All posts tagged: film industry

Actor Raashul Tandon slams industry for casting influencers over actors: ‘Ye log line me lag ke audition dete honge?’

Actor Raashul Tandon slams industry for casting influencers over actors: ‘Ye log line me lag ke audition dete honge?’

The idea of casting social media influencers and content creators in mainstream films and TV shows is nothing new. Since the pandemic, people with high social media following, often with no acting experience, have increasingly found themselves playing supporting roles and doing cameos in big-budget films. After the trend was highlighted again with the brickbats coming journalist Saurabh Dwivedi’s way for his acting debut in Kartavya, actor Raashul Tandon has addressed the trend, calling out production houses and streaming platforms. Saurabh Dwivdei in Kartavya (L) and Anubhav Singh Bassi with Ranbir Kapoor in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Actor Raashul Tandon speaks on influencers as actors Raashul, who has appeared in films like Pink and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, among others, recently shared a video on his Instagram account, talking about Saurabh Dwivedi’s Kartavya performance and more. “Kal raat maine Netflix pe film dekhi Kartavya and jisne nahi dekhi, I am sure saare memes aapne dekh liye honge. Saurabh Dwivedi ji, jo journalist hain, unhone main antagonist play kiya hai. Abhi kuch time Pehle …

Breaking | Ajay Devgn pushes Dhamaal 4 ahead to give clean window to Akshay Kumar’s Welcome To The Jungle, here’s why

Breaking | Ajay Devgn pushes Dhamaal 4 ahead to give clean window to Akshay Kumar’s Welcome To The Jungle, here’s why

The film industry, apart from a lot of love, also receives flak every now and then for not spacing out releases properly. Clashes too, lead to business getting impacted unnecessarily. Which is why when they are avoided, it’s a cause for celebration for all stakeholders. The latest example is Ajay Devgn‘s comedy caper Dhamaal 4 and Akshay Kumar‘s Welcome To The Jungle. Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar HT City has exclusively learnt, that in the true spirit of fraternity and Bollywood unity, Ajay spoke to Akshay. After mutually discussing, they have decided that Ajay’s film Dhamaal 4 would move its release date from July 4 to July 17, so as to give a clean window to Akshay’s Welcome to the Jungle that hits theatres on June 26. Both films are in the multi starrer family comedy genre. A source says, “Ajay and Akshay have been friends for as long as they have been massive stars. They both produce films too apart from acting, and understand how important it is to allow every film to have …

Junaid Khan doesn’t hate the word nepotism: ‘I get a lot of work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son’

Junaid Khan doesn’t hate the word nepotism: ‘I get a lot of work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son’

The conversation around nepotism may continue to dominate Bollywood, but Junaid Khan isn’t shying away from the reality of it. The son of superstar Aamir Khan has admitted that the word nepotism doesn’t bother him because he knows he enjoys certain privileges in the film industry thanks to his father’s legacy. Junaid also said he feels fortunate to continue getting work despite delivering back-to-back flops. Junaid Khan is Aamir Khan’s son from his first marriage with Reena Dutta. Junaid Khan on nepotism Recently, Junaid joined Vickey Lalwani for a video on his YouTube channel, where he opened up about being Aamir Khan’s son and shared his views on the ongoing nepotism debate. Acknowledging his privileged position in the industry, Junaid admitted that many opportunities come his way because of his father, saying, “The word ‘nepotism’ doesn’t irritate me because it’s true. I get a lot of work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son.” He was also asked about his personal life. Following which, he quipped, “Sir, abhi 2 flops ke baad kaam mil raha hai, kaam …

Ajay Devgn recalls Amrish Puri getting upset after he ragged him: ‘We were like friends’

Ajay Devgn recalls Amrish Puri getting upset after he ragged him: ‘We were like friends’

Ajay Devgn is one of the few stars in Bollywood who has managed to sustain his stardom over decades without revealing much about his personal life to the audience. From his co-stars, we know that he is a prankster on set, but Ajay himself rarely opens up about his relationships within the film industry or his family life. However, in a recent interaction, he spoke about his deep connection with the late legendary actor Amrish Puri and how the two shared a strong bond — so much so that Ajay could even rag the veteran star, yet they always remained close. Ajay Devgn and Amrish Puri in a still from Jaan. Ajay on bond with Amrish Puri When asked about the first co-actor he bonded with, Ajay responded, “I would say, apart from Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), Salman (Salman Khan) and everybody, the first film I did was with Amrishji (late actor Amrish Puri). He was a gem of a person.” Ajay’s shenanigans even softened a strict professional like Amrish Puri. Recalling the same, he said, …

Tabu says women are judged more harshly for ageing in films: ‘They want to show you the mirror’

Tabu says women are judged more harshly for ageing in films: ‘They want to show you the mirror’

Actor Tabu has never been someone who follows the expected rules of the film industry. Over the years, the acclaimed actor has built a reputation for choosing roles on her own terms, staying away from unnecessary noise and maintaining a level of honesty that is rare in celebrity culture. In a recent conversation with Harper’s Bazaar India, Tabu spoke candidly about ageing, the pressure women face in cinema and why she never learnt how to give safe industry answers. Tabu says she never lied about rejecting scripts. (Instagram ) Also read: Is Tabu upset with Priyadarshan, Akshay Kumar for cutting her role in Bhooth Bangla? Director responds People are more worried about your age Reflecting on the way women in films are constantly judged, Tabu pointed out how society often places far more importance on a woman’s age than the woman herself does. “People are more worried about your age than you are yourself. They want to show you the mirror, as though you don’t have one at home,” she said. The actor explained that …

