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Indian studio Applause Entertainment is gearing up for an ambitious slate of projects as it enters its eighth year of operations.

The company, led by managing director Sameer Nair, a pioneer of Indian television with previous stints at Star TV, Ndtv Imagine, Turner General Entertainment and Balaji Telefilms, has its sights set on expanding into new genres and formats while building on its established successes.

Leading the charge is “Nyaya,” a courtroom drama produced in association with Mangata Films. Directed by Nitya Mehra, Karan Kapadia and Heeraz Marfatia, the fictionalized series based on real events follows a 17-year-old girl seeking justice against a powerful ‘godman,’ or leader of a religious cult, who raped her. The project boasts a strong cast including Fatima Sana Sheikh, Aneet Padda, Arjun Mathur, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub and Raghubir Yadav.

“When this opportunity came up, we really pounced on it,” Nair told Variety. “They’ve shot it really well.

For the second long weekend in a row! IANSlife has the ultimate lineup of binge-worthy shows to make the upcoming. Whether you’re in the mood for laugh-out-loud comedies or action-packed thrillers, there’s something for everyone to indulge in. Gather your loved ones, grab some snacks, and immerse yourself in a marathon of entertainment, creating unforgettable memories during this break. Tune in for a weekend of relaxation, laughter, and thrills – it’s the perfect way to make the most of the extended holiday!

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Ae Watan Mere Watan | Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Tune into ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ to witness the beautiful portrayal of Usha Mehta’s fearless fight for freedom during India’s Quit India movement. Sara Ali Khan shines as the courageous young woman who defies British rule by establishing an underground radio station, becoming a beacon of hope and unity. Watch her daring journey unfold in...

Beyond Riverdale and the Archies there is this boarding school for girls Vandana Valley. It won’t be erroneous to call it The Valley Of the dolls.

The girls in the boarding school are young vivacious…, or perhaps, bindaas would be a better word… I am sure the young ladies of this cutely compelling series would like to known as bindaas.

Here’s a world so bindaas that the girls are allowed to check out boys’ …you know the world that rhymes with bindaas?

Ok ok. I am being coy. These teenaged pleasure seekers would probably think restrain to be sign of incorrigible fuddy-duddy-ness. But here is the thing: Big Girls Don’t Cry is not just an alibi for bad behaviour.

These girls are no rebels with a cause. They just won’t to be recognized for what they are, good, bad or lesbian. Yes, there is a strong same-sex angle,...

Having attended a missionary, all-girls school myself, Nitya Mehra’s new Amazon Prime series Big Girls Don’t Cry (Bgdc) has struck a deeply personal chord with me. It offers a glimpse into the lives of girls who have to obey the strict rules and regulations of their school, where even the smallest infractions are “Not Tolerated!” From sneaking chocolates and chewing gum to daring to wear lipstick or nail polish, the girls of Vandana Valley Girls’ School mirror my own teenage experiences. Like them, I remember the curiosity that bubbled within us—about boys, about breaking the rules and trying to find out who we really are while dealing with all the strict rules around us. Each girl in the series, much like each of us during our school days, is engaged in her own personal battle. Yet, there is a common thread: the quest for self-discovery, as “Atmanam Vidhi” or “Know Thyself.

Big Girls Don’t Cry Review Out: A Tale Of Adulting Done Right ( Photo Credit – Prime Video India / YouTube )

Big Girls Don’t Cry Review: Star Rating:

Cast: Pooja Bhatt, Zoya Hussain, Lovleen Misra, Mukul Chadda, Raima Sen, Dalai, Tenzin Lhakyila, Avantika Vandanapu, Aneet Padda, Akshita Sood, Afrah Sayed, Vidushi

Creator: Nitya Mehra

Director: Nitya Mehra, Karan Kapadia, Kopal Naithani, Sudhanshu Saria

Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video

Language: Hinglish with Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada dubbings; Subtitles in 15 languages

Runtime: 7 episodes of 45 – 50 minutes each

Big Girls Don’t Cry Review Out ( Photo Credit – Prime Video India / YouTube ) Big Girls Don’t Cry Review: What’s It About:

There have been unnecessary stories about women identifying with freedom and independence in whatever they want. There have been tales about locker room boys talk. There also have been tales about adulting. But what happens when a bunch of teenage girls with all the confused thoughts about s*x,...

Mumbai, March 6 (Ians) The trailer of the upcoming streaming series ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, which was unveiled on Wednesday, presents a coming-of-age narrative set in an all girls’ school.

It shows how the girls in the school traverse the paths of their lives as they tread through the alleys of changing interpersonal dynamics, love, academics and the legacy of their institution.

The trailer gives a glimpse into the boarding life at the Vandana Valley school, where a group of seven girls gears up for their final year in school. With seven women leading the series, the trailer shows an outsider, Kavya Yadav, walks onto the campus, hoping to make friends. Noor has her eyes set on the school captaincy, while Ludo is chasing the sports captaincy position. As Roohi and Jc push for their beauty-business to succeed, Pluggy has grand plans of her own, and the rebel-poet Dia prepares to...

