Notícias

Actor Adarsh Gourav, known for his compelling performances in films and web series across the globe, is set to return to the big screen after eight years with his upcoming film Superboys of Malegaon. Produced by Zoya Akhtar and Excel Entertainment and directed by the visionary Reema Kagti, the film is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 28, 2025.

Adarsh, who was last seen in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan which released on Netflix, expressed his overwhelming joy at prospect of returning to cinemas after his last theatrical release, Rukh, in October 2017. In Rukh, he shared the screen with Manoj Bajpayee, and now, in Superboys of Malegaon, he essays the lead as he steps into the shoes of Nasir Shaikh, a real-life filmmaker from Malegaon famous for creating spoofs of Bollywood and Hollywood films. The movie also stars Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, and other talented actors.

Reflecting on this he further...

Director Raja Krishna Menon looks back at his debut film Barah Aana, which was released in 2009, in a terrific interview. First, let’s set the scene about the film’s story and the brilliance of the performances.

Raja Krishna Menon’s Barah Aana, a mellow, mirthful, and at times moving story of three North Indian migrants, brings in a sense of un-visited surprise. There are three main characters: a quiet driver Shukla (Naseeruddin Shah), a watchman Yadav (Vijay Raaz) and a waiter Aman (Arjun Mathur), all driven to the doors of despair but stopped in time by a self-directed sense of humour that rescues them from self-destruction.

The story gathers momentum when the trio discovers an age-old formula for survival: crime.

Superbly scripted by Raj Kumar Gupta, who directed the riveting Aamir, Barah Aana derives its strength from the frailties and vulnerabilities of the three migrant characters who seem to...

Superboys Of Malegaon Worldwide Box Office Update! ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Most of us thought Superboys Of Malegaon would take the Laapataa Ladies route and shine bright in India as well as overseas. Unfortunately, that is not the case, as Adarsh Gourav starrer has turned out to be a major disappointment. It has already wrapped up its run in the international circuit. Scroll below for the worldwide update after 20 days.

Sandwiched in the domestic market

The scenario could have been completely different had Reema Kagti’s directorial been a solo release. Sohum Shah’s Crazxy stole its thunder with massive pre-release hype, although it also failed to achieve milestones in its box office run. Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava continued to remain the #1 choice of audience, with little less scope for other films to steal the limelight.

In 20 days, Superboys Of Malegaon has garnered only 3.76 crores in the domestic market. Including taxes,...

Superboys Of Malegaon Box Office Collection Day 3 (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films has blessed cine-goers with a coming-of-age drama, Superboys Of Malegaon. Starring Adarsh Gourav and four others, unfortunately, Reema Kagti’s directorial is struggling to drive audiences to the theatres. It has scored the lowest opening weekend of 2025. Scroll below for the latest box office update!

Falls on Sunday

Superboys Of Malegaon made the lowest opening of 2025, adding only 0.50 crores to its box office collections. It was majorly dependent on word-of-mouth and is also facing strong competition from Chhaava and Crazxy. Despite that, it managed to grow slightly on Saturday.

On day 3, Adarsh Gourav starrer witnessed an 9% dip in earnings as it earned 0.63 crores. The opening weekend has concluded at 1.82 crores. This is the lowest a Bollywood film has clocked in its first three days in 2025 so far. It stayed way lower than Loveyapa (4.75 crores...

Shabana Azmi’s Take On Dabba Cartel (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Shabana Azmi is one of India’s most celebrated actresses, known for her versatility across commercial and parallel cinema. With a career spanning over five decades, she has delivered powerful performances in films like Arth, Mandi, Masoom, and Fire. Her work has earned her multiple National Film Awards, and she remains a prominent figure in Indian cinema and theater.

Beyond her acting, Shabana comes from an illustrious family. She is the daughter of the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi and theater artist Shaukat Azmi. She has been married to celebrated lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar since 1984. Over the years, she has developed a strong bond with her stepchildren, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and actor-producer Farhan Akhtar. Now, Shabana Azmi is set to appear in Netflix’s upcoming series Dabba Cartel, a crime thriller produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment. Interestingly, the...

The brilliant Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti, features outstanding performances by Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora. Set to fly onto the big screen on February 28th, this film is a must-see.

Superboys of Malegaon is a poignant tale of filmmaking and friendship. The movie within a movie takes inspiration from the real-life story of Nasir Sheikh, an amateur filmmaker from the small town of Malegaon. The town’s residents look to Bollywood for a much-needed escape, and Nasir wants to make Bollywood-inspired films for the people of Malegaon, by the people of Malegaon. He bands his motley crew of friends together to bring his visions to life. Passion overcomes shoestring budgets, ingenuity conquers challenges, and dreams ignite hope, breathing new life into the people and town. Brimming with comedy, adventure, and colorful characters, Superboys Of Malegaon is a testament to the wonders that can be...

The outstanding Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti, is set to open on February 28th. Starring the phenomenal cast of Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora, the brilliant film is an ode to the magic of cinema.

