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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Siddhanth Kapoor turns cold and dangerous in Mandala Murders; Shraddha applauds Bhaiya's fierce avatar
's brother and actor has opened up about his intense role in the series "Mandala Murders," where he plays a gangster. Reflecting on the experience, the actor shared that he poured his heart and soul into the character, giving it everything he had. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking about his character, Siddhanth shared, "The audience loved me in a never-seen-before avatar. I've done intense roles before, but this one... this was different. This time, I had to completely disappear into someone darker, colder, and more dangerous." "I gave this role everything I had. The grime, the anger, the silence - it was all real to me. And when people connect with that truth, it's the biggest reward," he added. Recently, Siddhanth's sister Shraddha praised her brother's performance on social media. The 'Stree' actress shared a still featuring Siddhant from the Netflix series and wrote, "My bhaiya packing a punch (sic)." In Netflix's crime thriller, "Mandala Murders," Siddhanth Kapoor played the role of a riveting gangster. Set in the fictional town of Charandaspur, "Mandala Murders" follows the intense journey of two detectives as they investigate a series of ritualistic killings. Their search for the truth leads them to a mysterious secret society with roots that trace back centuries. Co-directed by and Manan Rawat, the gripping crime thriller premiered on Netflix on July 25. The show also starred , Vaibhav Raj Gupta, and Surveen Chawla. Earlier, Vaani had shared what, in her view, set her series Mandala Murders apart from other crime thrillers on Indian screens. "What really sets Mandala Murders apart is the world it's set in, it's not just another whodunnit. The show blends crime with psychological depth, exploring the darker side of cult culture, blind faith, and emotional trauma. It's layered, atmospheric, and visually so distinct. Every character is carrying something... a secret, a wound, a belief... and that complexity makes the story feel more real and gripping. It's unsettling in the best way," Kapoor explained.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Abhishek Banerjee Shoots Tamil Debut In Chennai, Returns To His Childhood Roots: ‘Feels Like Full Circle'
Abhishek Banerjee begins shooting his Tamil debut in Chennai. Raised in Kalpakkam, the actor calls it a full-circle moment tied to childhood memories. Abhishek Banerjee, known for his unforgettable performances in Paatal Lok, Stree, and the recent festival-favourite Stolen, is now stepping into Tamil cinema. The actor is currently filming in Chennai for what is reported to be his Tamil debut, marking a full-circle moment that is both personal and cinematic. Born in Kharagpur but raised in Kalpakkam, a serene coastal township just outside Chennai, Abhishek spent a significant part of his childhood surrounded by Tamil Nadu's rich culture, coastal cuisine, and monsoon-drenched streets. Now, years later, he returns — not as a wide-eyed schoolboy, but as one of India's most compelling screen talents. Taking to Instagram, Abhishek shared glimpses of his time on set in Chennai, prompting a wave of excitement among fans and industry insiders. His South Indian fanbase has grown exponentially in recent years, especially following the Tamil Nadu acclaim for Stolen, and the enduring cult status of Paatal Lok. 'Chennai and Kalpakkam hold a special place in Abhishek's childhood memories," a source close to the actor revealed. 'The local food, the sea breeze, the monsoon rains — it all feels familiar to him. Returning here for a shoot feels like coming full circle for the Stolen actor." While the details of the project remain tightly under wraps, industry speculation hints at a high-profile Tamil venture that could further cement Abhishek's pan-India appeal. What's clear, however, is the emotional undercurrent of this new chapter in his career. For Abhishek, this isn't just another film shoot — it's a deeply personal return to his roots, framed by nostalgia and artistic ambition. As fans eagerly await more news on the project, one thing is certain: Tamil cinema is about to witness a powerful new presence. First Published: July 25, 2025, 19:16 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
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Stolen actor Shubham Vardhan: ‘The tendency to be safe has stagnated the film business, everything appears to be a copy of each other'
After premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Stolen travelled to nearly 40 festivals before releasing on OTT. Its producer Gaurav Dhingra, director Karan Tejpal and lead actors Abhishek Banerjee and Shubham Vardhan talk about its making; balancing craft with social commentary; and the contemporary eco-system for indie cinema. The trigger for making Stolen is the 2018 Karbi Anglong incident in which two men were lynched as 'child kidnapping' rumours circulated on social media. Why did you think of developing this as a feature film? Karan Tejpal: It came as a shock to me that you can be so unjustly accused of something you haven't done. I was surprised that nearly 5,000 people can collect within minutes and brutally lynch you. They were assumed to be child kidnappers on the basis of how they looked. One of them had long dreadlocks and they were driving a big car. When I dug deeper into the incident, I came across how technology was used. Such incidents are what's called 'WhatsApp lynchings' since a message can be transmitted to thousands of people through WhatsApp. This case came to the limelight due these brutal videos which were doing the rounds. From 2015 to the time that the pandemic swept the world, there were about 300 such cases in different parts of India. It started as the unpeeling of this phenomenon and wanting to understand why and how (such incidents are taking place). Being a writer and filmmaker, in a couple of years, the idea of giving shape to a story came up. It crystallised into becoming a film when I met Gaurav. Making a film and telling it a certain way is a cathartic experience. I experienced such fear when I heard about such incidents and the injustice that can take place and no one is held responsible for it. I heard about this incident in 2018 and I started writing in 2020. I shot the film in 2023. How did Abhishek Banerjee come on board? Abhishek: My mind was blown when Karan and Gaurav (Dhingra) shared their idea. In the first meeting itself I decided to do the film. Their pitch was simple: we are trying to make this road film. The initial idea was to make a single-take movie and create that kind of chaos through the journey. Apart from the story, I was very interested in the way they were thinking of making the film. I thought let's get the emotions and script right and go ahead. Karan: We thought of Abhishek very early on because there are not many actors who are doing realistic performances the way he does. He has a control hold over his craft. He can control his pitch even when others are hamming their way through in Stree (2018). Shubham's performance is very much from his gut while Abhishek is from the mind. Gaurav Dhingra: The production crew had many first-timers. They were handpicked and came together because they believed in the film. Abhishek and Shubham, you are playing brothers in Stolen–you are both from Delhi's Kirori Mal College and you know each other for a long time. Shubham Vardhan: We were obviously comfortable since we know each other. At the same time, it was a little difficult since you can't hide your tricks because we know each other so well. In Mumbai, we want to do good and off-beat work but that kind of project doesn't come our way. It is rare to get the opportunity to work with like-minded people as well as to work on a project that gives importance to craft and story. Abhishek: We could laugh at each other and tell each other when something was going wrong. That's not easy. If you are working with co-actors with whom you don't have chemistry and you cross the line, they might feel bad. It is not about ego but all actors are insecure. Shubham: We have had a common language for nearly 15 years. So, we can communicate with each other with ease. The film carries a social commentary but is also nuanced. How do you achieve that balance? Karan: Genre is mainly about craft and helps in making choices. More than social commentary, my idea was to present how I saw the world. We never thought about preaching or pamphleteering. We were telling the story of characters and real people what could happen if they had an experience like this. If you have a certain perspective of the world, it should automatically reflect in your work. Gaurav: We wanted the film to be accessible and engaging for everyone. In the age of the internet, what is engaging is commercial. Even though Stolen was screened at about 40 festivals, why did you not release it in theatres? Gaurav: Our focus was that we are making a global film. After its Venice Film Festival premiere in 2023, various distributors wanted to buy the film. It was not sold in India. Had it been released in France or Germany first, in no time it would have been pirated. We wanted all theatrical releases to come together in four months and then go to OTT. Or, we wanted a global deal that would release the film at one go. The Amazon Prime Video deal came in. The four executive producers, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Nikkhil Advani and Kiran Rao joined us. Abhishek: When you are trying to do something disruptive, logic is an important weapon. We did not want that kind of pressure related to the money that you need to raise for marketing in case of a theatrical release and then wonder for how many days the theatres would run it. How would you describe the current ecosystem for independent cinema? Gaurav: The eco-system is not working for independent filmmakers. Part of the reason is that the distribution has crumbled and needs to be innovated. The ticket pricing is high. In the southern part of the country, there is a cap on the ticket prices and marketing budget of a movie. There is a greater need of the exhibition system to have partnership of a different kind with movie makers. Abhishek: Over the years, I have noticed, everyone wants to be safe business-wise. Hence, the manufacturing goes up but creativity goes down. That's the case everywhere. Shubham: The tendency to be safe has stagnated the business. Everything appears to be a copy of each other.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"If you are balanced, then..." Tamannaah Bhatia calls the concept of 'work-life balance' a "lie"
