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Subhash K Jha, in another This Day That Year feature, he takes a look back at the fabulous satire of Shyam Benegal’s Well Done Abba, which released in 2009.

Drawn from the innermost recesses of its extraordinarily versatile, profound, and prolific creator’s mind, somewhat like the water that emerges from Boman Irani’s well at the end of this delicately-drawn satire on babu-giri and red-tapism, Well Done Abba is a little sparkling gem of a film.

Its humour, warmth and tenderness are not as easily obtainable as in Benegal’s previous comedy Welcome To Sajjanpur, which was far more readily and immediately engaging. Well Done Abba takes longer to settle and sink into our satiated sensibilities. Long parts of the film describing the Hyderabadi protagonist Armaan Ali’s (Boman Irani) close encounters with babu-giri and the bewildering maze of the bureaucracy (somewhat like Pankaj Kapoor in the serial Office Office...

Check Out Our Exclusive Interview With The Diplomat Director Shivam Nair! (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The Diplomat director Shivam Nair shot to fame with the television serial Sea Hawks in the late 1990s. Like many directors who came from the small screen, including his close friends Neeraj Pandey, Sriram Raghavan, Imtiaz Ali, and Anurag Kashyap, Shivam took a while to make it to the big screen but has since made a distinct name for himself.

Ahista Ahista (2006) was his debut film, followed by the brilliant Maharathi (2008), produced by Paresh Rawal and based on a Gujarati play. The film did not perform well, primarily because it was released in the 26/11 week, and it took Shivam seven years to make his next, Bhaag Johnny, his first for T-Series.

Shivam Nair’s old friend, Neeraj, then called him to direct his spin on Baby, the 2017 Naam Shabana, after which they co-directed Special Ops, among...

Be Happy Ott Verdict: Abhishek Bachchan Film Fares Better Than The Mehta Boys! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

This year, Prime Video delivered two original films on the relationship of a father and his child. While Be Happy starred Abhishek Bachchan and Inayat Verma and arrived on the platform on March 14, the other film was Boman Irani’s directorial debut, The Mehta Boys, starring him and Avinash Tiwary.

Interestingly, Abhishek Bachchan’s film, directed by Remo D’Souza, opened better in its debut week despite mixed responses compared to Boman Irani’s film, which earned rave reviews.

Be Happy Ott Verdict

While the film received a mixed response from the audiences, it managed to garner 2.1 million views in its debut week, taking the tenth spot in the list of most-watched streaming originals in India for the week of March 10-16, 2025, estimated based on audience research by Ormax.

Trending Nadaaniyan Ott Verdict (Week 2):...

Subhash K Jha revisits Subhash Kapoor’s excellent Jolly Llb, featuring Boman Irani and Arshad Warsi, that engaged audiences in 2013.

It’s not often that a film manages to hit us in the solar plexus with a statement on an epidemic social disease and yet succeeds in telling a story so engaging you want to jump out of your seat and applaud the enterprising spirit that surges through the veins of this equipoised saga of the judge, the judged and the damned.

What ails the legal system in our country? We could go on and on about that, and still not be anywhere close to solving the conundrum of legalese. Subhash Kapoor’s brilliantly scripted Jolly Llb seeks to examine the loopholes in the legal system through which the rich and the privileged manage to go scot-free after committing terrible crimes. In this case, it’s a young tycoon mowing...

Lights, Camera, Jaipur! Celebrating 25 years of cinematic brilliance, the International Indian Film Academy Weekend & Awards silver jubilee edition will take centre stage in Jaipur, Rajasthan on March 8th–9th, 2025!

The Pink City is gearing up for the star-studded celebration as Iifa 2025 unfolds! Rajasthan is rolling out the green carpet for Indian Cinema’s finest at Iifa’s historic silver jubilee celebration in Jaipur, joining Iifa’s grand celebration of 25 years of cinematic excellence, cultural exchange, and global unity.

The festivities begin on Saturday, March 8th, with Sobha Realty Iifa Digital Awards Co-Presented By Nexa as FIFA unveils its Cinematic Kaleidoscope Of Ott & Digital Entertainment Awards. These awards celebrate the innovative brilliance of Ott and digital entertainment and underscoring Iifa’s embrace of the industry’s evolving landscape.

Sobha Realty Iifa Digital Awards 2025 will be hosted by the talented trio Aparshakti Khurana, Vijay Varma, and Abhishek Banerjee. It will feature mesmerizing performances by Shreya Ghoshal,...

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.

It’s true, though we don’t know a lot about the upcoming Housefull 5, which is a mystery, it is being reported that the new film in the franchise will be a comedy, as only this franchise can do, with a murder mystery twist.

The film, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, stars Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh, along with many other fabulous actors playing incredible characters (suspects?) including Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Chunky Pandey, Johny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Dino Morea, Chitrangada Singh, Ranjeet, Soundarya Sharma and Nikitin Dheer.

