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Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan returns to movie theatres 44 years after release. There doesn’t seem to be much interest in the project. The Kotha culture which this exquisite film embraces is no more of interest to moviegoers.

1981 was the year of realistic cinema, with Smita Patil in Marathi and Hindi in Jabber Patel’s Subah, Saritha in K. Balachander’s Tamil Thaneer Thaneer and Jennifer Kendal in 36 Chowringhee Lane, pulling out all stops.

But Rekha as Umrao Jaan was extra-special. She proved she was the Chosen One. Umrao Jaan was the story of a restless woman whose wandering soul takes her through warm and robust relationships with a bashful Nawab (Farooq Shaikh), her childhood friend and admirer (Naseeruddin Shah) and a long-haired dacoit (Raj Babbar).

There’s a touch of dangerous poetry in the presentation, as though underneath all the posturings of decorum these characters are hungering for the...

The iconic Rekha spoke to Subhash K Jha about the making one of her classic films, Umrao Jaan in this fascinating feature.

Muzaffar Ali’s classic study of the Kotha culture in the Lucknow of the 1850s Umrao Jaan is all set to release on June 27. Rekha, who received the National Award for her mellow, muted meditative performance, doesn’t think much of herself in this, her most celebrated work.

There is a supreme stillness that shrouds Rekha’s character, Umrao Jaan Adaa; an inexplicable tranquillity which Rekha famously called “doing nothing”. Not too many of our actors know much about the art of doing nothing. In Indian cinema, the more you do on screen, the more your chances of being noticed. Rekha took the risk and sailed through a character which is dreamy, distant, sensuous, and impregnable. I don’t think any of the men who cross her path...

Subhash K Jha curates a special list of 8 brilliant films to watch for this festive weekend.

Silvat (2018):

Playing a Muslim darzi in Tanuja Chandra 40-minute film situated in the crowded gully of what looks like Mumbai’s Haji Ali locality, Kartik is every bit Anwar, the shy sensitive tailor who develops a secret passion for his favourite client: a lonely abandoned wife Noor (Meher Mistry) whose husband has migrated to Riyadh for a job with nary a glance back for the woman he has left behind. The focus of the passionate plot, pulsating with unspoken ardour, is Noor. But it’s Kartik’s Anwar who silently steals the show. There is no exhibition of outward passion here. And yet so much is said through Anwar’s eyes. Every stolen glance is laden with longing. The film is shot on location in a Muslim locality with streetside vendors frying parathas and malpuas,...

We live in a world where royalty is old news, and our primary interaction with it is watching The Crown over dinner. However, in the vast lands of India, Netflix brings us a new series depicting the modern-day royals of a fictional Indian city, Morpur. Directed by Priyanka Ghose, the show is based on a start-up company’s CEO wanting to turn a historic palace into a Royal B&b, and the shifting power dynamics between the royals and the commoners in an ever-changing nation.

Ishaan Khatter as Aviraaj Singh

After featuring in The Perfect Couple, opposite Nicole Kidman, Khatter has been on a roll lately. The gifted actor returns to the screen as Maharaja Aviraaj Singh of Morpur in the show. An international model by trade, Aviraaj is forced to return to look after the royal estate after his father passes away. Even though his brother is best suited for the job,...

In another excellent installment of Subhash K Jha’s This Day That Year feature the spotlight is turned to revisiting Meenaxi: A Tale Of 3 Cities, the 2004 M. F. Husain directed film that starred Tabu.

Madhuri Dixit was not the only muse in legendary painter M F Husain’s life. After he directed Gaja Gamini as a homage to Dixit’s beauty, he directed Meenaxi: A Tale Of 3 Cities which turned 21 on April 2.

Husain Saab cast the then-incandescent Tabu in three roles: Meenaxi, Tanu, and Tabu, each set in a different city: Hyderabad, Jaisalmer, and Prague.

