Latest news with #SinghamReturns
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty spoke about Bollywood's class divide
and are one of the most successful actor-director duos in Hindi cinema. Out of Rohit Shetty's 14 films, 12 starred Ajay. These include all four movies from the comedy series 'Golmaal' and the four films in the cop universe, starting with 'Singham' in 2011 and going up to 'Sooryavanshi' in 2021. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In 2014, before the release of Singham Returns, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty spoke about the class divide in the Hindi film industry during a promotional interview with Film Companion. They referred to a message Ajay had sent to Rohit back in 2011 on Karan Johar's chat show Koffee With Karan, where he said:"I am so happy that people who abused your kind of movies want to work with you now", the actor and the filmmaker were asked if a class divide exists within Bollywood. The Tanhaji star, Ajay Devgn, said he personally hadn't faced the issue but had heard people call Golmaal 'trash cinema.' He pointed out the irony that those same people later approached Rohit Shetty to direct films for them, realizing that they needed such so-called 'trash cinema' to stay relevant in the industry. Rohit Shetty, who also hosts the popular reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi, said he has no ego or arrogance about his work and believes he's simply making films for his audience. He shared that many people have now come around, saying he's not doing anything wrong or harmful. Referring to the earlier criticism from the elite crowd, Rohit humorously compared himself to Amitabh Bachchan's 'bad guy' character from Deewar (1975), calling the critics Nirupa Roy and the elite Shashi Kapoor. He concluded by saying he's happy being Amitabh—the so-called bad guy—at the end of the day. In November last year, Rohit Shetty's Sooryavanshi revived the Indian box office, earning nearly ₹200 crores after theatres reopened nationwide following a two-year Covid-19 lockdown. Rohit and Ajay have also hinted at the next film in their cop universe, Singham 3, though an official announcement is still awaited. Rohit Shetty
India.com
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who divorced her first husband after 4 years, fell in love with co-star younger than her, married secretly, her name is..., husband is...
Meet actress who divorced her first husband after 4 years, fell in love with co-star younger than her, married secretly, her name is..., husband is... In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, where often the picture-perfect part makes it to the spotlight, it's often the harsh truth behind the curtain that never meets the eyes. It's usually the personal traumas, turbulent bonds, and ugly interpersonal relationships that are shown with the portrayal of everything good and over the top, until one day the reality comes out. Behind the camera lights and red carpet appearances are stories of emotional rollercoasters and shocking twits, where love can both fall apart and find its way back in the most unexpected places. One such story is of a celebrated actress, Ashwini Kalsekar, who has made her strong presence both on television and in films. Although Aswini was popularly known for her role as a supporting actor and a negative role, she has also made her mark in the film industry with her role in films like Golmaal, All the Best, Singham Returns, and Khakee, mostly starring alongside Ajay Devgn. However, she rose to fame with her role as Maham Anga in the serial Jodha Akbar and went on to portray strong characters in shows like Kasamh Se and Jijaji Chhat Per Hain. Besides her great professional success, her personal life was far from smooth. She first got married in 1998 to a fellow TV actor, Nitish Pandey, but soon that relationship turned sour, and they started having rifts. After 4 years in 2002, the couple parted ways. After the separation, she focused on her career and spent considerable time working on herself. During filming a particular project, she met one of the younger co-stars, Murali Sharma, who was three years her junior. Their initial interactions were cordial, but eventually, they became good friends. With time, their connection grew deeper, and they fell in love with each other. Soon, they got married in a simple wedding in 2009. Later, in an interview, she revealed that she and her husband both shared she and her husband have been each other's critics, always helping each other grow. From her journey of enduring heartbreak to finding love again, her tale is one of resilience, strength, and unscripted turns.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 beats Singham Returns to become his 7th biggest hit
