News

Subhash K Jha revisits Mani Shankar’s spy drama 16 December, which released in 2002.

The imminent Hollywoodization of mainstream Hindi cinema continued full-throttle with debutant director Mani Shankar’s slick espionage flick 16 December, which masters all the tricks of the tantalizing trek from buildup to climax in one sleek swish of special effects, heightened drama and collaborative chemistry.

In trying to take on slick Hollywood thrillers like Mission Impossible and Charlie’s Angels, Mani mingles history with hearsay, fact with fiction, and escapist thrills with pseudo-documentation. The director doesn’t quite negotiate the distance that divides our cinema from Hollywood. But he makes a defiantly direct effort to make an uncompromised, historically rooted spy thriller, which is more in the league of the Nick Carter pulp novels than the films of Brian de Palma or Ridley Scott.

What really distinguishes Shankar’s film is its winking homage to Indian history. Though 16 December...

In this installment of Subhash K Jha’s This Day That Year series, he revisits Sanjay Puran Singh’s sports drama Lahore, which released in 2010.

Debutant director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan dares to visit the forbidden territory. Lahore is about sports and politics and characters from both India and Pakistan getting embroiled in a terrible fight to finish.

The script accommodates a great deal of the sporting spirit, as seen in the perspective of Indo-Pak politics. Within that ambitious framework, Chauhan weaves in the human relationships that leap for warmth and then stay stuck in semi-sterility. The film has too much to say on sports, politics, and human nature. It isn’t able to say all of it in lucid language.

Chauhan has chosen a unique sport like kickboxing to spotlight the process of cultural assimilation that underscores all the perverse politicking that goes on at the surface level between the two countries.

Filming has successfully wrapped up filming for the Jio Studios, Reliance Entertainment, and Dreamers and Doers Co., series Paan Parda Zarda, a high-stakes saga crafted on an incredible scale.

The series, which boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast including Mona Singh, Tanvi Azmi, Tanya Maniktala, Priyanshu Painyuli, Sushant Singh, Rajesh Tailang, and Manu Rishi, is set against the vibrant yet gritty landscape of Central India, weaving an electrifying tale of action, drama, and intrigue.

The web series will see multifaceted creative forces coming together, including ace directors Gurmmeet Singh (Mirzapur and Inside Edge) and Shilpi Dasgupta along with Mrighdeep Singh Lamba (Fukrey franchise), Suparn S Varma and talented writer duo Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal, along with Radhika Anand and Vibha Singh.

Earlier, Gurmmeet Singh revealed a bit more about the story: “The series has a unique color and texture. It is page-turning entertainment with elements of love story, action, and...

As the holy month of Ramzan coalesces with the festival of Holi, a small unknown film comes along to remind us that there is nothing really to choose between ‘Rahman’ and ‘Hanuman,’ that they are in fact two sides of the coin.

Of course, getting there is far more difficult than just pontificating on the oneness of mankind. Director Avinash Das, whose spunky fearless Anarkali Of Arrah was the surprise of its year, springs a charming heartwarming surprise again. This time, he rinses his rumination in mellow molecules of harmony.

This is a small film with long legs. Pithy and pungent, it takes us into two adjacent lanes in Lucknow where Hindus and Muslims coexist… until a politician, Ajay Tiwari, descends with his vote-bank politics.

What ensues is heartily amusing and profoundly grievous. Nothing that Das and his writer Punarvasu tell us here is startling or revealing. We all know...

Subhash K Jha revisits the drama Dirty Politics, which features Om Puri, Mallika Sherawat, Anupam Kher, Jackie Shroff, Naseeruddin Shah, and more as it completes 10 years.

In Dirty Politics, producer-director K C Bokadia’s dirty look at the filth in Indian politics is hopelessly outdated. This is the murky Machiavellian world of Prakash Jha’s politicians stuck in a time warp. Denuded of all intellectual sensibility. It harks back to the 1970s when netajis in our films were so caricatural they belonged to cartoons in vernacular newspapers.

Om Puri plays the lecherous politician with lip-smacking relish, like a diabetic man whose wife is away to her maike while he gorges on forbidden junk food.

This is junk food for the audience that believes cinema is about seductive heroines, lascivious villains, loud, over-punctuated background music, camera angles, and cinematography that seems to adhere to the gimmicky treatment, like an annoying, sniveling...

The film that Sushant Singh Rajput will be most remembered by, Sonechiriya, which turned six on March 1, is the most anguished plea against injustice and oppression since Bimal Roy’s Sujata. The deep silences in Abhishek Chaubey’s clenched narrative reminded me of Roy’s film about a Harijan girl (Nutan) looking for an identity.

We don’t have Harijans anymore as targets of exploitation. Director Abhishek Chaubey uses eerie silences in the stunning Chambal landscape to punctuate a sense of excruciating oppression. Besides Sushant and Ranvir Shorey, I came away with two heroes in Sonechiriya. The little brutalized girl from whom the film gets its title, whose devastated eyes still secrete a smile after all she has gone through. Raw, gritty, and compelling, Sonechiriya conveys a clandestine narrative style that never impinges on the violent disarray of the characters’ brutal, unpredictable lives. It is as Indian in spirit as cinema can get,...

