All posts tagged: maddock films

Saif Ali Khan on why he shut down his successful production banner: ‘It’s a massive pain’ | Bollywood News

Saif Ali Khan on why he shut down his successful production banner: ‘It’s a massive pain’ | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

4 min readMumbaiUpdated: May 19, 2026 09:41 AM IST Saif Ali Khan turned producer with his banner, Illuminati Films, in 2009 with Imtiaz Ali’s hit romantic comedy Love Aaj Kal. He followed it up with Sriram Raghavan’s spy thriller Agent Vinod, Homi Adajania’s rom-com Cocktail in 2012, and Raj and DK’s 2013 zombie comedy Go Goa Gone and 2014 rom-com Happy Ending. But soon after, he wrapped up his production house and co-produced only one film — Nitin Kakkar’s Jawaani Jaaneman (2020) with Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment. Saif on why he left producing “I think it can be an extremely thankless job,” Saif tells SCREEN in an exclusive interview. “But it’s very creative. I like the idea of having an idea and discussing some creatives like the sound and look of things. I did enjoy producing, but it can also be a massive pain,” he adds. He also attributes the good run of Illuminati Films to his distribution partner, Eros International, and his producing partner, Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films. “Things move, people move. You see …

Director Navjot Gulati slams Maddock Films for delaying Pooja Meri Jaan release: ‘They don’t care about small films’

Director Navjot Gulati slams Maddock Films for delaying Pooja Meri Jaan release: ‘They don’t care about small films’

Published by Webster

In 2022, filmmaker Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films announced the thriller, Pooja Meri Jaan, generating curiosity among audiences. Despite completing production and being positioned for an OTT release, the film has remained unreleased for nearly four years, leaving many wondering what went wrong behind the scenes. Navjot Gulati slams Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films for only focusing on big films. Now, in an interview with Variety India, director Navjot Gulati has broken his silence on the prolonged delay, alleging pricing disputes and stalled negotiations as the primary reasons the film continues to remain in limbo. Navjot Gulati on Pooja Meri Jaan’s release delay Navjot shared that the film starring Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi completed shooting smoothly and was set for an OTT release. He revealed that it was initially scheduled to premiere on JioCinema, but after the merger of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema, the makers pitched the film to other streaming platforms. However, according to the filmmaker, negotiations collapsed because the producers were asking for a high price. Expressing his frustration over the prolonged delay, he …

Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, Dinesh Vijan spent over Rs 180 cr on legal costs in five years; here’s what it means | Bollywood News

Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, Dinesh Vijan spent over Rs 180 cr on legal costs in five years; here’s what it means | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

The escalation has been sharp. What stood at Rs 21.32 crore in FY 2020–21 more than tripled by FY 2024–25, reaching Rs 60.83 crore. Notably, Yash Raj Films alone accounted for nearly two-thirds of that year’s total spend. So what exactly are these legal professional charges for? Unlike production costs or star fees—which can be controlled to an extent through planning and negotiation—legal expenses have become unavoidable in today’s entertainment ecosystem. These charges broadly cover three areas: permissions, protection, and payments. Permission The legal process begins well before a film goes on floors. Every project requires airtight rights clearance—whether it involves an original script, a book adaptation, life rights, remake rights, or any underlying intellectual property. This stage is critical. Any oversight can lead to claims that surface later, sometimes threatening to stall or even block a film’s release—a risk that has repeatedly made headlines, particularly in the case of biopics. ALSO READ | She came to make films, now leads one of India’s biggest production houses; is reason behind Mirzapur, Pataal Lok, and Panchayat …

Ikkis Review: Less noise, more feeling; Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat and Agastya Nanda’s war film hits quietly

Ikkis Review: Less noise, more feeling; Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat and Agastya Nanda’s war film hits quietly