Superboys of Malegaon is a poignant tale of filmmaking, friendship, and hope. The movie within a movie takes inspiration from the story of Nasir Sheikh, an amateur filmmaker from Malegaon. See, the town’s residents look to Bollywood for a much-needed escape, and Nasir decides he needs to make a Bollywood-inspired film for the people of Malegaon, by the people of Malegaon. What happens? Well, you have to experience this incredible film for yourself!

In this fantastic Q&a, the award-winning Reema Kagti talks about the journey she, the cast, and crew went on to bring this fascinating story to the big screen and what she thinks is the message of Superboys of Malegaon!

Znmd writer Reema Kagti opens up about the possibility of a sequel (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Released in 2011, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Znmd) remains one of Bollywood’s most beloved films. Directed by Zoya Akhtar and co-written by Reema Kagti, the film beautifully captured themes of friendship, self-discovery, and adventure. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, and Kalki Koechlin, Znmd followed three friends on a life-changing road trip across Spain.

With its breathtaking visuals, soulful music, and deeply relatable characters, the film continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans. Over the years, speculation about a sequel has been constant. Fans have often wondered whether Znmd would return with another chapter, exploring the characters going on another trip.

Reema Kagti on a Znmd Sequel: “Maybe That’s a Film We Should Leave Alone”

In a recent interview with Zoom, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara co-writer...

Superboys of Malegaon is a Hindi-language film directed by Reema Kagti that was inspired by the 2008 documentary Supermen of Malegaon. The film tells the story of Nasir Shaikh, a wedding videographer from Malegaon, predominantly Muslim area in India, who teams up with his friends to create a film for their local community.

Leading the cast is Adarsh Gourav who rose to international fame with his compelling performance as Balram Halwai in The White Tiger (2021), earning nominations for both the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.

The film also stars Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, Anuj Singh Duhan, and Riddhi Kumar. Backed by powerhouse producers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Farhan Akhtar, and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films.

We spoke to the star and production team a few weeks ago about their experiences working on the movie.

Shabana Azmi reminisces with Subhash K Jha in this interview about the experience of making Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. (2007), which also featured the brilliant cast of Boman Irani, Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba, Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen, Karan Khanna, Sandhya Mridul, Vikram Chatwal, Ameesha Patel, and Dia Mirza.

This was your first film for your son Farhan Akhtar’s production house?

I had a ball doing Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. My kids (Farhan and Zoya Akhtar) are involved with it. I’ve a very small part.

You had never been paired with Boman Irani before?

Boman plays this Christian Goanese guy. I play this Muslim woman. He plays a brash man. My character is more genteel. I love my look in this film. I kept telling the clothes designer Arjun Bhasin that after this film, he won’t be getting any more assignments. All of us are so atrociously dressed by design.

Vineet Kumar Singh Opens Up About His Superboys Of Malegaon Role (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Vineet Kumar Singh, known for his powerful and nuanced performances, is all set to appear in Reema Kagti’s much-awaited film Superboys of Malegaon. Having earned praise for his standout roles in recent multi-starrer projects, the versatile actor is now transforming into Farogh, a struggling writer navigating the eccentric world of Malegaon’s grassroots filmmaking scene. But unlike other characters he portrayed on celluloid in the past, this one hit home for Singh.

His own experience with a writer’s struggles lends an extra layer of authenticity to Vineet Kumar Singh’s portrayal of Farogh in Superboys of Malegaon. For the unversed, before establishing himself as a talented actor, Singh dabbled with writing. The journey gave him firsthand insights into the challenges of creative expression. This personal connection allowed him to infuse depth and realism into his portrayal.

The inspiring journey of a ragtag group of friends with larger-than-life dreams, Superboys of Malegaon, is ready for its close up. The critically acclaimed outstanding film is set to fly into theatres on February 28th. Directed by Reema Kagti, the film features the exceptional Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora in pivotal roles.

An ode to Indian Cinema, Superboys of Malegaon brings a cinematic spotlight on the small town of Malegaon in Maharashtra. The film is based on the real-life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from Malegaon. The town’s residents look to Bollywood for a much-needed escape, which forms the story’s base. Nasir gets inspired to make a film for the people of Malegaon, by the people of Malegaon. He bands his ragtag group of friends to bring his visions to life. But then egos clash, ideas differ, and the team fades to black. Life moves on,...

Subhash K Jha returns his focus to the brilliant Gully Boy, Zoya Akhtar’s ode to the underground hip-hop scene starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Zoya also delves deep and shares insight into the film, including casting, filming, and what she feels is the essence of the film.

In the magical hands of Zoya Akhtar the familiar tale acquires a texture and tone all of its own. Tone bole toh…the music and the songs of this subtle and rich film abide absolutely and unconditionally with the hip-hop aspirations of its hero Ranveer Singh as Murad.

