Latest news with #YashRaj
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Ashutosh Rana Regrets Missing Out On Playing Chand Bardai in Akshay's Samrat Prithviraj
Last Updated: Ashutosh Rana missed playing Chand Bardai in Akshay Kumar's Samrat Prithviraj but voiced the character in Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. Veteran actor Ashutosh Rana recently opened up about missing the chance to play Indian poet Chand Bardai in Yash Raj Films' Samrat Prithviraj. The actor revealed that although he was deeply interested in portraying the iconic character, the opportunity didn't come his way at the time. He candidly shared that Chand Bardai had always been a role on his wish list, making it all the more special when he finally got to step into the character in the historical drama 'Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan.' Rana has lent his voice to the character of Chand Bardai in the historical drama. Speaking about being part of the show, the Sangharsh actor told IANS, 'I accepted this role immediately because a few years ago, I had done a Yash Raj production on Prithviraj Chauhan, where I played the role of Jayachandra. To be honest, I had always wanted to play Chand Bardai. Back then, what I truly wished for didn't happen — but now that it is happening, I feel it's a character from my wish list that I finally got to portray. I was very happy to receive this opportunity." Talking about playing Chand Bardai in the show, Ashutosh shared, 'As a child, I grew up listening to stories about Prithviraj Chauhan, tales of his unmatched bravery, wisdom, and spirit. Those stories left a deep impact on me, and to now be part of bringing that legend to life is truly special." Directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, 'Samrat Prithviraj" starred Akshay Kumar in the titular character. The period drama also starred Manushi Chhillar, Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood, Manav Vij, Ashutosh Rana, and Sakshi Tanwar in other pivotal roles. Sonu played the role of Chand Bardai in the movie, whereas Rana portrayed the character of Jayachandra. Inspired by Prithviraj Raso, the legendary Braj-language epic that chronicles the life and heroics of Chahamana dynasty ruler Prithviraj Chauhan, the historical drama made its way to the big screen on June 3, 2022. The film brought to life the valiant king's story, steeped in history, valor, and folklore. First Published:
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Parmeet Sethi's film on India-Pakistan love story with John Abraham was SHELVED after Salman Khan announced 'Sultan'
Parmeet Sethi , known for his role in the classic film 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', once had a powerful story in hand—one that could have changed the course of his career as a filmmaker. But his dream project, a biopic on the iconic wrestler The Great Gama , was shelved after Salman Khan announced a similar project. What followed was a story full of ups, downs, and missed chances. From screen star to storyteller Sethi's started his acting journey in 1995 with 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'. Operation Sindoor 'Operation Sindoor still ongoing': Rajnath Singh at all-party meet Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Op Sindoor: 3 explosions rock Lahore, flight ops temporarily halted Over the years, he worked in several films and TV shows. But around 2010, he felt the urge to try something new. That's when he began writing. He poured his heart into a script based on the life of The Great Gama, the legendary wrestler from the early 1900s. It was a love story set against the backdrop of India and Pakistan, with wrestling at its core. The project looked promising and close to Sethi's heart. A wrestler, a script, and a twist by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Need To Kill Time On Your Computer, This Popular Strategy Game Is A Must. Forge Of Empires Play Now Undo Excited about his new story, Sethi approached Aditya Chopra , the head of Yash Raj Films . But fate had other plans. Just days before Sethi pitched his idea, Chopra had already greenlit another wrestling film—' Sultan ', starring Salman Khan. In an interview with Screen, Sethi recalled the moment, 'The problem was the film I had written was on The Great Gama. I wanted to make that film and I went to Aditya Chopra with the script. Just a week before, Aditya had approved a similar script, called 'Sultan', which they eventually made with Salman Khan. Aditya was like, 'I can't make two films about wrestlers.'' A ray of hope: John Abraham Not ready to give up, Parmeet took Aditya Chopra's advice and looked elsewhere. That's when he approached actor John Abraham. The outcome was unexpectedly positive. 'I stepped out of Yash Raj and I approached John Abraham. He loved the script. He was ready to both star and produce the film. We were both happy and started to work on it,' said Sethi. Everything looked perfect. The script had found a new home, and John Abraham was both passionate and committed. The project was back on track. Salman strikes again But before things could go further, another bombshell dropped. Just a month after Sethi and Abraham teamed up, Salman Khan made a new announcement—this time, about a project on the same topic. Sethi explained, 'Unfortunately, a month later, Salman Khan announced a project on the same subject. So our studio said there are two films coming on the same subject, Salman Khan has announced the film, we cannot take this forward.' It was heartbreaking. For the second time, Sethi's dream project was pushed aside—this time, just as it was about to take off. EXCLUSIVE: Rajkummar Rao & Wamiqa Gabbi On Bhool Chuk Maaf, Stree 2 Pressure & Modern Love Struggles Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . And don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Heartbroken' Parmeet Sethi had to shelve film after Salman Khan announced competing project: ‘John Abraham was hurt, studios backed out'