E. Niwas’ third feature film Dum, which clocked 22 years on January 24, is like a newspaper report. Grim, dark, traumatic, and yet thrilling. In the working class hero’s fight with a corrupt law enforcer, the audience might mutter: “Thank God it isn’t us.”

Protagonist Uday Shinde, played by Vivek Oberoi, takes on the immoral might of a villainous cop Shankar, played by Atul Kulkarni, a human being so degenerate and debased that he makes Sholay’s Gabbar Singh seem like a comic strip character.

There’s nothing colourful, uplifting or comforting about Dum. If you regard cinema as a form of escapist entertainment, then Niwas’s film is a no-no. But if you regard cinema as a mirror of social reality, then Dum is a hard sock in the jaw.

A corrupt cop barges into an honest colleague’s home and tries to gas his wife to death. When she escapes,...

Based on a true story, the Netflix series Ic 814: The Kandahar Hijack marked its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival, Melbourne yesterday, at Hoyts. Attendees were left on the edge of their seats wanting more. Produced by Matchbox Shots in association with Benaras Mediaworks, Anubhav Sinha’s directorial streaming debut is inspired by real events launches on August 29. Adapted from the book “Flight Into Fear” by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, the series also captures the heart of negotiations, unveiling the intricate diplomacy within Delhi’s War Room and the tense exchanges at Kandahar’s Negotiation Station.

Expressing his gratitude, Anubhav Sinha shares, “Working on Ic 814: The Kandahar Hijack has been a deep and meaningful journey as we tried to capture the essence of this historical event with authenticity and respect. The team and I are incredibly proud to be able to showcase the first two...

The IC814 trailer has just dropped, and fans are already in a frenzy! Vijay Varma’s portrayal of a pilot has sparked a wave of excitement across social media. His powerful dialogue delivery and charismatic presence in a uniform have viewers hooked, making it clear that this film is set to be a major hit.

One fan raved, “Wow…Vijay Varma is totally killing it with his dialogue ” While another shared, “Vijay Varma as a pilot …. i din’t know I needed something like this in my life ”

One commented “Finally !! Oh my lord !!!! Vijay in Uniform is so hot ” One said “Vijay Varma is silently ruling in Bollywood”

Another commented “Damn, Vijay Varma looks so identical to Capt Devi Sharan!!”

As the buzz continues to build, fans are eagerly counting down the days until the film’s release. With comments like “Have to watch this now for Vijay ” flooding in,...

The highly anticipated second season of the hit series ‘Rana Naidu’ is set to begin filming, and fans have another reason to rejoice. Acclaimed actor Abhishek Banerjee has joined the star-studded cast, taking on a pivotal role in the upcoming season.

‘Rana Naidu’, starring Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh, quickly became a fan favorite with its gripping storyline and stellar performances. The series, which also features talented actors such as Surveen Chawla, Sushant Singh, Gaurav Chopra, Priya Banerjee, Arjun Rampal and Ashish Vidyarthi, is produced by Sunder Aaron and Locomotive Global.

Created by Karan Anshuman, who also serves as a director alongside Suparn S Varma and Abhay Chopra, the second season promises to elevate the stakes even higher.

Abhishek Banerjee, known for his versatility and impactful performances, expressed his excitement about joining the cast: “I am thrilled to be a part of ‘Rana Naidu’ Season 2. The series has set a high bar with its first season,...

Rana Naidu season 2 is now in production, and fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the popular Netflix series. The streaming platform recently shared a behind-the-scenes video featuring lead actors Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh, along with a new addition to the cast, Arjun Rampal.

In the video, viewers catch glimpses of intense scenes, such as Rana wielding a gun and Venkatesh riding an Atv. The clip then introduces Arjun Rampal, seen taking a shot with a shotgun, adding to the anticipation of his role in the new season. Netflix announced the filming progress on its official X (formerly Twitter) page, stating, “Rana Naidu Season 2 is now filming #RanaNaiduOnNetflix.”

Fans expressed their excitement about Rampal joining the cast, with comments like, “Arjun Rampal man now you’ll see the madness,” and “Arjun Rampal as the villain in season 2 is going to be epic. His role as Bhagavanth Keshri, Rahul Sanghvi, was outstanding.

Stree & Paatal Lok Star Abhishek Banerjee Exposes Bollywood Industry Trends.( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Abhishek Banerjee surprised everyone with his impactful acting chops in Paatal Lok. And while he may come across as someone new to the industry, the reality is the opposite. Abhishek is the founder of one of Bollywood’s most sought-after casting agencies. So, regarding industry trade and trends, we trust Abhishek’s word. The Paatal Lok and Stree actor recently surprised everyone with his candid answers about industry trends. Abhishek Banerjee’s honest review of the pay disparity in the industry shocked everyone.