Housefull 5, as we reported earlier, is set on a cruise ship; Akshay said, “Just another day with this incredible cast. Housefull of actors, one cruise, and endless stories to tell!”

A source recently revealed more, “The film is basically a murder mystery. A murder takes place on the ship,...

Subhash K Jha revisits 2007 and the zany film Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd, which starred the brilliant cast of Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba, Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen, Karan Khanna, Sandhya Mridul, Vikram Chatwal, Ameesha Patel, and Dia Mirza.

Reema Kagti’s debut film Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd has enough chutzpah to keep you purring at the blend of parody and pathos. Once you get into the narrative groove of these imperfectly matched couples riding into a hectic, hilarious honeymoon in Goa, you’re in for a minor treat. The six couples are joined at the hip and the lip by some commanding inflexions that bind the people in a tongue that’s easy to identify… provided you’ve ever been married. Even if you haven’t been on a honeymoon, get a load of these feisty honeymooners, feasting on the first flush of love, romance, sex,...

Vidhu

Vinod Choora’s period drama Eklavya was released 18 years ago, and Subhash K Jha revisits the film that featured an all-star cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Raima Sen, Jackie Shroff, Jimmy Sheirgill and Boman Irani.

How do we define the plot of Eklavya? It partly borrows the dark, undefinable pathos of Shakespeare’s tragedy and partly reverts to the palatial pathos of the Mughal Empire, where patricide frequently collided with complex Oedipal equations. Eklavya takes us into a territory totally unexplored and designed to create an ethos of infinite resonances.

Eklavya is a film of many virtues. Screenwriters Abhijat Joshi and Chopra aim for a sense of heightened tragedy that underlines the cinema of Kurosawa and the music of Mozart. The quality of the sound design (Biswajit Chatterjee), background score (Shantanu Moitra), and cinematography (N. Natarajan Subramaniam) elevates the bizarre tale...

The father-son relationship is a uniquely complex one, often fraught with unspoken expectations and shifting power dynamics. While ideally a source of encouragement and support, it is often a battleground of conflicting emotions. The Mehta Boys, directed by Boman Irani, offers an amusing perspective on this intricate dynamic, exploring their relationship with nuance. The film delves into the delicate and often fraught dynamics of their bond, showcasing the bitter-sweet push and pull of love and resentment that fuels powerful drama.

Amay (Avinash Tiwary) is a talented but self-doubting architect in Mumbai. Despite encouragement from his girlfriend and colleague, Zara (Shreya Chaudhry), and his boss, Saumik (Siddhartha Basu), he lacks the courage to submit his building design for an upcoming project. One day, he receives news of his mother’s death and travels to his hometown, Navsari, for the funeral. It is revealed that Amay has a strained relationship with his father,...

In this outstanding and insightful interview, noted actor Boman Irani speaks with Subhash K Jha about his new film, his deft directorial debut, The Mehta Boys.

You took your time to turn director, der aaye durust aaye (better late than never)…

Yes, you’re absolutely right, der aaye durust aaye, lekin I don’t think I’ve taken long. Maybe a couple of years here and there to put the project together, but I think everything happens with the right amount of maturity for the right kind of film. I don’t think I would have made a film like The Mehta Boys maybe fifteen years ago, for sure. So, in a sense, I think that timing is not there; it’s on time.

You were a late bloomer as an actor also?

My timelines have always been a little out of sync with the rest of the world. I...

Director Shakun Batra talks to Subhash K Jha as they take a look back at the quirky romantic comedy 2012’s Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, which starred the unique and brilliant jodi of Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

In 2012, within two weeks, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions gave us two diametrically opposite genres of cinema from two debutant directors. If Karan Malhotra’s Agneepath took us back to the grand formalistic revenge drama of the 1970s. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu takes us into the future of Bollywood, where actors don’t have to sing. They don’t have to act. They just have to be as normal as people in love tend to be.

Shakun Batra’s interesting, though flawed, is comprised of a series of elegantly written, confident, but never in-your-face scenes about what happens when two opposites meet in a city as all-embracing as Las Vegas. Of course,...

Directed by Boman Irani, The Mehta Boys is the kind of film that’ll leave you with a sense of contentment, with a thought that things do get better in life and that a problem can cease to be a problem with time. The Mehta Boys is a testament to the fact that a huge star cast, a big budget, foreign locations, CGI, etc., are not really needed to make a good film. An authentic script that derives inspiration from life is more than enough to create an impact on the audience. The Mehta Boys is nuanced, it’s layered, and it’s extremely watchable. So, let’s find out what happened in the film and how the relationship between the father and son panned out.

Spoiler Alert

Why did Amay leave for his hometown?

Amay worked as an architect, and he was not only a hardworking man, he was extremely talented too.

It is perhaps a bug of mine as a critic that I always try to look at a film from a holistic approach, rather than be buoyed by the central moments that serve to either encapsulate the entire emotionality of a film or serve as a cornerstone of that film’s existence. It definitely invites my prying eyes to dissect a film far more ruthlessly than perhaps required.