Gully Boy moves in expected yet mysterious ways. Tracking down Murad’s dreams to fruition, Zoya Akhtar doesn’t miss a single heartbeat. She gathers the sounds, sights, and smells into a warm embrace that expresses a cross between warm acceptance and uncomplaining despair. Embodying this undefeated spirit of Mumbai is Murad, Zoya Akhtar...

The highly acclaimed Superboys of Malegaon will be flying into theatres on February 28th. We have a brand new trailer to get you ready to see the brilliance of the moving movie within a movie.

Directed by Reema Kagti, Superboys of Malegaon is inspired by actual events and features a highly talented ensemble cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, and Anuj Singh Duhan in the lead roles.

The Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby production, Superboys of Malegaon, is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti. The film garnered acclaim at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it had its world premiere, the 68th BFI London Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the Red Sea International Film Festival.

Director Reema Kagti said, “Superboys of Malegaon is a story about filmmaking and friendship colliding to create a powerful end result.

Superboys Of Malegaon Trailer Review ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The first trailer of Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegon has finally arrived. It speaks of the dreams and aspirations of people from small places. Adarsh Gourav, best known for his performance in The White Tiger, takes center stage in this slice-of-life film. Scroll below for more.

Cast & Crew

In addition to Adarsh, the film also features Vinnet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, Anuj Singh Duhan, Saqib Ayub, Pallav Singh, Manjiri Pupala, Muskkaan Jaferi, and Riddhi Kumar. It is based on the life of Nasir Shaikh and other amateur filmmakers in the city of Malegaon, which was inspired by the 2008 documentary Superman of Malegaon.

Superboys of Malegaon premiered in the Gala section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival last year. The upcoming film was written by Varun Grover and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti under the banners...

Loveyapa Box Office: Junaid Khan Performs Better Than Kiran Rao!(Photo Credit – YouTube)

Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor’s Loveyapa has taken a slow start at the box office despite good reviews. The romantic comedy marks the theatrical debut of the two star kids at the box office but has brought underwhelming numbers.

Junaid Khan Beats Kiran Rao Twice!

Interestingly, Junaid Khan, with his theatrical debut, has beat Kiran Rao for the second time. His romantic comedy, directed by Advait Chandan, has opened better than Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, which opened at 1.02 crore. Earlier, Junaid Khan’s Bollywood debut Maharaj garnered better views in its opening week on Netflix as compared to Laapataa Ladies!

Loveyapa Box Office Day 1 Estimates

On the opening day, February 7, Friday, Loveyapa has earned in the range of 1.5 – 2 crore at the box office as per the early trends. This is on the lower side since...

Jackky Bhagnani, Rhea Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar and Alia Bhatt are expected to throw up some major surprises

The time for predictable storytelling is over in Indian cinema. The biggest blockbusters and critical successes in the past few years have steered clear from formulaic and jaded narratives to astound audiences with fresh themes. A new generation of makers is taking creative risks to craft films that do not tread the beaten path. In 2025 too, we are likely to see the continuance of this trend of young producers redefining entertainment with their fresh perspectives.

Jackky Bhagnani

Jackky Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment is back to the drawing board and envisioning some major projects this year. The legacy production house is revisiting the comedy genre that yielded box-office gold in the nineties but with a twist. Devoid of gags and cliched humour, their upcoming project ‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’ is expected to be a modern,...

Zoya Akhtar’s brilliant debut film Luck By Chance, which starred Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Juhi Chawla and Hrithik Roshan in a special appearance, released 16 years ago. To celebrate this outstanding film, we have a fascinating look back as Subhash K Jha revisits the film about films and shares some inside stories from the director about the making of Luck By Chance.

Luck By Chance, a truly out-of-the-box outstanding work of subtle, sly, satirical, and whispering art, is filled with people whom you’re bound to have met in the fetid corridors of Bollywood or the Hindi film industry, as the star-mother Dimple Kapadia insists on calling it. Never before has the film industry been perceived with such intuitively internalised abundance. A subtle splendour galvanised by performances that range from the credible to the incredible takes the narrative to pinnacles of expressiveness.

The film industry...

The highly acclaimed Superboys of Malegaon will be flying into theatres soon. The film, directed by Reema Kagti, is inspired by actual events. An Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby production, Superboys of Malegaon is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti. The film features a highly talented ensemble cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, and Anuj Singh Duhan in the lead roles.

After garnering acclaim at the prominent Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the 68th BFI London Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the Red Sea International Film Festival, this emotional yet truly inspirational tale—capturing the essence of human relationships, camaraderie, and the transformative power of filmmaking—will make its theatrical debut on February 28 in India, US, UK, UAE, Australia and New Zealand. Following its theatrical run, Superboys of Malegaon will have its digital debut on Prime Video, reaching...

Superboys of Malegaon, Theatrical Release, Amazon MGM Studios ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

An Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Production, produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti, Superboys of Malegaon is directed by Reema Kagti.