Though far less inaccessible for the viewer than Gaja Gamini (Naseeruddin Shah tells me to let him know when I know what that was all about), Meenaxi nonetheless suffered from bouts of incurable esotericism.

Tabu may not be as graceful and nimble-footed as Madhuri Dixit. But she carried the weight of the film’s basic debate on art,...

Bollywood cinema has always been known for its spirit of celebration. Singing, dancing, and having a good time has been an important part of the Bollywood experience. Here are the five festive films that must be seen this Eid.

1. Hum Saath Saath Hain:

While most would opt for Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum…Apke Hain Koun as the ultimate festive fare, this feel-good followup after the historic Hum…Aapke Hain Koun from Barjatya’s school of familial merrymaking has a string of terrific stars from Salman Khan to Saif Ali Khan eating, singing, and dancing through a stream of nursery-rhyme styled songs composed in juvenile style by Ram Laxman-. The entire 4-hour film is a pleasure binge for Alok Nath’s Chaturvedi family as they picnic, party, a wedding, and celebrate from Eid to Diwali to marriage anniversaries. Life is one long celebration in this thinly-plotted excuse to celebrate the joys of family togetherness.

Saif Kareena Religion Talk (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Nawab of Bollywood, Saif Ali Khan, once said that he would “never want Bebo to change her religion.” Read on to know more!

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan are the royal couple in the industry. The duo have been married for over 13 years and are proud parents to Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan. But did you know that during his dating period with his then girlfriend, Kareena Kapoor, he revealed his thoughts on the issue of religious conversion?

In an interview with Mail Today, Saif shared, “I would never want her (Kareena) to change her religion. That is the trouble with religion really.. it expects conversion. I don’t buy or believe that. I think it’s good that the government, too, has, unless I’m misinformed about the law amended to include it in the Special Marriage Act.

Saif Ali Khan’s Net Worth (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Saif Ali Khan is currently recovering from a terrifying attack by an attempted robbery at his Bandra residence. The actor was attacked by an intruder at 2:30 am on Thursday morning. He suffered brutal stab wounds in his arms, spine, neck, and back, undergoing surgery for the same. His fans and the industry fraternity are currently praying for his speedy recovery. Over the years, the actor has built a magnanimous empire through his glorious film career and other ventures despite being born with a silver spoon as the Nawab of Pataudi. Here is taking a look at Saif’s stupendous net worth.

Saif Ali Khan’s Net Worth

According to the Economic Times, Saif Ali Khan’s lavish Pataudi Palace is worth 800 crores. After his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s death, the palace was rented to Neemrana Hotels, and the...

Saif Ali Khan’s note to Amrita (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Nawab of Bollywood, Saif Ali Khan, is happily married to Kareena Kapoor. But did you know that he had once sent a special handwritten note to ex-wife Amrita Singh just before tying the knot to Kareena Kapoor? Read on.

In 2018, Saif Ali Khan appeared as a guest on Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee With Karan alongside his daughter Sara Ali Khan. During the conversation, Saif talked about his second wedding with Kareena Kapoor; he sent a handwritten note full of good wishes and acknowledged the history they shared with his ex-wife. “When I was getting married to Kareena, for some reason, before going down, I wrote a note to Amrita, and I said, you know this is a new chapter starting, and we’ve had our history and everything,” he shared. Saif then recalled getting a call from...

Most Expensive Divorces in Bollywood. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

While some celebrity divorces are amicable, others grab headlines for their acrimony and the staggering sums involved in settlements. Here, we take a look at ten of the most expensive divorces in Bollywood history that shook the industry.

1. Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan

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A post shared by Sussanne Khan (@suzkr)

Hrithik Roshan, Bollywood’s Greek God, and Sussanne Khan, a renowned interior designer, were childhood sweethearts who tied the knot in 2000. Their marriage, which seemed picture-perfect from the outside, ended in 2014. The divorce settlement was reportedly one of the most expensive in Bollywood, with Hrithik paying Sussanne around ₹380 crore. Despite their separation, they maintain a cordial relationship and co-parent their two sons.