Ajay Devgn 's latest action-drama Raid 2 continues its steady run at the box office, and with its 18-day total now standing at Rs 143.38 crore (all languages), the film has officially surpassed the lifetime collection of Singham Returns . The Rohit Shetty-directed cop drama whihc also featured Kareena Kapoor Khan had closed its theatrical run at Rs 140.6 crore, a record it held since 2014. Raid 2 has now become Ajay Devgn's seventh highest-grossing film of all time. The film opened strong with Rs 19.25 crore on its first day and maintained a healthy weekend collection, crossing Rs 95.75 crore in its opening week. Despite a noticeable drop in weekday numbers, Raid 2 managed to hold on in its second weekend, adding another Rs 40.6 crore in Week 2. While the collections dipped during the third week, the film still pulled in Rs 3 crore on its third Friday and Rs 4 crore on its third Saturday, pushing it past the Singham Returns benchmark. Now, Raid 2 is just under Rs 5 crore away from overtaking Shaitaan, which currently holds the sixth spot in Ajay Devgn's box office rankings with a lifetime total of Rs 148 crore. Considering the current pace and the absence of major Hindi new releases, trade experts believe Raid 2 stands a good chance of bridging this gap over the coming weekdays and its fourth weekend and going about Rs 150 crore the release of Tim Cruise's Mission Impossible: THe FInal Reckoning and Final Destination: Bloodlines can have a major impact in the days to come as both films have opened to massive collections. This success story further consolidates Ajay Devgn's position as one of Bollywood's most bankable stars in the action-thriller space. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta , Raid 2 is the sequel to the 2018 hit Raid and sees Devgn reprising his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik, the film also starred Ritiesh Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor in leading roles. As the film inches towards the Rs 150 crore mark, all eyes are on whether it can climb one more notch up the star's personal box office leaderboard. For now, Raid 2 has proven that even amidst evolving box office trends, Ajay Devgn's appeal with audiences remains rock solid. 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 .
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Nushrratt Bharuccha to Ileana D'Cruz: Why Bollywood Heroines Get Replaced in the Sequels
In Bollywood, sequels have become a mainstay, offering audiences a chance to revisit beloved narratives and characters. However, a recurring trend has emerged: the replacement of actresses in these sequels. While male leads often reprise their roles, female counterparts are frequently recast. Bollywood's penchant for retaining its male heroes in sequels—while readily recasting their female counterparts—stems from a complex interplay of narrative design, franchise positioning, star dynamics and practical constraints. Sequels pitched as thematic 'franchises' rather than direct continuations often bring in fresh heroines to signal a new chapter, as seen when Nushrratt Bharuccha was replaced by Ananya Panday in Dream Girl 2 to suit an 'organic' storyline shift. Lead actresses also bow out due to legacy concerns: Vidya Balan declined Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 for fear of tarnishing her original performance, prompting Tabu's entry. Scheduling conflicts, injuries and strategic marketing likewise drive recasting—Kajal Aggarwal stepped away from Singham Returns amidst South commitments and was replaced by Kareena Kapoor Khan. While some directors simply envision new dynamics, as in Ishqiya to Dedh Ishqiya, where Madhuri Dixit succeeded Vidya Balan because "Vidya's character had no further scope." Collectively, these shifts reveal Bollywood's male-centric framing, creative reinvention strategies, and the high stakes of maintaining box-office and brand appeal. Adding to the conversation, actress Shreya Gupto offered a candid perspective on the commercial nature of casting decisions. She said, "I think female leads are more often replaced in sequels based on who is currently trending in the market. There's a lot of business thought put into it. Having said that, I can never imagine Shraddha Kapoor being replaced in three films—I don't think that is going to happen because she probably fills the theatre. So I guess it has a lot to do with business and who is currently trending in the market. However, it is really sad that more often we have seen women getting replaced." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Learn More Undo Notable Instances of Actress Replacements in Bollywood Sequels : Dream Girl - Dream Girl 2 Replaced : Nushrratt Bharuccha Replacement : Ananya Panday Reason : Director Raaj Shaandilyaa and actor Ayushmann Khurrana described the sequel as an 'organic' progression with a distinct storyline, necessitating a new female lead. Ananya was chosen for her vibrant personality and ability to master the Mathura accent. Nushrratt expressed her disappointment, stating, "Of course it feels unfair," but acknowledged the makers' decision. Raid - Raid 2 Replaced : Ileana D'Cruz Replacement : Vaani Kapoor Reason : At the trailer launch, Ajay Devgn shrugged off concerns saying, 'It's the character you follow, and then new people keep coming in'. Vaani echoed that stance, clarifying 'No jealousy with the previous one…You just try to play your part in the most authentic manner." Satyameva Jayate - Satyameva Jayate 2 Replaced : Aisha Sharma Replacement : Divya Khosla Kumar Reason : The sequel featured a new storyline with John Abraham in a triple role, and Divya Khosla Kumar was cast as the female lead. Specific reasons for Aisha Sharma's replacement were not publicly disclosed. Baaghi Series Baaghi (2016): Shraddha Kapoor Baaghi 2 (2018): Disha Patani Baaghi 3 (2020): Shraddha Kapoor Reason : The Baaghi series follows different storylines in each installment. Disha Patani was initially considered for the first film but was replaced by Shraddha Kapoor. She was later cast in Baaghi 2. The casting changes align with the anthology nature of the series. Son of Sardaar (2012) - Son of Sardaar 2 (Upcoming) Replaced : Sonakshi Sinha Replacement : Reportedly Mrunal Thakur Reason : Details regarding the casting change have not been officially confirmed. Yamla Pagla Deewana Series Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011): Kulraj Randhawa Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013): Neha Sharma Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se (2018): Kriti Kharbanda Reason : Each installment featured a different storyline, leading to new female leads in each film. Golmaal Series Golmaal (2006): Rimi Sen Golmaal Returns (2008): Kareena Kapoor Golmaal 3 (2010): Kareena Kapoor Golmaal Again (2017): Parineeti Chopra Reason : The series introduced new female characters in each installment, aligning with the evolving storylines. Singh Is King (2008) → Singh Is Bliing (2015) Replaced : Katrina Kaif Replacement : Amy Jackson Reason : Singh Is Bliing was not a direct sequel but a standalone film with a different storyline, leading to a new female lead. Jannat (2008) → Jannat 2 (2012) Replaced : Sonal Chauhan Replacement : Esha Gupta Reason : Jannat 2 featured a new narrative, and Esha Gupta was cast as the female lead. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) → Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) Replaced : Gracy Singh Replacement : Vidya Balan Reason : The sequel presented a different storyline with new characters, leading to a change in the female lead. Singham Series Singham (2011): Kajal Aggarwal Singham Returns (2014): Kareena Kapoor Singham Again (2024): Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone Reason : Kajal Aggarwal was replaced due to her commitments in South Indian cinema. Kareena Kapoor returned in the subsequent sequels, with Deepika Padukone joining in the latest installment. Commando Series Commando (2013): Pooja Chopra Commando 2 (2017): Adah Sharma Commando 3 (2019): Adah Sharma Reason : The sequels introduced new storylines, with Adah Sharma taking over as the female lead from the second installment onward. Replaced : Tabu Replacement : Rimi Sen Reason : The sequel introduced new characters and storylines, resulting in a change in the female lead. This lack of clear explanation can be frustrating for fans—but is it necessary? Gupto shared her thoughts on whether audiences are owed transparency. "As far as the audience is concerned, I don't think the makers are liable to explain their decisions. Even when they do speak, I think they've been offering convincing answers so far. But audiences are extremely sharp these days; we have common sense to figure out why somebody would be replaced, and we don't believe news blindly," she added. Franchise Sequels Invite Fresh Faces When a follow-up is positioned as a thematic or spiritual franchise rather than a narrative continuation, filmmakers feel freer to recast female leads. In Dream Girl 2, director Raaj Shaandilyaa and star Ayushmann Khurrana described the film as a new story within the brand, resulting in Ananya Panday replacing Nushrratt Bharuccha to inject fresh energy and a Mathura dialect twist. Nushrratt later admitted the change 'hurts' and called the 'franchise' justification