Director Nitya Mehra, who is known for ‘Made in Heaven’ and ‘Unpaused’, feels that the school life of girls is quite underrepresented in the sphere of storytelling.

She shared that her upcoming series ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ will change this for the better as it brings to the fore the story of girls growing up in a boarding school with an insight into the lives, ideas, and feelings of young girls.

The upcoming series has been created by Nitya. The makers on Tuesday, shared a promotional video featuring Bollywood actress Ananya Panday. The video introduced the series and its lead cast including Avantika Vandanapu, Aneet Padda, Dalai, Vidushi, Lhakyila, Afrah Sayed, and Akshita Sood.

Talking about the series, Nitya Mehra said: “I think school life in India, especially that of girls, is so underrepresented in storytelling, be it in Indian literature or cinema. Coming-of-age told through the eyes of an...

Prime Video, today announced the premiere of its upcoming Original Series, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, a captivating coming-of-age school drama set against the backdrop of a fictionalized all-girls boarding school. Ananya Panday introduced the series and its lead cast including Avantika Vandanapu (Ludo), Aneet Padda (Roohi), Dalai (Pluggy), Vidushi (Kavya), Lhakyila (Jc), Afrah Sayed (Noor), and Akshita Sood (Dia) through a spirited and quirky video specially created for the announcement of the series.

Created by Nitya Mehra, Big Girls Don’t Cry is co-directed by Nitya Mehra, Sudhanshu Saria, Karan Kapadia, and Kopal Naithani, and boasts of a predominantly women-led ensemble cast which also features Pooja Bhatt, Raima Sen, and Zoya Hussain in pivotal roles, along with Mukul Chadda.

The series takes audiences into the fascinating world of the prestigious Vandana Valley where a group of young girls navigate life’s myriad exhilarating adventures of independence, rebellion, friendship, love, heartbreaks, and dreams,...

Superstar Nayanthara, who found herself in the middle of a controversy related to her recent film ‘Annapoorni’, is enjoying some much needed downtime with her kids. The ‘Jawan’ actress took to her Instagram and shared pictures with her sons Uyir and Ulgham.

In the picture, the actress can be seen wearing a black polka-dot top, and her face is only partially visible. Her son leans his head comfortably on his mother’s shoulder.

Nayanthara wrote in the caption, “All of God’s grace in one tiny face”.

The actress shared another picture with both her sons in her arms in the stories section of her Instagram.

She used the hit track ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’ performed by Jasleen Royal and Prateek Kuhad from Nitya Mehra’s 2016 romantic sci-fi film ‘Baar Baar Dekho’ in the background of her post.

Meanwhile, Nayanthara offered an apology over her latest Tamil film, ‘Annapoorani’, a...

Indian studio Excel Entertainment’s founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar have revealed a robust upcoming production slate.

Up next is “Fukrey 3,” the next instalment of the hit comedy-crime franchise directed by Mrighdeep Lamba, which is due a theatrical release Sept. 28. Action-drama “Agni,” directed by Rahul Dholakia, is in the works and due a 2024 release. “Ground Zero,” directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, is currently in post-production and is based on a true-life story. Comedy-drama “Madgaon Express,” the directing debut of actor Kunal Kemmu, is also in post and Ravi Udyawar’s action-thriller “Yudhra” is in the works. “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan,” an urban friendship saga directed by Arjun Varain Singh, starring Ananya Panday, Adarsh Gourav and Siddhant Chaturvedi, is complete.

On the streaming front, “Dabba Cartel,” a story of five housewives who run a high-stakes secret cartel, which is Excel’s first show for Netflix, has just started filming.

Mumbai, Sept 1 (Ians) Actor Jim Sarbh, whose captivating performance as Adil Khanna in the web-series ‘Made in Heaven’ season 2 has left his fans enthralled, feels that the more prepared an actor is, the more spontaneous and fluid they can be on set in terms of their performance.

At a recent event in Mumbai, Jim has shed light on his unique approach to acting. He said: “I don’t think it is easy. Like any other job, preparation is key, and without it you haven’t got anything. The better prepared you are, the more spontaneous you can be on set.”

“A lot of people speak about not losing their spontaneity, and so they don’t rehearse, and in the absolute opposite school of that, I believe through rehearsal you can achieve spontaneity,” he added.

Season Two of the show beautifully reveals the dichotomy of tradition, modern aspirations and societal belief...

Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, who has directed the two episodes of the recently released season two of the critically acclaimed show ‘Made In Heaven’, is overwhelmed by the response to the Dalit-Buddhist wedding portrayed by him on the screen, saying that it is a ‘validation’ for all who have been battling prejudice.

Produced by Excel Media and Entertainment and Tiger Baby, the International Emmy nominated series is directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, Neeraj Ghaywan, Nitya Mehra, Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar. Neeraj has directed episode three titled ‘And they lived happily ever after’, and episode five titled ‘The heart skipped a beat’.

