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News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Varun Badola On 'Stars Don't Matter Claim': 'Ahaan Does Not Have Personality To Run Jawan'
The actor compared Ahaan Panday and Shah Rukh Khan while dismissing the ongoing debate over star power is still essential for a film's success Varun Badola has recently opened up an ongoing debate about whether star power is still essential for a film's success. In a recent interview, the actor dismissed the claim that the success of certain content-driven films means audiences no longer need big stars. He was seen in Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's Saiyaara, which has shattered all records. In an interview with Nayandeep Rakshit on YouTube, Varun was quoted as saying, 'People are saying that this film has proven that we don't need stars anymore. That's not true. Abhi tum Ahaan Panday ko utha ke Jawan mein daalo, Jawan flop ho jayegi. Shah Rukh ko Saiyaara mein daal do, Saiyaara flop ho jayegi. Shah Rukh will suddenly become too big for the film, and Ahaan will not have the personality to run Jawan." 'I saw the euphoria on Instagram. Log jo chudiyaan tod rahe hai, chaatiyaan peet rahe hai (People were breaking their bangles, beating themselves). I think the promotions team went a little overboard there, where people are going to see the film, putting IV drips. Those people must have been told to give content in some way; thank god, people didn't get their legs broken and went crawling to see the film," he added. Mohit Suri On Saiyaara: Saiyaara has struck an emotional chord with audiences across the globe. The film's Indian box office collection has crossed Rs 300 crore, while the global total now stands above Rs 500 crore. Alongside Ahaan and Aneet, the ensemble cast includes Alam Khan, Sid Makkar, Shaan Groverr, Rajesh Kumar, and Varun Badola. Speaking at the CNN-News18 Townhall, Mumbai edition, Mohit Suri said this wasn't some calculated gimmick or marketing trick. 'Script came first before the casting happened. We didn't shoot a single day till all the songs were recorded. Even the way the film was marketed or positioned. It's about 'let's talk about the content. Let's sell the story. Let's sell, not the actors, because they were new. This wasn't a marketing strategy. It was just going back to traditional ways of how newcomer films were marketed. Let the film speak.," he said. The romantic drama follows Ahaan, a daring and struggling musician, and Aneet, a fiercely devoted writer, as their love is tested by life's trials in classic Mohit Suri style. The film explores themes of grief, sacrifice, and eternal love. Written by Rohan Shankar and Sankalp Sadanah, Saiyaara also features standout performances from Geeta Agrawal Sharma, Sid Makkar, Shaad Randhawa, Rajesh Kumar, and Varun Badola, marking the first collaboration between Mohit Suri and legendary production house Yash Raj Films. Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan: Recently, Shah Rukh Khan has bagged the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Jawan, marking a significant moment in his 33-year-long film career. Directed by Atlee, stars Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role as lookalike father and son. The film also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, Sunil Grover, Ridhi Dopgra, and others. Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Dutt also had special appearances in the film. It released in theatres on September 7, 2023. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mohit Suri REACTS To Saiyaara's No-Promotion Strategy At News18 Townhall: 'Sell The Story, Not The Actors'
Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, under Yash Raj Films, took an unconventional route by not promoting it. The director finally breaks his silence on it. For Saiyaara, made under the Yash Raj Films banner, Mohit Suri and his team took a completely different promotional route — by not promoting it at all. In an age where film campaigns are relentless, the leads, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, weren't even seen together before release. Audiences walked into theatres to discover a completely fresh pairing. Speaking at the CNN-News18 Townhall, Mumbai edition, Mohit Suri said this wasn't some calculated gimmick or marketing trick. 'Script came first before the casting happened. We didn't shoot a single day till all the songs were recorded. Even the way the film was marketed or positioned. It's about 'let's talk about the content. Let's sell the story. Let's sell, not the actors, because they were new. This wasn't a marketing strategy. It was just going back to traditional ways of how newcomer films were marketed. Let the film speak.," he said. Mohit Suri's passionate romance Saiyaara has emerged as one of the year's biggest blockbusters, turning newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda into overnight sensations. The film has maintained a remarkable box-office run, raking in over ₹300 crore in India within just three weeks. Powered by strong word-of-mouth and immense public support, Saiyaara has outperformed expectations despite facing stiff competition from Anupam Kher's Tanvi: The Great, Sonakshi Sinha's Nikita Roy, Mahavatar Narsimha, Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardaar 2, and Triptii Dimri–Sidhant Chaturvedi's Dhadak 2. Its gripping storyline, heartfelt emotions, and soul-stirring music have kept audiences hooked. The romantic drama follows Ahaan, a daring and struggling musician, and Aneet, a fiercely devoted writer, as their love is tested by life's trials in classic Mohit Suri style. The film explores themes of grief, sacrifice, and eternal love. Written by Rohan Shankar and Sankalp Sadanah, Saiyaara also features standout performances from Geeta Agrawal Sharma, Sid Makkar, Shaad Randhawa, Rajesh Kumar, and Varun Badola, marking the first collaboration between Mohit Suri and legendary production house Yash Raj Films. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Mumbai Need Not Be Singapore Or Shanghai, Others Should Aspire To Be Like Mumbai: CM Fadnavis
Fadnavis said Mumbai should be a model for other cities, not aim to be like Singapore or Shanghai, at the CNN-News18 Townhall Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that Mumbai does not need to become like Singapore or Shanghai, instead, other cities should aspire to be like Mumbai. Fadnavis made the remarks while speaking at the CNN-News18 Townhall, Mumbai edition. He also said that Mumbai has transformed in the last few years, and the Dharavi housing project is one such example of this change. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
EC Should Debate Rahul Gandhi Or Accept Fault: Aaditya Thackeray At News18 Townhall
Last Updated: Thackeray alleged that 'vote chori' (vote theft) had indeed taken place, accusing the Election Commission (EC) of compromising the integrity of elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday said the Election Commission of India must come clean and have a debate with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on the 'voter chori" issue. Speaking at the CNN-News18 Townhall, Mumbai edition, Thackeray also questioned why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was getting 'rattled" by the INDIA bloc raising concerns about alleged 'fake voters" in Lok Sabha elections. 'A complete clean-up is expected about the vote-chori. EC should come out and have a debate with Rahul Gandhi or accept their fault. It is the biggest crime to commit in the world's biggest democracy," Thackeray said. 'We are asking questions from the Election Commission, but why is BJP getting rattled," he questioned, speaking at the CNN-News18 Townhall, Mumbai edition. #CNNNews18Townhall | A complete clean-up is expected about the vote-chori. EC should come out and have a debate with Rahul Gandhi or accept their fault. It is the biggest crime to commit in the world's biggest democracy: @AUThackeray, Shiv Sena UBT #VoteTheft | @Zakka_Jacob — News18 (@CNNnews18) August 13, 2025 Thackeray alleged that 'vote chori" (vote theft) had indeed taken place, accusing the Election Commission (EC) of compromising the integrity of elections over the past several years. 'For the last 7–8 years, the EC has prevented free and fair elections in India," he claimed, arguing that the institution's credibility was at stake. Thackeray further alleged that the irregularities were benefiting one political party in particular. 'Extra voters and fake votes are going to BJP," he charged, pointing to what he described as systemic issues that tilted the playing field. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader maintained that his party's demands were rooted in democratic principles rather than partisan politics. 'We only want the EC to come clean," he said, framing the issue as a test of institutional accountability in India's electoral democracy. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 16:49 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