Written by Varun Grover, Amazon MGM Studios’ Original features a highly talented and versatile ensemble cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, and Anuj Singh Duhan in lead roles

Based on Nasir Shaikh’s life, Superboys of Malegaon is a heartwarming tale of friendship, filmmaking, and resilience. One man’s vision revives the community’s spirits through the magic of cinema.

Trending Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol Almost Starred In Mani Ratnam’s Alai Payuthey? Director Reveals Why It Didn’t Happen

Aamir Khan Confirms Sitaare Zameen Par Release Plans, Leaving Fans Excited

After earning widespread acclaim at its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and prestigious screenings...

Amazon MGM Studios is bringing its festival circuit hit “Superboys of Malegaon” to theaters.

The Indian film, which gained acclaim at the Toronto, London, Palm Springs and Red Sea fests in 2024, will see a multi-territory release across India, U.S., U.K., U.A.E., Australia and New Zealand before landing on Prime Video.

Helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Reema Kagti and penned by Varun Grover, the pic tells the true story of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from the small Maharashtra town of Malegaon. The narrative follows Shaikh’s journey as he rallies his friends to create homegrown cinema for their community, offering a glimpse into how grassroots filmmaking can transform a small town’s spirit.

“Following a group of small-town, DIY Indian filmmakers, Reema Kagti‘s ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ is a moving crowd-pleaser that constantly reaffirms its importance through its central theme,” wrote Siddhant Aflakha, reviewing the film for Variety.

Since the film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara hit theatres in 2011, fans have been clamoring for a part 2. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the film starred Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin, Katrina Kaif, and, of course, Bagwati. Now, there are hints from the cast and director that The Three Musketeers are ready To Ride Again!

In an Instagram post, we see Farhan, Hrithik, and Abhay at dinner… the camera then pans to a book. The book is The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas, published in 1844. Farhan then commented, “Zoya, do you see the signs?” Her reply was, “Yes, the universe is speaking to me ” While Ritesh Sidhwani wrote: “Let’s do this my Buoys!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar)

Now, is this a tease that we will get more of this Fab trio in ZNMD2? Or is it a hint to Zoya...

Which Actors Will Star In Gully Boy 2 In Place Of Ranveer Singh-Alia Bhatt? (Photo Credit – Facebook)

Gully Boy might be getting a sequel soon! The beloved 2019 film, which was India’s official entry for the Oscars, is reportedly getting a second part. However, we may not see the iconic duo of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt return to the film.

Instead, the makers are reportedly in talks with Vicky Kaushal and Ananya Panday about taking the franchise forward. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, Gully Boy explores the lives of street rappers in Mumbai and was one of the biggest hits of 2019.

Vicky Kaushal & Ananya Panday In Talks To Star In Gully Boy 2

According to a report by Filmfare, producers Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films are eying Vicky Kaushal and Ananya Panday for the lead roles in Gully Boy 2. Though Ranveer and Alia gave memorable performances as Murad Ahmed...

Over the years we have had so many metacinema outings that defined and redefined glorious ages of film-making across industries. Be it Federico Fellini’s “81/2,” Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s “Khamosh,” Zoya Akhtar’s “Luck By Chance,” K.G. George’s “Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback,” or even Rosshan Andrrews’ “Udayananu Tharam” – movies that go meta has always commemorated the legacy of cinema as we know it. The tropes of a ‘Film-within-a-film’, often termed meta cinema brims with nostalgia and more often than not stand as everlasting love letters to bygone cinema’s glory. The latest entry to this list is Jofin T. Chacko’s sophomore directorial, “Rekhachithram” (2025).

Cinematically reminiscent of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1985 thriller “Khamosh,” “Rekhachithram” is a mystery thriller that focuses on a junior artist’s murder on the sets of the 1985 Bharathan film “Kaathodu Kaathoram” starring Mammootty. But here’s the catch – the investigation takes place 40 years later...

Suhana Khan And Agastya Nanda’s Dating Rumors Fueled (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Zoya Akhtar’s 2023 Netflix film, The Archies saw the debut of Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan and Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda. If rumors are to be believed, the two bonded quite well on the sets of the show and have been dating for quite some time now. Now, the dating rumors have been further fueled after the pictures of the duo together from a New Year party has been going viral like wildfire.

Yes, you heard that right! The rumored lovebirds were apparently together at a New Year bash along with some of their other friends. Agastya Nanda’s fan club shared some pictures which has now aggravated these speculations. In one of the pictures, Agastya and Suhana Khan can be seen posing with two of their friends. Nanda can be seen closing the...

How Did Celebs React To Radhika Apte Welcoming Her First Child? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Radhika Apte is successfully married to Benedict Taylor. He is a British violinist and composer. The couple is in the news now as they welcomed their first child. Radhika Apte shared the news and her happiness with fans on social media. She posted a heartfelt picture of herself breastfeeding her one-week-old baby.