Episode five features Radhika Apte as Pallavi. Talking about the response for the portrayal of Dalit wedding, the ‘Masaan’ director wrote a long Instagram post, along with some beautiful snippets from the wedding scene. The photos shows Radhika dressed in an exquisite golden coloured saree, looking beautiful as a bride.

New Delhi, Aug 3 (Ians) It’s an entertainment-filled August on the Ott, which is a gateway to a trove of cinematic wonders, that captures the essence of grand storytelling and awe-inspiring visuals.

With the action, drama, and romance stories, there are numerous possibilities for binge-watching series on the Ott platforms, but only a few are worthy of our time.

From biographical true-crime docu-series to international Emmy nominated series thriller to climate fiction (cli-fi), Ians has brought an enthralling slate, which will captivate audiences of varied choices with titles spanning across genres and languages.

Here’s a list of five titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention of Ians:

1) ‘The Hunt for Veerappan’:

The biographical true-crime docu-series explores the untold story of India’s infamous outlaw.

A husband, father, leader and wanted criminal. While the image of the man with a handlebar moustache and gaunt cheekbones is well-known,...

Behind every powerful story lies the masterful penmanship of talented writers. In the entertainment world, some extraordinary individuals have emerged from humble beginnings in small towns, capturing hearts and leaving an indelible impact on audiences worldwide.

Here is a list of seven small-town writers and their inspiring journeys of soaring to great heights.

Sudip Sharma

Born in Guwahati, Sudip pursued an Mba from Iim-Ahmedabad in 2002. He then moved to Mumbai and joined major Fmcg companies. However, his passion for screenwriting led him to explore this field further, and after writing a short film in 2006, he immersed himself in learning the craft.

In 2014, Sharma made his mark in feature screenwriting with the gripping thriller ‘NH10’, drawing inspiration from real-life honor killing cases. Continuing his success, Sudip collaborated with director Abhishek Chaubey, writing the dialogues and screenplay for the crime drama ‘Udta Punjab’ and ‘Sonchiriya’. Recently, he co-wrote and created ‘Kohrra’, featuring Barun Sobti and Harleen Sethi,...

The writer, creator and director of ‘Made In Heaven’, Zoya Akhtar, has said that she was trolled on social media to release the second season of the hit drama series. Zoya, along with co-writer, creator and director Reema Kagti, was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of ‘Made In Heaven’ Season 2 in Mumbai.

When asked about her journey through the first season and now with the upcoming second, Zoya said: “We really didn’t expect it. We set out to do a show and it was one of the first happening out of India.

“We collaborated with Aparna Purohit, she was onboard with everything we wanted to do, and nobody knew how any of it was going to land. We were extremely nervous when it came out and got picked up.”

Zoya went on point out that the series has “a very loyal fandom”. She said: “No matter what I post,...

The trailer for the second season of the International Emmy nominated show, ‘Made in Heaven’, which was unveiled on Tuesday promises riveting storytelling laced with grandeur, drama, dark secrets, and the societal problems that cut across the spectrum and class.

The trailer was launched at a five star property in Mumbai’s Santa Cruz area and saw a heartfelt performance by the band Bombay Brass on the beautifully decorated set ahead of its launch.

The trailer begins on an aesthetic note with all things beautiful and elite, bringing a bit of nostalgia from the Zoya Akhtar directorial ‘Dil Dhadakane Do’. It shows the drama in elite circles surrounding big fat weddings.

This time Shobhita and Arjun’s titular wedding planning establishment has new entrants most notably in the form of Mona Singh’s character of the auditor who comes with no filter and puts things as they are without a grain of sugar coating.

In good news for fans, Season 2 of ‘Made In Heaven’ is returning with a bevy of beautiful brides, including Mrunal Thakur, Radhika Apte and Shibani Dandekar who look stunning in glittering bridal attire. The show is set against the backdrop of Indian weddings and the trials and triumphs that these weddings bring with them.

Prime Video teased exclusive pictures of the brides, who also include Sarah Jane-Dias, Naina Sareen, Elnaaz Norouzi, Kallirroi Tziafeta, Zayn Marie Khan, and Sheena Khalid in glamorous bridal attires from the show.

Prime Video said on Instagram ‘We’re all set to welcome the brides and attend the Made In Heaven weddings, again. #MadeInHeavenOnPrime S2, Aug 10!”

While Mrunal is looking dazzling in a red lehenga, and adorned with a pretty gold necklace with henna design on her hands, Radhika is a smiling Maharashtrian bride, with garland and gold jewellery.

Shibani looks feisty as she arrives on...

Actress Mona Singh, who will be seen in ‘Made In Heaven’ season 2, said her prayers are finally answered, as she becomes the part of the “most anticipated” show, and called it a “great piece” of writing.

Mona Singh’s impressive body of work in both television and film makes her a perfect fit for the critically acclaimed series ‘Made In Heaven 2’. Known for her versatile performances, she has garnered a massive fan following over the years. With her entry into the show, audiences are speculating about the impact she will bring to the already engrossing narrative.

