Latest news with #Raees
Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
5 Bollywood films that faced delays before finally hitting screens: Shah Rukh Khan's Raees to Akshay Kumar's Mere Jeevan Saathi
Several Bollywood films saw many delays before finally reaching audiences, battling challenges like financial crises, box office clashes, and legal disputes. Despite these hurdles, they eventually made their way to the big screen, sometimes years later. Today, let's dive into some notable movies that endured long waits before their release like Shah Rukh Khan's Raees and Akshay Kumar's Mere Jeevan Saathi, proving that good things truly come to those who wait. 1. Raees (2017) Delay Duration: 1 year The 2017 film Raees, starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, showed the superstar's brooding intensity and his performance is still remembered till date. The crime drama faced a delay to avoid box office clash. Set to release in Eid 2016, it was pushed to Republic Day 2017 release to avoid clash with Salman Khan's Sultan. The film was further rescheduled to January 25, 2017, to avoid another box-office clash with Kaabil. Directed by Rahul Dholakia and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Excel Entertainment, it also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in an important role. Raees was a significant commercial and critical success. 2. Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002) Delay Duration: 6 years Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam stars Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan in lead roles. The film shows a complex love triangle as it revolves around themes of insecurity and emotional turmoil. SRK's character gets jealous and finds it difficult to deal with his wife's close bond with her childhood friend. The film was delayed for six years. Producer K.C. Bokadia was dealing with the financial crisis in the 1990s despite giving big hits like Aaj Ka Arjun and Phool Baney Angaaray leading to the delay in Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam. Though star-studded, it was a moderate success. The film became an average grosser earning Rs 34.76 crore worldwide and was made on a budget of Rs 12 crore. 3. Ugly (2014) Delay Duration: 2 years Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the 2014 film Ugly is a neo-noir psychological thriller that revolves around the kidnapping of a young girl. The film showcases human greed, egos, and the perfect presentation of emotions. The film faced a delay in release due to a legal battle with CBFC over anti-smoking disclaimer. Anurag filed a case against the rule of mandatory anti-smoking disclaimer and lost the case. This caused the delay in the release of the film. Ugly became a critical success, but unlike other Anurag's films it wasn't a massive box office hit. 4. Pakeezah (1972) Delay Duration: 16 years Pakeezah is directed by Kamal Amrohi and features Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar, Kamal Kapoor, and Veena. Set in early 20th-century Lucknow, the story follows a courtesan and dancer who clings to the belief that her purity, both of heart and body, will lead her to find true love and honor. However, the film faced many obstacles. The personal fallout between director Kamal Amrohi and lead actress Meena Kumari in 1964 caused delays, and Kumari's struggle with alcoholism often hampered shooting. Tragically, she passed away just weeks after the film's release. Released in 1972, Pakeezah emerged as a landmark hit, becoming one of the most commercially successful films of its time. 5. Mere Jeevan Saathi (2006) Delay Duration: 2 years Starring Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor, and Ameesha Patel in lead roles, Mere Jeevan Saathi revolves around Vicky, madly in love with Anjali. However, things take a turn when his ex-college friend Natasha enters their life and aspires to make him a global singer at all costs. The film faced delays due to several reasons like timing of cricket matches, production's financial crisis and more. There were also reports that a 'cat fight' between Kareena and Ameesha was also one of the reasons behind its delay. Mere Jeevan Saathi did not become an average grosser upon its release. Why do films get delayed? Films get delayed due to a mix of several reasons such as creative, logistical, and external challenges. Issues such as creative disagreements between cast and crew, script rewrites, reshoots, stalling progress, scheduling conflicts, financial crisis, filming halted natural disasters, pandemics, post-production hurdles, and more push release date ahead. Sometimes even to avoid box office clashes or to release it on certain festivals, studios also delay films' releases. The above-mentioned Bollywood films prove a perfect example of being patient and never losing hope. Despite several delays, the cast and crew remained committed to bringing the film to the audiences, and their wish ultimately got fulfilled. It shows passion, patience, and persistence ultimately pays off when the time comes.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan trolled for saying she ‘laughed' off Raees poster removal: 'Do you even have any other option?'