Trending 8 Bollywood Spy Films To Watch Before Janhvi Kapoor’s Ulajh: From Kabir Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger To Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi Saira Banu...

Release Title – Yadav Brand 2 ( Official Video )

Featuring – Elvish Yadav & Khusi Baliyan

Singer/Lyrics : Sunny Yaduvanshi (https://instagram.com/official_sunnya…)

Composer : Nawab ( Mandeep Singh )

Rap/Lyrics : Ak Rok ( https://www.instagram.com/ak_rok_offi… )

Music : DnC StudioZ (Spoiler)

Check out Yadav Brand 2 Song Lyrics starring Elvish Yadav and Khusi Baliyan

Maran ki baat kare tere ke

Aukaat bahar re chora rao sahab ke

Mazak thodi hai,

Re jonsa bhi mahare beta haath laavega

Saala pachtavega na sukh paavega sun kaan kholke

Ho gulaami na hove dekh kise saale ki

Sun tere yaar rao sahab teee…

Ho tere sheher mein hai rukka baaje rao sahab ka

Chori behisaab ka katti aar paar ka

Re trend bhi chaale dekh mahare brand ka

Tod na koi beta sun yadav brand ka.

Tere sheher mein hai rukka baaje rao sahab ka

Chori behisaab ka katti aar paar ka

Re...

The Leo Brigade Of Bollywood ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

These Lions of the Zodiac not only rule the silver screen but also our hearts with their charisma, talent, and oh-so-dramatic flair! From fiery performances to commanding presence, these Leos are the royalty of Bollywood. So, let’s put on our designer sunglasses and spotlight these dazzling stars!

Kajol: The Lioness with a Million-Watt Smile

First up, let’s talk about the fabulous Kajol, born on August 5. This Leo lady is the queen of effortless acting and, of course, the queen of our hearts. With her natural charm and fiery spirit, she’s made us laugh, cry, and fall in love over and over again. Whether she’s playing the vivacious Simran in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or the strong-willed Anjali in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kajol’s performances are as bold and beautiful as her zodiac sign. And off-screen? Oh, she’s a true Leo – confident,...

Saif Ali Khan, though not pursuing a career in cricket like his father and grandfather, is dedicated to imparting the rich cricketing legacy of his family to his son, Taimur Ali Khan. In widely circulated Instagram videos, Saif is seen discussing their family’s cricket history with Taimur, who practices batting at a London cricket club.

Taimur, dressed in a white T-shirt with a blue stripe, matching track pants, and sports shoes, bats inside a net. Saif, in a more casual attire consisting of a grey cord-set, a black sleeveless jacket, brown shoes, and a tiny ponytail grown for his villainous role in the Telugu film Devara: Part 1, accompanies him.

In one of the videos, Saif explains the concept of cricket ‘counties’ to Taimur. When Taimur asks a question, Saif replies, “Counties are like clubs. Like Sussex, Worcestershire. Your great grandfather played for Worcestershire. Your grandfather captained Sussex.” The coach,...

Raja Kumari Recreates Aditi Rao Hydari’s Heeramandi’s Gaja Gamini Walk(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi has become the town’s talk; everything has been planned meticulously, from its casting to its clothes. One of the most talked about scenes from the series is Aditi Rao Hydari’s dance sequence. Popularly known as the Gaja Gamini walk, Hydari’s version has gone viral after so many recreations and attempts to encompass the vibes of Aditi’s graceful walk. Rapper Raja Kumari’s unique spin on the viral walk sets the internet on fire. Check out her version here!

Renowned singer-songwriter Raja Kumari recently thrilled her fans with a rendition of the popular “Gaja Gamini” walk, first executed by Aditi Rao Hydari in the television series Heeramandi. The singer posted the video to Instagram, displaying her elegance and grace and making the walk just as famous as it was in the past.

