi: ‘Walking the same stage my mother once did'
Kajol turned 51 on August 5, 2025, and this birthday brought with it a moment of pride and nostalgia. The actress was honoured with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Award at the Maharashtra State Film Awards 2025, held in Mumbai. The award recognised her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, and Kajol made the moment even more special by attending the ceremony with her mother, veteran actress Tanuja . Kajol delivers speech in Marathi, recalls her mother's honour In a touching moment that left fans teary-eyed, Kajol took the stage in a traditional saree once worn by her mother and delivered her acceptance speech in fluent Marathi. 'It is my birthday today,' she smiled, as the crowd cheered. She shared her overwhelming emotions upon receiving the award from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis , and told the audience that her mother had received the same honour many years ago. Kajol Lights Up Instagram in Black Saree & Dazzling Smile 'Walking the same stage my mother once did…' Kajol later took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes glimpses from the event. In one video, she is seen walking into the venue with Tanuja and sharing a light moment with Anupam Kher. In another, she is seen delivering her heartfelt speech. The actress captioned her post: 'Walking the same stage my mother once did, and on my birthday, no less .... feels like the universe reminding me where I come from… and who I carry with me always.' She added the hashtags: #LateRajkapurAward2024 #VisheshYogdaanPuraskaar Fans flooded the comment section, praising Kajol for her humility, grace, and impressive Marathi-speaking skills. 'True royalty,' one fan wrote, while another said, 'Only Kajol can make an award ceremony feel so personal and warm.' Kajol was last seen in Sarzameen, co-starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan. Her last theatrical release was Maa, which earned her critical appreciation for her powerful performance.