Though she has not revealed the baby’s gender, she confirmed the news. Radhika posted the picture and wrote, “First work meeting back after birth with our one-week-old at my breast. ” The picture radiated warmth and strength.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Radhika (@radhikaofficial)

The announcement prompted an outpouring of love from other celebrities. Many of Radhika’s friends and family members sent congratulatory messages. Divyenndu Sharma, Tisca Chopra, Gulshan Devaiah, Vijay Varma, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Zoya Akhtar shared their happiness over the news.

Scandar Copti’s “Happy Holidays” won top honors at the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday, capping an emotional and politically resonant ceremony, while adding Marrakech’s Étoile d’Or to a list of accolades for the film that also includes best screenplay from Venice’s Orizzonti and best in show from the Thessaloniki Film Festival.

The acclaimed title also claimed a shared best actress prize for leads Manar Shehab and Wafaa Aoun.

Split into four chapters, the Palestinian film follows an ensemble of characters – Arab and Jewish alike – living in contemporary Haifa. Family secrets and domestic tensions underscore scenes from everyday life as the film traces out an expansive social circle with a novelistic attention to cultural and interpersonal dynamics.

This year’s jury – led by Luca Guadagnino alongside Andrew Garfield, Jacob Elordi, Virginie Efira, Patricia Arquette, Zoya Akhtar, Ali Abbasi, Nadia Kounda and Santiago Mitre – together awarded the winning title with a unanimous vote.

Palestinian director Scandar Copti’s drama Happy Holidays has clinched the Étoile d’Or for Best Film at the Marrakech Film Festival.

The Jury Prize was awarded ex aequo to Argentinian director Silvina Schnicer’s The Cottage and Somali and Austrian filmmaker Mo Harawe’s The Village Next to Paradise. Damian Kocur won the Best Directing Prize for his drama Under the Volcano, which is Poland’s Oscar entry this year.

The prize for Best Performance by an Actress was shared by Wafaa Aoun and Manar Shehab for their performances in Happy Holidays, while Roman Lutskyi won the award for Best Performance by an Actor for his work in Under the Volcano.

Happy Holidays is a contemporary Haifa-set drama in which a minor car accident sets off a chain of events, unraveling lies and unspoken truths that sow division within a multifaceted patriarchal society.

The film world premiered in the...

Sean Penn blamed the Oscars for “limiting different cultural expressions” and voiced his support for Ali Abbasi’s Donald Trump movie “The Apprentice” while at Marrakech Film Festival, where he received a career tribute.

“The Academy have exercised really extraordinary cowardice when it comes to being part of the bigger world of expression, and in fact, have largely been part of limiting the imagination and very limiting of different cultural expressions,” Penn said at a press conference during which he was casually smoking.

Ceremonies like the Oscars should best be seen as “television shows first” and less as barometers of artistic merit, he continued.

“So I don’t I get very excited about what we’ll call the Academy Awards [except for] when a film like ‘The Florida Project,’ or ‘I’m Still Here,’ or, you know, ‘Emilia Perez,’ of the things that are likely to happen this year,” he added. He also...

Filmfare Ott Awards 2024 Winners Include Kareena Kapoor & Diljit Dosanjh. ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Filmfare Ott Awards 2024 were held in Mumbai on Sunday to celebrate and honor the best talent in the web space. The 5th edition of the ceremony was a star-studded affair, with celebrities like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ananya Panday, and Imtiaz Ali attending.

Kareena and Diljit Dosanjh were the night’s biggest winners as they were declared the Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, for their films Jaane Jaan and Amar Singh Chamkila. Ar Rahman won two trophies for his work on the background music and music album of Amar Singh Chamkila.

Filmfare Ott Awards 2024: Complete List of Winners Shows Categories: Best Series: The Railway Men Best Actor (Male): Comedy: Rajkummar Rao (Guns & Gulaabs) Best Actor (Male): Drama: Gagan Dev Riar (Scam 2003 – The Telgi Story) Best Actor (Female): Comedy: Geetanjali Kulkarni (Gullak Season 4) Best...

While at the jury press conference at Marrakech Film Festival, Luca Guadagnino said on Saturday that he’ll be “happy” if people download “Queer” in Turkey, where the movie, starring Daniel Craig as a gay American expat in 1950s Mexico City, was banned by authorities who deemed it “too provocative.”

“They banned the movie because they said the movie was creating social disorder,” Guadagnino said. “I wonder if they’ve seen the movie or if they are just judging it by the outline or let’s say the facetious stupidity of some journalism focusing on James Bond going gay.”

He rejoiced about the fact “Queer” is an “object that shatters our house of values in a way that is so powerful” and hopes that the “form of the movie brings the possibility of societal collapse.”

“I am scandalized by cinema. I am shocked by it, that I’m going to...

The Marrakech Film Festival, which opened Friday with Justin Kurzel’s timely thriller “The Order,” has more than 70 films in its lineup, which, as is customary, mixes known titles and fresh fare.

“The Order” is part of the event’s gala screenings that also comprise French-Moroccan auteur Nabil Ayouch’s feminist musical drama “Everybody Loves Touda,” Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here” and Mohammad Rasoulof’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” all of which will be accompanied by their directors.