Bollywood films and series often introduce us to captivating characters whose presence on screen leaves us craving for more. Whether it’s their charisma, depth, or unique portrayal, some characters simply steal the spotlight, leaving audiences wanting to delve deeper into their stories. Here’s a list of five such characters we wish had been given more screen time to shine:

Vijay Varma- Gully Boy

Vijay Varma’s portrayal of Moeen in “Gully Boy” left a lasting impression with his charismatic and complex character. His dynamic performance added layers to the narrative, making us want to know more about his life beyond the limited screen time.

Fardeen Khan – Heeramandi

Fardeen Khan’s role as the rich Nawab of Lahore in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Heeramandi” intrigued audiences with its depth and sophistication. Despite his intriguing presence, his character could have been explored further to unveil more about his backstory and motivations.

Heeramandi, aka The Diamond Bazaar, from Netflix India, was created and directed by the exquisite Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The man who is known for grandeur in this series covers the story of courtesans from Heeramandi, the red-light district of Lahore, which is now in Pakistan. Set in the 1920’s, these women were at the pinnacle of their power, and Heeramandi was the only place where the nobles spent lavishly while the women ruled them. This eight-episode-long web series is the fictional retelling of the stories of these women who lived to rule.

Spoilers Ahead

Who killed Rehana Aapa?

Rehana Aapa was Mallika’s madam, who took away her newborn boy and gave him away to a childless couple from a noble family. Mallika was angry, and she vowed to take revenge for this insensitive act. Rehana was threatened by Mallika’s closeness to the former Sahab, Nawab Zulfikar, and wanted...

It’s quite rare for actors to grow up on screen, but Farida Jalal is one such actor who has portrayed an array of characters in the space of the hero’s sister, a mother, and now a grandmother.

While Hollywood has Leonardo DiCaprio, who started his career at the age of 17, India has Rishi Kapoor, Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Farida Jalal. All of their careers are textbooks in cinematic longevity.

Farida started her journey at 17 with the film ‘Taqdeer’, a role offered to her by Tarachand Barjatya, grandfather of Sooraj Barjatya. How she was offered her first role has a story of its own, something that rarely happens to artistes. She was a part of the United Film Producers Talent Hunt, which she went on to win, where her co-finalist happened to be the first superstar of Hindi cinema, Rajesh Khanna.

Tarachand was sitting in the audience while Kaka...

Of all the characters that come along in the Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, the character of Alistair Cartwright, the new superintendent of police in Lahore, would make your heart rage and your blood boil. Every little act of his would only evoke disgust, making you sigh and say, “Not all men, but always a man” from your heart! The series is set around the year 1945, before India gained independence from British rule. Speaking out against the British was a big no-no back then. But some brave souls are willing to risk everything to free India from British control, even if it means sacrificing their love, family, or even themselves. Cartwright here is a real piece of work. He’s always ready to prey on the weak and helpless, crushing the dreams of those who dare to stand against him. He takes advantage of people left and right until he can’t anymore.

Netflix’s Heeramandi isn’t just about the courtesans; it also throws light into the lives of royal nawabs, zamindars, British officers, and the revolutionaries who raised a rebellion against the British empire. Among these characters is Tajdar Baloch, Nawab Asfaq Baloch’s son, who hails from a royal business man family that owns a lavish hotel in the heart of Lahore city. Tajdar crosses paths with Alamzeb, a courtesan (or tawaif) from Heeramandi. As the story moves further, Tajdar finds himself in a really difficult situation. He is forced to make a choice between his love for Alamzeb and his loyalty to his nation. Through Tajdar’s character transformation, we can’t help but empathize with the young Nawab as he struggles with love, and duty. Let’s dive into Tajdar’s character, portrayed by Taha Shah Badussha, and explore his journey in more depth together.

Spoilers Ahead

How Did Tajdar and Alamzeb Meet?...