Amid the ongoing industry-wide discussion on work-life balance in the film world, several stars have spoken up about long working hours and the need for healthier schedules. Amid the ongoing industry-wide discussion on work-life balance in the film world, several stars have spoken up about long working hours and the need for healthier schedules. Joining the conversation, actress Tamannaah Bhatia recently shared her personal views on the matter and gave a rather honest and straightforward opinion. Speaking on the sidelines of India Couture Week, Tamannaah said she doesn't believe in the concept of "work-life balance" as it is often discussed. Instead, she believes in inner balance. "I think work-life balance is a lie. I think you have to be balanced, and then work and life happens. If you are balanced, then work-life balance ho jata hai," said the 'Stree' actress to ANI. The debate over work hours in the film industry became a hot topic after Deepika Padukone 's reported exit from 'Spirit,' allegedly over her request for an eight-hour workday being denied by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga . Meanwhile, the ' Baahubali ' actress turned heads at the India Couture Week on Wednesday, where she was the muse for designer Rahul Mishra. Tamannaah wore two eye-catching outfits during the show. The actress first dazzled in a fitted floral gown, featuring detailed embroidery and soft glam makeup paired with wet, wavy hair. Later, she stunned the audience with a graceful traditional look, switching into a beautiful ivory lehenga with Rahul Mishra's signature floral patterns, paired with a halter-neck blouse. On the acting front, Tamannaah is gearing up for her upcoming film 'VVAN: Force of the Forest,' where she stars alongside Sidharth Malhotra .
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Saiyaara' becomes the 84th biggest hit in Hindi Cinema, surpasses Alia Bhatt's ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi' and Shraddha Kapoor's ‘Stree'
Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, makes waves. The film earns Rs 132.25 crore in five days. It enters the Top 100 Hindi films, surpassing Gangubai Kathiawadi and Stree. Strong music and youth appeal drive its success. The film's opening is impressive for newcomers. Saiyaara resonates with the younger audience. Mohit Suri 's romantic action drama Saiyaara is all set to make it's presence felt not only in the record books of 2025 but of Hindi Cinema. The film starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda has managed to mint Rs 132.25 crore in just five days and with that the film has breached into the Top 100 films of Hindi Cinema . The film is currently on the 84th position edging out Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt 's acclaimed Gangubai Kathiawadi and Amar Kaushik-Shraddha Kapoor's horror-comedy blockbuster Stree. Mohit Suri Spills On 20 Years In Bollywood - Ahaan & Aneet, Alia Bhatt Dream Collab & More This is a major achievement for a film headlined by relative newcomers and backed largely by strong music, youth appeal, and word-of-mouth buzz. Saiyaara has struck a chord with the younger generation, evident from its Rs 21.5 crore Day 1 opening, which was already among the best for a film with fresh faces. From there, the film only grew, with Saturday collections rising 20.93% to Rs 26 crore and Sunday seeing a massive 37.5% jump to Rs 35.75 crore. Even weekdays held strong, with Rs 24 crore on Monday and an estimated Rs 25 crore on Tuesday, taking the total to Rs 132.25 crore net in India—just enough to slide past Gangubai Kathiawadi (Rs 131.9 crore), Stree (Rs 129.83 crore), and Airlift (Rs 128.1 crore) on the all-time Hindi chart. To put this in perspective: Gangubai Kathiawadi, a major solo-led Alia Bhatt release and a National Award-winning film, had a lifetime net of Rs 131.9 crore in India despite tremendous critical acclaim and repeat viewing. Stree, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, became a cultural phenomenon and a benchmark in the horror-comedy genre with its Rs 129.83 crore net. Airlift, led by Akshay Kumar , was considered one of his most impactful films, collecting Rs 128.1 crore net on the strength of patriotic themes and strong performances. That Saiyaara, in just five days, has overtaken these names is both a testament to its commercial traction and a signal of changing audience preferences. The film has particularly clicked with metro youth audiences, and its soundtrack is already dominating music charts. Trade insiders note that had the film been fronted by established stars, it could have easily crossed Rs 200 crore and some even claim it can breach Rs 250 crore mark as well.