The 14-title competition dedicated to first and second works includes Moroccan director Saïd Hamich Benlarbi’s melodrama “Across the Sea,” about North African exiles in Marseilles, and Hind Meddeb’s doc “Sudan, Remember Us,” which pays homage to Sudanese people and culture by chronicling their 2019 revolution. “Sudan, Remember Us” is among films supported by the fest’s Atlas Workshops industry initiative, aimed at fostering and supporting the emergence of a new generation of Moroccan,...

Luca Guadagnino, who serves as jury president of the Marrakech Film Festival, spoke in fluent French about his North African heritage during the opening gala ceremony on Friday.

On stage with fellow jurors, including Jacob Elordi and Andrew Garfield, Guadagnino delivered a lyrical speech in which he revealed he had a personal bond to Morocco.

“My Algerian mother grew up in Casablanca. She was half-Moroccan, so I am half-Moroccan too,” said Guadagnino, whose jury will watch first and second features in competition during the week-long festival to award the Etoile d’Or Prize.

“For me, Marrakech and cinema are the same thing. The mystery of the image, the power of editing, of contrast, the beauty and devouring force that animates the cinema I love, it embodies Marrakech and Morocco,” the filmmaker continued.

He reminisced about his first trip to Marrakech in 2002, when he came to accompany a friend who was...

Girls Will Be Girls director Shuchi Talati says 2024 is an incredible year for independent Indian women filmmakers. “We’re collectively creating a tapestry of stories that have not been given space in our culture,” she says.

Talati’s debut feature set the tone in January by winning the audience award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival while its 22-year-old lead actress, Preeti Panigrahi, bagged the special jury award for acting. The mother-daughter drama was more than six years in the making, with Talati first pitching it at the 2018 Nfdc Film Bazaar Co-Production Market.

She hasn...

Mumbai, Nov 20 – Several prominent Bollywood celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ranbir Kapoor, cast their votes on Wednesday during the Maharashtra assembly elections, as polling for the 288-member assembly took place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Among the early voters in Mumbai were actors Akshay Kumar, Rajkumar Rao, Farhan Akhtar, his sister Zoya Akhtar, veteran actress Shubha Khote, and her daughter Bhavana Balsavar.

After voting, Akshay Kumar praised the arrangements at the polling booths, especially for senior citizens. “The best thing is that the arrangements are good, especially for senior citizens, there’s cleanliness. Everyone should come and vote because that’s the most important thing,” he told reporters.

Rao also urged the public to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing the importance of participation in democracy. “It is our right in democracy to vote, so it’s important we step out and vote in Maharashtra.

A sprawling lineup of filmmakers, including Sean Penn, Tim Burton, Alfonso Cuaron, Justine Triet, Ava DuVernay and David Cronenberg will attend the Marrakech Film Festival and take part in conversations in front of audiences.

In total, 18 directors, actors, screenwriters and producers from six continents will participate in on-stage discussions to reflect on their craft, lives and careers at the festival, which kicks off Nov. 29 and runs until Dec. 7.

Surpassing the talent roster of major international festivals such as Cannes or Venise, this year’s Marrakech conversations program will also includes Iranian director, screenwriter and producer Mohammad Rasoulof; Australian director and screenwriter Justin Kurzel; French director and screenwriter François Ozon; British actor Gemma Arterton; Brazilian director and screenwriter Walter Salles; Russian director and screenwriter Kirill Serebrennikov; Mauritanian director and screenwriter Abderrahmane Sissako (“Timbuktu”); Moroccan filmmakers Alaa Eddine Aljem (“The Unknown Saint”), Yasmine Benkiran (“Queens”), Ismaël El Iraki (“Zanka Contact”) and Kamal Lazraq...

Vedang Raina made a brilliant Bollywood entry playing Reggie in Zoya Akhtar’s ‘The Archies’, followed by his recent big-screen release ‘Jigra’. Within a span of delivering two major projects, Vedang Raina has emerged as the audience’s favorite, and one who has the acting chops.

Not only is he becoming a star on screen, he is expanding into the world of being the face of top-notch brands. His boyish charm and social media presence has quickly added this next level to his career. Take a look!

So far, Vedang Raina has associated himself with some of the trendy brands including ‘Mochi Shoes’, ‘Crocs’, ‘Suzuki Avenis’, ‘Sprite’, ‘Bumble India’, and several others. He has also been a part of campaigns for esteemed brands such as ‘Calvin Klein’ and ‘Magnum’ and others. He also is the first Male Actor to be the Face of ‘Garnier’. Being a pivotal part of such...

Luca Guadagnino has been appointed jury president at the 21st Marrakech International Film Festival, replacing previously announced Thomas Vinterberg who has cancelled his attendance for family reasons.

