Latest news with #Raavan
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Pankaj Tripathi Initially Refused Mimi, Says Wife Convinced Him To Take The Role
Last Updated: Pankaj Tripathi reveals he initially turned down Mimi until his wife convinced him to reconsider. The role went on to earn him a National Award. With the return of the much-anticipated fourth season of Criminal Justice, actor Pankaj Tripathi once again steps into the role of Madhav Mishra, the endearing and sharp-witted lawyer navigating complex cases in the Indian judicial system. As the series premieres on OTT, Tripathi appeared in IMDb's exclusive segment 'The Essential Guide,' offering audiences a rare window into the key moments that shaped his career, the stories behind his most iconic performances, and what he sees as the pillars of his evolution in the digital entertainment space. Reflecting on his time filming Raavan, Tripathi revealed, 'I enjoyed my feminine side while shooting for Raavan. During the filming, I wore a saree, with makeup, and sat on set for seven days. Even in my village, I had dressed up as a girl for the first play in my life. I haven't had the opportunity to play a character like that on screen again, but if it comes, the opportunity would be interesting." He also shared a deeply personal story about a photo with his parents. 'In villages, there is no such culture of taking pictures. I had a mobile back then and requested a child nearby to click a picture of me with my parents. It was the first opportunity in my life when I got to place my hand on my father's shoulder, as such acts weren't followed in my village. In my house, no one knew what films were. No one used to read film magazines either and in fact there was no electricity there till 2016-17. I had told my family that I'm going to study theatre at NSD, post which I will become a professor. They thought I would get into teaching post my education there, so they agreed to let me go." Speaking about how the industry came to acknowledge his versatility, Tripathi said, 'Neeraj Ghaywan helped me change my image from an aggressive man which I had got through Gangs of Wasseypur. People were surprised through Masaan that I can play a soft character as well. Both films – Gangs of Wasseypur and Masaan helped the industry realise that I am a versatile actor. Then Nil Battey Sannata helped the industry understand that I can even play a comic role too. I played a sincere school principal who wanted to help students move ahead in life. The film is a serious comedy. It was Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's first film. She gave me the freedom to play the character the way I want and thus people got acquainted with the fact that I can do comedy as well." Tripathi also recalled the moment he learned he had won a National Award for his work in Newton. 'I had a lot of fun filming Newton. Though I was fed up with lower back pain that I was dealing with at the time. Under the uniform I wore, I used to wear an orthopedic belt and kept it on during the entire filming. The film gave me my first National Award. I'll always be thankful and cherish that. I was with Saurabh Shukla and Anubhav Sinha, we were shooting in Lucknow. Saurabh sir then checked his phone and pointed it towards me saying that I won a National Award. I thought he was joking initially as we weren't aware that the announcement was that day. I went running to my room as I didn't have my phone. When I reached, there were around 30-35 missed calls. Some media folks, some from the fraternity. It was an emotional moment and I shed a few tears. I called my wife and informed her. It was always my dream to win a National Award for cinema, I was emotional for a few days thereafter." Looking back on Bareilly Ki Barfi, Tripathi shared, 'I was quite fit then, so I had to wear a bodysuit under a sweater to look heavier. Many girls approached me after the film sharing that they made their fathers watch it and through the movie, their equation with them changed." He also reflected on the characters that shaped his digital career. 'Guruji in Sacred Games, Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur and Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice. While acting, I feel that I should just keep thinking and it should transform into an expression that defines the character." Finally, speaking about Mimi, a film he initially declined, Tripathi said, 'I initially didn't want to do Mimi. Dinesh Vijan and Laxman Utekar called my wife, asking her to convince me. I gave in and did the film. It was a great experience to be a part of this movie that is amongst the most viewed films on OTT. Kriti and I both received National Awards for the film. It wasn't just a supporting role, it was something else altogether." As Madhav Mishra returns to our screens in Criminal Justice: Season 4, Tripathi's journey from village plays to national acclaim stands as a testament to perseverance, range, and the quiet power of letting characters speak for themselves. His stories not only reflect his humility and depth as an artist, but also highlight the subtle, transformative power of authenticity in Indian cinema. First Published:
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Abhishek Bachchan Tops Indian Streaming Academy's 2025 Power List
New Delhi: Acclaimed for his versatile performances in films like Guru and Raavan, Abhishek Bachchan has secured the No. 1 spot on the Indian Streaming Academy's (ISA) 2025 Top 100 Streaming & Digital Power List. With 25 years in the industry, Abhishek has solidified his status as a leading force in the world of digital and streaming entertainment. His compelling performances in series like Breathe: Into the Shadows and films such as I Want to Talk and Be Happy have earned him critical acclaim, further cementing his place in the OTT space. Known for taking on varied roles, he has resonated with audiences through films like Yuva, Ludo, Bob Biswas, Manmarziyaan, and Bol Bachchan. Notably, Be Happy became a beloved title on Amazon Prime Video, thanks in part to his standout performance. Celebrating the recognition, his team shared on social media: "From shadows to spotlight – @juniorbachchan has done it all, and he continues to rewrite the rules of OTT stardom. Now leading the #StreamingPowerList2025 like the force he is!" On the work front, Abhishek is set to appear in Housefull 5, continuing his streak of high-profile projects and proving that his star power remains as strong as ever.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Yash and Ranbir Kapoor to hardly share screen space in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayan?