But perhaps ruthlessness itself stems from expectations. Conversational films within a set time frame, allowing one to delve deeply into the complicated dynamics of Indian parents and their children, always provide catnip for viewers. It could lack novelty, but there is always a certain kernel of relatability. And the tonality of the film could either play on that relatability in broad strokes or in subtlety.

A still from “Mehta Boys” (2024)

The expectation from this Boma Irani directorial, if such a thing needs to be addressed,...

Here’s What You Can Binge On This Pre-Valentine’s Day Weekend! (Photo Credit – Instagram/Facebook)

With Valentine’s Day still a week away, it might be tricky to scroll through and locate what’s new playing around for you to binge. Fear not — from an unexpected re-release of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Interstellar to Suraj Barjatya and Boman Irani’s heartwarming debuts in new fields, from remakes of Tamil and Malayalam hits to a K-Drama about zombies — we have curated everything latest that you would want to check out, here.

1. Loveyapa

To charge you up for the forthcoming Valentine’s Day, this remake of the hit Tamil flick Love Today tells an engaging, cutesy tale of a couple who decides to exchange their mobile phones for an entire day. A hilarious comedy of errors ensues, full of chaos and shocking truths about each other. Directed by Advait Chandan, with...

The Mehta Boys Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry

Director: Boman Irani

The Mehta Boys Movie Review: A Masterclass On Father-Son Relationship! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

What’s Good: A raw and real film about the bond of a father and son done right without any drama!

What’s Bad: The pace – It is slow and needs patience.

Loo Break: Not necessary, you can hold your bladder for 1.5 hours!

Watch or Not?: Definitely yes! But no, if you are a Jamal Kudu fan! If you know what I mean!

Language: Hindi

Available On: Prime Video

Runtime: 1-hour 35-minutes

User Rating:

What is the most complicated relationship in this entire Universe? A father and a son, without a doubt! In fact, a father and a son who are shielded enough to look strong and decisive enough! A father and a son, who shake hands because a...

The Mehta Boys

Starring Boman Irani and Avinash Tiwari

Directed by Boman Irani

I was amused and exasperated to wake up to see a review claiming that a ‘brilliant’ Avinash Tiwari ‘outshines’ Boman Irani in The Mehta Boys (now streaming on Amazon Prime Video).

Firstly, this is quite untrue, and secondly, this is not a kabaddi match. But a delicately poised father-son mellow drama, where any effort by the two principal actors to outshine each other would have landed the film flat on its face.

Irani and Tiwari, as father and son Shiv and Amay playing a hostile pair on screen, are fulsomely aligned as actors, so much so that I wondered how much they must have worked towards achieving this level of compatibility on screen.

Boman Irani’s first stab at direction stabs you in the heart. The father-son conflict is as old as Ramesh Sippy’s Shakti and...

Sonu Sood’s directorial debut film Fateh is still making waves in theatres. Krushna Prakash Patil, who made her debut with the film, is riding high on its success.

Marathi mulgi Krushna came to Mumbai after completing her B.Sc in her hometown Aurangabad to work in the entertainment Industry. She is among those few lucky girls who got a direct call from the production company for her debut film. Shedding light on it, she said, “I had worked with Sonu Sood sir on a couple of ads earlier and his production team contacted me to audition for Fateh. Fortunately, I got selected and that’s how I landed my role.”

Krushna feels really blessed as she not only got to work with Sonu Sood in her debut but also got a lot of guidance from him too. “Working with Sonu Sood sir was an absolute pleasure and a valuable experience.

Jurassic World Rebirth Trailer Review ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

The wait is finally over, and Universal Pictures has finally released the trailer of Jurassic World Rebirth. It gives a short glimpse of what awaits fans and reveals the characters of Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, who look completely badass. It feels good to see ScarJo back in action avatar, and fans are also hyped up to catch this one at the cinemas.

For the uninitiated, this is the fourth installment in the Jurassic World franchise and the seventh film overall in the Jurassic Park film series. The first movie in this franchise was released in 1993 and was followed up by two more films. In 2015, the first film in the Jurassic World series came out, and it was a commercial success. The latest release was in 2022, Jurassic World Dominion. They were led by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Jurassic World Rebirth...

Boman Irani, one of Bollywood’s most beloved and versatile stars, isn’t just known for his brilliant performances but also for his endearing personality off-screen.And if there’s one bond that’s been just as special as his journey in cinema, it’s the one he shares with his wife, Zenobia Irani. Today, he gave his fans a peek into his celebration of 40 incredible years of marriage with his wife, Zenobia Irani.

Taking to Instagram, Boman shared a post that perfectly captures the essence of their relationship. Known for his wit, he couldn’t resist adding his signature humor to his note:

“So it bugs me when the whole world thinks you’re this darling angel. Only I know what a real pain in the behind you can be. 40 years of experience. However… Who wants to marry an angel??? I got a pain in the behind who is also an angel.