Published by Parlour News

Name: Ikkis Director: Sriram Raghavan Cast: Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Agastya Nanda, Simar Kochar Writer: Arijit Biswas, Sriram Raghavan, Pooja Ladha Surti Rating: 3/5 PlotIkkis tells its war story in a quiet and thoughtful way. Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal (Dharmendra) travels to Lahore, Pakistan, for two important reasons. One, to meet his old friends from school and college, because before partition, he dwelt in Sargodha, Pakistan, and some places never stop feeling familiar. Two, and more importantly, to understand why his 21-year-old son, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal (Agastya Nanda), refused the order to abandon his tank and save himself during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.  In a painful twist, Brigadier M. L Khetarpal is hosted by Brigadier Jaan Mohammad Nisaar (Jaideep Ahlawat), the Pakistani commander whose actions in the war led to Arun’s martyrdom. Over three days in Lahore, the film quietly explores grief, guilt, and unanswered questions, while also showing Arun’s brave tank battle on the battlefield. Directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, Ikkis stays away from loud nationalism and chooses …

Dinesh Vijan says producers refused to fund Stree due to its title: ‘They said it won’t work, now it’s the biggest hit’

Dinesh Vijan says producers refused to fund Stree due to its title: ‘They said it won’t work, now it’s the biggest hit’

Published by Webster

Maddock Films has emerged as one of the pre-eminent Bollywood production houses in the last few years, largely due to the success of its horror comedy universe, one of India’s only successful cinematic universes. It all began for Maddock with Stree, the 2018 sleeper hit. Producer Dinesh Vijan has now revealed that he decided to bankroll the film himself because nobody else was willing to come on board. Stree featured an ensemble cast led by Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor. Dinesh Vijan talks about Stree In an interview with PTI, the Maddock Films head talked about their recent run of good and successful films. “The last three years have been just unbelievable for us. The number one Hindi film was Stree 2, who would have imagined it. When we made the first Stree, no one was funding me, so I had to make it on my own,” he said, adding that the reluctance was because of the movie’s title, which “others said would not work”. Stree, made on a budget of just ₹25 crore, grossed …

Kriti Sanon talks about Cocktail 2, working with Rashmika Mandanna-Shahid Kapoor: ‘Yes it’s a sequel, but…’

Kriti Sanon talks about Cocktail 2, working with Rashmika Mandanna-Shahid Kapoor: ‘Yes it’s a sequel, but…’

Published by Parlour News

After leaving a lasting impact with her performance in intense films such as Do Patti (2024) and Tere Ishk Mein, Bollywood beauty Kriti Sanon is now busy shooting for a rom com. We are talking about Homi Adajania’s Cocktail 2, also starring Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The film will serve as the spiritual sequel to the director’s iconic 2012 film Cocktail, which introduced us to the unforgettable onscreen trio of Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty. Well, in a new interview, Kriti has now opened up about working with Shahid and Rashmika, and how the sequel is different from Cocktail part 1. Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna, Shahid Kapoor shooting for Cocktail 2 Talking about how she wanted to do a light film, after the intense and heavy Tere Ishk Mein, Kriti Sanon told Zoom, “I think Cocktail 2 just happened at the right time. I was craving for it. I wanted to go into that really young, urban, fun space of a rom-com. And yes, it’s a sequel, but it’s more of …

Kriti Sanon Opens Up About Cocktail 2; Calls It A ‘Fun, Young And Urban Rom-Com’ | Bollywood News

Kriti Sanon Opens Up About Cocktail 2; Calls It A ‘Fun, Young And Urban Rom-Com’ | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 13:32 IST Kriti Sanon revealed that two major schedules of Cocktail 2 have already been completed, and the third schedule will begin soon in Mumbai. Cocktail was released in 2012. (Photo Credit: Instagram) Kriti Sanon is truly on a roll, ticking all the boxes professionally. From stepping into production with Do Patti to running her successful skincare brand, Hyphen and delivering stellar performances onscreen, she’s proving her versatility at every turn. Fresh off the wave of critical and audience praise for Tere Ishk Mein, Kriti is already setting her sights on Cocktail 2, a fun, lighthearted project she’s excited about. In a recent chat on Zoom’s podcast, she shared her thoughts and excitement about the sequel, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come. Kriti Sanon Feels Cocktail 2 Happened At The Right Time Speaking about Cocktail 2, the Mimi actress said she was looking for a film that wasn’t as heavy as her recent release. “Cocktail 2 just happened at the right time. I was craving it. I wanted to …

