In the ever-evolving world of Indian cinema, the insights and desires of its stars shape the landscape in ways both profound and personal. Recently, one such luminary, Nargis Fakhri, shared her appreciation for the craft and hinted at future ambitions.
Nargis Fakhri, fresh off her appearance in the streaming series “Tatlubaaz,” expressed her admiration for director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s character crafting in the film “Animal.” The Ranbir Kapoor-starrer, released in December last year, stirred significant debate due to its portrayal of female characters and the emphasis on “alpha male” traits. Fakhri commented, “I love how the character was sketched for Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Animal.’ The way he explored alpha energy was truly impressive! And look at how well he drafted characters for even the females in his film. Even though they weren’t the ‘leads’, they had the juiciest parts too.” This praise from Fakhri extends beyond Vanga’s work as she expressed a keen interest in collaborating with acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. “I feel his films are like a breath of fresh air that’s loaded with light-hearted moments. Lastly, I’d also like to work with Kabir Khan and his high-octane action films like ‘Ek Tha Tiger.’ I admire his passion for storytelling,” she added.
In a contrasting expression of aspirations, actor Sharvari, set to appear in the upcoming film “Munjya,” revealed her long-standing ambition to perform a dance number. Sharvari shared, “I was always fascinated by them. I have been mesmerized by the leading ladies of Hindi cinema, as well as the dancing icons across generations, who have belted out those big chartbusters that the entire nation has danced to. These party tracks have time and again also given recognition and validation to actors who have aced their performances in them.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recently touched upon the intersection of politics and cinema. He emphasized the importance of meeting the film fraternity despite ideological differences to tap into cinema’s soft power. Reflecting on his tenure, he remarked, “I did many workshops after being voted to the Prime Minister’s Office in 2016. I did workshops with start-ups and sports-persons. Not just this, I had meetings with people belonging to the film fraternity. I know the film fraternity is different in terms of its ideology, but as a prime minister, it is my job to talk to them and understand their problems.
. If Bollywood proves to be beneficial to us in the global market, if Tamil or Telugu films can prove to be profitable across the world, then for me as a PM, it’s important to capitalize on the power that cinema can lend to our country.”
In other cinematic developments, filmmaker Karan Johar announced the sequel to his 2018 film “Dhadak.” The upcoming “Dhadak 2,” set to release in November, stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri. In an online post, Johar teased the storyline, “This story is a bit different. Once, there was a king and a queen, both of whom belonged to different castes. End of story.” The promo video underscores themes related to the lives of Dalits and resistance against casteism.
Meanwhile, actress Janhvi Kapoor paid homage to her late mother, Sridevi, by visiting the Muppathamman temple in Chennai, a place cherished by Sridevi. Kapoor posted on Instagram, sharing images from her visit and saying, “Visited Muppathamman temple for the first time. Mumma’s most favourite place to visit in Chennai (sic).” Kapoor is awaiting the release of “Mr & Mrs Mahi,” where she stars alongside Rajkummar Rao.
On the collaborative front, Saif Ali Khan has rejoined forces with director Siddharth Anand, rekindling a creative partnership nearly 17 years since their last venture, “Ta Ra Rum Pum.” Anand shared the joyous reunion on social media, posting a photo from Budapest, Hungary with Khan, and remarking, “Back on set with my first hero! How can nothing change? Love you, Saif!” While details remain scant, it is speculated that the project may be “Jewel Thief,” directed by Robbie Grewal and produced by Anand. Khan was last seen in the 2023 film “Adipurush” and is also set to appear in Jr NTR’s upcoming Telugu film “Devara,” featuring Janhvi Kapoor.
In a collective call for justice, actors John Abraham, Raveena Tandon, Sunny Leone, and Jacqueliene Fernandez have urged for “stricter laws” to protect animals. Their advocacy follows a brutal incident in Greater Noida where a stray dog was hurled from the 15th floor of a building. Abraham stated, “The surge in cruelty to animals deeply wounds our collective conscience. Governments must not falter; they must implement stringent penalties to deter perpetrators and invest in comprehensive educational programs to foster empathy and reverence for all life forms.” Echoing his sentiments, Tandon highlighted research indicating a link between animal cruelty and other forms of violence, emphasizing, “It’s imperative for the safety of all of society—humans and other animals alike—that perpetrators are caught and punished.”
As Indian cinema continues to find its voice amidst shifting cultural and political landscapes, the voices of its constituents—from actors to directors, and leaders—remain crucial in shaping its trajectory.