Large budgets and the unbridled demands of big-name actors have been in the news since this year’s horrendous box office performances of Hindi films produced at exorbitant costs began. Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent figure in the industry recognized for his work on films such as Stree, Bhediya, Dream Girl, Dream Girl 2, Pataal Lok,...

Bigg Boss 17 Fame Abhishek Kumar Recalls Casting Couch Incident! ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Abhishek Kumar rose to immense fame after his participation in Salman Khan hosted Bigg Boss 17. He was the runner-up, while Munawar Faruqui lifted the winner’s trophy. But did you know? The Udaariyaan actor faced the casting couch and was suicidal after the unfortunate incident. Scroll below for all the details!

For the unversed, Abhishek was a mechanical engineer by profession. In 2018, he lied to his family that he was in Delhi but flew to Mumbai to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. Little did he know, he would get stuck in a fake casting call, and life would go upside down.

On Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa’s podcast, Abhishek Kumar revealed, “When I had told them (parents) I wanted to be an actor, mere papa ne mujhe bohot peeta tha. Toh main jhoot bolke aagaya tha.

Kannada Actor Chetan Chandra Attacked, Urfi Javed’s Bald Look, Esha Gupta Freezes Eggs: Today’s Entertainment Wrap. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Here’s a news wrap for today! In entertainment news, Kannada actor Chetan Chandra was reportedly attacked in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, actress Urfi Javed has sparked social media discussion with a photo showing her with a shaved head. It’s unclear if it’s a new look or an illusion.

On the movie front, the teaser release date for the Kannada movie “Kannappa” was revealed at the Cannes Film Festival. Actor Manoj Bajpayee opened up about being affected by blind items targeting the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Producer Boney Kapoor reflected on the box office disappointment of his recent movie “Maidaan”. Actress Esha Gupta revealed she froze her eggs in 2017. We also have various box office updates of new releases for today.

Prabhas’ movie “Mr Perfect” is finding new fans in Japan.

Parineeti Chopra Takes A Dig At Bollywood Actresses Attending Parties To Get Movie Roles! ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Parineeti Chopra has been a part of Bollywood since 2011 but has only done limited movies. The Chamkila actress is now explaining the real reason behind it. She exposes the dark side of Bollywood and claims actresses get roles during social gatherings and parties. Scroll below for all the details!

Bollywood ladies are no longer hiding what goes on behind the scenes. Vidya Balan recently claimed male actors are uncomfortable with female-led films taking over. Nora Fatehi alleged celebrity couples get married to stay relevant. Raveen Tandon also broke her silence on pay disparity in the 90s and claimed Salman Khan and Aamir Khan would make the same amount of money in a single movie, which would require her to do as many as 15.

Parineeti Chopra is bad at the ‘PR game’!

Parineeti Chopra...

Actor John Kokken spoke about teaming up with Anupam Kher and shared that he was well-prepared before sharing screen space with him in ‘The Freelancer:The Conclusion’. John Kokken, who plays the role of Raghuvendra Setu, said: “One of the things that I have learned in my career as an actor is to do my homework well and prepare the lines.

“I rehearse the lines a couple of times in advance and I memorise the entire scene. Also, considering the fact that I was going to act with Anupam Kher Sir, I had better be prepared. On the day of the shoot, before the take, Anupam Kher Sir and I rehearsed the lines probably at least 10 times in Neeraj Pandey Sir’s presence.”

He added: “Anupam Kher Sir is a phenomenal actor and an amazing co-star to work with, always encouraging his co-actors to bring the best performance out of them.

Actor Mohit Raina had support from the Moroccan army while shooting for the series ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’. The action in the show looks real because they actually used real arms and ammunition of the Moroccan army in the series

Talking about the same, Mohit said: “We had support from the Moroccan army as well, they used to supply arms and ammunition to us for the shoot, but only after submitting our passports. Working with an international crew is pretty much like an amalgamation of cultures.”

He added: “There was a little bit of a drawback in terms of communication because they mainly speak French. The cast too brought together people from different nations too.”

The series is based on the book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat, directed by Bhav Dhulia, produced by Friday Storytellers, created by showrunner Neeraj Pandey, directed by Bhav Dhulia and produced by Shital Bhatia.

The concluding part of ‘The Freelancer’ based on Shirish Thorat’s book ‘A Ticket to Syria‘ is worth the wait. If the first was to establish the extremist threat and its consequences, the conclusion is ‘extraction with a game plan’. It is not just about the gun battle but more of creating the environment of the hostage / victim and her saviour.

Aleeya Khan (Kashmira Pardeshi), daughter of Avinash Kamath’s (Mohit Raina) friend Inayat Khan (Sushant Singh), gets married to Mohsin Fazal (Navneet Malik). Soon the new bride finds herself in a situation in a conflict-ridden land set in an hostile environment set apart by misdirection and treachery. Aleeya endeavours to escape from the challenging conditions of Syria it sets in motion a web of deception, courage and tragedy.

On the other hand is Avinash Kamath, who is already on the extraction mission, sets out on its last leg; his final journey to extract Aleeya,...

