Author: Ankita Singh

The makers of director Abhilash Kankara’s highly anticipated sports action film, ‘Biker’, featuring actor Sharwanand in the lead role, have announced a postponement of the film’s release.

Originally set to hit screens on December 6 this year, the production team released a statement explaining the delay. They aim to provide audiences not just a film but an “experience like never before.”

Announcement from UV Creations

UV Creations, the production house behind ‘Biker’, took to its X timeline to share the news: “#Biker stands postponed! A new release date will be announced soon. A bigger, better experience is being crafted with care and being assembled with passion. #Biker will be releasing in 3D, 4DX, and many more formats.”

The production house described the film as “An experience beyond the screens!” and highlighted the dedication of the cast and crew, who have been working tirelessly to prepare this project.

They stated, “Trust us, this film is much more than the little laps we showed, and it is bigger than what Telugu Cinema has seen until now! To this kind of an experience, to this kind of a scale…”

A Thrilling Experience Awaits

The production team expressed their commitment to delivering a product that “races in your hearts, pumps up your adrenaline, and makes you breathless!” Emphasizing the intention behind the delay, they promised, “Biker stands postponed, not just to give you a film but an experience like never before. BIKER is coming to theatres in 3D, 4DX, and many more formats. Tighten your helmets. You are in for a ride of a lifetime.”

In this exciting film, Sharwanand stars as a skilled motorcycle racer, initially referred to as #Sharwa36. Sources close to the film’s unit have indicated that the shooting is in its final stages, with key racing scenes already filmed in Hyderabad.

A source mentioned in September that “These scenes are going to be the highlight of the film,” adding that Sharwanand’s stunts are set to impress audiences and provide an exceptional adrenaline rush.

Star-Studded Cast and Crew

Malavika Nair plays the female lead, while the film also features well-known character actors Brahmaji and Atul Kulkarni in pivotal roles. Produced by Vamsi and Pramod, this high-energy film unfolds against the backdrop of motocross racing, depicting a thrilling story of a family spanning three generations, rooted in the motocross culture of the 90s and early 2000s.

Cinematography for ‘Biker’ is handled by the renowned cameraman J Yuvraj, and the music has been composed by the acclaimed Tamil music director Ghibran. The film’s editing is led by Anil Kumar P, with N Sandeep serving as the executive producer. Rajeevan is the production designer, while A Panneerselvam is the art director.

Actor Vivan Bhathena has recently shared intriguing insights into the iconic wrestling scene from the blockbuster film ‘Dangal’. In a special appearance, his character challenges Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan’s portrayal of Mahavir Singh Phogat.

Wrestling Sequence Insights

During a promotional campaign for his latest film, ‘120 Bahadur’, Vivan revealed that the floor in the wrestling scene was specially designed. It was layered with a mat to cushion the impact for both actors involved.

“There was a thin mat over the floor because if you landed with that impact on a stone floor, you’d obviously break your back. But obviously, it hurts quite badly. I mean, it’s not like a full-blown mattress where you’re softly falling. It’s a proper hit. The trick with wrestling is, and the coach also taught me to hold on to Aamir,” he explained.

He further added, “The tighter I held on to him, the lesser impact I would feel because both of our bodies would take the shock together. But obviously, it literally blew the wind out of me. The reactions that you see on screen are quite real.”

About ‘Dangal’

‘Dangal’, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is a biographical sports drama based on the lives of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat. The film tracks Mahavir, a former wrestler with dreams of winning a gold medal for India, who, unable to do so himself, invests his ambition into training his daughters, challenging entrenched gender norms in rural Haryana.

Through rigorous discipline, unconventional methods, and unwavering belief, Mahavir transforms them into world-class wrestlers. The narrative highlights Geeta’s ascent as India’s first female wrestler to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, while also exploring the evolving father-daughter relationship as Geeta gains independence. Aamir Khan’s stellar performance and strong supporting roles further enhance the film, which artfully blends emotional depth with authentic wrestling sequences.

Actress Rukmini Vasanth, widely acclaimed for her compelling portrayal of queen Kanakavathi in director Rishab Shetty’s hit film “Kantara: Chapter 1,” believes that journaling provides her valuable insights into her life and career.

