Latest news with #WohLamhe
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Saiyaara actor Shaad Randhawa: It's not about applause, it's about honesty and staying true to the story
Shaad Randhawa with Mohit Suri Over the years, actor Shaad Randhawa has developed a strong creative rapport with filmmaker Mohit Suri—one that extends well beyond film sets. From Woh Lamhe and Awarapan to Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain, the duo has collaborated on multiple projects, and their latest film, Saiyaara, brings their partnership back into the spotlight. 'The journey with Mohit has been extremely organic,' Shaad shares, adding, 'Whether it was Woh Lamhe, Awarapan, Aashiqui 2, or Ek Villain, there was always a sense of comfort. But over time, something changed. Mohit started involving me more in the process—not as a writer, but he would bounce off ideas, discuss character arcs, and talk through the story's direction. I gradually became a kind of sounding board.' That deeper involvement, he says, helped him better understand Mohit's vision. He says, 'It gave me clarity. By the time we were on set, I knew exactly what he was aiming for. And that's so important in a director-actor dynamic.' He adds, 'Our work has always come from a place of honesty. It was never about creating a character for applause—it was about staying true to the story and keeping it real.' Shaad's performance in Saiyaara is restrained and emotionally grounded. 'When people notice the effort and honesty, it feels good. That's what you do it for—not just to be seen, but to be understood,' he signs off.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
From 'Woh Lamhe' To 'Saiyaara', This Actor Is A Regular In Mohit Suri's Films
1/6 Bollywood director Mohit Suri's latest release, Saiyaara, is enjoying remarkable success both critically and commercially. The film has collected nearly Rs 187 crore worldwide in just six days since its release, quickly establishing itself as a box office sensation. The film also marks the Bollywood debut of Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, both of whom have made a striking impression. Alongside them, Shaad Randhawa plays a pivotal role, portraying a renowned singer named Prince. His performance has garnered significant appreciation from audiences. 3/6 Shaad Randhawa and Mohit Suri share a long-standing professional relationship that began in 2006 with the film Woh Lamhe. Since then, Shaad has appeared in seven of Mohit's 14 films, including Awarapan (2007), Aashiqui 2 (2013), Ek Villain (2014), Malang (2020), Ek Villain Returns (2022), and now Saiyaara (2025). Remarkably, both men have been involved in 14 films each across their respective careers. Though often seen in supporting parts, Shaad's role in Saiyaara is integral to the film's narrative. The son of wrestler-actor Randhawa and Malika (sister of actress Mumtaz), Shaad has diversified his career over the years. In addition to cinema, he has made a mark on Indian television with notable appearances in Chandrakanta (2017–18) and Kumkum Bhagya (2018–19).
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Saiyaara director Mohit Suri: I was approached for Aashiqui 3
'How did you know that?' Saiyaara director Mohit Suri is surprised, also a bit embarrassed when we ask how come he is an Emiway Bantai fan. Rap music doesn't really fit with Mohit's filmography, adorned with soulful or angsty romantic numbers like 'Aadat', 'Woh Lamhe' and 'Toh Phir Aao'. 'I actually really want to work with Divine and Hanumankind,' he says with a laugh. Saiyaara is making waves at the box office and it seems like the perfect gift for Mohit who is completing two decades in the Hindi film industry. In this conversation, we talk to the director about why he feels he doesn't have a distinct filmmaking style, the origins of Saiyaara, casting new faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda and if the film was actually supposed to be Aashiqui 3.
India.com
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet woman, who turned bar dancer due to poverty, was also forced into prostitution, fate became fortune for her, delivered blockbusters with…, she is…
In the bustling world of cinema, tales of resilience often remain untold. Yet, some stories, forged in adversity, rise to inspire. One such journey began in the shadows, where a young girl, facing life's harshest trials, danced not for fame but survival. Her path, marked by challenges, would eventually lead her to the heart of Bollywood. Who is this woman? This is the remarkable story of Shagufta Rafique. Born in Mumbai, she was adopted by actress Anwari Begum, mother of 1960s star Sayeeda Khan. After the untimely death of her foster father, the family's fortunes dwindled, compelling Shagufta to support them from a young age. At just 11, she began performing at private gatherings, and by 17, circumstances led her into prostitution. Seeking stability, she later worked as a bar dancer in Mumbai and Dubai, enduring hardships that would test her spirit. Who gave Shagufta Rafique her biggest breakthrough? Amidst these challenges, Shagufta discovered a passion for storytelling. She penned narratives reflecting her experiences, capturing the attention of Mahesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films. Her debut as a screenwriter came with the 2006 film 'Woh Lamhe,' marking the start of a prolific career. She went on to write for successful films like 'Awarapan,' 'Raaz 3,' 'Murder 2,' 'Jannat 2,' and 'Aashiqui 2,' each echoing themes of love, loss, and redemption. In 2019, Shagufta turned director and started a new chapter in her journey. Rafiq also directed 'Dushman: A Story of the Enemy Within' and a Bengali action thriller 'Mon Jaane Na.' More about Shagufta Rafique In 2019, Shagufta transitioned to directing with the Bengali film 'Mon Jaane Na,' further showcasing her versatility in the industry. Her journey from adversity to acclaim underscores the power of resilience and the transformative nature of art. Shagufta Rafique's story serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and inspires many womans and girls, reminding us that even in the darkest times, hope and determination can pave the way to success.