Boman Irani’s The Mehta Boys is getting ready for release on Prime Video beginning on February 7th. The very intriguing drama, The Mehta Boys, which marks Boman Irani’s directorial debut, tells the poignant story of a father and son who, despite their differences, must spend 48 hours together, leading to a heartfelt exploration of their complex relationship.

The Original Amazon Prime movie features a highly talented cast, including Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry, and Puja Sarup. An Irani Movietone Llp and Chalkboard Entertainment Llp production, produced by Boman Irani, Danesh Irani, Vikesh Bhutani, and Shujaat Saudagar, The Mehta Boys is also written by Irani along with Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay for the film Birdman.

The Mehta Boys had its world premiere on the Opening Night of the 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival and was honored with the prestigious Best Feature Film award.

The Mehta Boys Trailer Review: Boman Irani’s Directorial Debut Might Sail! (Photo Credit – YouTube)

Almost 10 years ago, we saw a very irritated Deepika Padukone trying to babysit an arrogant and difficult father in Amitabh Bachchan but making this father-daughter relationship work like magic in Shoojit Sircar’s Piku because of love and compassion for their relationship! 10 years later, Boman Irani and Avinash Tiwary bring an exact anti-thesis in The Mehta Boys!

The trailer for Boman Irani’s directorial debut has been dropped, and honestly, the glimpse is endearing enough to place our bets on this film rightfully, and hopefully, this is a winning bet! The film has Boman playing a rigid father struggling to co-exist with his son Avinash Tiwary.

The Mehta Boys seems to be a captivating and emotional story about a father and a son forced to live together under some circumstances, and both of them cannot bear each other.

Bollywood Mascot: Veteran actor Boman Irani is all set to make his directorial debut with The Mehta Boys, a heartfelt film scheduled for release on February 7, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video. The movie delves into the emotional dynamics between a father and his son, promising an intimate and moving cinematic experience.

Starring Boman Irani as the father and Avinash Tiwary as the son, the narrative unfolds over 48 hours as the duo navigates misunderstandings, unresolved issues, and moments of connection. The story is a testament to the evolving bond between two generations.

The film features Shreya Chaudhry and Puja Sarup in pivotal roles and is written by Irani in collaboration with Academy Award-winning writer Alexander Dinelaris Jr. It has been produced under the banners of Irani Movietone Llp and Chalkboard Entertainment Llp, adding to the credibility of this anticipated release.

Before its digital debut, The Mehta Boys received acclaim at various film festivals.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan passed on Happy New Year? (Photo Credit – Instagram/Netflix)

It has been known that Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has rejected working in movies such as ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa,’ ‘Krrish,’ and ‘Munnabhai Mbbs,’ which later turned out to be blockbusters at the box-office. But did you know that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was also offered Farah Khan’s Happy New Year? Read on to find out why she refused to be a part of the film.

In an interview with Ndtv, the actress was questioned about being offered Shah Rukh Khan’s starrer Happy New Year. In response, the actress confessed being offered the role, and she also explained the reason for turning it down. Aishwarya said, “Yeah, I was offered the film, and it did seem like quite a fun trip. I knew we would have a blast doing it, and it was going to be a fun experience.

It’s been 20 years if you can believe it, since Madhur Bhandarkar’s masterpiece, Page 3, was released. We take a look back at the film, which starred Konkona Sen Sharma, Atul Kulkarni, and Boman Irani.

Welcome to the beau monde, where everything is for sale, especially the conscience…where the rich and famous blow kisses in the air. As the humid room records their passionate pretenses, the emptiness of their ecstasy is exposed in recriminating rings of ricocheting realism.

The slimy Nri social climber is informed that a well-known socialite has committed suicide,

“Get me my fashion designer!”, he screams hysterically.

The funeral sequence that follows with all the deceased woman’s contacts and acquaintances shedding sobs into TV cameras is savagely funny and cruel, bitter and tragic.

Often, in the course of this mordant view of decadent elitism, you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Or just...

Sooraj Barjatya’s Next Film! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Sooraj Barjatya, who recently cast Ayushmann Khurrana in his next project, is now looking for the female lead. According to reports, the filmmaker wants to cast either Sara Ali Khan or Triptii Dimri in the movie.

The film, which has not been titled yet, will again be rooted in Indian culture, like Barjatya’s previous work. Sara and Triptii are currently the frontrunners for the female lead’s role and will meet with the director soon.

Sara Ali Khan and Triptii Dimri are Frontrunners to Play the Female Lead in Sooraj Barjatya’s Next

As per sources quoted by Midday, Sooraj Barjatya likes the work of Sara Ali Khan and Triptii Dimri and will cast one of them as the female lead opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in his next film.

Trending Vivek Oberoi Opens Up About Losing His Childhood Sweetheart To Cancer In...