The concluding part of ‘The Freelancer’ based on Shirish Thorat’s book ‘A Ticket to Syria‘ is worth the wait. If the first was to establish the extremist threat and its consequences, the conclusion is ‘extraction with a game plan’. It is not just about the gun battle but more of creating the environment of the hostage / victim and her saviour.

Aleeya Khan (Kashmira Pardeshi), daughter of Avinash Kamath’s (Mohit Raina) friend Inayat Khan (Sushant Singh), gets married to Mohsin Fazal (Navneet Malik). Soon the new bride finds herself in a situation in a conflict-ridden land set in an hostile environment set apart by misdirection and treachery. Aleeya endeavours to escape from the challenging conditions of Syria it sets in motion a web of deception, courage and tragedy.

On the other hand is Avinash Kamath, who is already on the extraction mission, sets out on its last leg; his final journey to extract Aleeya,...

Actor Mohit Raina, who is awaiting the release of the second season of his hit streaming series ‘The Freelancer’, has shared that his titular character of Avinash Kamath will become more resilient and determined in the second season of the series.

In the second season, Mohit’s character sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. The series is based on the book, ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat, and is directed by Bhav Dhulia. The series also stars Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji and Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis and Sarah Jane Dias.

Talking about his character, Mohit Raina said: “The audience’s reaction to Avinash Kamath, so far, has been great. It’s always good when your portrayal gets appreciated by the audience. So I am happy. Avinash Kamath’s character becomes a little more resilient and determined in the second part, the last three episodes,...

Actor Mohit Raina, who is awaiting the release of the second season of his hit streaming series ‘The Freelancer’, has shared that his titular character of Avinash Kamath will become more resilient and determined in the second season of the series.

In the second season, Mohit’s character sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. The series is based on the book, ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat, and is directed by Bhav Dhulia. The series also stars Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji and Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis and Sarah Jane Dias.

Talking about his character, Mohit Raina said: “The audience’s reaction to Avinash Kamath, so far, has been great. It’s always good when your portrayal gets appreciated by the audience. So I am happy. Avinash Kamath’s character becomes a little more resilient and determined in the second part, the last three episodes,...

This week of December offers a brand new slate of titles on the Ott, from crime thriller to docu series and coming of age story. Here is a list of five titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention this week.

Vyooham

The Telugu crime thriller series, ‘Vyooham’ features Sai Sushanth Reddy in the lead role with Chaitanya Krishna, Pavani Gangireddy, Ravindra Vijay and Shashank Siddamsetty in pivotal roles.The trailer showcases Acp Arjun Ramachandra, portrayed by Sai Sushanth Reddy, as he engages viewers in a relentless quest for justice.

The plot unfolds from a seemingly simple hit-and-run involving a tragic loss for a pregnant couple into a compelling tapestry of intertwined lives. Tasked with tracking down a serial killer, a trained naxal, handling a suspended cop, and dismantling a terrorist organisation, Arjun’s journey is intensified by the haunting echoes of his own painful past. It will...

This week of December offers a brand new slate of titles on the Ott, from crime thriller to docu series and coming of age story. Here is a list of five titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention this week.

Vyooham

The Telugu crime thriller series, ‘Vyooham’ features Sai Sushanth Reddy in the lead role with Chaitanya Krishna, Pavani Gangireddy, Ravindra Vijay and Shashank Siddamsetty in pivotal roles.The trailer showcases Acp Arjun Ramachandra, portrayed by Sai Sushanth Reddy, as he engages viewers in a relentless quest for justice.

The plot unfolds from a seemingly simple hit-and-run involving a tragic loss for a pregnant couple into a compelling tapestry of intertwined lives. Tasked with tracking down a serial killer, a trained naxal, handling a suspended cop, and dismantling a terrorist organisation, Arjun’s journey is intensified by the haunting echoes of his own painful past. It will...

Actor Mohit Raina, who essays the titular character in the streaming show ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, has shared that he is a huge fan of ‘Jason Bourne’ franchise, and that Matt Damon’s character of Jason Bourne was a huge source of inspiration for him while shooting for the series.

In the second season of the show, Mohit’s character of Avinash Kamath sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission.

The series is based on the book, ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat.

Talking about the same, Mohit said: “I have always been a fan of Jason Bourne movies and I’ve seen ‘Bourne Ultimatum’ and ‘Bourne Supremacy’. I think because I had seen all those movies in my college days, subconsciously I remembered all the sequences and all the action choreographies that were involved in them and I had that in the back of my...

Actor Mohit Raina, who essays the titular character in the streaming show ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, has shared that he is a huge fan of ‘Jason Bourne’ franchise, and that Matt Damon’s character of Jason Bourne was a huge source of inspiration for him while shooting for the series.

In the second season of the show, Mohit’s character of Avinash Kamath sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission.

The series is based on the book, ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat.

Talking about the same, Mohit said: “I have always been a fan of Jason Bourne movies and I’ve seen ‘Bourne Ultimatum’ and ‘Bourne Supremacy’. I think because I had seen all those movies in my college days, subconsciously I remembered all the sequences and all the action choreographies that were involved in them and I had that in the back of my...

