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India.com
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actor, who gave Rs 3000 to Nana Patekar when he was facing financial crisis, has not asked for money so far
Nana Patekar is one of most renowned faces in the industry. The veteran actor started his journey at age of 13 in theatre, where he mastered his craft as an artist. However, after featuring in Salaam Bombay, Nana gained significant momentum, marking the beginning of his impressive acting journey. But, did you know before becoming a phenomenon name in the industry, there was another actor who helped Nana during his most challenging time? Let's identify who this person is. The Veteran Actor Of Bollywood Here, we are talking about actor-comedian Ashok Saraf , who has worked in more than 200 films in Hindi and Marathi industry. His notable work includes Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Joru Ka Ghulam, Gupt, Singham, Yes Boss, Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi and many others. At the starting phase, Ashok was doing two jobs, one was as banking employee, while the other was in theatre due to financial burden as well as his love for cinema. Meanwhile, Ashok used to work in the same theatre where Nana started his journey. During that time, Ashok became a known face and was senior to Nana. He used to earn Rs 250 for play, while Nana used to get Rs 50 at that time. However, this difference did not create any impact on their friendship. When Ashok Helped Nana Patekar Recently, during an interview with ETimes, Nana shared an interesting story about the time when he was facing financial hardships and then how his beloved friend Ashok helped him. He recalled, 'Once I was in dire need of money and when Ashok came to know about this, he went to his house and gave him a blank cheque and told me that he had Rs 15,000 in his account and I could withdraw as much as I wanted. I took Rs 3,000 from his account, which he has not asked for back till date.' More about Nana Patekar and Ashok Saraf Nana Patekar is currently gearing up for this year's highly-anticipated release, Housefull 5 , which has star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Chitrangada Singh, Fardeen Khan, Chunky Pandey, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Dino Morea, Ranjeet, Soundarya Sharma, Nikitin Dheer, and Akashdeep Sabir. Helmed by Tarun Mansukhani, the film is all set to hit theatres on 6th June 2025. On the other hand, Ashok Saraf has recently been felicitated with Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mahesh Bhatt fondly remembers Reema Lagoo 8 years after her sudden demise
Reema Lagoo , known for the warmth she radiated on screen and the emotional depth she brought to her roles, left the film industry in mourning when she suddenly passed away on May 18, 2017. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt — who collaborated with her across film and television — in a candid chat with ETimes, recalls the moment he heard the news of her demise and the stillness that followed. Fondly remembering the many creative moments together, Bhatt honoured her memory, her artistry, and the profound legacy she left behind. We lost Reema Lagoo — someone you collaborated with so often — far too soon, didn't we? Mahesh Bhatt: Even now, eight years after her sudden passing, I see her luminous eyes, her unspoken warmth, the stillness from which her performances flowed. Some presences don't vanish. They settle into the heart. What was your reaction to her sudden demise? Bhatt: Eight years ago, on an ordinary morning, my phone rang. It was Gurudev Bhalla , my protégé, producer of Naamkaran. 'Sir,' he said gently, 'Reema Lagoo is gone. She passed this morning. The shoot is cancelled. May I come pick you up?' His words froze the day. As sudden as death—everything changed. Moments later, I stood beside her. Still. Silent. The warmth gone. She was 58. And just like that, memory took over. What were some of your memories of working with this charming actress? Bhatt: I was back on the set of Aashiqui, day one. Reema was playing a single mother —quiet, dignified, wounded. The scene where she asks her son to return her mangalsutra— a silent declaration that the marriage is over, became the soul of the film. Another moment that lingers was her advice to Anu(Aggarwal), the young lead, not to give up her career just to soothe a man's insecurity. Reema played that scene with rare conviction, quietly challenging the old scripts that demanded women surrender their dreams. She didn't just perform it—she lived it. Thereafter, you went on to work with her on several projects Bhatt: We worked again in 'Gumrah', with Sridevi, where she played a mother revealing a long-buried truth as she approached death. And later in Naajayaz, as a woman torn between her son—a cop—and her lover, an underworld don. Reema's performances never shouted; they ached, they endured, they spoke with stillness. Then came 'Naamkaran', the television adaptation of your film 'Zakham'? Bhatt: When we were casting the matriarch, I said, 'Only Reema Lagoo.'