No Entry 2: Boney Kapoor Announces Release Date (Photo Credit – Instagram)

No Entry 2 is one of the most anticipated sequels. Producer Boney Kapoor announced the film earlier this year, and a new cast was confirmed. While the original 2005 comedy hit starred Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Fardeen Khan, the sequel stars Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh in the lead roles.

Boney Kapoor has now announced the release date of the film, confirming when it will be hitting theaters. He has also opened up about why the original trio of stars will not be returning in No Entry 2.

Boney Kapoor Says No Entry 2 Will Release on Diwali 2025

Boney Kapoor talked about No Entry 2 in a recent interview with News 18. The producer revealed that the movie will go on the floors in June 2025 and will be released theatrically on Diwali, i.e., on October 26, 2025.

Trending Amazon...

Why Was This Highly-Awaited Govinda, Tabu & Lara Dutta Movie Shelved? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Bollywood has seen its fair share of shelved projects, but few remain as infamous as Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai. Directed by the late Ravi Chopra, the film featured an impressive cast, including Govinda, Tabu, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani, and Rajpal Yadav. Shot in 2008, this comedy-drama generated significant buzz due to its star-studded lineup and Chopra’s reputation for delivering hits.

However, despite being nearly completed, Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai never saw the light of day. The film’s shelving was not due to production delays or creative differences but a legal battle that derailed its release. American filmmakers legally sued the film for copyright infringement. Despite a settlement, the movie was never released.

Makers Of My Cousin Vinny (1992) Sued Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai For Plagiarism

The primary reason for the film’s indefinite shelving was a copyright...

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S Box Office Revisit (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

The 2003 Sanjay Dutt starrer comedy drama Munna Bhai M.B.B.S remains one of the most adored cult films in Hindi cinema. Right from the performances to the dialogues, the endearing message still strikes a chord with the audience. The movie also introduced us to Bollywood’s one of the most loved dons, Munna Bhai, and his best buddy, Circuit. The film remains one of the most loved roles of Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi. As the movie completes 21 years today (December 19), let us revisit the box office success.

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S Box Office Revisit

The movie was mounted at a budget of 10 crores. Due to a positive word of mouth and an impressive growth in the collections, the total India net collection of the film came to 23.20 crores. At the same time, the gross collection of the movie was around 34 crores.

Which Song Did Sonam Bajwa Dance On To Audition For Shah Rukh Khan-Starrer Happy New Year? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Social media sensation Sonam Bajwa once recalled an incident of auditioning for the lead role for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Happy New Year. In an engaging conversation with Mashable India, the actress shared, “I didn’t have a car at that time. My mother was here for a few days, and it was raining cats and dogs.

They gave a scene for the audition. They gave me that scene, ‘easy lagta hai monika ka dance’ and for the dance they asked me to perform it on Chikni Chameli. I got an outfit ready for Chikni Chameli and the clothes I was wearing, I was supposed to do my scene in those clothes.”

Reminiscing about the same incident, she further shared that it was raining heavily, and she and her mother were...

India’s Cinevesture International Film Festival (Ciff) has announced its return for a second edition, set to run March 20-23, 2025 in Chandigarh, alongside its rebranded market component CinéV-chd.

The festival, which drew industry heavyweights like Karan Johar, Boman Irani, Sudhir Mishra, Shekhar Kapur, and Richa Chadha in its first outing, is expanding through a new partnership with the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla).

The collaboration, dubbed CinéV-iffla, will integrate Cinevesture-curated South Asian projects into Iffla’s Industry Days program, which runs during Iffla’s 23rd edition, scheduled for May 6-10, 2025. The program connects South Asian filmmakers with Hollywood producers through pitch competitions, panels, masterclasses and networking events.

CinéV-chd marks the first in a planned series of film markets designed to connect film professionals with investors and distributors. It is the brainchild of Nina Lath, who previously headed Film Bazaar, South Asia’s largest co-production market, from 2006 to 2018.

“Film...

The Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (Imppa) introduced a novel networking space at this year’s International Film Festival of India (Iffi) in Goa – a three-deck luxury yacht that served as a floating venue for industry events and meetings.

The vessel, dubbed the Imppa Yacht, hosted over 1,000 visitors during the four-day Film Bazaar segment of Iffi, according to Yusuf Shaikh, Imppa’s international committee head and CEO of Janta Cinema. More than 30 producers utilized the space for launches, press conferences and networking events.

“We wanted to give our 25,000-plus members and the film fraternity a chance to explore Iffi 2024 in a unique manner and match up to the standards of the Cannes Film Festival,” said Imppa president Abhay Sinha.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (Cii) organized an event aboard featuring industry veterans Shekhar Kapur, Boman Irani, Bobby Bedi and Nikkhil Advani. The yacht also served as the launch pad for Bedi’s venture,...

The opening ceremony of the 55th International Film Festival of India (Iffi) in Goa on Wednesday crammed in several Bollywood-style performances. But it also took some time to deal with the business of cinema, as well.