Mumbai, Dec 12 (Ians) Actress Kashmira Pardeshi feels blessed on collaborating with seasoned actors like Mohit Raina and Anupam Kher, under the skilled direction of Neeraj Pandey and Bhav Dhulia, for the web series ‘The Freelancer’.

Helmed by Mohit, the action thriller series is set for the new season which is titled as ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’.

Kashmira plays the character of Aliya Khan in the show, while Mohit is seen as Avinash Kamath aka ‘The Freelancer’.

Talking about her experience working with the team of the show, Kashmira said: “I’m so happy to have done my first project with actors like Mohit and Anupam Kher, and this will always be so special for me, especially when it’s directed by Neeraj Pandey and Bhav Dhulia.”

“It’s been a wonderful journey. You feel truly blessed when you see yourself entering the industry with the names and faces that you...

Mumbai, Dec 12 (Ians) Actress Kashmira Pardeshi feels blessed on collaborating with seasoned actors like Mohit Raina and Anupam Kher, under the skilled direction of Neeraj Pandey and Bhav Dhulia, for the web series ‘The Freelancer’.

Helmed by Mohit, the action thriller series is set for the new season which is titled as ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’.

Kashmira plays the character of Aliya Khan in the show, while Mohit is seen as Avinash Kamath aka ‘The Freelancer’.

Talking about her experience working with the team of the show, Kashmira said: “I’m so happy to have done my first project with actors like Mohit and Anupam Kher, and this will always be so special for me, especially when it’s directed by Neeraj Pandey and Bhav Dhulia.”

“It’s been a wonderful journey. You feel truly blessed when you see yourself entering the industry with the names and faces that you...

Mumbai, Dec 9 (Ians) Actress Kashmira Pardeshi recalled one of the scenes where she was shooting in the sea for ‘The Freelancer:The Conclusion’ and called it “traumatising”.

Kashmira said: “The most challenging scene was part of the extraction, shot in the sea where we jumped onto a speed boat. That day, the water was unexpectedly rough, catching us off guard. Mentally unprepared for the rough ocean, it was a bit scary, and we all ended up drenched. That was the most traumatizing scene!”

In the second season of the Disney+ Hotstar show, Avinash Kamath sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. The series is based on the book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat, directed by Bhav Dhulia.

Set to release on December 15, it also stars Mohit Raina, Anupam Kher, Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji and Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis and Sarah Jane Dias.

–Ians

dc...

Mumbai, Dec 9 (Ians) Actress Kashmira Pardeshi recalled one of the scenes where she was shooting in the sea for ‘The Freelancer:The Conclusion’ and called it “traumatising”.

Kashmira said: “The most challenging scene was part of the extraction, shot in the sea where we jumped onto a speed boat. That day, the water was unexpectedly rough, catching us off guard. Mentally unprepared for the rough ocean, it was a bit scary, and we all ended up drenched. That was the most traumatizing scene!”

In the second season of the Disney+ Hotstar show, Avinash Kamath sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. The series is based on the book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat, directed by Bhav Dhulia.

Set to release on December 15, it also stars Mohit Raina, Anupam Kher, Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji and Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis and Sarah Jane Dias.

–Ians

dc...

Peeling back the layers of his character, actor Navneet Malik has opened up about the emotional journey in embodying Mohsin Khan for ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, and said how the character required an extensive preparation.

The series is headlined by actor Mohit Raina.

Navneet shared that the role of Mohsin Khan required extensive preparation.

“I found it challenging because the character’s beliefs were quite different from my own. To immerse myself in the role, I spent hours in isolation, practicing lines daily. I also worked on adopting Mohsin’s mannerisms, refining how he talked, walked, and carried himself. It was a demanding but exciting process,” he said.

He added: “I tried to live the character and kept it as natural as possible.”

Finally, Avinash Kamath (Mohit) sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. The series is based on the book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat,...

Mumbai, Dec 9 (Ians) Peeling back the layers of his character, actor Navneet Malik has opened up about the emotional journey in embodying Mohsin Khan for ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, and said how the character required an extensive preparation.

The series is headlined by actor Mohit Raina.

Navneet shared that the role of Mohsin Khan required extensive preparation.

“I found it challenging because the character’s beliefs were quite different from my own. To immerse myself in the role, I spent hours in isolation, practicing lines daily. I also worked on adopting Mohsin’s mannerisms, refining how he talked, walked, and carried himself. It was a demanding but exciting process,” he said.

He added: “I tried to live the character and kept it as natural as possible.”

Finally, Avinash Kamath (Mohit) sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. The series is based on the book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat,...

Mumbai, Dec 8 (Ians) Senior actor Anupam Kher has applauded the writing of filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, saying that the best part is that whatever he writes is shown exactly that way with his minimalistic approach.

Anupam is all geared up for the released of ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’. He essays the role of Dr Arif Ajmaal Khan in the series headlined by actor Mohit Raina, who plays the titular role.

Talking about how he felt during a particularly intense moment in the show with Mohit, Anupam said: “When Mohit did that shot of holding the gun to me, that was wonderful, and I really appreciated it. My mother is his greatest fan, and he knows that too.”