. She had stepped away from screen work, was doing theatre, but agreed to meet. After hearing the part, she smiled and said, 'Will you direct the first episode, just to set the tone?' I said, 'Yes, Reema ji. I will.' That day, I returned to the set—and watched her breathe life into that world. She uplifted everyone. Her grace, her precision, her emotional depth turned every line into something more. Her death must have shaken you. Bhatt: That breath was gone. We stood around her, stunned. It felt as though time had paused, the sun extinguished at high noon. But she lives on—in memory, in every frame she graced, in the quiet strength she brought to her roles. Thank you, Reema ji—for the truth you embodied, and the light you left behind. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Bhool Chuk Maaf' Box Office collection day 8: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi's comedy-drama nears Rs 50 crore
and 's latest film 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' has been making audiences smile – and the box office ring – ever since it hit cinemas. In just eight days, the small-town romantic comedy has earned over Rs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 47 crore, as reported by Sacnilk, and is now inching closer to the Rs. 50 crore mark. Not bad at all for a film that faced delays and big-screen competition! A bright start for a charming tale Directed by Karan Sharma, 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' released in cinemas on 23 May. Despite a few delays before release, the film got off to a strong start, opening with Rs. 7.2 crore on day one. The first week brought in Rs. 44.3 crore in total – a fantastic achievement for a film that isn't backed by heavy action or massive budgets, but instead by strong storytelling and warm performances. As per early estimated by Sacnilk, the eighth day added another Rs. 3.15 crore to its name, bringing the total up to Rs. 47.45 crore. That means the film may cross the Rs. 50 crore milestone very soon. Day 8 occupancy On its eighth day, 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 10.90% in cinema. Viewership grew steadily throughout the day, with morning shows starting at 5.27%, afternoon shows rising to 11.80%, evening shows at 11.21%, and night shows peaking at 15.32%. What is 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' about? Set in the spiritual city of Banaras, 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' tells the story of Ranjan, played by Rajkummar Rao. He's madly in love with Titli, played by Wamiqa Gabbi, and wants to marry her. To do that, he needs to get a government job – or so he believes. But things take a turn when he breaks a vow made to Lord Shiva and ends up in a complicated mess. What follows is a heartwarming and funny tale of love, second chances, and doing the right thing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The story strikes a lovely balance between humour and emotion, which seems to have clicked with audiences, especially families. 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' review A review by ETimes gave it 3 out of 5 stars and said, 'The first half takes a bit too long to get to the point with innumerable songs added for no rhyme or reason. Humour is largely clean and safe if you excuse the occasional 'tatti jokes'. It's the second half that changes the game. It is here that the film addresses growing apathy, isolated existence, and self-centric living.' B-Town Shines at Bhool Chuk Maaf
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Arjun Chakraborty Makes Hindi TV Debut With Supernatural Thriller Noyontara
Last Updated: Arjun Chakraborty's character of a brilliant physician, caught in the strange world of supernatural powers, is expected to add gravitas to Noyontara. After capturing hearts with compelling performances in Bengali films and TV shows, Arjun Chakraborty is now set to make his Hindi television debut. The actor will be seen playing Dr Shurjo in the upcoming supernatural thriller Noyontara. His character as a brilliant physician, caught in the strange world of supernatural powers, is expected to add gravitas to the mystical storyline of the show. Noyontara will premiere on Colors TV. In a recent chat with ETimes, Arjun Chakraborty shared his excitement for his Hindi television debut. The actor said, 'I've been fortunate to build a strong foundation in the Bengali industry and stepping into Hindi television felt like a big leap, and I wanted it to be for something special, worthwhile." Arjun also reflected on his character Dr Shurjo, in the upcoming Colors TV show, further in the conversation. He continued, 'Noyontara is unlike anything I've done before. My character Dr Shurjo, is a rational and logical man, someone who lives by science and reason, but suddenly, he finds himself surrounded by things that defy everything he's ever believed." Ask the actor about interesting elements of his character and he explains that it is how Dr Shurjo 'clings to what he knows, resists what he can't explain, his stubbornness and refusal to accept the supernatural." Arjun also admitted that the show's premise, set in Calcutta, makes it personal for him. Noyontara follows the story of a 23-year-old woman (played by Shruti Bhist), blessed with the ability to see spirits, bridging the gap between the living and the dead. She is married to Dr Shurjo who is still haunted by the guilt of the death of his former fiancée. Despite his disbelief in anything beyond science and facts, he is caught in a web of supernatural events as the spirit of his biological mother, dead long back, watches over him through Noyontara, protecting him from all the hurdles. As Dr Shurjo struggles with a loveless marriage while also confronting truths that have been hidden from him for a while, he begins to uncover dark secrets beyond his belief. Noyontara, with its intriguing plot and powerful cast, promises an emotional and thrilling journey with mystery, love and supernatural elements as its theme. First Published:
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I miss my bondhu': Prosenjit Chatterjee remembers Rituparno Ghosh on his death anniversary
Prosenjit Chatterjee fondly remembers Rituparno Ghosh on his death anniversary, reflecting on their collaborations like 'Unnishe April' and 'Doshor,' which earned him a National Award. He acknowledges Ghosh's impact on his career and personal life, missing their close bond and the guidance he provided. Chatterjee also identifies Atanu Ghosh as a key inheritor of Rituparno Ghosh's cinematic legacy. On Rituparno Ghosh's death anniversary, actor Prosenjit Chatterjee opens up in an exclusive conversation with ETimes about their deep bond, cinematic milestones, and the emotional void left behind by the iconic filmmaker. From Unnishe April to Doshor, Prosenjit reflects on how Ritu shaped his journey as an actor — and as a friend. Excerpts... When did you first meet Rituparno Ghosh? I think the first time I met him was at Rinaji's (Aparna Sen's) place, long back. He was a boy with long curly hair, very young. Later on, of course, I came to know he was doing a film with Debashree Roy . I was just married; he came to my place for a narration. That is how your first collaboration Unnishe April happened? Suddenly, he told me if I could do a guest role in that particular film, which I never took seriously. It was a very different kind of film with a small role for me after my first film with Debashree (Purushottam). So I just took it very lightly. But once I worked with Rituda in Unnishe April, after the film got released—though I had just two or three scenes in the film, though I was a superstar at that time, and I was doing all mainstream stuff—people started writing such good words and something like, 'We have not seen Prosenjit in this way. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo ' I think that gave me a very big kick. Among all your collaborations with Rituparno Ghosh, which do you think is the most important? Though all my films with him are superb, I think till today, people remember the film for which I got my National Award—and it was Doshor with Konkona Sen. I think that's the film people say I've done such a different kind of work in. And for me also, Doshor was one of those most challenging characters. I really wondered if I could do it. Ritu had made me—he really helped me to do that character. Who among the contemporary Bengali filmmakers are the true inheritors of Rituparno Ghosh's legacy? Every Bengali director of today's generation has a huge respect for Ritu—not only as a filmmaker, but his style and the way he used to tell the story. But of course, Atanu Ghosh, I think, is one of those directors who maintained a very different kind of cinema and carried forward Ritu's legacy. He is doing it very cautiously—not following Ritu's steps, I will say—but he has his own way of telling stories. Things have changed, and there's a more commercial consideration. But I think Atanu Ghosh has maintained that cinema which Ritu made, in the way he wants to do. And I still remember, when I used to ask Ritu who was his inheritor, he would say Atanu. Who else? There is Kaushik Ganguly—he is also a wonderful director. Srijit Mukherjee is also a great director. Everybody wants to do something. In fact, today, a trailer is going to be launched for a film dedicated to Ritu. I have to go just to bless them. They are dedicating this film to Rituparno Ghosh. So, and I'm going just as a friend. I was one of the closest friends of Ritu, apart from his directorial work, whatever we have done. Normally, I don't talk about Ritu, because he was my closest. I don't want to talk about Soumitra Kaku (Chatterjee) again, because I really feel sad. I don't want to believe that they are not in this world. I really miss Soumitra Kaku also—the same as Ritu. Soumitra Kaku was my father figure, like, he was my—my, I will say—guide. He was my inspiration. We all miss Rituparno Ghosh? I mean, honestly speaking, what I really miss after Ritu left me is that I don't have a place where I can go and open up. Like, you know, everybody is senior to me, or they're much younger to me. So I've become a father figure now. Ritu used to be somebody I could go to for guidance. He was a true friend. He was my ghar ka dost. Ritu made Chokher Bali long back, and that was a pan-India film. He practically helped me reinvent myself as an actor. I miss my Bondhu. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