Guadagnino will be joined by The Apprentice director Ali Abbasi, Indian director Zoya Akhtar (The Archies), American actor Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Belgian actor Virginie Efira (Paris Memories), Australian actor Jacob Elordi ( Priscilla), British-American actor Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Moroccan actor Nadia Kounda (Summer Days) and Argentine director Santiago Mitre.

Guadagnino arrives at the festival fresh from the launch of Queer starring Daniel Craig, which follows other acclaimed films such as Call Me By Your Name and Challengers.

The Italian director talked of long ties with the city of Marrakech and its festival.

“I will never forget the first time I arrived in Marrakech: it must’ve been more than 20 years ago, when I was a guest of my friend Valentina Cervi,...

Luca Guadagnino will preside over the jury of the upcoming Marrakech International Film Festival, replacing Thomas Vinterberg, who had previously been appointed president of the fest’s jury but “had to excuse himself for family reasons,” according to a festival statement.

The fest also announced that Guadagnino will be joined by a top notch roster of fellow jurors comprising: Iranian director Ali Abbasi; Indian director Zoya Akhtar; American actor Patricia Arquette; Belgian actor Virginie Efira; Australian actor Jacob Elordi; British-American actor Andrew Garfield; Moroccan actor Nadia Kounda, and Argentine director Santiago Mitre.

“I will never forget the first time I arrived in Marrakech: it must’ve been more than 20 years ago, when I was a guest of my friend Valentina Cervi, who was sitting on the jury of the short film competition,” Guadagnino said in a statement.

“I had never been to Morocco before but my Algerian mother grew up...

Luca Guadagnino has stepped in to replace Thomas Vinterberg as jury president for this year’s Marrakech International Film Festival, which runs from November 29 to December 7.

Festival organisers said in a statement that Danish filmmaker Vinterberg “had to excuse himself for family reasons.”

Guadagnino will be joined on the jury by fellow filmmakers Ali Abbasi, Zoya Akhtar and Santiago Mitre, and actors Patricia Arquette, Virginie Efira, Jacob Elordi, Andrew Garfield and Nadia Kounda.

The Italian filmmaker, whose features Challengers and Queer are competing in this year’s awards season, said he first came to Marrakech two decades ago as a...

Vedang Raina certainly has made his mark on screen, and he is only two films old! The young actor debuted in Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, playing one of the main characters in the gang, Reggie. For his second film, Vasan Bala’s intense drama Jigra, Vedang went deep into character to play a very challenging role, garnering rave reviews for his performance.

Featuring Alia Bhatt, Jigra tells the compelling story of an unbreakable bond forged through hardship and unwavering loyalty between a sister and brother. When a series of tragic events threaten her brother’s life, the sister embarks on a perilous journey to save him. You must see the movie to find out what happens, and we highly recommend that you do!

In this short but fascinating interview, Vedang Raina delves into Jigra and the intense experience of making the film. He reveals how lucky he feels to...

Vedang Raina may be young and a very newcomer to film but already has made his mark on the screen with his starring role in Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies and his most recent release Jigra which also starred Alia Bhatt.

In this interview with Subhash K Jha, Vedang Raina speaks about getting into character for Jigra, the hard scenes he had to shoot and more.

What are your feelings at the moment?

Weirdly this time I’m quite numb compared to Archies. I was definitely more nervous last time. Could either be because I’m a bit more used to or because I just haven’t registered it yet. I’ll give it a few days ha, ha.

Was it smooth-sailing shooting for Jigra?

It was the best experience being on the set of this film. It was definitely not smooth because everyday felt like a challenge. It was emotionally demanding.

Tiger Baby, the production company founded by celebrated Indian filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, is making strides in the unscripted space with a slate of documentaries and series that aim to spotlight untold Indian stories.

The company has just unveiled Taira Malaney’s “Turtle Walker,” a documentary chronicling the extraordinary journey of conservationist Satish Bhaskar, who walked nearly the entire coast of India in his efforts to protect sea turtles. Akhtar says, “He’s such a hero that doesn’t think he’s a hero. He just walked nearly the entire coast of India, which helped the sea turtle not go into extinction. I mean, it’s such a big story, and he’s just one guy.” The film, which will premiere at Doc NYC, won the prestigious Grand Teton Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards.

“We’re both fans of so many genres, and we want to do everything.

Hhmi Tangled Bank Studios, Tiger Baby, and Emaho Films have set the world premiere of Taira Malaney’s “Turtle Walker” at Doc NYC.

The documentary chronicles the life of Indian sea turtle conservationist Satish Bhaskar. Directed by Malaney in her feature debut, “Turtle Walker” explores Bhaskar’s journey along India’s coastlines in the late 1970s, where he studied and worked to protect endangered sea turtles. The film also examines the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on sea turtle habitats.

Submarine Deluxe, the hybrid sales, production, and distribution company, has acquired sales rights. Run by brothers and co-founders Dan Braun and Josh Braun, the company has a track record of success with documentary sales, having been involved with six of the last twelve Academy Award-winning documentaries. These include “American Factory,” “Citizenfour,” “20 Feet from Stardom,” “Man on Wire,” “The Cove,” and “Searching for Sugar Man.”