Further lauding the showrunner Neeraj, the ‘Sarkar’ actor said: “The best part about Neeraj Pandey’s writing is that whatever he writes is shown exactly that way with his minimalistic approach. It’s a...

Mumbai, Dec 8 (Ians) Senior actor Anupam Kher has applauded the writing of filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, saying that the best part is that whatever he writes is shown exactly that way with his minimalistic approach.

Anupam is all geared up for the released of ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’. He essays the role of Dr Arif Ajmaal Khan in the series headlined by actor Mohit Raina, who plays the titular role.

Talking about how he felt during a particularly intense moment in the show with Mohit, Anupam said: “When Mohit did that shot of holding the gun to me, that was wonderful, and I really appreciated it. My mother is his greatest fan, and he knows that too.”

Further lauding the showrunner Neeraj, the ‘Sarkar’ actor said: “The best part about Neeraj Pandey’s writing is that whatever he writes is shown exactly that way with his minimalistic approach. It’s a...

Mumbai, Nov 28 (Ians) The streaming series ‘The Freelancer’ is set to return with its second season titled ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, the trailer of which was unveiled on Tuesday.

The trailer follows the events of rescue of Aliyah by Mohit Raina’s titular character Avinash.

The series is based on the book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat, which also stars Anupam Kher, Kashmira Pardeshi, Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji, Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis, and Sarah Jane Dias, among others.

Talking about the show and his character, Mohit Raina said, “My inbox was flooded with messages from fans and audiences after the release of the first four episodes, and I am glad that they enjoyed watching me in a different avatar in this thriller series.

“‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’ will see Avinash explore more facets of his character and his actual self as he sets out to rescue Aliya.

Mumbai, Nov 28 (Ians) The streaming series ‘The Freelancer’ is set to return with its second season titled ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, the trailer of which was unveiled on Tuesday.

The trailer follows the events of rescue of Aliyah by Mohit Raina’s titular character Avinash.

The series is based on the book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat, which also stars Anupam Kher, Kashmira Pardeshi, Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji, Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis, and Sarah Jane Dias, among others.

Talking about the show and his character, Mohit Raina said, “My inbox was flooded with messages from fans and audiences after the release of the first four episodes, and I am glad that they enjoyed watching me in a different avatar in this thriller series.

“‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’ will see Avinash explore more facets of his character and his actual self as he sets out to rescue Aliya.

Finally, Avinash Kamath sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. Will ‘The Freelancer’ be able to save Aliya? Disney+ Hotstar releases the much awaited trailer of The Freelancer: The Conclusion. The series is based on the book – A Ticket to Syria by Shirish Thorat, directed by Bhav Dhulia, produced by Friday Storytellers, created by show-runner Neeraj Pandey, directed by Bhav Dhulia and produced by Shital Bhatia.

Set to release on December 15, 2023 on Disney+ Hotstar, The Freelancer: The Conclusion is toplined by popular actor Mohit Raina and veteran actor Anupam Kher along with Kashmira Pardeshi.

The series also features talented actors like Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji and Navneet Malik, Manjiri Fadnis, Sarah Jane Dias amongst others

Creator and show-runner Neeraj Pandey said, “We are very happy with the overwhelming audience response and positive reaction to the initial episodes of ‘The Freelancer’ which were released by Hotstar...

Finally, Avinash Kamath sets out on the last leg of his extraction mission. Will ‘The Freelancer’ be able to save Aliya? Disney+ Hotstar releases the much awaited trailer of The Freelancer: The Conclusion. The series is based on the book – A Ticket to Syria by Shirish Thorat, directed by Bhav Dhulia, produced by Friday Storytellers, created by show-runner Neeraj Pandey, directed by Bhav Dhulia and produced by Shital Bhatia.

Set to release on December 15, 2023 on Disney+ Hotstar, The Freelancer: The Conclusion is toplined by popular actor Mohit Raina and veteran actor Anupam Kher along with Kashmira Pardeshi.

The series also features talented actors like Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji and Navneet Malik, Manjiri Fadnis, Sarah Jane Dias amongst others

Creator and show-runner Neeraj Pandey said, “We are very happy with the overwhelming audience response and positive reaction to the initial episodes of ‘The Freelancer’ which were released by Hotstar...

Actor Mohit Raina is all set to return to accomplish the mission of saving Aliya in ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, which is set to stream from December 15.

Talking about the series, Mohit said: “Avinash Kamath’s character graph has grown with each episode as he experiences a turmoil of his own. Season 1 was received well by the audiences and my character was widely appreciated by all.”

“It was the first time I explored something like this and I am glad the audiences thoroughly enjoyed it and are in for a nail biting extraction mission as Avinash is all set to roll in action with The Freelancer: The Conclusion,” he added.

The series also stars Anupam Kher, Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji, Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis, Sarah Jane Dias amongst others.

Anupam added: “Dr Khan is a very thought-through character and he has various layers to his personality. It’s...