The Print
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Print
Saiyaara proves star kids don't need hype, just a good film and a killer soundtrack
The film relied on one star—the music. Suri, known for his films Zeher (2005), Woh Lamhe (2006), and Aashiqui 2 (2013), has let his films' music do the talking. Each of these films had a breakout song that pushed the film to audiences. Be it ' Woh Lamhe' from Zeher to ' Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai' of Woh Lamhe and ' Tum Hi Ho' from Aashiqui 2 , Suri's films capture the mood of heartbreak like no other in their album. The star-crossed lovers, the looming tragedy, and the music have all been done before by Suri. Gen Z has now succumbed to what was millennial 'poison'. The film's unprecedented opening even had Ajay Devgn scramble to postpone the release of his film Son of Sardaar 2 from 25 July to 1 August. Mohit Suri's Saiyaara is a lesson in successfully launching new actors. The film did not hold press conferences, 'exclusive' interviews, or have its lead pair jet-setting across cities to interact with crowds. Instead, it opted for radio silence. It banked on the release alone. The movie had a box office opening of Rs 21.5 crore , and has now crossed the 100-crore mark before completing the first week of its release. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda stole the thunder when it came to making a memorable big-screen debut. Learning from others' mistakes While most star kids were launched with an overdose of PR appearances, from doing a hook step of their movie's title track to being part of creators' videos, Saiyaara's lead cast was conspicuous through their absence from social media. The PR team clearly decided to learn from others' mistakes. Ahaan Panday had a blink-and-miss appearance in his sister Alanna's wedding and was absent from her Prime Video show, The Tribe (2024). In contrast, his cousin Ananya Panday was everywhere before and during her debut in Student of the Year 2 (2019). Her social media already had a massive follower count, and she was seen rubbing shoulders with the who's who of Bollywood. More recently, massive social media hype was built before Ibrahim Ali Khan made his debut with Nadaaniyan (2025). In 2023, content related to The Archies (2023) was all anyone could spot on social media before it launched Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, and Agastya Nanda. Both films not only failed spectacularly, but also inspired memes that were more memorable than their debuts. Junaid Khan, whose debut film Maharaj (2024) failed to make much impact except for a court case filed against it, tried the PR hype with his romantic film Loveyapa (2025) with Khushi Kapoor. After their respective disastrous debuts, both Kapoor and Khan were given a makeover of sorts and went on every conceivable platform doing the hook step of the film's title track. What it actually led to was a slew of parody videos, making fun of how uncomfortable the duo looked selling their film to audiences. When placed in this context, Ahaan and Aneet appeared refreshingly unknown, and made an impact as the characters they play—the 'troubled' rockstar and his demure, writer girlfriend. People have sobbed, whistled, and clapped to the two actors' performances in packed theatres. Also read: Is reading news destroying your femininity? Instagram reels say so Rise of new icons The PR machinery started its work after the movie's release. Ahaan and Aneet are being given the monikers of national crush and heartthrob. Reviews may say they need to do more work on their craft, but they are Gen Z icons already. Social media posts with Aneet's old ads to clips of Ahaan at some family function, and childhood photos are circulating online, adding fuel to the box office dominance. The only pre-release hype was when Suri went on to say in an interview that Saiyaara was originally meant to be Aashiqui 3, the sequel to his hit tearjerker Aashiqui 2. The title song did the rest of the work as Irshad Kamil's songwriting made its way into Instagram, and broken-hearted lovers used it as their audio for both reels and posts. Soon, the trailer was released and the audience had fallen hook, line, and sinker. The packed theatres were inevitable. It really is less is more at play, and other PR teams should take detailed notes. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