Talking about the same, Mona told Ians: “I still remember watching ‘Made In Heaven’ season one, and thinking why am I not a part of it. But today, it seems like, finally my prayers are answered in heaven, as I got a chance to be a part of this show.”

Produced by Excel Media & Entertainment and Tiger Baby,...

Mumbai, July 26 (Ians) The hit streaming show ‘Made in Heaven’ is all set to return with its second season on August 10.

The new season stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Arjun Mathur, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Shashank Arora, Shivani Raghuvanshi and Vijay Raaz, all of whom will be reprising their roles from the first season.

It will also feature new faces such as Mona Singh, Ishwak Singh and Trinetra Haldar, this time.

Set in New Delhi, the International Emmy nominated show brings to life the magnificence of the big fat Indian weddings of the city. With the new season, it will delve deeper into the lives of its characters who navigate the complexities of organising and celebrating marriages while their own lives unfold in unexpected ways.

While the first season was directed by Nitya Mehra, Zoya Akhtar, Prashant Nair and Alankrita Shrivastava, the second season has made two additions to its directors’ team,...

New Delhi, July 20 (Ians) An exciting recap video of ‘Made in Heaven’ season one, accompanied by Kalki Koechlin’s captivating voiceover, intensifies the intrigue surrounding the suspenseful cliffhanger that concluded the previous season, leaving fans craving for answers.

Expressing her excitement, Kalki shared: “As an actor, it’s incredibly gratifying to see how season one of ‘Made in Heaven’ resonated with audiences and became such a popular and critically acclaimed series.”

“The overwhelming response from fans has been heartwarming. Moving forward into season two, I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited. We have an incredible journey ahead, and just like the fans, I am eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into the lives of these complex characters and seeing what lies ahead of them,” she said.

The actress also assured the fans that season 2 will be grander and an enthralling experience.

As the first season of ‘Made in Heaven...

Exclusive: The second annual Nalip Latino Lens Narrative Short Film Incubator for Women of Color has selected its class of 2022: Holly M. Kaplan, Nicole Otero, Akilah ‘Ak’ Walker, Diana Gonzalez-Morett, Jhanvi Motla, and Frida Perez.

As part of this program, the filmmakers received a $25k grant to produce a new short film. Throughout that process, they were supported by executives at the Nalip and Netflix, who provided creative feedback during development as well as guidance through post-production. The films will showcase at a special screening at Nalip’s Diverse Women in Media Forum on March 30, 2023, in Los Angeles.

“We are grateful to Netflix and the mentorship support provided by individuals that hold a strong place in the industry and constantly elevate the filmmakers’ voices,” Diana Luna, Nalip Executive Director said in a statement. “Writers, Ligiah Villalobos and Stephanie Adams-Santos; Director, Carlos Lopez Estrada: Casting Director, Carla Hool; and fundraising expert,...

South Asian teen star Avantika Vandanapu who is a well-established name in Hollywood has been cast to essay the role of Karen Smith in Paramount Pictures’ upcoming film based on the Tony-nominated Broadway musical ‘Mean Girls.’ The film, written by Tina Fey, is a modern take on the classic hit from 2004.

The Los Angeles based actor-dancer-producer confirms, “I am thrilled to be a part of this project and bring a fresh perspective to the iconic role of Karen Smith. My hope is to use my platform to shed light on the causes that matter to me, and inspire others to do the same.”

On the sidelines of this announcement, Avantika will also star and executive produce live-action young-adult series for Disney Branded Television, titled ‘A Crown Of Wishes’ this year, making her the youngest ever South-Asian to accomplish this feat. The fantasy series adaptation is based on Roshani Chokshi’s...

The film was a dud, but the Badshah song, picturised on Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra, has garnered 1.2 billion (and counting!) YouTube views. And today, the world seems to be dancing to its perky Punjabi rap tune.

Be it Team India, American night TV host Jimmy Fallon, singer-actress Demi Lovato, Hong Kong cricketers, children from Africa or Indian aunties, everyone seems to have been gripped by the ‘Kala Chashma’ fever that has been raging on the Internet.

Recently, as Team India registered its revenge win against the Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup, Bollywood stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday, too, vibed to the track to celebrate the victory. What explains this sudden rage over an old song?

The song in question is from the 2016 sci-fi comedy ‘Baar Baar Dekho’ starring Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra. The track is a remake of London-based Punjabi singer Amar Arshi’s hit 1990s track of the same name.

Documentary

“Escape From Kabul Airport,” a documentary airing on BBC Two in September, will tell the inside story of the 18 days in August 2021, when the U.S. withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, and the subsequent evacuation of thousands of Afghan citizens from Kabul airport after the Taliban seized the city.

The documentary is an Amos production for the BBC, in association with HBO and in collaboration with Arte France. It is produced by Emmy and BAFTA-winning Dan Reed (“Leaving Neverland”) and directed by Jamie Roberts (“Four Hours At The Capitol”).