Prior to completion, “Turtle...

Indian actor Vijay Varma is having a moment. With lead roles in several high-profile streaming projects this year, including the hijacking drama “Ic 814: The Kandahar Hijack” for Netflix, Prime Video’s “Mirzapur” and Disney+ Hotstar’s “Murder Mubarak,” Varma has cemented his position as one of India’s most in-demand performers.

The actor recently wrapped filming on Vibhu Puri’s “Ul Jalool Ishq,” a poetic drama co-starring Naseeruddin Shah about an Urdu letterpress owner searching for a reclusive poet. “It’s a beautiful, intimate story between one person who runs a barely surviving Urdu [press] and he wants to desperately hold on to this letterpress, but nothing is getting printed anymore in Urdu,” Varma tells Variety.

He’s currently shooting “Matka King,” a Prime Video original series set in the 1960s and 70s, directed by Nagraj Manjule. “It’s the rise of a very interesting business, at the same time,...

Fresh from its triumphant debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, Superboys of Malegaon has continued to win hearts and minds at the prestigious 68th BFI London Film Festival. This heartwarming tale of small-town dreamers, directed by Reema Kagti and written by Varun Grover, received a standing ovation from a packed audience at the Vue West End theatre on October 10th.

A Tale of Passion and Resilience

Set in Malegaon, India, Superboys of Malegaon follows a group of passionate amateur filmmakers who come together to create parody films. The film is a celebration of community, resilience, and the transformative power of cinema. It’s a story that will resonate with audiences around the world.

Critical Acclaim and Audience Love

The film’s portrayal of the human spirit has resonated deeply with both critics and audiences. Variety praised it as a “Raucous Bollywood Crowd-Pleaser About DIY Filmmaking,” highlighting its perfect blend of humor,...

1497, the nonprofit dedicated to advancing artists and filmmakers of South Asian descent, has selected the three mentees for its 2024 Features Lab, providing mentorship, script development, and industry access. IndieWire announces them exclusively below.

The Features Lab returned in person in 2023 after two years of a virtual and hybrid format in the pandemic, taking place at an immersive Malibu retreat and Los Angeles pitch day. For the fourth year, 1497 will again host the Features Lab in Malibu, where mentees will be paired with a pod of four mentors — an established filmmaker, producer, industry rep, and 1497 Features Lab alum — to receive script feedback and career guidance. Mentees will also work with filmmaker, Columbia professor, and veteran script consultant Adrienne Weiss to further develop their scripts, with a particular emphasis on the emotional journey of their stories.

“We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: we launched the 1497 Features Lab...

Anuj Duhan, Saqib Ayub, Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Manjiri Papula, Varun Grover, Nasir Shaikh, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti and Vineet Kumar Singh attend the Amazon MGM Studios Superboys Of Malegaon World Premiere Gala Presentation at TIFF on Friday Sept 13, 2024 in Toronto Canada.

Director Reema Kagti with stars Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, Manjiri Pupala, Anuj Duhan and Saqib Ayub alongside real-life inspiration Nasir Shaikh, writer Varun Grover, and producer Zoya Akhtar attended the World Premiere of Superboys Of Malegaon on Friday, September 13th at the Toronto International Film Festival. The audience erupted with an electric response and a standing ovation.

Superboys of Malegaon is a film based on the life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from the town of Malegaon. The residents of the town look to Bollywood cinema for a much needed escape from daily drudgery. Nasir gets inspired to make a film for the people of Malegaon,...

Director Reema Kagti once again turns her focus to a fascinating story with the dramedy Superboys of Malegaon. The film had its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival last week. At the end of the screening, the audience erupted with cheers and a standing ovation. Produced by Excel Entertainment aka Ritesh Sidhwani & Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti’s Tiger Baby production house, along with Amazon MGM, this charming and moving tale stars Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora.

The film is based on the real-life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from the town of Malegaon. The town’s residents look to Bollywood for a much-needed escape, which forms the story’s base. Nasir gets inspired to make a film for the people of Malegaon, by the people of Malegaon. He bands together his ragtag group of friends to bring his visions to life.

Legendary filmmaker Mira Nair has lauded Girls Will Be Girls, the debut production of actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, as it makes waves with its release in the United States. In a recent social media post, Nair praised the film’s storytelling and performances, encouraging her fans in the US to experience the cinematic brilliance for themselves.

In her post, Nair described the film as “rare,” admiring Suchita Talati’s writing and direction. She also urged her followers to watch Girls Will Be Girls, noting its sold-out screenings and growing buzz. “Girls Will Be Girls is a rare gem. It captivated me with its raw honesty and nuanced storytelling. This is a film that deserves to be seen, and I strongly urge everyone in the US to catch it,” said Nair.

Joining in the praise, ace filmmaker Zoya Akhtar also took to social media to express her admiration for the film.