Latest news with #Raaz-TheMysteryContinues
News18
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Poverty Forced Her Into Dance Bars And Prostitution. Now She Writes Bollywood Blockbusters
Life often throws countless challenges, and only a few have the strength to rise above them. One such extraordinary tale has emerged from the world of Bollywood. Shagufta Rafique, once a bar dancer and forced into sex work due to dire circumstances, has carved out a successful career in cinema through unwavering determination and talent. Shagufta was adopted as a young girl by the mother of Saeeda Khan, a prominent film actress from the 1960s and 70s. Although part of a film-connected household, her upbringing was far from privileged. Following her adoptive father's death and Saeeda's marriage, the family's financial situation deteriorated drastically. Her mother was even forced to sell clothes to survive. Shagufta left school in Class 7 and faced daily struggles, especially among English-speaking peers. A marriage at 17 offered hope but soon ended in heartbreak. With no familial support and rising debts, Shagufta turned to work as a bar dancer in Mumbai and Dubai, later resorting to sex work out of desperation. She attributes her entry into this world to sheer disillusionment. Yet, through it all, she retained a dream: to be part of the film industry. After falling ill in Dubai, she returned to India, where a fateful meeting with Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt altered her course. Recognising her raw storytelling talent, he invited her to write scenes for the film Kalyug (2005). Deeply impressed, he took her on as a full-time writer at Vishesh Films. Mahesh Bhatt once remarked that Shagufta didn't need formal education to become a writer, her life was her education. Her scripts reflected her reality, her pain, and her resilience. She went on to write for several successful films including Woh Lamhe (2006), Awarapan (2007), Raaz - The Mystery Continues (2009), Murder 2 (2011) Aashiqui 2 (2013) and Mr. X (2014). In 2019, Shagufta stepped into direction, marking a new chapter in her journey. She has since directed two films, a Hindi film called Dushman: A Story Of The Enemy Within (2017) and a Bengali action thriller titled Mon Jaane Na (2019), further establishing herself as a force in the film industry. Shagufta Rafique's life is not just a story of success, it's a story of survival, strength, and self-belief. Her transformation through several hardships to reach the heights of Bollywood remains an inspiration to many.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Adhyayan Suman on facing rejections and setbacks despite being a star kid: 'No one has ever handed me anything...'
Adhyayan Suman has opened up about the struggles he faced in the film industry, revealing that rejections and setbacks were a constant part of his journey despite being a star kid. In a recent interview with IANS, the actor-singer admitted that his lineage did not shield him from the harsh realities of Bollywood. Addressing the long-debated topic of nepotism, Adhyayan Suman reflected on how the assumption that star kids are guaranteed success is far from reality. In his own journey, he's endured rejections, setbacks, and moments where he was written off entirely. The actor shared, "Yes, I come from a film family, but the truth is, no one has ever handed me anything on a silver platter. My father and mother have supported me emotionally, but every audition, every meeting, every opportunity-I've had to fight for it. People think being a star kid guarantees success, but that's not true. I've faced rejections, setbacks, and been written off many times. What matters is resilience, and I've never stopped believing in myself. " Suman further acknowledged that the film and music industries have traditionally been male-dominated, especially when it comes to representation and equal opportunities. However, he believes that change is slowly but steadily taking place, thanks to filmmakers who are committed to telling more balanced stories. He specifically praised Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his progressive approach to female characters. "It's true that the industry has had gender imbalances-especially in terms of pay and opportunities. But change is happening. Filmmakers like Bhansali sir are pioneers. They don't just cast women in lead roles-they give them depth, dignity, and powerful arcs. That's the kind of storytelling we need more of, and I'm proud to be a part of such narratives." Speaking of his upcoming project, Adhyayan revealed, "I have 4 films and 6 songs this year." Adhyayan Suman is the son of veteran actor Shekhar Suman and producer Alka Suman. He made his acting debut in 2008 with "Haal-e-dil." Following that, he appeared in his second film, "Raaz - The Mystery Continues." 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 .