Actor Nauheed opens up about losing roles for refusing kissing scenes, unmet payments: ‘Instagram is my calling’

Actor Nauheed opens up about losing roles for refusing kissing scenes, unmet payments: ‘Instagram is my calling’

Actor and influencer Nauheed Cyrusi is not holding back when it comes to speaking candidly about the harsh realities of the acting industry and what truly goes on behind the scenes. The Anwar actor has largely stayed away from on-screen roles in recent years, and after fans repeatedly questioned her absence, she is finally breaking her silence and addressing the reasons head-on. Nauheed exposures the addition of unnecessary kissing scenes and payment refusals by producers. (Instagram) Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone shoot romantic song for King; leaked video from set gives fans ‘Pathaan vibes’. Watch Cyrusi has seen a surge in popularity on Instagram in recent years, and on May 4, she shared a video addressing the real reason behind her absence from the big screen. In the candid clip, the actor-turned-influencer opened up about how certain expectations tied to working in the industry left her feeling deeply uncomfortable. Nauheed Cyrusi reveals what made her uneasy Nauheed began the video while doing her skincare routine, with a screenshot from her Instagram DMs …

Exclusive! Oscars 2027 Gajraj Rao: Technology should be to tell a story better not to make writers, actors unemployed

Exclusive! Oscars 2027 Gajraj Rao: Technology should be to tell a story better not to make writers, actors unemployed

The introduction of AI guidelines for the Oscars marks a pivotal moment for the film industry, signaling both cautious acceptance and firm boundary-setting. These evolving rules are not just about eligibility, they reflect a broader cultural negotiation over the role of technology in storytelling. Actor-writer Gajraj Rao tells us, “Bilkul sahi decision hai. Kahaniyaan algorithm se nahi, insaan ki zindagi se nikalti hain. AI madad kar sakta hai, par mehsoos nahi kar sakta. This move by the Academy Awards reassures writers that their voices are still paramount. There must be a distinction between a tool and a storyteller. Machine or insaan ki ladai, Industrial revolution ke zamane se shuru ho gai thi. AI bade bhari paimane par, aaj ki duniya main dakhal de raha hai, mujhe nahi lagta ab isse kinara kiya ja sakta hai, bas balance banaya ja sakta hai. Technology should be used to tell a story better, not to render writers and actors unemployed. The Oscar Academy is a large institution; the policies it creates will have a global impact. Hopefully, our …

Mrunal Thakur: I say ‘no’ rather, than do films to stay visible

Mrunal Thakur: I say ‘no’ rather, than do films to stay visible

At a time when the film industry is increasingly caught in the churn of back-to-back releases, endless announcements, and the pressure to stay constantly visible, actor Mrunal Thakur says she has chosen to step away from the noise in her own way. Mrunal Thakur: I say ‘no’ rather, than do films to stay visible “As an actor, we are offered many scripts, some we like and want to be a part of, and some that don’t appeal to us. For me, it’s been clear that I don’t want to sign movies just for the sake of it,” she shares. The 33-year-old, who has had two film releases so far this year; Do Deewane Seher Mein and Dacoit: A Love Story, adds, “I was offered quite a few lovely films, with amazing setups, great teams, and everything in place, but I still said no, because I didn’t feel like I could really contribute much as an actor. As a performer, I want to learn and evolve, and I want to challenge myself. Doing back-to-back films just …

Bengali film industry stakeholders decide on mandatory insurance in the wake of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee’s death

Bengali film industry stakeholders decide on mandatory insurance in the wake of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee’s death

The shocking death of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee on March 29 has shaken the Bengali entertainment industry. The actor, 43, died after drowning while shooting for the Bengali soap Bholebaba Paar Karega. As per the latest update on news agency PTI, stakeholders of the entertainment industry in Tollygunge decided that all Bengali movies will be insured as part of a set of new safety measures for the film industry in the wake of recent incidents, including the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee. The stakeholders in the Bengali film industry have decided to provide insurance for all movies. What are the new changes? The joint meeting, attended by senior office-bearers of Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) and the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum, was convened to review safety protocols on film sets and draft a new standard operating procedure (SOP). EIMPA president Piya Sengupta, chairman Ritabrata Bhattacharya, and producers including Rana Sarkar and Pradip Nandy attended the meeting, while producer Shrikant Mohta joined virtually. Senior Artists’ Forum member Prosenjit Chatterjee, forum secretary …

Archana Puran Singh slams ‘kanjoosi’ mindset on film sets, flags 13-14 hour shifts and lack of meal breaks for crew

Archana Puran Singh slams ‘kanjoosi’ mindset on film sets, flags 13-14 hour shifts and lack of meal breaks for crew

Concerns around long working hours and basic on-set facilities in the film industry continue to surface, with several actors highlighting the challenges faced by both performers and crew. Recently, the cast of the Netflix dramedy Toaster, including Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Abhishek Banerjee, and Archana Puran Singh, opened up about similar issues, drawing attention to the lack of basic amenities on film sets. (Also read: Toaster trailer out: Rajkummar Rao plays a kanjoos makhichoos in a comedy with Sanya Malhotra, Farah Khan, Archana ) Archana Puran Singh voices concerns about extended hours and lack of basic amenities on film sets. Archana Puran Singh on long hours and ‘kanjoosi’ mindset Speaking about the issue with News18, Archana Puran Singh elaborated on the growing pressure of extended work hours, explaining how shifts frequently stretch beyond their scheduled timings, sometimes crossing 12 hours and continuing even longer. She highlighted how this takes a toll, especially on crew members who are engaged in physically demanding work for long durations under challenging conditions. “Even then, they expect us to extend …