Fardeen Khan will be seen as Wali Mohammed in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Fardeen Khan is back on the screens as the Nawab of our hearts in Heeramandi. The Heyy Baby star is also set to make his comeback in the grandest way possible with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi. And while the two are buddies now, Fardeen revealed that back in the early 2000s, Bhansali refused to work with him only after a 10-15-minute meeting. Here’s what happened!

Khan then responded to the new information with an anecdote from the early 2000s he said “He said, “You know I am going to narrate a story that I reminded Sanjay, sir, when I went to meet him for Wali Mohammed (Fardeen character in Heeramandi). I had gone to his office in the early 2000s to seek work. Obviously, I would like to get the opportunity to work with him.

Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: From Anil Kapoor In The Night Manager To Vijay Varma In Dahaad – Who Is Your Favorite Villain (Web Series)? (Picture Credit: Instagram & IMDb)

Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: As we move forward with our audience poll, today we will look at the Best Villain (Web Series) nominees for the year 2023, from Anil Kapoor in The Night Manager to Vijay Varma in Dahaad and two others who impressed us with their villainous portrayal.

Any movie or web series is incomplete with an antagonist. They create conflicts in heroes’ lives and keep things interesting. A strong villain is more important in the case of shows because they have more duration than any movie and run for several episodes. Keep scrolling for more.

Anil Kapoor made his Ott debut with The Night Manager, starring Aditya Roy Kapur in the lead. Vijay Varma is also a talented actor of the present...

New Delhi, Dec 30 (Ians) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has appreciated the beauty of the legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, and recalled how during the shoot of the romantic thriller ‘An Evening in Paris’, the latter stopped the traffic in France.

Sharmila is regarded as one of the Indian cinema’s most accomplished actresses. She is the recipient of the National Film Award, and Padma Bhushan. Her famous works include ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’, ‘Waqt’, ‘Anupama’, ‘An Evening in Paris’, ‘Aamne Saamne’, ‘Satyakam’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Daag’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Mausam’, among numerous others.

She married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the titular Nawab of Pataudi and Bhopal and former captain of the Indian cricket team in 1968. They had three children: actor Saif Ali Khan; Saba and Soha Ali Khan.

The 79-year-old actress appeared on the finale episode of the quiz based reality show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 15’ along with her granddaughter and actress Sara Ali Khan.

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, who serves as a creator on the recently released second season of the streaming series ‘Made In Heaven’, recently addressed a viewer’s question if she will ever portray a Muslim character in the show as someone who is not oppressed.

The actress recently took to the comments section of her Instagram post, in which she furnished a rebuttal to the claims of Radhika Apte’s character of Pallavi Menke and her dimensions being inspired by a journalist.

In the comments sections, an Internet user probed Zoya saying: “Zoya can you (show) normal muslim character in your shows. One positive story that is not oppressed.”

To this Zoya, pulled out all the characters from her filmography and made her point. She replied to the comment as she wrote: “Zaffar Khan and Tanveer in ‘Luck By Chance’. Imran and Laila in ‘Znmd’. Farah Ali in ‘Dil Dhadakne Do...

Episode 6 of Made In Heaven Season 2 ended with Karan losing his mother to cancer, and he could not be there with her as she passed. Shehnaz decides to file for divorce, knowing she will have to fight hard. Radhika’s mother stands up to her husband and attends the commitment function of her daughter with Aditi as a show of support from the family. It will be interesting to see how all of this concludes.

Spoilers Ahead

Karan’s awful state of mind

Karan is informed that she went peacefully, and all they will have to do is live with good memories, which is ironic since he does not have any. Karan is wracked with guilt, anger, and plenty of other confusing emotions. He informs Nawab and Tara about it, and both are by his side in no time. Tara’s turning up and forgetting whatever they went through is...

Made In Heaven Episode 3 ends with Gulshan and Kriti, the parents of the betrothed couple, eloping. They get married as per the plans of the Made in Heaven team. Their love story is one for many generations to cherish, as they longed for each other and waited all this time.