The film combines never before seen on-the-ground archival footage from the evacuation, alongside interviews with evacuees, eye-witnesses, U.S. Marines and Taliban fighters.

Roberts said: “When the images of the chaotic Kabul airlift flashed across the news I immediately wanted to know more about what this historic moment looked and felt like on the ground, through the eyes of the people who were there.

Exclusive: Nitya Mehra (Baar Baar Dekho) and Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) are teaming with Reel FX Originals on Diya—a new animated feature in the vein of its 2014 20th Century Fox title, The Book of Life. Mehra will direct the new film, with Nayyar serving as executive producer.

Directed by Jorge R. Gutiérrez and produced by Guillermo del Toro, The Book of Life was a tale based in Mexican mythology which followed Manolo (Diego Luna), a bullfighter embarking on a fantastical adventure on the Day of the Dead. Diya will also be a mythology-based fantasy adventure, honing in on the folklore of India.

Shiwani Srivastava (Netflix’s Wedding Season) and Dr. Amy Bhatt wrote the script. Producers are Steve O’Brien and Jared Mass of Reel FX Originals. Nayyar is exec producing through his company, Good Karma Productions, alongside his head of production, Jason Hiro Kim (Gook), with Lucas...

New Delhi, Feb 17: Filmmaker Nitya Mehra made her debut with the 2016 Bollywood feature film 'Baar Baar Dekho'. The film starring Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra was released amid hype but fared below expectations. Mehra focused on the Ott space and struck gold. She was show runner of the popular show 'Made In Heaven', and also directed one of the stories of the anthology film 'Unpaused'.

While she hopes to return to the big screen next year, Mehra, who is currently working on Made In Heaven 2 and another anthology film, feels expansion into the digital domain should be accepted as a natural progression.

"When television came, people on the radio were worried. As we evolve, there will always be new things that come out and they may give a run for money as they say. Ott platforms have given theatres a run for money...

By Yashika Mathur

New Delhi, Feb 17 (Ians) ilmmaker Nitya Mehra made her debut with the 2016 Bollywood feature film Baar Baar Dekho. The film starring Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra was released amid hype but fared below expectations. Mehra focussed on the Ott space and struck gold. She was showrunner of the popular show Made In Heaven, and also directed one of the stories of the anthology film Unpaused.

While she hopes to return to the big screen next year, Mehra, who is currently working on Made In Heaven 2 and another anthology film, feels expansion into the digital domain should be accepted as a natural progression.

"When television came, people on the radio were worried. As we evolve, there will always be new things that come out and they may give a run for money as they say. Ott platforms have given theatres a run for money but I think each...

Unpaused (Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Raj-dk, Nikkhil Advani, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Avinash Arun Dhaware, Nitya Mehra

Straightaway, I must say the anthology comes as a welcome surprise.

When I heard of a Covid anthology I thought it would one of those let’s-make-hay-while-the-sun-shines kind of obscenely exploitative ventures. Thankfully, the films are born out of compassion rather than greed. The Covid theme flows organically out of the stories, and the characters are never allowed to feel sorry for themselves. These are bright stories burnished with a directorial acumen that elevates the theme from a topical statement to an enduring experience.

In the story Rat-a-Tat(inaptly clever title just because it’s got a rat in it) one of my favourite segments of the omnibus, a 65-year old uperclass woman(Lilette Dubey) finds herself getting close to a young feisty Maharashtrian girl who moves in from nextdoor when a rat infests her apartment.

Unpaused, with five stories that attempt to define the mood of urban India during lockdown, suffers from that problem. The film starts off on a high note, hits a slump immediately after that, and somehow manages to recover in the stories that follow.

Anthologies can be erratic -- in pace, tone and overall storytelling. When you have multiple directors calling the shots on multiple sets of actors in standalone stories, it is hard to find cohesion of quality. The parts that make up the entirety are often never consistently good or bad.

The uneven quality about Unpaused extends to the film's ability to surprise, too. The top pick, in terms of a unique idea, has to be the first story, Raj and Dk's Glitch. The story is quietly scary in the way it imagines an India in the future that has all but lost its battle with the coronavirus. Covid-...

The Amazon Prime Original anthology film, Unpaused, is a combination of 5 stories set at the time of lockdown. While the films highlight various themes, the stories are based in the era of Covid and the 5 stories in the anthology are tied together to highlight new beginnings in these challenging times. Fans can witness these stories of hopes and new beginnings now, only on Amazon Prime Video.

Unpaused brings together 5 of the most prolific directors in Hindi cinema – Nikkhil Advani, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Raj & Dk, Nitya Mehra, and Avinash Arun to create The his amazing film. Along with a brilliant combination of directors, ‘Unpaused’ also explores a talented mix of actors Ratna Pathak Shah, Richa Chaddha, Sumeet Vyas, Saiyami Kher, Rinku Rajguru, Gulshan Devaiah, Ishwak Singh, Lillete Dubey, Abhishek Banerjee, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan and Shardul Bharadwaj.