The Significance of Journaling

Rukmini opens up about the importance of this habit, stating, “Journaling is where I pause and take stock. I re-read my journals a lot — they offer perspective. The worries I had before Birbal, or after drama school, were so different from today — yet so potent. It reminds me that what feels overwhelming today might seem almost humorous five years later.”

Her journal entries serve as time capsules, capturing her growth not only as an actress but also as an individual navigating various experiences and lessons. Flipping through these old pages, she often uncovers small insights she was processing subconsciously at the time. Many of these reflections help her stay grounded in her instincts, a quality she cherishes as a performer.

Behind the Scenes of ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’

Following the success of “Kantara: Chapter 1,” Rukmini shared intriguing clips and notes related to her character on her Instagram page. She titled one of her posts “Becoming Kanakavathi,” featuring a series of clips, notes, and sketches that highlighted her creative process.

Among the BTS clips was one showing the actress learning to ride a horse, while a note illustrated the key traits of Kanakavathi written around her name. She also showcased some sketches made on set, including one of actor Jayaram as the King.

Upcoming Projects

Looking ahead, Rukmini Vasanth has two significant pan-Indian projects lined up: “Toxic: A Fairytale for Grownups” alongside Yash, directed by Geetu Mohandas, and the highly anticipated “#NTRNeel” featuring NTR Jr., directed by Prashanth Neel.

Her journey is unfolding at a thrilling pace. In a fast-moving world, Rukmini finds a simple yet beautiful way to stay balanced — one page, one thought, one intentional moment at a time.

While the debate surrounding the morality of films in Hindi cinema intensifies, with productions like ‘Kabir Singh’ and ‘Animal’ facing close examination, the late actor Amjad Khan once shared his perspective on films that tackle disturbing themes.

An old video of Khan discussing the influence of society on cinema has resurfaced online. In this video, he defends the medium, asserting that films often reflect societal realities.

Portrayal of Disturbing Themes

When asked about the representation of rape in cinema and how such portrayals might unsettle certain viewers, Khan responded, “You shouldn’t even read newspapers. You shouldn’t even go to social services centres. Because when you go to those centres, you will find far more disturbing stories compared to what our cinema shows. In the past, literature was written based on the environment, culture, and needs of that time. Similarly, today’s cinema is a reflection of today’s environment. It is not the image. It is not the subject. It is not the matter. It is merely an image. Whatever happens is reflected in our films. The rape cases, the blinding of people in Bhagalpur, millions of people have been killed. What is this? Is this terrorism? We read these things in the newspapers. People make plots based on that.”

Global Context of Crisis

Khan further noted, “We are not living in a sick society. The whole world today is going through a very sick period. If you take the right from the nuclear bomb and whatever problems we have all over the world. Terrorism has spread all over the world. The whole world is going through practically a very sick period. It is not only Indian cinema. It is the whole world that is going through a crisis.”

He emphasized that halting the screening of disturbing films will not resolve the underlying global issues. “You cannot reduce human weakness. The first murder was the one where Cain killed his brother Abel, as per the Bible. The first crime started from there. Which film was made at that time? In the prehistoric ages, people used to hit each other on the head, kill each other and bury them alive. Which film was made at that time? You cannot put this on films,” he concluded.

On Arjun Rampal’s birthday, Divya Dutta fondly recalled a moment when she couldn’t stop laughing at the actor’s jokes, causing her mascara to smudge.

In a recent Instagram post, the ‘Veer-Zaara’ actress shared a delightful personal anecdote about their time together. She described Arjun as “handsome, cool, and kind-hearted,” emphasizing their professional camaraderie. Divya reminisced about how his sense of humor made her laugh so much that she had to touch up her makeup.

Cherished Memories

Divya posted a video featuring happy moments with Arjun. The video montage showcases images of them from sets, promotions, and behind-the-scenes, highlighting the joyful connection they share.

For her caption, Divya wrote, “And this friend, who’s drop-dead handsome of course, but an absolute cool guy with a golden heart!! We’ve done 3 films and #BandishBandits Season 2 together!! An absolute joy to work with and that fab sense of humour! I literally had to go touch up my makeup, coz I smudged the mascara, laughing at his jokes! Happy Bday you amazing @rampal72. Keep spreading the smiles.”

