Latest news with #TheRailwayMen
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Alia Bhatt is a 'fantastic actress'; Dibyendu Bhattacharya praises his ‘Alpha' co-star
Actor , who appeared in the jungle thriller 'Poachers' in 2024 (on which served as an Executive Producer), has now joined hands with her again in the forthcoming female‑led spy thriller 'Alpha'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a chat with News18 Showsha, Dibyendu spoke about his experience working with also shared fond memories from his time on 'Poachers' a show where Alia played an important off-screen role. Alia gave 'Poachers' a major push Dibyendu looked back on his time working on 'Poachers' and how Alia's involvement helped boost the show's visibility. Speaking about her late entry into the project, he said, 'Alia came on board a little later,' he shared, adding, 'But yes, of course, she was an integral part of Poacher. And thank God she did, because we got mileage in publicity and promotion because of her. I'm very grateful that she came on board.' Teaming up again for YRF 's 'Alpha' After 'Poachers', the actor is now reuniting with Alia in 'Alpha', YRF's big upcoming film. Though Dibyendu remained tight-lipped about the storyline or his role, he was happy to talk about the people behind the project. 'I cannot say much about Alpha. It's a good film with a good team. The director is someone I've worked with before on The Railway Men, a very talented young man,' he said. Alia Bhatt earns high praise again Dibyendu didn't hold back his appreciation for Alia Bhatt, calling her a brilliant actor to work with. He said, 'And of course, Alia is a fantastic actress. The entire team is excellent. It's always a joy to work with good people.' More big films in Alia's pipeline Apart from 'Alpha', Alia Bhatt also has another massive project in the works. She will be seen in 's upcoming film 'Love and War', which also stars and .
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Alia Bhatt's Alpha Has An 'Excellent Team', Says Dibyendu Bhattacharya: 'Can't Reveal More'
Dibyendu talks about working with Alia in Alpha The conversation then steered towards YRF's upcoming big project after Saiyaara and War 2, Alpha. While he remained tight-lipped about his upcoming project Alpha, Dibyendu did drop a few hints. 'I cannot say much about Alpha. It's a good film with a good team. The director is someone I've worked with before on The Railway Men — a very talented young man," he said. 'And of course, Alia is a fantastic actress. The entire team is excellent. It's always a joy to work with good people." When asked if he'd talk more about the film in the future, he smiled and promised, 'Yes, I will. I promise, whenever everything is officially out. Because someone recently created a story about it and people found out I was involved in Alpha. But I never personally told anyone. There are a lot of protocols you have to follow, so I can't say much more right now." Dibyendu says he has fun on sets but secludes himself to prepare his lines Beyond work, Dibyendu spoke about his work ethic and how he balances intensity with lightness on set. 'If you ask my directors and co-actors, they'll tell you I'm a full party man! I work hard, but I also have fun. I order food, play pranks, but when it's time, I seclude myself to prepare my lines. And after the shoot, I'm with everyone, laughing, joking. It's like work, work, work," he laughed. But when he's not working? 'Then I don't work at all. Like… pure laziness," he said with a grin. 'If I have no work, I can sit quietly for hours, doing absolutely nothing. Just looking at a tree or a wall somewhere in the distance. That stillness… it's bliss," he also said. Dibyendu says he doesn't 'overthink' about his future Asked if he's happy with how his career has shaped up, he responded reflectively, 'I'm generally a happy-go-lucky man. I try to focus on the good moments in life. Yes, life has its ups and downs, and sadness is part of it. But because happy moments are so few, I want to highlight and hold on to those. I have no regrets." He added, 'I don't overthink what will happen or when it will happen. If you're constantly worried about the future, your present becomes meaningless. Still, being human, some worry creeps in, especially when you have a family. Responsibilities increase. But that's all part of family life." Dibyendu reflects on how he responds to criticism about his work On the public reception of his work, Dibyendu was honest and grounded. He explained, 'I'm doing the kind of work I want to do. If people like it, they connect. If they don't, they criticise — and that's okay because everything is out in the public domain. I can't go around asking people to like a film just because I worked hard on it. That doesn't mean anything. Like or dislike — that's their perspective."