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has once again come under fire after reacting to her photo being removed from the poster of Shah Rukh Khan's Raees. She said she 'laughed' about it and didn't feel bad. The comment, paired with her criticism of India's recent Operation Sindoor, has sparked backlash online among Indian netizens. For the unversed, Mahira's poster removal came following renewed political tension between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack last month and India's counter-offensive, Operation Sindoor, earlier this month. As sentiments between both countries hardened, Bollywood took a stand with the nation, clearly distancing itself from Pakistani artists, quietly scrubbing images of Mahira Khan, Mawra Hocane, and Fawad Khan from promotional materials of their respective films — Raees, Sanam Teri Kasam, and Kapoor & Sons. Mahira Khan calls Indian military operation 'cowardly' The controversy intensified when Mahira reposted a tweet by Pakistani writer Fatima Bhutto, which condemned India's military strikes. Mahira added to it, writing on Instagram, 'Seriously cowardly!!! May Allah protect our country; may common sense prevail. Ameen.' The statement angered many Indian fans, especially those who had appreciated her work with Shah Rukh Khan. Some accused her of hypocrisy and exploiting Bollywood fame while simultaneously denouncing India. 'Laughed about it': Mahira Khan on Raees poster removal In a new interview, Mahira addressed the Raees poster controversy, claiming she wasn't hurt by it and found the entire situation amusing. 'I didn't feel bad about it, even for a second. I actually laughed about it. It doesn't matter—it was a very small thing to do. It was a silly thing to do and I don't feel bad about it,' she said. When asked whether she would work in Bollywood again, Mahira said, 'I think we need to focus inwards; we need to focus on our own industry. I'm someone who doesn't believe in the cancel culture or boycotts. I'm speaking broadly. But given the current situation, we're all emotional. Instead of advocating such strong stances, which is one's prerogative—we should focus on ourselves. We should invest in us (in Pakistan).' Social media slams Mahira: 'Why are you even discussing it?' Netizens were quick to respond to Mahira's remarks, calling them dismissive and insincere. One user wrote, 'She's the brand ambassador of chatukaari.' Another commented, 'Your laugh has a pain in it.' Others criticised her for continuing to mention Bollywood while condemning it: 'Then why are you even discussing it?' and 'You can't promote your film without mentioning Bollywood.' Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut Mahira Khan debuted in Bollywood with Raees in 2017, starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, the action-drama also featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and performed well at the box office. However, due to the ban on Pakistani artists following the Uri attack, Mahira was not allowed to promote the film in India. She has not taken part in any Indian productions since.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mahira: Been there, done that
While Mahira Khan is fully booked on the home front, with her new film Love Guru opposite Humayun Saeed hitting screens this Eidul Azha, one question keeps following her across borders: Will she ever return to Bollywood? During a promotional event for Love Guru in the US, the question came up once again. Her answer was calm, layered, and unmistakably grounded in love for her country. "I think we need to focus inwards; we need to focus on our own industry," Mahira began, addressing the fan's query head-on. "I'm someone who doesn't believe in the cancel culture or boycotts. I'm speaking broadly, I don't think it's the right approach." It was a carefully worded reply, but not without heart. Mahira acknowledged the emotional complexity of the current political moment. "Given the current situation, we're all emotional. Instead of advocating such strong stances, which becomes one's prerogative because of circumstances, we should focus on ourselves." She didn't rule out the idea of cross-border work, but her emphasis was clear. "In the end, it's your country which is your safe space. I believe we should invest in ourselves, in Pakistan." The internet, predictably, had a lot to say. Some fans felt her response was too soft. Others applauded her maturity and nuance. "She's absolutely right," one user commented. "We should uplift our own cinema." Another wrote, "She didn't slam anyone, she just said what needed to be said." Many pointed to her Bollywood past, her 2017 debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, which was widely praised despite its timing amid rising IndiaPakistan tensions. Since then, Mahira has firmly planted her feet in the local scene, and it's safe to say she's thrived. For now, Mahira is focused on Love Guru, her continued stardom in Pakistan, and supporting an industry she believes in. Whether she returns to Bollywood someday remains an open question, but she's made it clear where her heart lies. As she puts it: "Your country is your safe space." Earlier this month, Mahira's presence was quietly scrubbed from Raees promotions during India's digital war on Pakistan following tensions. After similar erasures of Mawra Hocane and Fawad Khan from their Bollywood projects, Mahira is the latest Pakistani actor to be digitally sidelined. The cover of the iconic Raees song Zaalima, where she once stood beside Shah Rukh, now features him alone. Even the album art has been updated to remove her. Real-life 'love guru' In the midst of weighty political panels and cinematic chatter, Mahira brought a welcome dose of levity. When a fan asked who they'd trust for real-life love advice, she immediately pointed to herself. Humayun laughed and nodded: "Definitely her. She's great at talking." "Just talking?" she teased. "No, no," he backpedaled, "for giving advice!" Mahira grinned: "Exactly. Don't go to him." It was classic Mahira, sharp, funny, and completely at ease with her long-time co-star. The easy camaraderie between the two only added to the excitement around Love Guru. Also attracting buzz was Mahira's fashion at Love Guru promotional events. For her standout look at the event, the star wore a royal blue traditional ensemble by Misha Lakhani. The organza outfit featured intricate zardozi and silk thread embroidery, paired with a crushed silk anarkali and a delicately detailed dupatta, creating a silhouette that was both regal and effortless. The look was elevated further with chunky earrings and studded, silver, closed-toe heels.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mahira Khan responds to 'Raees' poster removal: 'I couldn't care less'
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, who starred alongside Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 blockbuster film Raees, has finally broken her silence over the removal of her image from the film's promotional materials in India. While promoting her upcoming Eidul Azha release Love Guru with co-star Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan was asked about her reaction to the decision by Indian distributors to edit her out of Raees posters. Responding with calm confidence, she said, 'It didn't bother me at all. In fact, I laughed. It was such a petty and ridiculous move.' Mahira added that Pakistani artists have every reason to feel proud of their own thriving entertainment industry. 'There's so much to be happy about in our own film industry,' she stated. Actor Humayun Saeed also weighed in, calling the action reflective of 'a very small-minded mentality.' Several Pakistani actors were removed from album artwork for Indian film soundtracks on several major music platforms, including Spotify and YouTube Music in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, which saw the Narendra Modi-led Indian government place a blanket ban on Pakistani artists working in Indian media. This ban included removing Pakistani actors and singers from film songs, posters, and even restricting their content on Indian platforms, such as YouTube channels and social media accounts. Mahira's role in Raees, one of the last major Bollywood films to feature a Pakistani actor, had become symbolic of the cross-border cultural divide.