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayan adaptation will see Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Raavan, maintaining the original epic's structure. The film strategically separates their characters until the climactic battle, emphasizing their contrasting journeys. Yash will share scenes with Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol, while Ranbir has completed his portions, with the first installment releasing in Diwali 2026. Nitesh Tiwari 's ambitious adaptation of Ramayan is one of the most anticipated films in recent memory, not just for its scale and storytelling, but also for its powerful cast, headlined by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as the antagonist Raavan. Interestingly, despite both being the marquee names attached to the project, the two actors will barely share screen space in the film. Sources close to the production informed ETimes," The makers have chosen to stay true to the original Valmiki text, where Lord Ram and Raavan do not encounter each other through most of the epic. Their worlds remain apart, their stories unfolding in parallel until destiny brings them face-to-face in the climactic battle. As per the original narrative, Ram learns of Raavan's existence only after Sita's abduction, and the two never meet until the battlefield confrontation in Lanka. " This decision by Tiwari and his team adds an interesting creative layer to the film. By keeping Ranbir and Yash's characters separated, the film builds anticipation for their eventual showdown. The audience will see their contrasting journeys — one rooted in dharma and righteousness, the other in ego and power — without immediate interaction, making their final confrontation even more impactful. Yash will, though, have scenes with Sai Pallavi , who plays Sita, and Sunny Deol , who plays Hanuman. Though there was news about Yash having scenes with Ranbir, Ranbir is currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali 's 'Love & War' with Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt , and he has a certain look in the film. Also, the shooting of the film has been delayed, and it won't be possible to change his look to shoot for Ramayan. The production is currently underway on massive sets in the city. The film is being made in two installments, the first one releasing in Diwali 2026 and the second one during Diwali of 2027. While Ranbir Kapoor has already completed his portions, Yash began filming his portions after visiting the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain at the start of May. The decision to limit their screen presence together underlines the makers' commitment to respecting the original epic's structure while delivering a contemporary cinematic experience. In an era where star-driven projects often engineer extra interactions between big names to fuel fan excitement, Ramayan's disciplined storytelling approach stands out, promising a faithful and immersive retelling of the timeless classic. 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 .
Pink Villa
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Ramayana: Has Yash's Raavan found his Mandodari? Here's who will play his wife in Ranbir Kapoor starrer
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana stands out as one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. Featuring an impressive ensemble, the film has Ranbir Kapoor portraying Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash in the role of Raavan, and Sunny Deol stepping in as Lord Hanuman. Adding to the already stellar lineup, Kajal Aggarwal has been cast as Mandodari, Raavan's wife. Recognizing the significance of Mandodari's character in the Ramayana and wanting to find a strong on-screen match for Yash's Raavan, the creators were keen on casting a well-established actress with wide-ranging appeal across India. After considering various top contenders from both Bollywood and regional cinema, the team finalized Kajal Aggarwal for the role, owing to her strong fan base and popularity across both northern and southern markets. Meanwhile, Pinkvilla has exclusively learned that Yash joined the sets of Ramayana on April 30, 2025, and filmed his first shot as Raavan. According to a source close to the project, the actor is expected to shoot for nearly a month, covering scenes from both Part One and select portions of Part Two. He reportedly began filming with solo sequences and is scheduled to move on to combination scenes with Sai Pallavi (who plays Sita), Ranbir Kapoor (as Lord Ram), and Sunny Deol (as Lord Hanuman). The source also mentioned that the principal photography for Ramayana: Part One is on track to be completed within the next two weeks. Following that, the team is expected to continue work seamlessly on the sequel. For the uninitiated, Ramayana: Part One is slated for release during the Diwali 2026 weekend, with Part Two scheduled to hit theatres around Diwali 2027. The makers reportedly plan to complete the filming of both parts of Ramayana by the end of the year, after which they will shift focus to an intensive post-production phase. A source close to the project shared that the vision behind the film is to create a cinematic work that showcases Indian mythology on a global platform. Additionally, those who have had an early glimpse of the visuals are said to be highly impressed, describing it as an unprecedented visual spectacle.
India Today
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Govinda is 'ruining his life' sitting at home, says wife Sunita Ahuja
Actor Govinda's wife, Sunita Ahuja, has spoken openly about the actor's long break from films and urged him to return to the big screen. In a recent interview, Sunita said that Govinda is a legendary actor and should not be wasting his time at home.'I always tell Govinda that you are a legend star, aap 90s ke raaja the (you were the 90s king). Today's generation of kids dance on your songs. I keep asking him to have better company. Why is a legend like you sitting at home? Actors of your age are doing so much work, including Anil Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, and Jackie Shroff. Why don't you work? We miss seeing Govinda in films," she told shared that even their children want to see Govinda act again. She blamed the people around him for not giving him the right advice. 'The company and friends you are hanging out with are not saying what's good for you, bas haan mein haan milaate hain (they always say yes to everything he says), they don't mean well for him. I want to say to these so-called friends of his - Govinda even helps you financially, why don't you show him the right path?" she added. She also said that Govinda needs to change with the times. '90s is gone, it's 2025. 90s ke style ki movie koi nahi dekh raha (no one is watching 90s-style movies). Uski zindagi barbaad kyu kar rahe ho do kaudi ke paison ke liye? (why are you guys ruining his life for little amount of money?) Tell him to lose weight or look handsome. We feel bad that such a legendary actor is sitting at home. Film industry mein actors ko apni waah-waahi sunna achha lagta hai, they don't want to listen to the truth. 90s mein wah-waahi thi, Govinda jaisa koi actor nahi hai (Actors in the film industry love to hear praise, they don't want to hear the truth. In the 90s, there was a lot of praise, there was no actor like Govinda), but he has to do good films and choose good directors. He is lacking there," she who was one of the biggest stars in Hindi cinema during the 90s and early 2000s, saw his fame decline after 2008. He tried to make a comeback with supporting roles in films like 'Raavan' and 'Kill Dil', but it didn't revive his career. He was last seen in the 2019 film 'Rangeela Raja', which failed at the box office. Known for blockbusters like 'Coolie No.1', 'Hero No.1', and 'Raja Babu', Govinda has been away from the spotlight for Watch