Spoilers Ahead

Made in Heaven at the French Riviera

Made in Heaven finally gets the contract to manage the wedding of Bollywood superstars Sarfaraz Khan and Leila Shirazi. To jog your memory, he is the star who was invited to the wedding handled by the same company, where he ended up sleeping with the bride unbeknownst to many. This character is the only one connected to a wedding-related subplot from the previous season. It is not clear if the makers are trying to mimic any actor in this story.

Jazz and Kabir finally talk

Jazz and Kabir seem to have...

Made In Heaven returns four years after becoming a massive hit. The show revolves around two best friends who are also business partners. Tara and Karan are like yin and yang. Whatever they choose to do together turns to gold, but what happens to their company if one of them is not at their best? Season 2 digs deeper into Karan’s relationship with his dying mother and his urge to be self-reliant. In season 1, both Karan and Tara made their own mistakes, but things were resolved when Jauhari came on board as a third partner in the company. Now that they have the capital, all they need are weddings to take care of. Business is slow as they move locations, and Tara is getting divorced. Karan, on the other hand, has to deal with his mother’s disdain for him. Last season, Karan decided to stand up for himself against...

Yet, Sayyid Insha’allah Khan ‘Insha’ (c.1752-1817) is predominantly known as a ghazal poet, particularly for his – uncharacteristically – sombre piece which begins: "Kamar bandhe huye chalne ko yaan sab yaar baithe hain/Bahut aage gaye baaqi jo hain tayyar baithe hain." Next is the ennui-laden: "Na chhed ae nikhat-e-bad-e-bahari raah lag apni/Tujhe atkheliyan sujhi hain ham be-zar baithe hain."

Uncharacteristically, because, ‘Insha’, who is counted among the Lucknow school of Urdu poetry, was more known for flippant, and even frivolous, though well-constructed poetry – "Khayal kijiye kya kaam aaj main ne kiya/Jab un ne di mujhe gaali salam main ne kiya" or "Kuch ishara jo kiya ham ne mulaqat ke waqt/Taal kar kahne lage din hai abhi raat ke waqt" or "Ham bhi Hazrat Suleiman ki naukar hain, Saiyyad ‘Insha’/Kyun na ho hamari bhi badshaahi kharch."

He and his bosom friends Sheikh Qalandar Baksh ‘Jur’rat...

Ians Rating: ****

Most of the gangster dramas are loaded with guns, violence, foul language, loud characters and weak screenplay, but this one is smart, sleek, dark and gritty, which sort of give the film an edge over every other crime drama.

A power shift is never easy, whether its in the corporate or any other field. When the young replace the old, there is always friction as it threatens positions of privilege and livelihoods. The old grappling with the idea of power and the young using the same power with brutality has been the norm of society for the longest time

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An old and ailing mafia don, Nawab Khan (Raza Murad), is bed-ridden, and will eventually die. His son, Kadar Pathan (Abhimanyu Singh), is the rightful heir of the crime syndicate, but with old boss dying, everyone is conspiring and eyeing the ultimate chair.

Nawab Khan, along with his four associates — Shakir Sheikh,...

Mumbai, April 24 (Ians) Actor Jimmy Sheirgill will be seen in a character with shades in the upcoming crime thriller ‘Aazam’, which is slated to release on May 19.

The makers have released a motion poster of ‘Aazam’ unveiling Jimmy’s look as Javed where he is shown in a grey character. In the poster, Jimmy is seen in Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India.

Jimmy said: “I play the role of Javed, a close associate of Nawab Khan, who is one of the most powerful dons in the city’s underworld. Javed is a complex character with shades of grey, and I had a great time exploring his motivations and psyche.”

Director Shravan Tiwari added: “Aazam’ is a passion project for me, and I’m excited to bring this gripping story to the audiences. The film is a mix of crime, thriller, and mystery genres, and we have worked hard to...