Their Collaborative Journey

Arjun and Divya have acted together in films like “Heroine,” “The Last Lear,” and “Dhaakad,” and they also collaborated in “Bandish Bandits Season 2.”

In addition to Divya’s heartwarming post, Arjun received sweet birthday wishes from his partner, Gabriella Demetriades. She shared several unseen photos of Arjun with her and their two sons. Gabriella praised Arjun for teaching them how to live life to the fullest, writing, “Happy birthday to our guy, thank you for showing us how life is meant to be lived.”

Heartfelt Greetings from Friends

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar also extended his birthday wishes to Arjun Rampal by sharing intense photos from his upcoming film “Dhurandhar.” In his caption, Dhar wrote, “Happy birthday, Arjun Sir. On screen he’s pure menace, but off screen he’s the warmest and one of the most generous souls I’ve known. Love you Bhaiyya. Here’s to many more stories together. Images courtesy team #Dhurandhar.”

Playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya has made a remarkable vow to rapper Badshah during his recent appearance on the latest episode of the singing reality show ‘Indian Idol’ season 16.

A Heartfelt Tribute

The episode featured a rare and heartwarming crossover of two musical eras as Abhijeet paid tribute to judge Badshah by singing the iconic track ‘Badshah O Badshah’. This performance lit up the set, beautifully blending nostalgia with contemporary energy.

A Promise to Badshah

After his soul-stirring performance, Abhijeet turned to Badshah with a heartfelt declaration that had everyone cheering: “If you ever do a movie, I’ll do playback for your song. I’ll sing in your film! From today onwards, I’m ready to be your voice.” Badshah was visibly moved and shared how significant the song has been in shaping his identity and career. “The song ‘Badshah O Badshah’ gave me my name. My career, my life, it all started with this anthem for anyone who believes in themselves,” he said.

Celebration of Music

Unable to contain his excitement, Badshah joined in, dancing to the song with full swag and joy, turning the stage into a vibrant celebration of identity, rhythm, and pure fanboy energy.

Nostalgic Moments with Karisma Kapoor

Prior to this, actress Karisma Kapoor graced the show as a special guest and reminisced about her fond memories of shooting the song ‘Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein’ from the film ‘Raja Hindustani’. Contestant Banashree Biswas performed this cherished song during the ‘Yaadon Ki Playlist’ special episode. Karisma shared, “This is one of my favourite songs. It touches my heart and soul every single time.” She further expressed her deep connection to the track, recalling that she was just 19 when she originally performed it on screen, a phase she describes as one of the most defining moments of her career.

‘Indian Idol’ season 16 airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.

Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston appears to have fully surrendered to cupid, finding her new boyfriend “cute.”

The ‘Friends’ actress has been in a relationship with Jim Curtis since the summer. They made their romance Instagram official earlier this month, according to reports.

Promoting Her Haircare Line

Jim, a hypnotherapist, recently featured in a video on Jennifer’s Instagram account to help promote her haircare line. In the clip, Jennifer demonstrates how to use two of her products, combining them in her hands before applying them to Jim’s hair.

She said, “You’re going to do a little bit of the hair paste, a little drop of the hair oil, mix it together, run your hands through your hair and you’re good to go.”

As the camera turned to Jim, she remarked, “Cute,” and captioned the post: “A little bit a this… A little bit a that… A little bit a cuuuute (sic).”

Support from Her Partner

According to reports, Jim liked the post and also shared it on his own Instagram Story.

The actress recently described Jim as “very special” and “very normal.” In an interview with ELLE magazine, she praised him, saying, “Hypnotism is one of the many things that he does. He’s quite extraordinary and helps many, many people. He’s very special, very normal, and very kind, and wants to help people heal, move through their trauma and stagnation into clarity. It’s a beautiful thing to commit your life to.”

Jennifer, who was previously married to actor Brad Pitt and was in a relationship with Justin Theroux from 2015 to 2018, sparked romance rumors with Jim during a vacation in Mallorca, Spain, over the Fourth of July weekend. After sharing a photo of them embracing to celebrate Jim’s birthday, he added more pictures of the couple, confirming their relationship.

Veteran Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan recently shared an intriguing anecdote about his film ‘Ganga Ki Saugand’. Known as the quintessential angry young man of his era, Big B revealed that he was quite scared when asked to ride a horse over the Ganga River.