The spectacle came from “The Perfect Couple” breakout star Ishaan Khatter dancing to a medley of Bollywood hits and Manushi Chhillar to hit film songs from India’s various creative industries. Sanya Malhotra and Sunny Kaushal enacted a musical tableau chronicling the journey of Indian cinema from 1913 to the present day, which included showstoppers “Naatu Naatu” from “Rrr” and “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire.”

Australia is Iffi’s Country of Focus this year and there was a performance from Australian dancers as well.

On the business front, on the back of the India-Colombia audiovisual coproduction agreement that was signed in October, the first look at a film examining the role of guru and spiritual...

Amazon Prime Video is making a bold statement during the International feature Festival of India (Iffi) in Goa, demonstrating its expanding commitment to Indian entertainment with high-profile feature and series premieres.

The festival will focus on “The Mehta Boys,” a highly intimate film directed by legendary actor Boman Irani. The film, which previously won best feature picture at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, delves into the complex interactions between a father and son. Its emotional depth is expected to resonate with both reviewers and audiences.

Adding to the excitement, Prime Video will premiere “The Rana Daggubati Show,” an eight-episode unscripted series created and hosted by South Indian celebrity Rana Daggubati. The concert, which begins streaming on November 23, boasts an amazing lineup of guests, including actors Dulquer Salmaan and Naga Chaitanya Akkineni and acclaimed filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli.

The streaming platform’s festival involvement extends beyond screenings. Shilangi Mukherji, Director and...

Micaela Diamond Set For Jenny Lester’s Directing Debut ‘Our Bodies & Other Shames’

Exclusive: Actor and producer Jenny Lester is making her directorial debut with Our Bodies & Other Shames, with Micaela Diamond among the leads. The indie flick is written by Malka Wallick, who will also star alongside Diamond (Grotesquerie), Gideon Adlon (Blockers) and Alyssa Reiner (The Diplomat). The plot follows three childhood girlfriends, who gather together for a sleepover in the Brooklyn of their youth when one is diagnosed with breast cancer and are confronted by their younger shelves for a night of memories, secrets and the meaning what it is to truly go home. Producers say Our Bodies & Other Shames “transports us to a world where friendship is the religion and The Spice Girls are the prayer.” Production has just wrapped in Brooklyn, with Girl Gang Productions, Monica Arsenault and Wallick producing. “In a time of rising and violent anti-semitism,...

Boman Irani’s movie “The Mehta Boys” will have its Asian premiere this weekend at the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) in Goa, marking one of the few places it will have a theatrical screening before heading to streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video.

The company will claim other prominent positions during the festival with the world premiere of its unscripted Telugu-language series “The Rana Daggubati Show,” a how-to panel discussion on Nov. 22, and a musical performance at the festival’s closing ceremony on Nov. 28.

Irani’s feature directing debut, “The Mehta Boys” is an emotionally charged drama exploring the complex and turbulent bond between a father and son who are compelled to spend 48 hours together under challenging circumstances. It debuted at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival in September and there won the best feature film award.

The Iffi screening will be attended by Irani and cast including Avinash Tiwary,...

Following its world premiere on the Opening Night of the 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (Csaff) on September 20th, Prime Video’s upcoming original movie, The Mehta Boys, has been honored with the prestigious Best Feature Film award. The film, which marks Boman Irani’s directorial debut, has received this accolade for its compelling storytelling and heartfelt performances, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike.

The event was graced by the film’s talented cast, including actor, writer, director, and producer Boman Irani, alongside writer Alexander Dinelaris and actors Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhry. Also in attendance were producer Danesh Irani and executive producer Ankita Batra.

An ecstatic Boman Irani expresses, “Winning at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival for The Mehta Boys feels like a dream come true! Having my family and the cast here made it a true celebration. To everyone who poured their heart and soul...

The Mehta Boys captivated audiences at the 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (Csaff) with the exclusive world premiere on the Opening Night on September 20th. The film, which marks Boman Irani’s directorial debut, received a thunderous applause from a packed audience, for its heartfelt story and stellar performances.

The Original Amazon Prime movie, features a highly talented cast including Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry, and Puja Sarup. An Irani Movietone Llp and Chalkboard Entertainment Llp production, produced by Boman Irani, Danesh Irani, Vikesh Bhutani, and Shujaat Saudagar, The Mehta Boys is also and written by Irani along with Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay for the film Birdman.

The world premiere, which received received an overwhelming response was attended by the film’s cast, including actor, writer, director, and producer Boman Irani, along with writer Alexander Dinelaris, actors Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhry, producer Danesh Irani,...

Anees Bazmi’s No Entry managed to do the near-impossible. It was a sex comedy without overt sex and vulgarity. The upmarket, high-profile star cast ensures a high-quality, cleaned-out satirical scenario freed of annoying innuendos. Nonetheless, the swiftly flowing slapstick replete with grossly overblown dollops of mistaken identity and other intensely corny contrivances takes the comedy this farce and no more.