Actor Mohit Raina is all set to return to accomplish the mission of saving Aliya in ‘The Freelancer: The Conclusion’, which is set to stream from December 15.

Talking about the series, Mohit said: “Avinash Kamath’s character graph has grown with each episode as he experiences a turmoil of his own. Season 1 was received well by the audiences and my character was widely appreciated by all.”

“It was the first time I explored something like this and I am glad the audiences thoroughly enjoyed it and are in for a nail biting extraction mission as Avinash is all set to roll in action with The Freelancer: The Conclusion,” he added.

The series also stars Anupam Kher, Sushant Singh, John Kokken, Gauri Balaji, Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis, Sarah Jane Dias amongst others.

Anupam added: “Dr Khan is a very thought-through character and he has various layers to his personality. It’s...

Actors Mona Singh, Rajesh Tailang, Priyanshu Painyuli and Tanya Maniktala among many others will be seen in the upcoming gangster drama series ‘Paan Parda Zarda’. The gangster drama series is set against the backdrop of illegal opium smuggling in central India. It is produced by Jio Studios in association with Reliance Entertainment and Dreamer and Doers Co.Principal photography has commenced on “Paan Parda Zarda”, reports Variety.

The cast also includes Tanvi Azmi, Sushant Singh and Manu Rishi.

The series is a collaboration between showrunner and co-directors Gurmmeet Singh and Shilpi Dasgupta, showrunner Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and writers Suparn S. Varma, Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal, Radhika Anand and Vibha Singh, reports ‘Variety’.

Singh said: “We are excited about starting a brand-new journey with ‘Paan Parda Zarda’ in collaboration with Jio Studios. The series has a unique color and texture, it is page turning entertainment with elements of love story, action,...

Actors Mona Singh, Rajesh Tailang, Priyanshu Painyuli and Tanya Maniktala among many others will be seen in the upcoming gangster drama series ‘Paan Parda Zarda’. The gangster drama series is set against the backdrop of illegal opium smuggling in central India. It is produced by Jio Studios in association with Reliance Entertainment and Dreamer and Doers Co.Principal photography has commenced on “Paan Parda Zarda”, reports Variety.

The cast also includes Tanvi Azmi, Sushant Singh and Manu Rishi.

The series is a collaboration between showrunner and co-directors Gurmmeet Singh and Shilpi Dasgupta, showrunner Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and writers Suparn S. Varma, Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal, Radhika Anand and Vibha Singh, reports ‘Variety’.

Singh said: “We are excited about starting a brand-new journey with ‘Paan Parda Zarda’ in collaboration with Jio Studios. The series has a unique color and texture, it is page turning entertainment with elements of love story, action,...

Principal photography has commenced on “Paan Parda Zarda,” a high-end series that unites some of India’s top talents.

“Paan Parda Zarda” is a gangster drama series set against the backdrop of illegal opium smuggling in central India. It is produced by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Studios in association with Reliance Entertainment and Dreamer and Doers Co.

The series is a collaboration between showrunner and co-directors Gurmmeet Singh (Prime Video series “Mirzapur”) and Shilpi Dasgupta (film “Khandaani Shafakhana”), showrunner Mrighdeep Singh Lamba (the “Fukrey” film franchise) and writers Suparn S. Varma (Prime Video series “The Family Man”), Hussain Dalal (Prime Video series “Bambai Meri Jaan”), Abbas Dalal (Disney+ Hotstar series “The Trial”), Radhika Anand (Toronto film “Thank You for Coming”) and Vibha Singh (film “Mardaani”).

The cast includes Mona Singh (Prime Video series “Made in Heaven”), Tanvi Azmi (Netflix film “Tribhanga”), Tanya Maniktala (BBC/Netflix series “A Suitable Boy...

The crime television series ‘Savdhaan India’ is set to make an explosive return with host actor Sushant Singh in this upcoming season. The theme for this season is ‘Criminal Decoded’ which will provide viewers a peek inside the minds of criminals. Sushant’s storytelling abilities have not only made the show popular but have also garnered immense popularity for him among the public.

The inaugural episode of ‘Savdhaan India: Criminal Decoded,’ titled ‘Karan Arjun,’ is scheduled to air on September 26. The episode is rich in themes of liberation, love, revenge, and the repercussions of past actions. The second episode titled ‘Cobra’ promises a morally intricate and engaging narrative involving deceit, cunning, and an unwavering pursuit for ill-gotten wealth.

In the third episode, ‘Gandhi Nagar,’ we are taken into a deep and enigmatic tale exploring the relentless hunt for a serial killer and the transformation of an outwardly ordinary individual. Moving on to the fourth episode,...

The crime television series ‘Savdhaan India’ is set to make an explosive return with host actor Sushant Singh in this upcoming season. The theme for this season is ‘Criminal Decoded’ which will provide viewers a peek inside the minds of criminals. Sushant’s storytelling abilities have not only made the show popular but have also garnered immense popularity for him among the public.