‘Glitch’ showcases the fear of human contact during these times, ‘Apartment’ highlights the depressing feeling of being left alone,...

Mumbai, Dec 8 (Ians) Filmmakers Raj and Dk, Nikkhil Advani, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Avinash Arun and Nitya Mehra will explore the themes of new beginnings and moving on through five different short films, which have been shot during the ongoing Covid pandemic.

The five short films comprise the anthology "Unpaused", the trailer of which was released on Tuesday.

Raj and Dk have made "Glitch", starring Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyami Kher. It is about a hypochondriac man who meets a strange girl on a blind date.

"Creating 'The Family Man' was a liberating experience for us as content creators, and the assurance of thinking unconstrained encouraged us to extend our collaboration with 'Glitch'. We loved making the short, as we tried a new style and genre! It was a bizarrely unique experience shooting it during the pandemic, and with all kinds of restrictions," said Raj and Dk.

Then there is "Apartment" directed by Nikkhil Advani,...

In today’s bulletin, Olivia Colman leads the cast of BBC’s pantomime “Cinderella”; season 3 of “Das Boot” commences production; Discovery Plus orders a Dutch adaptation of ITV Studios format “Sex Tape”; and Amazon India reveals Hindi-language anthology “Unpaused.”

Olivia Colman (“The Crown”) and Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Queen’s Gambit”) will headline a virtual version of popular Christmas pantomime “Cinderella,” on BBC Two.

“Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime,” is executive produced by Richard Curtis (“Love Actually”). Colman will make her pantomime debut as the fairy godmother while Taylor-Joy plays the title role. The cast also includes Guz Khan (“Man Like Mobeen”), Tom Hollander (“The Night Manager”), Helena Bonham Carter (“The Crown”), Rege-Jean Page (“Roots”), Jimmy Akingbola (“Rev”) Daisy May and Charlie Cooper (“This Country”).

The show is written by the Dawson Brothers, based on an original script by Ben Crocker, and directed by Matt Lipsey for Crook Productions. It airs on the BBC Dec.

EntertainmentWhile mainstream cinema is slowly changing its portrayal of gender norms, it's nowhere close to what's available online.Tnm StaffThe explosion of content on Over-the-Top (Ott) platforms has meant that there's a wide variety of options when it comes to entertainment. Whatever be the genre or language, viewers are spoilt for choice on online streaming platforms. It's no different when it comes to feminist content. Mainstream cinema in India has largely been disappointing when it comes to the representation of women, mostly conforming to gender norms and patriarchal attitudes. While this is slowly changing, it's still nowhere as close to the kind of content that's available online. Here's a list of web series that will make a feminist viewer happy, and not want to tear their hair out. Churails (Zee5): This show is from Pakistan and is about a motley group of women in Karachi who come together to start a detective agency.

The Katrina Kaif-Sidharth Malhotra film Baar Baar Dekho was released our years ago on this day. Sidharth took to social media to relive some fun memories from the shoot of the film.

"Looking back at the fun-filled times while filming this movie," he wrote on Instagram Story, tagging his post with #4yearsofBaarBaarDekho.

Directed by Nitya Mehra, the film is a love story of a couple across different phases of time.

Although the film was far from a blockbuster, its songs -- especially "Kala chashma" and "Kho gaye" were huge hits.

Ram Kapoor, Rajit Kapoor and Sayani Gupta played pivotal roles in the film. --Ians/sim/vnc...

ReviewCreated by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the series follows two wedding planners and the messy reality behind their work. Saraswati DatarAs someone wise once said, marriages are made in heaven, but so is thunder and lightning. While earlier staying happily married was the challenge, today having the perfect wedding is where the trouble starts. So while the wealthy couple aspires for a heavenly celebration, its wedding planners like Tara Khanna (Sobhita Dhulipala) and Karan Mehra (Arjun Mathur), owners of the wedding planning company ‘Made in Heaven’ that inspires the show’s title, who handle the messy reality behind the picture-perfect celebrations. The fourth Indian original series, all nine episodes now streaming on Amazon Prime video, is produced by Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Productions. Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, and co-produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, 'Made in Heaven' uses the big fat Indian...

The Amazon Prime Series Made in Heaven, is garnering rave reviews from critics and viewers a like. An Excel Entertainment production, aka Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the special series created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti features power-packed performances by Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Shashank Arora and Shivani Raghuvanshi. Adding to the mix are respected character actors Yashaswini Dayama, Ayesha Raza, and veterans Vinay Pathak, Neena Gupta and Deepti Naval.

Made In Heaven takes a closer look into the lives of the elite. It narrates the journey of two wedding planners Tara and Karan whose efforts at delivering the perfect wedding for crazy rich Indians, leads them on a journey of self-discovery. The show portrays today’s India as a potent blend where tradition jostles with modern aspiration, set against the theme of the ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’. Indians believe marriages are made in heaven...