Farcical comedies about infidelity are not alien to Hindi cinema. B.R. Chopra’s Pati Patni Aur Woh gave the late and great Sanjeev Kumar a chance to do the incorrigible flirtatious husband with a deadpan ingenuity that his successors have found hard to replicate. The men are constantly chasing the women, while their spouses are constantly chasing their skirt-chasing husbands. The confusions of infidelity are gross examples of political incorrectness.

Recalling the No Entry experience, Anees says, “No Entry got a lot of love. Everybody started saying that because of No Entry,...

Boman Irani’s visit to the Nana Chowk fire brigade in Mumbai is a beautiful testament to his character and appreciation for those who serve the community. Taking a break from his busy schedule, especially while preparing for his directorial debut, showcases his commitment to acknowledging the hard work and bravery of firefighters.

In his heartfelt social media post, he expressed admiration for their dedication and courage, highlighting the importance of their lifesaving efforts. It’s wonderful to see a prominent figure like Irani using his platform to honor these unsung heroes.

As he gears up for the release of The Mehta Boys, which will be the opening film at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival and also showcased at the Toronto Film Festival, this visit adds an inspiring layer to his journey as a director. It’s an exciting time for Boman, and his dual showcase at these prestigious...

Shabana Shines

The International Film Festival of South Asia (Iffsa) Toronto 2024 will honor “Halo” and “Fire” star Shabana Azmi‘s five-decade career during its 13th edition, running Oct. 10-20. The festival’s tribute program includes a screening of Shyam Benegal’s “Mandi,” a masterclass, and a musical celebration titled “Shab-e-Sur.”

The festival will feature premieres and events with industry figures including Imtiaz Ali, Deepa Mehta, Boman Irani and Anup Singh. Irani’s directorial debut “The Mehta Boys,” co-written by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris, will open the festival with its Canadian premiere. Ali’s Netflix film “Amar Singh Chamkila” will receive a theatrical screening, followed by a masterclass and a “Chamkila Night” musical event.

The lineup includes Payal Kapadia‘s Cannes Grand Prix winner “All We Imagine as Light” and Madhumita’s “Kaalidhar Laapata” starring Abhishek Bachchan and Nimrat Kaur. Films from Srijit Mukherji, Leesa Gazi and Kaushal Oza will also be featured.

The exclusive world premiere of the highly anticipated The Mehta Boys will be opening night Gala film at the prestigious 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (Csaff) to be held between September 19 – 22, 2024. The Original Amazon Prime movie, Boman Irani’s directorial debut, will be showcased on the Opening Night of the festival on September 20. An Irani Movietone Llp and Chalkboard Entertainment Llp production, produced by Boman Irani, Danesh Irani, Vikesh Bhutani, and Shujaat Saudagar, The Mehta Boys is also and written by Irani along with Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay for the film Birdman. The film features a highly talented cast including Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry, and Puja Sarup.

The Mehta Boys is based on a father and son at odds with each other, who find themselves compelled to spend 48 hours together. The film follows their tumultuous journey and offers a nuanced exploration of...

Sílvia Abril Leads SkyShowtime’s ‘Mamen Mayo’

Sílvia Abril (Padre no Hay Más que Uno) has been cast to lead SkyShowtime drama series Mamen Mayo. She will play the title character act opposite fellow leads Pablo Capuz (Merlí. Sapere Aude), Mona Martínez (La Novia Gitana) and Clara Sans (Cardo). Abril’s character is billed as an “extremely intelligent inheritance mediator, who is at the pinnacle of her career.” She leads a team of mediators who in each episode attempt to resolve the conflicts of interest within families entangled in inheritance disputes. Also cast are Oscar de la Fuente, Francisco Reyes, Javier Pereira, and Toni Acosta as Rebeca Mayo, Mamen’s sister. The eight-part, half-hour series comes from Nostromo Pictures in association with SkyShowtime. Eduard Sola is the creator, and serves as showrunner alongside Miguel Ángel Faura. Mamen Mayo is streamer SkyShowtime’s first original program out of Spain. SkyShowtime is...

Shah Rukh Khan, often hailed as King Khan, was recently spotted at Mumbai Airport on August 9, 2024, as he set off for the prestigious Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The Bollywood superstar is set to receive the esteemed Pardo alla Carriera award at the festival, a recognition of his outstanding contributions to cinema. The award ceremony is scheduled for August 10, 2024, at the iconic Piazza Grande.

Srk’s airport appearance caught the attention of fans and media alike, with his stylish look being the talk of the town. He donned a casual yet trendy ensemble, featuring a white t-shirt paired with a vibrant orange jacket and classic blue jeans. Complementing his outfit, he sported sleek black sunglasses, exuding his signature dapper charm as he made his way to the airport’s entry gate.

The Locarno Film Festival, established in 1946, is one of the most esteemed film festivals globally, known for its focus on auteur cinema.