The inaugural episode of ‘Savdhaan India: Criminal Decoded,’ titled ‘Karan Arjun,’ is scheduled to air on September 26. The episode is rich in themes of liberation, love, revenge, and the repercussions of past actions. The second episode titled ‘Cobra’ promises a morally intricate and engaging narrative involving deceit, cunning, and an unwavering pursuit for ill-gotten wealth.

In the third episode, ‘Gandhi Nagar,’ we are taken into a deep and enigmatic tale exploring the relentless hunt for a serial killer and the transformation of an outwardly ordinary individual. Moving on to the fourth episode,...

Actor Sushant Singh, who is all set to don a salt and pepper look in the new season of ‘Savdhaan India’, said that the new look adds another layer to his part in the show. Sushant’s presence and commendable acting skills have earned him a special place in the hearts of millions of viewers. However, it’s not just his acting prowess that has been garnering attention lately, it’s his striking salt and pepper look in the promo of the new season of ‘Savdhaan India’ with the new theme titled ‘Criminal Decoded’ that has everyone talking.

‘Savdhaan India’ is known for its gripping narratives and socially relevant stories.

Sushant has been associated with the show as its host for a considerable time, and his contribution to its success cannot be understated.

However, in the latest season, Sushant has undergone a transformation that has piqued the curiosity of both...

Neeraj Pandey created a stamp of his type of storytelling right from his debut ‘A Wednesday’. Going by his repertoire, titles like Special 26, Baby, Rustom, Naam Shabana, Aiyaary, Special Ops, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, people who binge on thrillers would not think twice to binge watch ‘The Freelancer’. The action-thriller series is based on the bestselling 2017 book ‘A Ticket to Syria’ by Shirish Thorat.

The Freelancer Plot

‘The Freelancer’ is set in an hostile climate set apart by misdirection and treachery. It follows the rescue operation of a young girl Aliya, held against her will in war-torn Syria. It is her journey as she endeavours to escape from challenging conditions.

The story begins with Aliya (Kashmira Pardeshi) running in the bylanes of Syria, trying to escape, but gets hit by a car. The story takes the audience back and forth in time to set the premise. Who is Aliya,...

New Delhi, Aug 31 (Ians) The month of September is all set to bring an exciting slate of titles on the Ott, filled with thriller, crime, action, and comedy drama.

Ians has brought an enthralling slate, which will captivate audiences of varied choices with titles spanning across genres and languages. Presenting a list of five titles on various Ott platforms:

‘Friday Night Plan’

Directed by Vatsal Neelakantan, ‘Friday Night Plan’ stars Babil Khan and Amrith Jayan and is produced by Excel Entertainment. The film is a tale of self discovery, companionship, packed with a lot of fun and a ton of chaos. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Kassim Jagmagia & Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, this heartwarming story also stars Medha Rana, Aadhya Anand, Ninad Kamath, and Juhi Chawla in a special appearance. It will premiere on Netflix starting September 1.

‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story’

Actor Gagan Dev Riar is set to essay...

Star Bharat is all set to launch the highly anticipated new season of its flagship show, “Savdhaan India,” with the theme “Criminal Decoded.” Renowned for its gripping real-life crime stories, the show is making a remarkable comeback.

Since its debut on Star Bharat in 2012, “Savdhaan India” has not only provided entertainment but has also acted as an informative platform, shedding light on the dark world of crime and its consequences. With seven seasons and a remarkable 3,162 episodes under its belt, the show’s compelling narratives, based on true incidents, have enthralled audiences across India and beyond.

Seasoned actor and familiar face in the Indian entertainment industry, Sushant Singh, returns as the host of “Savdhaan India.” Sushant’s exceptional storytelling skills and authoritative presence have played a pivotal role in making the show not just educational but also empowering, helping viewers stay informed and secure.

Commenting on the upcoming season, host Sushant Singh shared,...

Actor John Kokken, who will be seen playing an intelligence officer in the riveting thriller ‘The Freelancer’, has revealed that he has taken inspiration from Kay Kay Menon for his role. John has focused on his body language and adapted to various other techniques to essay the role perfectly.

Opening up about his preparation, John said: “In terms of preparation, it was more of the body language, more of soft spoken. I had to underplay a lot of things. It was a completely new role, in terms of preparation it was more of trying to get into the skin of the character by watching content online.”

“My biggest reference in terms of body language was, from actor Kay Kay Menon who did special ops. His character was something I referred to. The way he would speak and his words and the way he would laugh.”

The series is based on...

Actress Kashmira Pardeshi has decoded her drill for the preparation of her intensely layered character, Aliya in the riveting thriller ‘The Freelancer’, and shared how she slipped into the skin of her character. Talking about the preparation for her role as Aliya, Kashmira said: “So, the script is based on the book ‘Ticket to Syria’. But I read the book much later as I was asked not to read the book. I even personally believe that a well written script will have everything that an actor needs.”

“But to prepare for the character, I watched a lot of documentaries made on families that have faced this. On girls that have voluntarily fled to Syria, or that have been abducted and taken there. I read about Sushmita Banerjee, a Kabuliwala’s wife and referred to a lot of Malala stories which were really very inspiring,” she shared.

The series is directed by Bhav Dhulia,...