Amazon Prime Video Original, Excel Media and Entertainment and Tiger Baby held a press conference?to launch the upcoming web show Made in Heaven in Mumbai earlier today.The press conference witnessed the attendance of the makers of the upcoming series Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti along with one of the producers Ritesh Sidhwani. Two of the Directors of the series Nitya Mehra and Alankrita Shrivastava was also present at the event who interacted with media.

The star-cast?of the original web series Sobhita Dhulipala, Arjun Mathur, Kalki Koechlin, Jim Sarbh, Jennifer Salke, Shashank Arora has graced the event.Made In Heaven chronicles the lives of Tara and Karan, two wedding planners in Delhi. India is a potent blend of old and new. Tradition jostles with modern aspirations against the backdrop of a Big Fat Indian Wedding revealing many secrets and many lies. Indians believe marriages are made in heaven and...

From her strong cinematic vision to her and contemporary and layered treatment of characters, Zoya Akhtar has carved out a unique niche for herself in the Indian film industry. On the back of the commercial success and critical appreciation of?Gully Boy,?Zoya Akhtar and Reem Katgi, of Tiger Baby, are now gearing up for their next venture ? Prime Original Series ??Made in Heaven.??The series promises a sneak peek at what transpires behind-the-scenes in Big Fat Indian Weddings!?Made In Heaven?revolves around the lives of two wedding planners, Tara and Karan, whose lives intersect against the backdrop of big-fat-Indian weddings, uncovering not only their personal turmoil but also the deep-rooted social nuances and prejudices still etched in Indian society.

Hinging its uniqueness, we bring to you a few reasons why?Made In Heaven?should be a must-watch on your binge-list this month.

1.?Each episode explores a societal theme...

Excel Media and Entertainment and Amazon Prime Video Original join hands for yet another spell bounding web show with Made In Heaven. Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the nine episode series brings to light the scandalous reality behind the big fat Indian weddings.?

Showcasing the journey of two wedding planners as they tackle their professional and personal difficulties against the backdrop of dream weddings, Made In Heaven has an alluring appeal amongst the audience.?

Here are five reasons that would add to the excitement of everyone

1. Collaboration of creative minds:

Some of the finest filmmakers came together to weave the bonds between different stories. Zoya Akhtar who is currently the hottest favorite director after Gully Boy along with Gold's director Reema Kagti, has presented the stories curated by Alankrita Shrivastava, Prashant Nair, Nitya Mehra and herself.?

2. Plethora of content:

Presenting a tale of a new wedding with every episode,...

Amazon Prime Video Original, Excel Media and Entertainment and Tiger Baby, invite you to take a sneak peek at the many secrets and myriad lies, that hide behind the grandeur of the Big fat Wedding, at the show launch Press Conference of upcoming Prime Original Made In Heaven. Team Made In Heaven has invited media with a luxurious set of goodies which includes stuff which represents the wedding season.

Glimpses from the upcoming web series Made in Heaven treat the fans with wedding goals with the elaborate wedding set ups.?

Made In Heaven chronicles the lives of Tara and Karan, two wedding planners in Delhi. India is a potent blend of old and new. Tradition jostles with modern aspirations against the backdrop of a Big Fat Indian Wedding revealing many secrets and many lies. Indians believe marriages are made in heaven and it is against these sacred unions that Tara and Karan?...

Director-Actor duo, Zoya Akhtar and Vijay Raaz are all set to make a comeback with Amazon Prime Video Original's upcoming web-series Made In Heaven. Leaving a mark with his character in Gully Boy, Vijay Raaz will be seen in a prominent role in the upcoming Prime Original series created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti. Over the years, Vijay Raaz has treated masses with his iconic characters and this time he is set for his web debut.?

Glimpses from the upcoming web series Made in Heaven treat the fans with wedding goals with the elaborate wedding set ups. Presenting multiple set ups with intricate details, the weddings from the show have generated immense curiosity amongst the audience. Shot at multiple locations in Delhi, Made In Heaven provides picture perfect wedding decors.?

Zoya Akhtar, Nitya Mehra, Alankrita Shrivastav, and Prashant Nair along with Reema Kagti collaborate to showcase the various facades of a wedding.

Glimpses from the upcoming web series Made in Heaven treat the fans with wedding goals with the elaborate wedding set ups.?

The wedding season came in early this year with the release of the trailer of Amazon Prime Video Original's upcoming web series 'Made in Heaven' which is produced by Excel Entertainment.?

The Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti creation traces the journey of two wedding planners and unveils the scandalous reality behind the big fat Indian weddings.?

Presenting multiple set ups with intricate details, the weddings from the show have generated immense curiosity amongst the audience. Shot at multiple locations in Delhi, Made in Heaven provides picture perfect wedding decors.?

Zoya Akhtar, Nitya Mehra, Alankrita Shrivastav, and Prashant Nair along with Reema Kagti collaborate to showcase the various facades of a wedding.