In a promo released by the makers of the quiz-based reality show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, Sudesh Lehri and Kiku Sharda are seen gracing the set alongside Bachchan.

Recalling his experience during the filming of ‘Ganga Ki Saugand’, Amitabh said, “There was a scene, which was shot in Rishikesh. Our director said, ‘You will sit on a horse and ride over that bridge’. And, I saw Ganga river down there, and immediately started singing aarti for the river. While singing, I kicked the horse. It ran and crossed the bridge. I was saved.”

The latest episode will feature the two comeddigihunt, while the subsequent episode will host members of the World Cup-winning Indian Women’s Cricket team. This star-studded lineup includes skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Kaur Deol, Richa Ghosh, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and India Women’s Team Head Coach Amol Muzumdar.

This exciting episode aims to blend two of the nation’s greatest passions: cricket and quizzing. Viewers can look forward to light-hearted moments, on-field anecdotes, team camaraderie, and engaging exchanges between the players and Amitabh Bachchan. It will also celebrate the pride and power of India’s Women in Blue. However, it appears that explosive opener Smriti Mandhana has opted out of this episode.

Earlier this month, the Indian women’s team defeated South Africa, echoing the triumph of the Men’s cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2024 Final.

‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.

Actor Sunny Hinduja, renowned for his performances in “TVF Aspirants” and “Shehzaada,” has shared his enthusiasm for taking on a biopic.

Passion for Real-Life Stories

In an exclusive conversation at the IFFI 2025 event, Sunny expressed his deep interest in real-life stories that inspire change and leave a lasting impact. He stated that narratives rooted in inspiration and meaningful journeys resonate with him the most.

When asked about the types of stories that attract him, Sunny Hinduja emphasized his fondness for biopics and real-life narratives. He remarked, “I love biopics. Even if the story is about someone unknown, if they created change, inspired people, or lived a meaningful life, I find that very powerful. Stories that touch the heart always stay with me.”

Choosing Roles

Discussing his approach to selecting roles, Sunny Hinduja commented, “I don’t believe actors choose roles. Roles choose you. We often say we want good people and passionate creators around us, but the role meant for you arrives with everything aligned. I don’t judge roles or set fixed rules. I simply follow what feels right.”

Upcoming Projects

When inquired about new projects, the actor confirmed he is currently preparing for a role and will begin shooting soon.

Directorial Debut

Sunny Hinduja also appeared in the film “A Film Within a Film,” marking his directorial debut. Reflecting on the project, he shared, “This is a story we wanted to tell for a long time. Since we both are actors at heart, we thought, why not create something for ourselves—characters we relate to and a story we believe in? When we began writing, we poured so much of ourselves into it that we eventually felt no one could direct it better than us. We knew the characters intimately. That’s how we ended up directing and producing it as well.”

Malayalam star Mohanlal has expressed his joy over the restoration of his cult classic film ‘Kireedam’ by the National Film Archive of India (NFDC). He stated that it would be an honor to see this classic return to the screen.

In a post on his X timeline, he announced that the world premiere of the restored 4K version of ‘Kireedam’ would be featured as part of the Special Screenings at the International Film Festival of India in Goa. He noted that the film’s final grading was supervised by its cinematographer, S. Kumar.

Mohanlal shared, “Delighted to share the world premiere of the 4K restoration of Kireedam (1989), presented as part of the Special Screenings at the 56th IFFI, Goa. The film has been meticulously restored by NFDC from a 35mm release print, thankfully preserved by the archive for several decades after the original camera negative had decomposed. The final grading was supervised by the film’s cinematographer, S. Kumar. It is an honour to witness this classic return to the screen.”

He further added, “It is heartening to see ‘Kireedam’ revived under the National Film Heritage Mission. My best wishes to NFDC–NFAI as they continue preserving and presenting India’s cinematic heritage for future generations, in both digital and analog form.”

For those unfamiliar, ‘Kireedam’ is a Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil, released in 1989, starring Mohanlal, Thilakan, Parvathy Jayaram, and Mohanraj in lead roles. This cult classic earned Mohanlal his first National Award for Special Mention, recognizing his portrayal of a young man’s agony and pain in a unique manner. The film was not only a massive commercial success but also received critical acclaim, solidifying its status as one of Malayalam cinema’s most iconic films.