Daily Maverick
18-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
The Africrypt files, Part 2 — The Cajee brothers' ‘escape' plan
In the second part of Daily Maverick's investigation into Africrypt, we show how Raees and Ameer Cajee appear to have executed what may be one of SA's swiftest financial exits in recent memory Part 1 of this story established the scale and structure of the cryptocurrency scam, and Part 2 investigates how the exit unfolded – and why, despite so many red flags, no major legal consequences have followed. Multiple passports and a shifting identity 'It was a centralised system pretending to be decentralised,' cryptocurrency analyst Wiehann Olivier told Daily Maverick. 'There was no oversight, no third-party security testing and no asset segregation.' Travel records and supporting whistleblower data reviewed by Daily Maverick confirm that both Raees and Ameer Cajee used Vanuatu-issued passports during their post-exit international travel. Our forensic investigation shows that the brothers travelled to the UK, then Dubai, Turkey and Zurich, in that order. This was notwithstanding the unfolding scandal involving their company, Africrypt. Although the total number of affected investors has never been confirmed by authorities, a July 2021 statement by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) estimated investor losses at just more than R200-million and noted that the company appeared to have solicited funds from 'several hundred individuals'. The scandal erupted when investors received a single email from the Cajee brothers on 13 April 2021, claiming that Africrypt's wallets had been compromised. It would be the last formal communication most investors ever received. Daily Maverick understands, based on travel logs in the forensic report, that the brothers departed South Africa within weeks of this email. Although their exact departure date remains unconfirmed, the Badaspex v Africrypt high court application confirms that liquidation proceedings had already been launched at that stage. Forensic records also show that Ameer Cajee obtained a second Vanuatu passport in March 2022 – while under a Swiss travel ban imposed in May 2021. This passport, issued under the name 'Ameer J Cajee', was acquired via a Dubai-based intermediary, despite his original Vanuatu passport being valid until 2031. Court records indicate that Ameer's appeal against the travel restrictions was dismissed in December 2022, and the ban only expired in late February 2023. Digital traces leaked by a whistleblower and reviewed by Daily Maverick show that shortly after the second Vanuatu passport was activated, activity tied to Cajee-linked devices and accounts began surfacing in jurisdictions including Qatar, Turkey, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This included logins to previously dormant Africrypt infrastructure, suggesting that someone with prior system access retained operational awareness. Forensic records show successful logins to legacy Africrypt admin panels in December 2023 using credentials tied to founder email accounts. Although this is not conclusive proof of international travel under a different identity, the timing, geographic spread and access patterns collectively suggest a deliberate effort to obscure physical location and digital footprint. The Cajees maintain that their systems were hacked. However, given that login credentials, devices and internet protocol (IP) traces match travel logs and known movement patterns, it appears unlikely that continued system access was solely the result of a third-party compromise. Given a right of reply, Ameer Cajee denied any wrongdoing related to passport issuance or use, and challenged any suggestion that the documents were unlawfully acquired or used. He described the claims as 'baseless, speculative, and deliberately misleading'. The Zurich connection: Ameer Cajee and the Trezor wallets The Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor in Zurich confirmed to Daily Maverick that criminal proceedings against both brothers are continuing on suspicion of money laundering. One brother was arrested in Zurich in November 2021 and later released on bail. 'We can only confirm that the Public Prosecutor's Office III of the Canton of Zurich is conducting criminal proceedings against the two brothers you mentioned on suspicion of money laundering,' the office said. Daily Maverick has verified through legal correspondence and whistleblower logs that Ameer Cajee was subsequently placed under supervised release at a hotel in Zurich. The Swiss prosecutor confirmed that Ameer had been released on bail to a 'designated residence'. Access logs from the hotel, leaked to Daily Maverick, show more than 40 badge entries linked to his digital ID, and photographs geolocated and timestamped confirm his presence on the premises. Sources close to the investigation claim that Ameer tried to access Trezor devices – hardware wallets – suspected of containing Africrypt's missing bitcoin. The Zurich Prosecutor's Office also confirmed that 'items related to a South African fraud case' were seized in Zurich. Though they declined to specify which items, investigators believe they included