Starring Sobhita Dhulipala as the poised and graceful Tara Khanna and Arjun Mathur as the charming and gritty Karan Mehra,...

Set to release on March 8th, the new Amazon Prime Series Made In Heaven, created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti stars Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Shashank Arora and Shivani Raghuvanshi. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, the immersive drama series is directed by Zoya Akhtar, Nitya Mehra, Alankrita Shrivastava and Prashant Nair

Made in Heaven chronicles the lives of Tara and Karan, two wedding planners in Delhi. India is a potent blend of old and new. Tradition jostles with modern aspirations against the backdrop of a Big Fat Indian Wedding revealing many secrets and many lies. The supposedly liberal fabric of the upper crust unravels as the duo navigate through arranged marriages, dowry transactions and virginity tests. These two headstrong individuals often mask their supreme vulnerability – sometimes even from each other, as their wedding planning agency “Made In Heaven” forces them to open up and reveal themselves.

Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, Made in Heaven, a Prime Original Series, is set to release on March 8th, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The series is directed by Zoya Akhtar, Nitya Mehra, Alankrita Shrivastava and Prashant Nair, executive produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, and stars Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Shashank Arora and Shivani Raghuvanshi.

Made in Heaven is an immersive drama series reflecting the lives of upscale modern India, narrated through the eyes of two wedding planners, set against the backdrop of quintessential Indian weddings.

The show chronicles the lives of Tara and Karan, two wedding planners in Delhi. These two headstrong individuals often mask their supreme vulnerability – sometimes even from each other, as their wedding planning agency “Made In Heaven” forces them to open up and reveal themselves. The show portrays today’s India as a potent blend where tradition jostles with modern aspiration,...

Katrina Kaif, who was last seen in Nitya Mehra’s Baar Baar Dekho, is currently having an amazing time in the beautiful Maldives. Katrina Kaif is in Maldives to shoot for the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Bride magazine. In between the shots, Katrina Kaif shared a stunning candid shot in a white bikini from the beachRead More

The post Check out: Katrina Kaif raises the temperature in a bikini in Maldives appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Bollywood celebrities have taken to social media like fish take to water, constantly sharing images and updating their fans. Well, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar isn’t much different either. In fact, recently Zoya Akhtar, whose last directorial Dil Dhadkne Do released last year, shared a photograph of her recreating the 1920s era with her friends. Posting theRead More

The post Check out: Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti and Nitya Mehra recreate the 1920s era appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Though Baar Baar Dekho wasn’t enticing enough for the audience, if there was one thing about the film that fans couldn’t stop raving about was the ‘Kala Chashma’ song. While the song had created a furor even when it released in the early 2000, the version in the Nitya Mehra directorial was equally a chartbuster.Read More

The post Watch: Katrina Kaif’s sexy new moves on Kala Chashma appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Baar Baar Dekho

Starring Katrina Kaif, Sidharth Malhotra

Directed by Nitya Mehra

Rating: ****(4 Stars)

What if we get the chance to rectify all the big mistakes of our life? And what if a magical wand—or a pundit’s jigerypokery—takes us into the future to personally witness all those critical twists and turns on the road journey of life where we may swerve into the wrong lane? And then what if we get a chance to revise our actions and deeds accordingly?

Debutant director Nitya Mehra’s Baar Baar Dekho is unlike any romantic yarn—I hesitate from giving it that loosely-used term the ‘rom-com’. It is the ultimate what-if saga, narrated with a tender care and subdued splendor that make every moment between the lead pair precious and gladdening.

Watching the film we are just happy to see Jai and Diya togeth. It could be because they are...

© 2016 Excel Entertainment − All right reserved.

India’s leading stars Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif are coming together for the first time as Bollywood’s popular mantle of a romantic couple in the eagerly anticipated film Baar Baar Dekho, releasing internationally on 9th September 2016.

A story exposing the intricate nuances of a relationship, meaning of life, marriage and love, Baar Baar Deko sees the collaboration between two of India’s most innovative film companies, Excel Entertainment co-founded by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. They both come together along with Dharma Productions under the aegis of Karan Johar. This has further amped up anticipation for the actual movie, as it also reinforces the strength of this debut venture by the ‘Dream Team’.

Adding dynamism to the film is Sidharth Malhotra, who rose to prominence as Indian cinema’s favourite youth icon in films like Student of Year and Kapoor and Sons Since...

Of late, the hunky Sidharth Malhotra and the stunning Katrina Kaif are going all out to promote their upcoming film Baar Baar Dekho. Recently, they were de-planed by Air India officials from their scheduled flight to Mumbai after they delayed their boarding. The reason? Well, if the reports are to be believed, then, post the security check, Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif allegedly started to promote their film at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport's terminal area itself by interacting with the fans, which resulted in their delay of boarding the said flight, which was scheduled for departure at 9:40 pm. Finally, the airline allegedly decided to offload Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif at around 10:45 pm, as the other passengers complained about the flight's delay in departure. The Air India officials, however, maintained that Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif were not deplaned and that the duo chose not to...