Latest news with #IndianExpress'
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Amid Deepika Padukone, Sandeep Reddy Vanga row, Radhika Apte admits industry is not conducive to new mom needs: ‘It's really difficult...'
The news of Deepika Padukone's exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit started a discourse in the industry after it was claimed that her 'unprofessional demands' led to her ouster. After Aja Devgn came to the actress' support, Radhika Apte, who is also a new mother, claimed that the industry is not conducive to the needs of a new mother. The Lust Stories actress announced her pregnancy last year as she flaunted her baby bump on the red carpet of the BAFTA Awards. She was there as her British film, Sister Midnight, was nominated in the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer category. She welcomed a baby girl in December 2024 with her husband, Benedict Taylor. In a recent interview with the Indian Express' SCREEN, Apte was asked if the film industry is encouraging towards the needs of new mothers. In response to this, the actress shared her concern, expressing, 'I don't think they are. I don't know how I'm going to navigate that going ahead.' She further explained her reason, noting that an actor rarely gets the time to see their child, considering long shoot hours. 'It's really difficult to work in our film industry, given the number of hours and how we film generally, and the time for which we don't get to see the child. So I guess I'll just have to figure it out now,' she further added. Notably, this comes days after a Bollywood Hungama report claimed that Deepika Padukone was ousted from Sandeep Reddy Vanga 's Spirit after she demanded changes in her contract through her agency. It was reported that the actress refused to shoot for more than 6 hours a day. The report also claimed that the actress demanded extra pay for every single day if the shoot extended beyond 100 days. Ajay Devgn, on the other hand, during the trailer launch of Maa, also reacted to the row and assured that most of the "honest filmmakers" don't have any problem with these things. He also claimed that most people have started working 8-9-hour shifts. After getting a release in the UK and the US later in 2024, Sister Midnight has finally been released in India. It is currently running in the theaters.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Salman Khan announces Sikandar's Netflix release in his signature style – thrashing goons but with swag. Watch
Salman Khan has unveiled a brand new video packed with action, style, and drama — everything that fans associate with the superstar. But no, this isn't a teaser for a new release. Instead, it's a high-octane announcement about his film, Sikandar, streaming now on Netflix. In the clip, Salman is seen humming a tune inside an elevator. He is accompanied by his assistant, who informs him that it's time for the big announcement. Salman, ever the showman, asks for his dialogues — but their conversation is abruptly cut short when a group of goons enters the elevator. The suave superstar springs into action, protecting his assistant and thrashing the intruders. Meanwhile, outside the elevator, his team waits impatiently. One of them asks, 'Bhai kyu nahi aaye? (Why hasn't Bhai arrived yet?)' Another replies, 'Bhai dilo mein aate hain. (Bhai comes in people's hearts.)' The scene ends with Salman emerging to deliver his line: 'Sikandar is now on Netflix.' A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) Sikandar originally released in theatres on March 30, but faced widespread criticism from both audiences and critics. The Indian Express' Shubhra Gupta gave the film 1.5 stars, writing, 'In 2025, when the three Khans turn 60, the struggle to stay relevant has never been as difficult: the world has changed, and Salman hasn't adapted. Nor has AR Murugadoss, who became familiar to Hindi-speaking audiences with Aamir Khan's 'Ghajini', a masala film which found its beats in its star, and his presence.' Despite the star power of Salman Khan, Sikandar garnered underwhelming numbers. The film earned Rs 184.6 crore worldwide, with a domestic gross of Rs 130.6 crore. Although the figures were decent on paper, they were considered underwhelming given Khan's massive box office pull. Additionally, reports suggest that the film's budget was around Rs 200 crore, making the earnings fall short of expectations.