Hrithik Roshan Lauds Agastya Nanda After Watching Ikkis Trailer: ‘You Got Me Cheering’ | Bollywood News

Hrithik Roshan Lauds Agastya Nanda After Watching Ikkis Trailer: ‘You Got Me Cheering’ | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

Last Updated:December 04, 2025, 19:18 IST Earlier, Akshay Kumar also lauded praises on the film and wrote a note for his niece Simar Bhatia, who is making her Bollywood debut. Hrithik Roshan Lauds Agastya Nanda After Watching Ikkis Trailer: ‘You Got Me Cheering’ Agastya Nanda’s Ikkis trailer is getting an overwhelming response from the audience and celebrities also. Today, Hrithik Roshan has also joined the list and showered praise on the video. He mentioned that he is waiting for the film to be released. Earlier, Akshay Kumar also lauded praises on the film and wrote a note for his niece Simar Bhatia, who is making her Bollywood debut. Taking to his Instagram stories, Hrithik Roshan shared the poster and wrote, “I just loved the trailer of #Ikkis! Agastya man, you got me cheering for you. Loved the intensity and vulnerability. You have done it!” The superstar also applauded director Sriram Raghavan, adding, “#sriramraghavan is killing it.” Hrithik didn’t forget to extend warm wishes to the rest of the cast, writing, “Good luck Simar and the …

Where to watch Ayushmann Khurrana–Rashmika Mandanna’s 2025 Diwali hit?

Where to watch Ayushmann Khurrana–Rashmika Mandanna’s 2025 Diwali hit?

Published by Parlour News

Thamma OTT release: Where to watch Ayushmann Khurrana–Rashmika Mandanna’s 2025 Diwali hit? Home News and Gossip Thamma OTT release: Where to watch Ayushmann Khurrana–Rashmika Mandanna’s 2025 Diwali hit? Thamma, the popular Diwali release of 2025 featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, is now moving to OTT following a successful theatrical performance, combining humor, folklore, and romance in Maddock’s growing Horror Comedy Universe. Thamma, a major Diwali success of 2025, is set to launch digitally.Following a successful theatrical release and weeks of audience discussions, the Ayushmann Khurrana-Rashmika Mandanna supernatural comedy is transitioning to streaming, offering viewers another opportunity to explore the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. The movie distinguished itself during the holiday season with its blend of comedy, unsettling folklore, and an unexpectedly heartfelt romantic storyline, transforming it into a unique genre mix that appealed to various viewers.Thamma combines humor, horror, intrigue, and romance, all while maintaining its emotional essence.That equilibrium allowed the film to gain traction via word of …

Deepika Padukone Offered THIS Mysterious Role In StreeVerse? Her Visit To Maddock Office Sparks Speculations | Bollywood News

Deepika Padukone Offered THIS Mysterious Role In StreeVerse? Her Visit To Maddock Office Sparks Speculations | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

Last Updated:November 30, 2025, 13:50 IST Deepika Padukone was recently seen at Maddock Films, and reports now claim she has been offered two big projects, including a role as Bengali ghost Shaakhchuni in the StreeVerse. Deepika Padukone may join Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) as a Bengali ghost Shaakhchuni, reports Mid-Day Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone was spotted by the paparazzi outside the Maddock Films office a few days ago, and fans wondered whether a collaboration is on the cards. Now, a report in Mid-Day suggests that she may join Maddock’s expanding StreeVerse. In fact, she has reportedly been offered not one, but two big-ticket projects that the studio is lining up! Deepika Padukone To Join Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU)? Mid Day claims that Deepika Padukone has reportedly been offered the role of a mysterious Bengali ghost named Shaakhchuni in Maddock’s StreeVerse, said to be powerful, eerie, and key to the franchise’s next chapter. Meanwhile, the report also states that Maddock is coming up with a large-scale fantasy epic, and Deepika is their top pick …