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
What Makes Saiyaara Star Ahaan Panday Different From Other Debutants? Reddit Weighs In
Ahaan Panday's debut film, Saiyaara, has earned Rs 300 crore globally. Reddit users weigh in on what worked for the debutant amid a wave of newcomers. Ahaan Panday is basking in the success of his debut film, Saiyaara. Cousin to Ananya Panday, Ahaan's brooding personality, acting, and looks have taken social media by storm. The actor has also successfully managed to amass a Gen Z fan following, who have been hailing the actor's portrayal of Krish Kapoor. Ahaan's debut comes alongside a wave of newcomers, both from within and outside the industry, who have made an impact — though not as prominently as him. Reddit weighs in the possible reasons. Ahaan Panday's popularity has raised several questions on promotional tactics. Backed by YRF and directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara released sans any promotions. The film's storyline resonated with the masses and the fresh pairing of Ahaan with Aneet Padda caught everyone's attention. However, Reddit users have more to say. A user chipped into the discussion, and wrote, 'Ahaan (and even aneet) is not the bar but the minimum every debuting actor should be/do. He wasn't exceptional but just what a debut actor needs to be. Decent looking, Hindi speaking (bollywood), some raw talent and some hardwork. It wasn't as if he was exceptional in every scene. In fact in a lot of scenes he was awkward but then there were some scenes where he was amazing. That's literally all the audience wants from these nepo kids … No one expects them to be Irfan Khan from their first film. But put in some effort and show some promise. At least be decent enough so that people can enjoy the film." Another wrote, 'I think that's what made him [not getting papped too often] appealing because no one really knows him. Unlike the other nepo babies, he's not in the limelight so he still has that mysterious vibe to him. It's similar to the 90s stars who would give a hit movie but their real personality would be mysterious to the audience." 'Imagine if he just doesn't do any interviews. Keeps the low key vibe for the next 8-9 months then directly release a new romance film. Imagine the first weekend collection of that movie. God I hope they understand what worked and keep it up. Otherwise so much noise in the world and such little substance," quipped a third user. 'He's been waiting his turn for a while now and let's be real, he is a little late as per age standards of bollywood. But the way he stayed patient and kept working quietly behind the scenes (even assisting The Railway Men off-camera!) says so much about his grit. Everyone around him seemed to be getting their big breaks, and he just kept grinding. No shortcuts, no noise-just hustle. Plus, that 'boy-next-door" vibe he carries despite his background? Totally works. And honestly, the low-key promo strategy? Kinda brilliant. Let the work speak," argued another. Yet another user posted, 'Boy next door vibe . Feels like a friend of a friend. Other nepodis try to act like superstars without a debut." Saiyaara released on July 18. The film is smashing records by earning Rs 300 crore at the global box office. First Published: July 27, 2025, 14:29 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dibyendu Bhattacharya recalls bonding with Saiyaara star Ahaan Panday on sets of 'The Railway Men': 'He used to come to my van and take me to...'
Veteran actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya reflected on the film industry's unpredictability and praised Ahaan Panday's successful debut in 'Saiyaara.' He fondly recalled Ahaan's time as an assistant director on 'The Railway Men,' emphasizing that genuine emotional connection trumps marketing strategies for a film's success. Dibyendu believes sincerity in filmmaking is key, as predicting audience preferences remains impossible. Veteran actor Dibyendu Bhattachary, known for his powerful performances in Jamtara, Dev D, and Poachers, recently reflected on the unpredictability of the film industry and the rising star power of debutant Ahaan Panday . The Monsoon Wedding actor recently shared his thoughts on what makes a film connect with audiences—and revisited his warm memories with Ahaan from their time together on the sets of The Railway Men, where the Saiyaara lead was then working behind the scenes as an assistant director. From AD to Lead Actor In conversation with News18 Showsha, Dibyendu expressed genuine warmth for Saiyaara and its debutant Ahaan Panday, reflecting on their time together during the shoot of The Railway Men, where Ahaan served as an assistant director. He recalled how Ahaan often accompanied him to the set and engaged in friendly conversations. Having recently spoken to Ahaan, Dibyendu shared his happiness about the young actor's debut, describing it as the kind of moment one hopes for at the start of a film career. Why Saiyaara Stood Out Cracking what truly works in the film industry is no easy feat—many star kids have made their debuts recently, but Ahaan Panday has clearly stood out with an impressive start. Reflecting on his breakthrough, Dibyendu Bhattacharya shared his happiness for the young actor, acknowledging the impact Ahaan has made right from the outset. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The actor further reflected on the unpredictability of the film industry, especially in an era crowded with fresh talent. When asked about Saiyaara becoming a nationwide hit despite limited promotions, he emphasised how there's no clear formula for success. In his view, if there truly were a set code or strategy, then every film—from indie projects to those backed by giants like Warner Bros, Dharma, or Yash Raj—would be a guaranteed hit. Marketing Can't Beat Emotional Connect He also pointed out how unpredictable audience preferences can be, stressing that even the most well-planned marketing strategies can fail if a film doesn't strike an emotional chord. He noted that if there truly were a foolproof marketing formula, everyone would be using it. According to him, a genuinely good film should be able to resonate with viewers even without aggressive promotion—because ultimately, it's impossible to predict what will connect with the audience. For Dibyendu, the only dependable rule in the unpredictable world of cinema is working with sincerity. He believes that filmmakers and actors should focus on giving their best with dedication, while leaving the outcome to destiny—because no one can truly predict which film will succeed or how things will unfold. What's Next for Dibyendu and Ahaan On the professional front, Dibyendu Bhattacharya was recently seen in Fateh and Kapkapii. Meanwhile, Ahaan Panday's debut film Saiyaara is on a dream run at the box office, inching close to the Rs 200 crore mark within just a week of its release.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Ahaan Panday Was An AD For The Railway Men; He's A Beautiful Boy: Dibyendu Bhattacharya
Last Updated: Actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya spoke about Saiyaara star Ahaan Panday, revealing they bonded when the latter was an AD on The Railway Men sets. Actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya, an alumnus of the prestigious National School of Drama, started his film career in 2001 with Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding. He has spent over two decades in the world of entertainment and, of late, is gaining prominence with his choice of roles in projects such as Jamtara, Dev D, Poachers, and others. In an exclusive conversation with News18 Showsha, Dibyendu spoke about the film industry and reflected on the time he met Ahaan Panday on the sets of The Railway Men, where the Saiyaara star was working as an Assistant Director (AD). Dibyendu spoke warmly about Saiyaara and his personal connection with debutant Ahaan Panday. 'I'm very happy about Saiyaara because Ahaan is a beautiful boy. When I was doing The Railway Men, Ahaan was an AD on the set. He used to come to my van and take me to the set – we'd talk a lot. I just spoke to him two days ago. He called me and I was so happy for him. Yeh hi toh din hote hain jo aap umeed karte ho ki industry mein aayein (These are the days that you wish for when you mark your debut in films)," he said. Cracking the code about what works in the film industry is very difficult. There are many star kids who've recently debuted in films but Ahaan Panday just blew the charts. Commenting on this, Dibyendu said, 'I'm so happy for that boy." Dibyendu says there is no formula to crack this industry Dibyendu Bhattacharya further reflected on how difficult it is to stand out in an industry filled with emerging talents. When asked about the increasing importance of film promotions and how a film like Saiyaara became a nationwide sensation despite minimal marketing, Dibyendu said, 'Yeh bolna bahut mushkil hai (It's very difficult to say). There is no mathematics. I think agar yeh mathematics kisi ko pata hota na, toh duniya ki saari filmein hit hoti (If anyone knew the code then all films would have been hits). Even Warner Bros doesn't know, Dharma doesn't know, Yash Raj doesn't know. No production house really knows what will work." He explained how unpredictable the audience's taste can be and how the best marketing strategies can fall flat if the film doesn't connect emotionally. 'Agar aapko pata hota ki kis tareeke se isko market karna hai, toh sab kar lete (If anyone knew the correct marketing tool, everyone would do so). A good film should sell even without marketing. And it's also very difficult to know what audiences will like. You don't know what will click." For Dibyendu, the only reliable constant in this industry is sincerity. 'Mujhe lagta hai ki shiddat se film banate jaiye aur kaam karte jaiye. Baaki sab cheezein destiny pe chhodd dijiye. Kaunsi film chalegi, kya hoga, yeh koi nahi jaanta (I believe one should keep making films with sincerity and continue working hard. Leave everything else to destiny. No one knows which film will work or what will happen)." On the work front, Dibyendu Bhattacharya was last seen in Fateh and Kapkapii. As for Ahaan Panday's Saiyaara, the film is just inches away from crossing Rs 200 crore within a week of its release. First Published: July 26, 2025, 19:10 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.