Parmeet Sethi, who marked his acting debut with the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol-starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), worked relentlessly as an actor until 2010. He appeared both in television and films, until he decided one day that he was going to be a writer instead. He wrote a love story set against India-Pakistan ties, which never saw the light of the day due to several obstacles. He then wrote Badmaash Company, which was produced by Aditya Chopra and became one of the most successful films of that year. After Badmaash Company, Parmeet wrote another larger-than-life story on Indian wrestler Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt, aka The Great Gama. After writing the script, Parmeet approached Aditya Chopra. This time, the producer couldn't back the actor as he was putting together a competing project featuring Salman Khan. Parmeet then approached John Abraham, who was set to back his film. But he was forced to shelve the film as Salman Khan announced another project on the same subject. This led to a long lull in Parmeet's career, who was forced to return to acting. ' Kitchen chalane ke liye kuch toh karna padega ', said the actor. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Parmeet said 'struggle' was the only reason behind the gap in his career. He shared, 'The problem was the film I had written was on The Great Gama. I wanted to make that film and I went to Aditya Chopra with the script. Just a week before, Aditya had approved a similar script, called Sultan, which they eventually made with Salman Khan. Aditya was like, 'I can't make two films about wrestlers.'' This upset Parmeet. But on the suggestion of Aditya Chopra, he stepped outside Yash Raj Productions to approach other producers. 'He was very sweet. He told me, you go out and approach others, I can help you in that. I stepped out of Yash Raj and I approached John Abraham. He loved the script. He was ready to both star and produce the film. We were both happy and started to work on it. Unfortunately, a month later, Salman Khan announced a project on the same subject. So our studio said there are two films coming on the same subject, Salman Khan has announced the film, we cannot take this forward.' Watch the full interview here: With Salman Khan having announcing the project, Parmeet and John had no other option but to shelve their film. 'I was heartbroken. Even John was hurt. The script was mind-blowing, and even if picked up today, it will turn out to be a great film. So the gap that you see from 2010 to 2015, it was because of these struggles. Eventually, I returned to acting.' Parmeet explained that getting his projects green-lit would've required huge stars. 'Bollywood has about 10 stars, and each star is being chased by at least 100 producers. My problem was that every script that I wrote, I wrote it in the bigger scale. The Great Gama was larger than life and required a big budget. Now, when a huge budget comes in play, you can't make it with a smaller star or a newcomer. And if you will desire to have a bigger star, they are already surrounded by these producers. It is a task to make these bigger stars say yes to your film. This is the reason I couldn't make a film because I didn't have a star. Now, I have decided to write smaller films where I can use smaller stars or newcomers.' After the success of Sultan, there were reports of Salman Khan producing a show on The Great Gama. It was also reported that the television series will star his younger brother Sohail Khan in the titular role. There have been no official updates about the series yet.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Catholic school students from rural areas excel in ICSE Class 10 results
1 2 Gumla: For the first time in the state, the Roman Catholic priests, who head the ICSE board schools in rural hinterlands, celebrated the unprecedented academic feat of their students, mostly tribals, in the Class X examination this year. Not only all students, who appeared in the examination from the ICSE schools in this region, passed but the number of those getting above 90% is higher than the previous year. As part of the celebrations, the priests chose to visit the parents of toppers personally and call them to schools to felicitate them. A special speech programme was held in Don Bosco School, Gumla, the district's only ICSE board school, here, on Friday and sweets were being distributed on the school campus from the day the results were published on Wednesday. All 94 students from the Don Bosco School passed the Class X ICSE examination while among 10 school toppers, 7 of them secured over 90% marks — one getting 98.4%, breaking the previous record of 97%. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You - See Tips Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo "This was the outstanding feat of our school, sparking a multifaceted joy on the school campus," principal Fr Birendra Tirkey told TOI on Friday. Notably, he personally visited school topper Yash Raj's house to greet his parents on Thursday. "We organised a speech programme to celebrate the unprecedented performance by our students and listen to what strategies the achievers followed to excel in the examination and to inspire their junior students," he said. Tirkey added, "I appealed to them to focus on systematic study to achieve a greater height in their academic pursuits." In Lohardaga's lone ICSE school, Livens Academy, celebrations were also still continuing. 96 students of the school passed the exam, eight students, including 2 STs, secured above 90% and one OBC student topped with 97.8% marks from this school.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Gumla boy scores 98.4% in ICSE
Gumla: Matching the excellence displayed by students belonging to big cities, the students from this remote tribal heartland shone in Indian Certificate of School Education (ICSE) (Class X) conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Yash Raj obtaining 98.4%. Yash Raj of the Don Bosco School, Gumla, broke his school predecessor Vidhya Bharti's 2019 record of 97%. Yash scored 100 in science, 99 in computer applications, 99 in hindi, 98 in history/civics, and 97 in mathematics. Tribals Jay Beck and Anmol Kumar Tigga secured 92% and 90%, respectively. Among the girls, Samiksha Singh Sirmour got 90.6%, followed by Soniya Sushana Tirkey with 88.4% and Vandana Soreng with 88%. Soniya obtained 85 in economics. Principal Fr Birendra Lakra said, "We are proud to share the outstanding results achieved this year. Our students have once again demonstrated excellence through hard work, dedication, and resilience. Congratulations to all the achievers, their families and our dedicated faculties."
