Vidya Balan, Rekha share a hug at Umrao Jaan screening, Shabana Azmi joins. Watch
Earlier, another screening was held in Mumbai, which was attended by several stars, including Alia Bhatt, Aamir Khan, Tabu, Mahia Chaudhary, Anil Kapoor, Ananya Panday and more.Rekha's 'Umrao Jaan' re-released on June 27, is directed and produced by Muzaffar Ali. The director, in a recent interview with India Today, revealed that his first choice for the titular character was Smita Patil.He said, "Initially, I had thought of Smita Patil. She had worked with me in 'Gaman', and she would have done a good job." He further said, "But then we felt maybe we needed someone with a bit more oomph and physical presence."'Umrao Jaan' also featured Farooq Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Shaukat Kaifi, Dina Pathak, Gajanan Jagirdar, Prema Narayan, Satish Shah and others in pivotal roles.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
8 hours ago
- India Today
Vivek Agnihotri cries dictatorship as Kolkata blocks The Bengal Files trailer launch
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has sharply criticised the West Bengal authorities after the trailer launch of his upcoming film The Bengal Files faced major hurdles in Kolkata on August event, originally planned at a leading cinema hall, was abruptly cancelled by a prominent theatre chain, reportedly under 'political pressure.' It was later shifted to a hotel and finally unveiled at 1 pm on a video statement, Agnihotri said, 'They are obstructing the screening, and I don't know why. There is no reason for it. First, they cancelled the event at the theatre, and now they are not allowing it here either. The hotel authorities told me they had been instructed not to host the launch.' He added, 'I have just been informed that all the wires have been cut. Who is giving these instructions, and why, I don't know. Multiple FIRs have already been filed against us. This is a private hotel — how can they stop us here when we have the necessary permission? If this is not dictatorship, then what is? If this is not fascism, then what is? Look at the number of policemen present, as if we are criminals.'Watch the video here: Meanwhile, a senior Kolkata Police official told India Today, 'Obtaining an amusement licence is mandatory for hosting this kind of screening event. However, the organisers had not secured the required licence from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, nor did they inform the local police in advance. We learnt about the event through other sources. When asked, the organisers were unable to produce the necessary licence, so we had to intervene.'Despite the disruption, the trailer was eventually launched at the hotel. Sharing it online, Agnihotri wrote, 'If Kashmir hurt you, Bengal will haunt you (sic).' The trailer features hard-hitting lines such as, 'Yeh Paschim Bangal hai, yaha do constitution chalta hai, ek Hinduao ka, ek Musalmanon ka,' and 'Sirf zameen ka tukda nahi, Bharat ka lighthouse hai Bangal.''The Bengal Files' revisits West Bengal's turbulent political history, exploring the Hindu genocide and communal violence through real testimonies and historical accounts. It examines the events of Direct Action Day and sheds light on decades of ideological manipulation and systemic the trailer here: This is not the first time Agnihotri has faced obstacles for the film. On Independence Day, he learnt that the trailer launch had been cancelled by the theatre chain. Expressing disappointment in another video, he remarked, 'We had all the permissions in writing. Our entire team came to Kolkata, but now we learn the event has been cancelled. This is very sad. Is there one Constitution for India and another for West Bengal?'advertisementHe further alleged attempts to 'suppress' his voice but vowed not to be silenced. 'Who wants to suppress our voice? And why? But I can't be silenced. Because truth can't be silenced. Trailer will be launched in Kolkata,' he the clip here: Ahead of the launch, Agnihotri visited Kalighat Temple to seek blessings for the project. 'With Maa's blessings, no one can stop this film,' he said. The film stars National Award-winner Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumaar in key by Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi, 'The Bengal Files' is slated for release on September 5, 2025.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Rajesh Khanna's turbulent later years; Anita Advani reveals fights, frustration - 'He would just be irritated by little things'
Actor Rajesh Khanna , remembered as Hindi cinema's 'first superstar,' ruled the silver screen with his charm but struggled deeply in his personal life once his stardom began to fade. His alleged girlfriend Anita Advani, who lived with him from 2000 onwards, recently opened up about the challenges of being with him during those years. Speaking on the Meri Saheli podcast, Anita shared, 'He was very quiet at that point, but after a few drinks he used to get aggressive and angry. I don't think it was frustration over his career, but he would just be irritated by little things… He was just venting at that point, because he had a lot of baggage with him.' 'He just wanted a channel to let everything out' According to Anita, Khanna's irritability stemmed not just from his fading stardom but also from his loneliness. 'Psychologically speaking, he just wanted a channel to let everything out. He used to tell me, 'Who am I going to fight with if I don't fight with you?'' she recalled. Their daily life often spiraled into heated arguments—even over something as trivial as her telling him his room was dirty. 'He never used to physically attack me, but he used to playfully hit me when I used to say or do anything wrong. But he was never violent,' she clarified. The couple fought frequently, with Anita often escaping to her sister's house. 'I used to run away… refuse to pick up his phone. Then he would send his staff with a hamper and note. I used to send it back, but after a few days, I used to give in because even I missed him,' she confessed. A superstar's decline Rajesh Khanna's struggles in his later years were no secret. His ex-wife, actor Dimple Kapadia , had also described his decline as heartbreaking. 'When a successful man goes to pieces, his frustration engulfs the entire surroundings,' she once told India Today. On the work front, Rajesh Khanna was last seen in 'Riyasat'. How Rajesh Khanna got the 'superstar' tag? "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sunny Deol admits there is 'fear and nervousness' for Ramayana, praises ‘Ram' Ranbir Kapoor: ‘Fingers crossed'
Actor Sunny Deol, who will essay the character of Lord Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, has spoken about his role in the film. Speaking with Zoom, Sunny also heaped praises on his co-star Ranbir Kapoor, who will be seen as Lord Ram in the film. Sunny, who is yet to begin shooting for Ramayana, has said that he will start "shooting very shortly." Sunny Deol and Ranbir Kapoor will work together for the first time in Ramayana. Sunny Deol talks about portraying Lord Hanuman in Ramayana Talking about his role, Sunny shared that "it will be exciting, it will be fun", adding that "it's going to be great, it's going to be beautiful." Sunny also spoke about the fear factor. "See, nervousness or fear - that factor is there. But that's the beauty of it, because you have to find within yourself how you're going to take up the challenge and how you're going to live up to it. And you're getting the opportunity to do it, and I'm very sure Amit, the producer, they're doing a great job of it," he said. Sunny is keeping his fingers crossed for Ramayana Sunny hopes Ramayana will be on par with Hollywood films. "Because they are going to bring out those supernatural things and those effects on screen, which I hope - fingers crossed - are nothing less than what Hollywood has. I mean, how many times has it been made, and how many Ramlilas happen? When it comes to the big screen, the way all the actors involved in it are performing, I'm sure there will be justice to everything, and people will feel satisfied and enjoy the whole film," he added. Sunny can't stop praising Ranbir Kapoor Speaking about Ranbir Kapoor, Sunny said he thinks "it's going to be great because he's such a fine actor, and he always takes up a project and lives it completely." Last month, an India Today report said that Sunny will have less than half an hour of screen time in the film. The film will reportedly end with the arrival of Hanuman, who will promise to help Lord Ram in rescuing Goddess Sita from Ravana. In Ramayana: Part 2, Sunny will have a bigger role. About Ramayana Ramayana is being directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film also stars Yash (Ravana), Sai Pallavi (Sita) and Ravie Dubey (Lakshman). Ramayana Part 1 is set to release on Diwali 2026, while the second instalment will hit the theatres on Diwali 2027.