hardware wallets. Crypto disappearing act: coordinated disappearance, continued control While investors were still coming to terms with the announcement of a supposed hack, back-end activity on the Africrypt platform told a different story. According to access logs reviewed by Daily Maverick, administrative sessions linked to devices associated with Raees and Ameer Cajee remained active for at least 72 hours after the public announcement of the hack. These sessions accessed internal wallet balances, user tables and system-level controls. Login records show that the same internet connection was used multiple times during this period to access Africrypt's admin system. This connection was linked to a fibre line bearing subscriber information associated with the Cajee surname. The device used matched one previously linked to Raees Cajee and remained online throughout. Some key examples that contradict the narrative of a hack include: Admin logins recorded after 13 April 2021 from a device previously linked to Raees Cajee; An IP address associated with a fibre line registered to a subscriber bearing the Cajee surname; and Apparent continued access to wallet infrastructure and user data for at least 72 hours after the alleged breach. In their April 2021 announcement, the Cajees told investors that 'system, client accounts, client wallets and nodes were all compromised'. 'Their own login sessions were still active while they were publicly claiming to be locked out,' said one digital forensics consultant who worked with affected investors. 'They were inside the house while claiming it was being robbed.' In his right of reply, Ameer Cajee denied the allegations and demanded that Daily Maverick provide specific forensic logs or device records. We have chosen not to publish or share these in order to protect our sources. Digital clean-up on aisle three Although investor withdrawals were suspended and communication ceased, internal network logs suggest that background activity on Africrypt systems persisted. Logs show data transfers to encrypted Amazon cloud storage via virtual private network tunnels routed through Switzerland and the UAE. Devices previously linked to the Cajees remained active during this time. This activity spiked between 14 and 18 April 2021 – the same window during which major cryptocurrency withdrawals occurred. Daily Maverick conducted an independent blockchain analysis, verified by a cybersecurity analyst, which confirmed that at least R300-million in digital assets was moved from Africrypt-linked wallets during that period. Fourteen withdrawals were routed through Wasabi Wallet, a privacy-focused application that fragments and anonymises transactions. The outputs were then dispersed to platforms such as Binance, Kraken and Huobi, as well as to two unregistered exchanges believed to be non-KYC (know-your-customer) compliant. By the time that court-appointed liquidators obtained access to the wallets, they had been emptied. Forensic analysis of email metadata from one of the brothers' accounts shows a pattern of outbound encrypted messages and cloud sync requests referencing 'vault fallback ops' – language consistent with cold wallet backup transfers. While the contents of these messages remain inaccessible, their timing and destination strongly suggest that off-platform recovery mechanisms were activated. A curtain built to fall Africrypt operated as a closed ecosystem with no independent oversight. There were no third-party custodians, no external compliance mechanisms and no regulatory supervision. Fund custody, trading, onboarding and internal audits were all handled by the Cajees themselves. 'They created a fully enclosed ecosystem,' Olivier said. 'When you control the wallets, the DNS [domain name system], the servers and the message, there's no audit trail – and no one to stop you when you walk out with the keys.' Evidence reviewed by Daily Maverick suggests that Africrypt infrastructure remained accessible even after the platform was declared defunct. DNS pings, access telemetry and wallet monitoring indicate system use well beyond the shutdown. Since Africrypt's collapse, some regulatory gaps have been closed. In 2022, the FSCA declared crypto assets financial products, formally placing them under its supervision. In response to questions, the FSCA told Daily Maverick: 'The legislation declaring crypto assets a financial product does not operate retrospectively … the FSCA has not conducted any retrospective investigations.' By the end of 2023, cryptocurrency platforms in South Africa were required to register or shut down. The Financial Intelligence Centre also began classifying crypto service providers as accountable institutions, requiring compliance with KYC and anti-money laundering protocols. Although these changes offer a framework for future oversight, they come too late for those burnt by Africrypt. Ameer Cajee concluded his right of reply by stating that any publication of what he characterised as defamatory material would be met with legal action. What began in a regulatory void ended in a vanishing act. The Cajee brothers are gone – but their system left traces, and the questions it raised haven't disappeared. DM
