Latest news with #Makdee
News18
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
From Stardom To Scandal: How This Former Child Actor's Career Derailed
Shweta began her career as a child artist and has consistently worked in films and web series since. Remarkably, despite not dubbing her own voice, she captivated Telugu audiences 17 years ago with her compelling dialogue delivery. From her very first film, she never looked back, with her name becoming closely associated with her projects. In 2002, Shweta starred in the thriller Makdee, playing twin sisters Chunni and Munni alongside esteemed actors Shabana Azmi and Makarand Deshpande; a performance that earned her a National Award. She has revealed that she took on this challenging role at a young age without much prior understanding of the film industry. Her filmography also includes titles such as Kasko (2009) and Kalavar King (2010). However, her promising trajectory was marred when she was embroiled in an adultery scandal after being caught in a hotel, which made headlines nationwide. Although she was eventually cleared of all charges, the incident left a lasting impact on her career. Despite receiving numerous offers afterwards, none quite restored her earlier acclaim. Following the scandal, several well-known figures extended opportunities to her, but none came to fruition. More recently, Shweta's work has been largely confined to OTT platforms, reflecting the course of her ongoing career. Despite these challenges, Shweta maintains a strong social media presence, boasting around 700,000 followers on Instagram. While not enormous, it's a respectable following that keeps her connected with fans. Many believe she could stage a powerful comeback, especially with the growing prominence of pan-Indian cinema.
News18
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Makrand Deshpande On Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai: 'The Film Doesn't Try To Impress, It Wants...'
Last Updated: Makrand Deshpande opens up about his role in Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai, praising its honesty, emotional depth, and message of truth and resistance. Releases Aug 1. Veteran actor, playwright, and director Makrand Deshpande—known for his versatile performances in acclaimed films such as Swades, Satya, Makdee, Malang, and RRR—is set to appear in the upcoming emotional drama Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai, slated for release on August 1. Directed by Satyajeet and produced by IJM Productions, the film explores love, family, and the bittersweet ache of nostalgia through the eyes of small-town India. Speaking about what drew him to the project, Deshpande shared that it was the 'honesty" of Satyajeet—both as a writer and a director—that moved him. 'That alone was enough to convince me to be part of the project," he said. 'There was something raw and real in the way the story was told. It didn't try to impress; it simply wanted to be heard. And that sincerity was refreshing." Known for his grounded performances, Deshpande revealed that his preparation for the film didn't involve any elaborate process. 'I didn't do anything specific. My approach is always rooted in honesty and truthfulness. I don't believe in layering performances unnecessarily—if you trust the moment, the moment takes care of you," he said. 'And in this film, every scene had its own pulse, its own truth to respond to." One particular moment that left a lasting impression on the actor was a scene involving the Indian national flag. 'That moment, holding the national flag of our country while being filmed, really stood out," Deshpande recalled. 'There was a deep emotional undercurrent that I hadn't anticipated. It stayed with me long after the scene was done." The actor also praised the film's cast and the sheer audacity of its vision. 'The young cast really impressed me—they actually fit the age group they were playing, which rarely happens. I also admire the fact that someone from outside the industry took on the challenge of making this film. It takes a lot of heart and fearlessness to do that," he said. He added that the trailer carried 'scale, energy, and conviction," and that he 'absolutely loves the title of the film." But what does Deshpande hope audiences take away from Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai? 'It's the resistance for truth that I want the audience to feel," he said. 'In today's times, standing up for what's right isn't easy—but it's necessary. If the film can ignite even a small spark of that courage in someone, I believe we've done our job." Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai features a talented ensemble including Pranjal Shandilya, Swapnil Singh, Brijendra Kala, Rajesh Jais, Rohit Pathak, Ashok Kumar Beniwal, and the late Bikramjeet Kanwarpal. With its heartfelt storytelling, grounded performances, and emotional honesty, the film promises to be a poignant exploration of identity, love, and the quiet resistance found in everyday life. First Published: July 20, 2025, 19:51 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.
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shabana Azmi married Javed Akhtar in a simple saree to avoid looking like Rajesh Khanna or Vinod Khanna's ‘dulhan': ‘Mujhe itna khauf tha…'
Shabana Azmi has made many characters unforgettable with her remarkable performance. 'An actor is always observing. That's the business of an actor,' Shabana said in a recent interview with Filmfare. The Mandi actor has been so observant about her surroundings and people that she was scared that she wouldn't be able to feel the true emotion of a bride when she tied the knot with Javed Akhtar. During the interaction, Shabana explained that she kept her bridal look at her wedding minimalist so that she doesn't resemble any of the bride characters that she had played on the big screen. She said, 'When I got married to Javed, I was absolutely certain that I was not going to look like a dulhan of Rajesh Khanna or Vinod Khanna or so many people with whom I got married on screen in films.' She added, 'So, I decided I am not going to dress up like that because otherwise I am going to feel it's from a film. So, I wore such a simple saree, didn't do anything to my hair, nothing. Mujh itana kauf that ki mujh ye film ka lagne lagega (I was so scared that I would feel my marriage is a part of a film sequence). There is a point when you can no longer understand that the emotion that you are feeling is borrowed or a real emotion.' Also read | Sinners: Ryan Coogler compares Marvel to vampires as he delivers one of the best movies of the year Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi tied the knot in 1984. Javed was earlier married to screenwriter Honey Irani for 13 years before they divorced and the writer married the Makdee star. He also had two kids from his previous marriage – writer, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and actor, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar. Fans were disappointed when Shabana Azmi married Javed Akhtar, as she had long been seen as a symbol of feminism through her powerful on-screen roles. Addressing the criticism in the same interview, she said, 'It was fair because I was this feminist model and I had done something that was inexplicable. It was like everything I had said, I was stamping over another woman's rights for my own happiness. I think people who followed me as a feminist had every right to feel that.' Shabana and Javed both decided to not address the controversy and eventually that worked in their favour. 'I think that was very sagacious decision because after all the mud that was flung at me, it eventually died down,' she said. Shabana and Javed never had their own kids. They have been married for 41 years.