insufficient, noting even male co-stars would find it unfair. Anthology-Style Series The Baaghi and Housefull franchises exemplify anthology approaches. Baaghi 2 introduced Disha Patani in place of Shraddha Kapoor to match its distinct plotline, only for Shraddha to return in Baaghi 3 alongside Tiger Shroff's evolving character arc . Similarly, each Housefull film features a new ensemble heroine—Deepika Padukone to Kriti Sanon to Pooja Hegde—underscoring narrative resets over continuity . Heroes as Brand Anchors Blockbuster stars like Ajay Devgn in Raid and Saif Ali Khan in Race serve as the franchise anchors, while heroines rotate around them. In Raid 2, Devgn returns as Amay Patnaik but Ileana D'Cruz makes way for Vaani Kapoor without public explanation—reinforcing that the male role defines the sequel's brand . Likewise, Race 2 retained Khan but replaced both Bipasha Basu and Katrina Kaif, citing new story demands and scheduling conflicts, before embracing fresh pairings with Deepika Padukone and Jacqueline Fernandez Perceived Interchangeability Actresses themselves have called out this pattern. Nushrratt Bharuccha highlighted how 'only the girl changes' in sequels, while the male cast remains intact—a dynamic she described as 'not cool'. This interchangeability often fuels debates on gender bias in star billing and franchise valuation. Star Power for Box-Office Pull Producers often refresh franchises by tapping current marketable faces. Casting Ananya Panday (a star kid) in Dream Girl 2 and Mrunal Thakur in Son of Sardaar 2 (replacing Sonakshi Sinha) reflects an industry trend favoring bankable newcomers or established film-family names to maximize hype . For rising stars like Gupto, the franchise game is a dream—but not without its dilemmas. "I would love to be part of a successful franchise—look at the Stree, Drishyam, Dhoom or Golmaal series. These films create worlds that endure, and as an actor, I would absolutely love to be part of such a franchise. However, I would be very upset if I were replaced in the next sequel. To begin with, though, I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity," Shreya concluded. As Bollywood continues to expand its franchise playbook—across theatrical releases and OTT series—the recurring practice of replacing actresses in sequels offers a revealing window into creative priorities, commercial calculations and the often unequal valuation of star power. Understanding these forces not only enriches our appreciation of the films themselves but also prompts reflection on how gender, narrative form and business strategy intersect in India's film capital. 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 .
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did you know Yo Yo Honey Singh composed 'Aata Majhi Satakli' from 'Singham Returns' in just 24 hours?
At the recent launch of the song Money Money from Ajay Devgn 's upcoming film ' Raid 2 ,' rapper and music producer Yo Yo Honey Singh shared an interesting anecdote about his hit track ' Aata Majhi Satakli ' from Singham Returns . He revealed that the chartbuster was composed in just 24 hours. Adding a humorous twist, he admitted that he arrived four hours late for the session. In conversation with Hindustan Times, Honey Singh shared, 'I want to thank Bhushan ji for this opportunity. He has always believed in me. I just have one complaint—he always calls me for a song at the last minute. You won't believe it, but I composed Ajay Sir's last song, 'Aata Majhi Satakli', from 'Singham Returns' in just 24 hours! Thankfully, for this song, we got more than 24 hours. Raj Kumar Gupta, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak came to Delhi to meet me". Recalling an incident During the event, Honey Singh spoke about an incident from the time he worked on 'Aata Majhi Satakli'. He mentioned that he had arrived four hours late on set and had expected to be scolded. However, Ajay Devgn greeted him warmly, which left a lasting impression on him. Singh said that this gesture made him admire Ajay Devgn not just as an actor but also as a person. Reflecting on the experience, he shared that he made sure to be punctual on the sets of 'Raid 2' and has since corrected many of his past mistakes, learning valuable lessons about professionalism and longevity in the industry. Ajay as an IRS officer in 'Raid 2' Devgn returns as the relentless IRS officer in Raid 2, with Vaani Kapoor playing a key role alongside him. As the film's release approaches, excitement is mounting for the gripping clash between justice and corruption. The film is directed by Raj Kumar Gupta. 'Raid 2' is set to release theatrically on May 1, 2025. Raid 2 | Song - Money Money