Pink Villa
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
‘We could sense it blooming': Sidharth Malhotra-Kiara Advani's Shershaah costar recalls how love story of parents-to-be blossomed on sets
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani are among the most popular couples of Bollywood who enjoy a massive fan base. Their love story blossomed on the sets of the war-drama film Shershaah, released in 2020. Most recently, the couple's co-star Himanshu Malhotra also shared his first-hand experience of witnessing their love blossoming on the movie sets. During a recent conversation with Indian Express' SCREEN, Himanshu Malhotra shared that they didn't know much about the love story between Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani. However, they could sense something blossoming between them. He said, 'We didn't know much about their love story, but we could sense it blooming. I think it was Palanpur where we saw both of them together. That's where the funeral sequence was shot.' Himanshu mentioned that it was the only time they saw Kiara Advani on set, as they later moved to Kargil for the shoot. According to him, it must be the time they started dating and that's when they met them, took pictures and sat together. 'I think the spark must just have started over there, probably where they shot the Chandigarh part. It must have escalated there,' he further added. In addition to this, he also talked about his 'nice' experience of working with Sidharth Malhotra in the war-drama film. He shared that the actor was 'very warm and cordial.' He shared that they, joined by Nikitin Dheer and Shiv Pandit, had become like a unit while shooting in Kargil. Walking down the memory lane, Malhotra remembered at the time Article 370 was imposed in Kashmir, Therefore, they were stuck in Kashmir, and they would have music sessions from morning till night in their free time when the shoot used to get cancelled. The 2020-released Shershaah was based on the life of PVC Vikram Batra, who was martyred in the Kargil War. Directed by Vishnuvardhan, the film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. After being in a hush-hush relationship, Sidharth and Kiara got married in an intimate wedding in 2023. They announced that they're expecting their first child earlier this year in February. On the work front, Sidharth will be next seen in Param Sundari while Kiara has highly-awaited War 2 in the pipeline.
India.com
10-05-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Virat Kohli Wants To Retire From Test Cricket? India Legend Informs BCCI: Reports
In a stunning development that could alter the course of Indian cricket's red-ball future, Virat Kohli has informed the BCCI of his intention to retire from Test cricket, just weeks before India's all-important tour of England. According to Indian Express' sources close to the board, the 36-year-old batting legend made the decision privately but was urged to reconsider by top officials. This comes just days after Rohit Sharma's Test retirement, marking the end of an era in Indian cricket. With both stalwarts stepping aside, the Indian Test side faces a critical transition phase—possibly without its two most seasoned leaders in over a decade. Kohli's retirement call has taken Indian cricket fans by surprise, especially with the five-match Test series in England—one of the most grueling overseas challenges—on the horizon. The timing couldn't be more pivotal as the series marks the start of a new World Test Championship cycle. The former Indian skipper reportedly conveyed his decision to the BCCI earlier this week, following a difficult Test season where he managed just 186 runs in five matches during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Despite a century in the opening Test at Perth, Kohli's form faded quickly, managing only 86 runs in the final four matches. His vulnerability outside off-stump—once a thing of the past—returned with alarming regularity. BCCI's Plea: One Last Tour? With Rohit Sharma already retired, Kohli's departure would leave the Indian Test middle order bereft of experience. The BCCI, fully aware of this gaping void, has reached out to Kohli, requesting a rethink—at least until the England series concludes. Whether he accepts remains uncertain. 'He's mentally checked out. But we've asked him to give it one more go,' a senior board official told this writer under the condition of anonymity. Shubman Gill, India's rising star, is reportedly being considered as the next Test captain. But even with talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant in the ranks, the absence of Kohli's aura, discipline, and batting pedigree in pressure situations would be a massive blow. Kohli Reflects on Mental Fatigue and Future Kohli has been candid in recent months about the mental strain of international cricket, especially in the longer format. Speaking at an RCB IPL event earlier this year, he admitted to being mentally exhausted after the Australia tour. 'There's a point where you ask yourself—what's left in the tank? The motivation, the love for the format, and the energy to keep doing it at the highest level… that's what I've been evaluating,' Kohli had said. He also mentioned a conversation with Rahul Dravid that deeply influenced his thinking. 'He said my competitive streak might not allow me to walk away easily. But if I'm being honest with myself, I'll know when it's time,' Kohli added. A Career Etched in Red-Ball Glory With 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries, Virat Kohli stands tall among India's greatest Test cricketers. From Adelaide 2014 to Lords 2018, Kohli's overseas dominance reshaped India's image as poor travelers. He led the side with aggression, built a formidable fast-bowling attack, and restored India's respect in SENA countries. Yet, as the sun sets on his red-ball journey, the transition may be bumpier than anticipated. Without Rohit or Kohli, India's Test team in England will look radically different, and potentially vulnerable.