Akshay Kumar recently shared a delightful video on Instagram, featuring a dance reunion with his Heyy Babyy co-stars, Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan. The trio first danced to the title track of their 2007 hit film Heyy Babyy, followed by the catchy tune of Hauli Hauli from Akshay’s upcoming film Khel Khel Mein. Akshay captioned the post, “When Heyy Babyy meets Hauli Hauli We had a blast doing this khel khel mein, now you guys create your reels with your friends on #HauliHauli, share with us and we’ll reshare the best ones. Khel Khel Mein releasing in cinemas on 15th August, 2024.”

Fans reacted enthusiastically, with comments like “Akshay paji in comedy mode” and “Best collab of the year,” highlighting their excitement for both the nostalgic reunion and the new film.

Akshay Kumar and Fardeen Khan Reunite After 17 Years in Sajid Nadiadwala’s Housefull 5

The original film Heyy Babyy,...

Anurag Kashyap is back to work with renewed vigour. Even before finishing his upcoming film with Bobby Deol, the filmmaker has quietly started shooting for another project. Peepingmoon.com has exclusively learned that the Gangs of Wasseypur director is now teaming up with Amazon Prime Video on a thriller movie starring Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s grandson, Aaishvary Thackeray, in his debut leading role.

Thackeray will star alongside Vineet Kumar Singh (Mukkabaaz), Mohammed Zeeshan Ayuub (Article 15), and Kumud Mishra (Ram Singh Charlie) in this yet-untitled project. Plot details are being kept close to the vest, but sources describe the film as an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Ajay Rai and Alan McAlex are producing it under Jar Pictures, which is popularly known for making critically praised independent films such as Liar’s Dice, Nil Battey Sannata, Gurgaon, Bamfaad, Moothon, Chocked, and the Disney+Hotstar series, Grahan. The film has already been shot for...

‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ starring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Abhishek Bachchan has been one of the most memorable films so far and is still celebrated. The film was considered to be ahead of its times and has garnered significant fan base over the years. However, in a recent interview, Pakistani actor Tauqeer Nasir made a remark on the character of Shah Rukh saying that it was copied from his character in a show ‘Parwaaz’. The actor also mentioned that he appreciates that his character was copied that’s too by the Shah Rukh, but the makers should have had given the credit for the same.

He said, “Ek film Shah Rukh ne meri ki hai. Parwaaz drame ka poora character use as it is kiya hai. I appreciate lekin usko credit dena chahiye tha. Karan Johar ko dena chahiye tha.” Further adding that even the similarities...

Best Courtroom Dramas To Watch If You liked Maharaj on Netflix. (Photo Credit – Youtube)

While the debutant Junaid Khan takes on the role of Karsandas Mulji, a courageous journalist, in Maharaj, the seasoned actor Jaideep Ahlawat brings the character of Jadunath Maharaj, a.k.a. JJ, to life. Karsandas, an advocate for women’s rights, locks horns with religious leader JJ, who exploits women in the name of worship. The Netflix film, based on the famous 1862 Maharaj libel case, has received much praise from the audience.

Junaid Khan’s film also landed in controversy when several Hindu religious bodies opposed its release. However, Maharaj saw the light of the day on June 21. If you liked the high-voltage courtroom drama on Netflix, here are 10 thematically similar dramas to add to your watchlist.

Trending Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s Sharmajee Ki Beti: Cast, Plot, All Other Details You Need To Know What...

The anticipation for ‘Bad Newz,’ featuring Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk, is reaching new heights as the creators have revealed a fresh poster ahead of the trailer launch. This upcoming comedy promises to captivate audiences with its unique storyline and star-studded cast.

‘Bad Newz,’ backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, has been steadily building excitement since its announcement. The makers have been teasing fans with a motion poster and the trailer release date. Now, the latest poster featuring Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk has set the stage for what promises to be a hilarious showdown.

Netizens quickly reacted to the new poster, expressing their excitement in the comments. One fan wrote, “When it’s your film, it’s always Good News.” Another commented, “Inspired By True Events… Okayyy Really Looking Forward To This One Now. All The Best Team Bad Newz.” Others shared their enthusiasm,...

What To Watch This Weekend. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The third week of June 2024 is filled with many exciting releases. If you are wondering what to watch this weekend, you have come to the right place. The list mentions the newly released titles in theatres and streaming platforms, from movies like Ishq Vishk Rebound to Netflix’s Kota Factory Season 3.

What To Watch This Weekend On Ott Netflix Kota Factory Season 3

Jeetu Bhaiya and his aimers are back! Kota Factory Season 3 takes an emotional turn with an immersive story that highlights the struggles of students and the faculty in Kota. The Netflix show stars Jitendra Kumar, Mayur More, Alam Khan, Tillotama Shone, Ahsaas Channa and others.

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Trending Maharaj Movie Review: Junaid Khan & Jaideep Ahlawat’s Stellar Performances Are The Key Highlights Of A Risky Historical Controversy Gam Gam Ganesha: After Box Office Failure,...